CAPITOL HILL CORNER

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted June 2, 2024

ICYMI: On May 30, ANC6B09 Commissioner Matt LaFortune announced on X that he will not seek re-election for his seat on the ANC.  LaFortue was elected in November of 2022 and chairs the ANC6B Transportation Committee. 

From X:  “I won’t be running for another term as ANC commissioner but if you live in 6B09 and might be interested, let me know! The BOE will release ballot petitions on July 1st.

It’s not for everybody but I’ve found some satisfaction (and plenty of frustration) in the role. With our family likely moving elsewhere in DC in the next year or so, its time to hand things off to someone else for 2025-26.

Shout out to all the ANCs out there for doing the continued hard work of the community as well as all the neighbors in 6B09 who contribute so much for our little part of the District without the fancy title (or endless meetings).”

On Wednesday, officials from the Department of General Services, DC FEMS, and the non-profits Every Second Counts and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation and Zoll Medical cut the ribbon signifying the installation of DC’s first Safe Station Defibrillator Tower.   The public-accessible defibrillator is located at the NW Corner of Eastern Market, on the west side of the building. 

The unit is user friendly and even those unfamiliar with how to administer CPR or use the defibrillator can follow the verbal instructions “spoken” by the machine, which start after removing the yellow pack inside the tower and pressing the power button (visible on the upper left of the pack above). 

DC FEMS provided demonsttations on administering CPR and those present were d to participate in a hands-on experience. Here’s a link to SaveStations video on how to administer CPR and use the Defibrillator:  https://qrco.de/bcc1PB

Saturday afternoon, artist Tsomon Damba was at his stall at Eastern Market.  Tsolmon Damba is a Mongolian Asian Modern & Contemporary artist who was born in 1970 in Northern Mongolia. He has been a regular vendor at Eastern Market – off and on – since 1999.  Few vendors have more seniority.  His expressionist depictions of traditional Mongolian images are the subjects of his paintings and calligraphy.  He shows his work at Caso on F Street – 923 F Street, NW.

Here’s a link to his Facebook page where he has photos of some 135 pieces.  https://www.facebook.com/tsolmonart/

“Tender-3” by Tsolman Damba, 2018.  Oil on canvas.  48”48”.  Photo: Damba via Facebook.

“The Nomad Spirit” series.. by Tsolman Damba, 2014. “Archer Warrior” 2014. Ink on rice paper. Photo: Damba via Facebook.

The Week Ahead…

Monday, June 3

ANC6B Southeast Library Taskforce will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm.  Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s)

• Virtual option is available, go here: https://anc6b.org/

Among items on the draft agenda: TBA

DC Department of Recreation will host a Garfield Park Construction Kick-off meeing, 6pm – 7pm.  Garfield Park Playground (near 2nd, F, and South Carolina, SE).  DPR expects the park improvement work to begin this summer. See here for more:  https://garfield.splashthat.com/  (Last week’s meeting was postponed because of weather.)

ANC6D will hold a virtual Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.

• To view meeting contact 6D@anc.dc.gov

ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meeting has been cancelled.

Tuesday, June 4

MPD 1D CAC virtual meeting 6:00 – 7:15 pm

Agenda and connection details here: https://1dcac.com/

6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Agenda:

• DMV Liquors Wines and Beers, 643 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Renewal of a Class A Liquor License.

Wednesday, June 5

ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

• Among items on the draft agenda:
  • DDOT Presentation on Proposed Safety Actions at 11th/D St SE and 11th/G St SE Intersections
  • Proposed Letter in Support of Multimodal Street Design on Major Arterials
  • Committee Discussion on WMATA Better Bus Base Network
  • Committee Discussion on Proposed EV Charging Locations

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee. No business this month.   

