CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Councilmembers Michael Brown, Jack Evans, and Mayor Gray

ANC Commissioners From Wards Six and Seven. Hill East Resident Commissioner Jared Critchfield (second from right) Chairs ANC6B

300 Residents Turn Out For Community Meeting

Mayor Gray Meets Wards Six and Seven Residents On Redskins Training Camp

Mayor Says Hill East Redskins Camp “Is Not a Plan – It’s a Conversation”

by Larry Janezich

Mayor Vincent Gray told 300 residents of Ward 6 and Ward 7 that the idea of bringing a Redskins training camp to Reservation 13 “is not a plan – it’s a conversation.”  The community meeting, sponsored jointly by ANCs in Wards Six and Seven, was held in DC Armory, near Reservation 13.  Last fall, the redistricting process placed Reservation 13 in Yvette Alexander’s Ward 7, most of which lies east of the river, a change from its previous, contiguous location in Ward Six. 

Ward Six residents in the neighborhoods adjacent to Reservation 13 are largely opposed to siting a Redskins training facility there, preferring the long-stalled plans for city buildings, retail, and residential complexes. 

Mayor Gray said that DC joined the conversation about a new Redskins training facility in DC after learning that Virginia and Maryland each had proposals on the table for a training facility within their boundaries.  Gray added that he had visited the Tampa in 2011 to take a look at what was reportedly the finest training facility in the country.  The Washington Times reported that Gray and was accompanied on that trip by Councilmembers Evans and Michael Brown.

Gray said that visit to Tampa resulted in consideration of what a Redskins training facility might include: fields, a training facility, a Redskin’s hall of fame, a hotel and a medical center.  He went on to say that “nobody wants to bring out something that is half-baked,” and noted that one reason there have been no community meetings on the plan was that, “we’ve had nothing to present – and there is still nothing to present.”

The Mayor went on to tell the crowd what would have to happen before a training facility could be brought to the site of Reservation 13:  both the DC Master Plan and the DC Comprehensive Plan would have to be modified, each being brought first to the community and then passed by the City Council.  Then the site would have to be re-zoned in public hearings before the Zoning Commission.  “To the extent people are concerned about this; there is no way anything could be moved through the back door,” Gray told the gathering.

He went on to say that the city needs a catalyst to jump start Hill East – “I don’t know what it is,” he admitted, “but we’ve been focusing on economic development and will continue to focus on economic development.”

Gray also said that Reservation 13 is not the only place “we’ve looked at for a training facility,” and summing up, the mayor said, “There is no plan.  I have a desire to bring the Redskins back to DC.  If we work together that will happen.  But we need to work together rather than fighting over a non-existent plan.”

City Officials turned out in force for tonight’s meeting, which in addition to the Mayor featured Councilmembers Michael Brown, Jack Evans, Yvette Alexander, Deputy Mayor Victor Hoskins, City Administrator Allen Lew, former Councilmember Sharon Ambrose, and more than a dozen ANC Commissioners from Wards Six and Seven.  Councilmember Wells was reported to be travelling.

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

March 19, Monday

ANC6B Hill East Task Force meets holds a panel discussion at 7:00pm on the history of Reservation 13.  Mayor Gray meets with Hill East residents on Reservation 13 on Thursday at the Armory. 

March 20, Tuesday

The ANC6B Hine Subcommittee meets at 7:00pm at Hill Center on mitigation amenities and benefit issues. 

March 20, Tuesday

CHRS Board Meeting, open to CHRS members, 6:30pm Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6^th Street.

March 20, Tuesday

Ward 6 At-Large Candidates Forum, 7:00pm – 8:30pm at Brent Elementary School.

March 22, Thursday

Meeting with Mayor Gray on Reservation 13, 7:00pm  – 9:00pm at DC Armory.  Security will be in effect, so you will need photo ID to enter the building.

The Week Ahead ….

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, March 13

ANC6B meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center. 

Agenda items of interest:

Application of Acqua Al 2 to expand operation upstairs with 36 additional seats and extend hours of operation. 

Approval of Hine Redevelopment Subcommittee Preliminary Recommendations on Amenities & Benefits and Design Changes in order to begin negotiations with the developer.

Discussion of Transportation-Related Mitigations related to the Hine development.

Acqua al 2 at 212 7th Street, SE

ABC Committee Lends Conditional Approval to Acqua Al 2 Expansion – Some Neighbors Raise Strong Objections

by Larry Janezich

ANC6B Commissioner Carol Green’s ABC Committee last night endorsed Aqua al 2 restaurant’s request to add seating for 36 guests upstairs and extend hours of operation until 1:00am on weekdays and 3:00am on weekends.  The approval was conditional on the restaurant agreeing not to use either the back of the second floor or the first floor rear garden for guests, to provide an additional trash container in the rear, and to discourage parking in the alley and deliveries to the rear of the business.  The restaurant, at 212 7^th Street, SE, across from Eastern Market, specializes in Tuscan fare and tends to attract a tony clientele. 

Some nearby neighbors objected to the expansion, saying it will make existing problems concerning trash, noise, and deliveries worse.  They also said it would be a bad precedent for other restaurants and bars on the block and those which might come. 

Co-owner Ari Gejdeson, appeared before the ANC to support the application.  He stressed that the expanded hours were meant to accommodate late=staying diners rather than to encourage a late night bar scene. 

Much of the neighborhood unhappiness stems from the narrow alley separating the rear of 7^th Street restaurants from their back yards.  Of particular concern are deliveries to 7th Street restaurants that block the alley and prevent access to garages.  Gejdenson explained the lengths he goes to in order to be a good neighbor, an assertion supported by several neighbors who suggested that he provides a good example of a business owner taking responsibility for the conditions which his business created and who works with the neighbors to ameliorate those conditions. 

The ABC Committee voted unanimously to forward the application to the full ANC for consideration at its meeting next Tuesday.

Sapore Arrives on Capitol Hill

Sapore Moves Into Former Quizno’s on Pennsylvania Avenue

Artisanal Oils & Vinegars – Pasta – Salts

by Larry Janezich

Sapore Oil & Vinegar has leased the space in the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, which formerly housed Quizno’s Subs.  Owner Renee Sheilds Farr, awaiting one more city permit, hopes to open the doors on Sunday, March 18.  The store will be DC’s first purveyor of fresh, premium extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars, according the Farr. 

Sapore (Italian for “taste” or “flavor”) will carry 16 traditional and flavored extra virgin olive oils, 12 basalmic vinegars, a variety of specialty oils and exotic salts, including Himalayan Pink, Fleur del Sel, Indian Black, Hawaiian Red and Wood Smoked.  The store will also carry a variety of pastas. 

In keeping with the tradition of many European olive oil outlets, customers will be encouraged to sample before they buy.