Thursday, June 6

ANC6B 6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/   

 Among items on the draft agenda: 

• 411 8th Street, SE Project: Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Application to permit a fast-food establishment use in an existing, attached, two-story commercial building in the MU-4/CHC zone. Owner(s): Taco Bell of America, LLC/Zusin Development LLC, ilya@zusin.com Applicant: Christopher S. Cohen, christopher.cohen@hklaw.com
• 229 8th Street, SE Project: Historic Preservation Application. TBD.
• 629 South Carolina Ave, SE Project: To construct a three-story with cellar, rear addition, to an existing, attached three-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit. 
• 718 7th Street ,SE Project: Historic Preservation Application. TBD
• Discussion Regarding Investhome – Investment homes being constructed in 6B08
• Discussion Regarding Ebeneezer Row Construction

ANC 6C Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Agenda:  TBA

Friday, June 7 

Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  5:30pm.  Herb Scott Band

Saturday, June 8

Friends of Southeast and Northeast Library will hold their (mostly) monthly used booksale at Northeast Library from 10am until 3:00pm. 

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

Wednesday, June 5.  Hill Center Event:  Former Architect of the Capitol, Alan M. Hantman, Discusses His New Book Under the Dome: Politics, Crisis, and Architecture at the United States Capitol.  7:00 pm – 9:00 pm;  $10:00. 

Friday, June 7.  Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  5:30pm.  Herb Scott Band

Saturday, June 8.  Friends of Southeast and Northeast Library will hold their (mostly) monthly used booksale at Northeast Library from 10am until 3:00pm. 

Sunday, June 9.  Hill Center Film Event.  5pm – 7pm/.  A Presentation of film Making on Capitol Hill. 

• Two shorts:  “Men at Work’ and “John Philip Sousa’ – and – a 12 minute documentary: “On the Waterfron with Arthur Cotton Moore”.  This film centers on the development of the Georgetown Waterfront National Harbor and its architect, Arthur Cotton Moore.  Q&A follows, with wine and refreshment. 

411 8th Street SE – Barracks Row

Here’s an image of how the street looked in 2017 when 411 8th was the Lake Arbor Dental Clinic

Taco Bell Bid to Open on Barrack’s Row Comes Up at ANC P&Z Committee June 6

by Larry Janezich

Posted May 28, 2024

Next week, ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee will consider Taco Bell’s Bureau of Zoning Adjustment application for an exception to the ban on fast food restaurants on Barracks Row.  The restaurant wants to open at 411 8th Street, SE, the former site of the Lake Arbor Dental Clinic, which was gutted and renovated back in 2017 in anticipation of locating a restaurant there.  The owners – Zusin Development  – finally found one, but getting that exception may not be easy. 

The location for the proposed restaurant is between a Chipotle – which got around the fast food ban by applying to operate as “fast-casual restaurant” (a cut above “fast food”) and a currently closed Popeye’s.  (The Health Department closed the Popeye’s in November 2021 after a well-publicized rat infestation.)  The restaurant has announced its intention to re-open.    

Applying for an exception to the ban involves public hearings, the first step of which is consideration by the ANC Committee.  Here, the public will have its first opportunity to weigh in.  When the Committee forwards its recommendation to the full ANC for consideration – which could be at the ANC6B full committee meeting on June 11 –  the public can weigh in again before the application goes to the Burau of Zoning Adjustment for a final hearing.

The heavily-trafficked 400 block of Barracks Row has a reputation for being a “troubled” block.  It features several closed store fronts, a 7-11, a hookah bar, three currently illegal weed gifting  shops, a Dunkin’ Donuts, three pizza carryouts and a fire station.  It also has a Starbuck’s, Yes! Organic, and Chiko. 

The restaurants on the west side of the block have only a fence separating them from the back yards of the residences on the east side of 7^th Street, behind them, with no intervening alley.  Those neighbors have otganized in the past to exact settlement agreements with restaurants regarding restrictions of odors, noise, and indoor trash storage. 

Capitol Hill Corner will post additional details on the ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee meeting on next Sunday’s The Week Ahead….

The Week Ahead & Some Photos from the Past Week

By Larry Janezicn

Posted May 27, 2024

Here’s a capture from last mid-week of crews setting up the fabric concert hall on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol for the Memorial Day Concert. 

And here’s what it looked like from the back side. Flags above the Senate and House wings indicate both bodies are in session.

And an image from the concert on Sunday night in honor of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country. The screen elevated so it appears next to the Washington Monument allows the audience on the West Front to see performers facing the stage, showing the Capitol in the background. Image courtesy of WETA/PBS

ICYMI.  Pasha Cafe to Open Sweet Shop at 615 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, in the space formerly occupied by Angleo Nails.  Pasha Café – a sister restaurant to Pasha Castle on M Street in Georgetown, bills itself as a Mediterranean Dessert Shop.  Here’s the menu for Pasha Castle Sweets, Tea & Ice Cream:   https://bit.ly/44Zt8h1

The Joint Chiropractic chain is moving into 721 D Street, SE, the space formerly occupied by T Mobile across from Eastern Market Metro and right next to Starbucks.  Here’s their home website: https://www.thejoint.com/

Update on Mezeh Mediterranean Grille – work on the buildout continues.  Here’s early February (above).

And four months later at the end of May.   

As You Are – Barracks Row’s LGBTQ café and bar has been closed for a couple of weeks now.  Word is that the restaurant suffered interior water damage and business owners Jo McDaniel and Rach Pike are negotiating repairs with the building’s owner.  The restaurant opened in April of 2022.  Last February they launched a GoFundMe appeal for funds to keep operating, citing unexpected financial issues related to overhead costs and a slow recovery from the covid’s hit on eateries. 

Envisage, by Kirk Shiflett.  Oil on canvas.  2022

The Week Ahead: 

Monday, May 27

Memorial Day.

Tuesday, May 28

ANC6B Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting to set the agenda for the June meeting of the full Commission on Tuesday, June 11. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

The Capitol Hill Restoration Society a Virtual Preservation Café at 6:30pm.

• 100 Years of Eastern High School.  Jen Harris, Executive Director and Founder, and Erin Roth, Development Director, The Story of Our Schools will present a free, virtual Preservation Café “100 Years of Eastern High School.”   In partnership with the Eastern High School community, The Story of Our Schools helped develop a permanent exhibit that celebrates the centennial anniversary of Eastern’s building on East Capitol Street.  For more information and a Zoom link (scroll to bottom), go here:  https://chrs.org/easternhs100-pc/

Wednesday, May 29

• DC Department of Recreation will host a Garfield Park Construction Kick-off meeing, 6pm – 7pm.  Garfield Park Playground (near 2nd, F, and South Carolina, SE).  DPR expects the park improvement work to begin this summer. See here for more:  https://garfield.splashthat.com/

Friday, May 31

Friday Night Live at Eastern Market Metro Plaza – 5:30pm.

• Taiko Drummers of Japan at Eastern Market Metro Plaza, 5:30pm.  Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Taiko Drummers of Japan:  Taiko are a broad range of Japanese percussion instruments.

Captol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

DC Primary Election on Tuesday, June 4

In-person voting will be on Election Day – June 4 – at centralized vote centers across the District (see Ward 6 list below)

Early Voting and Mail-In Voting Are Now Underway for 2024 Primary Election

Mail in ballot:  Every registered DC vote automatically gets a ballot in their mailbox.  Mail in ballots must be postmarked by June 4.  The deadline for the Board of Elections to receive the ballot you mailed in on or before June 4 is Friday, June 14:

Early in-person voting:  Now through Sunday, June 2, (8:30am-7pm) at Early Vote Centers. For ANC’s on or near Capitol Hill, the Early Vote Centers are at Greenleaf Recreation Center, Sherwood Recreation Center, Rosedale Recreation Center and Arthur Capper Community Center.  

Voting on Primary Election Day:  Tuesday, June 4, 7am-8pm: with in-person voting at Vote Centers.  Here’s a list of those in Ward 6. 

J.O. WILSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL     660 K Street, NE        Multi-Purpose Room

STUART-HOBSON MIDDLE SCHOOL      410 E Street, NE            Gymnasium

EASTERN MARKET            225 7th Street, SE       North Hall

PAYNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL             1445 C Street, SE       Multi-Purpose Room

WATKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL         420 12th Street, SE     Multi-Purpose Room

JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMY         801 7th Street, SW            Gymnasium

KING GREENLEAF RECREATION CENTER       201 N Street, SW            Gymnasium

SHERWOOD RECREATION CENTER                   640 10th Street, NE            Gymnasium

WALKER JONES MS/RH TERRELL REC CTR     155 L Street, NW            Gymnasium

You can also vote at any Vote Center in the District on Election Day.

Thursday, May 30

6th Annual DC Jazz Leaders in Service Awards Gala, 7:00pm – 10:00pm.

700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  For tickets and more info, go here:  https://bit.ly/4dUkSCZ

Sunday, June 2

Hill Center Event – American Roots Concert Series: Sunny War 4:30pm – 6:30pm.

Quicksilver Productions Foundation presents Sunny War as part of the free, outdoor American Roots Music Series.  “Los Angeles-based street singer, guitarist, and roots music revolutionary Sunny War has always been an outsider, always felt the drive to define her place in the world through music and songwriting.”   

Get Tickets Free here:  https://bit.ly/3Kfe19L

“Pink Door” Jenny Nordstrom Photography. 

“Pink Door” Jenny Nordstrom Photography. 

Capitol Hill Art League Exhibit Opens Saturday, May 25, at Frame of Mind

May 25– June 29, 2024

“THRESHOLD” at Frame of Mine Gallery 545 Eighth Street, SE. 

Capitol Hill Art League members were invited to cross that creative threshold and share their vision in whatever manner they chose to interpret this theme.

The art is on display through June 29.

The following artists are featured in the show: Alicia Hierro Llanillo, Ken Bachman, Yvonne Levine, Victoria Perry, Tara Hamilton, Steve Mabley, Jenny Nordstrom, Carolyn Rondthaler, Kenya Smith, Anne Thompson, Alexandra Treadaway-Hoare, Ting Wang and Karen Zens.

The exhibit is also available for viewing online at the Capitol Hill Art League website at: https://www.caphillartleague.org//Thresholds2024   

The Capitol Hill Art League is a visual arts program of The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW). For more information about the Art League, visit the website at www.caphillartleague.org

Friday Night Live at Eastern Market Metro Plaza – May 24 – 5:30pm – 6:30pm

On Friday, May 24th at 5:30 pm, SAPAN performs South Asian music and dance in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.  Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is observed in the United States during May, and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

SAPAN – The South Asian Performing Arts Network and Institute – is a performing arts company based in Washington, DC, which is dedicated to promoting and advancing all South Asian performing arts through dance, music and theatre.  In Hindi, the term “sapan” means dream

The Friday Night Live programming will continue through the summer and comes to Eastern Market Metro Plaza through the efforts of Barracks Row Main Street and the Department of Parks and Recreation.  CM Charles Allen secured funding for the artists. 

There will be an At-Large Candidate Forum tonight, Monday, May 20, at the Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave., SE from 7 to 8:30 p.m.  Please arrive by 6:30pm.   The Hill Center is at 921 Pennsylvania Ave SE.

The event is sponsored by the Hill Rag and Ward 6 Democrats among others. The event will feature incumbent At-Large Democratic Councilmember Robert White and Democratic challenger Rodney “Red” Grant.  RSVP here to attend: https://www.mobilize.us/dcdems/event/623106/   You can submit questions via email to: debate@hillrag.com

The Hill Center will also be live-streaming the event on their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hillcenter

The recording will be available on YouTube after the event.

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted May 19, 2024

Here’s a photo of Hill’s Kitchen proprietress Leah Daniels and associate Amy Witmore in commemoration of last Friday’s celebration of the 16^th anniversary of the opening of the store.  As Daniels said, “Can you believe it’s been 16 years?  Time passes and you don’t even notice.”

This is cool – the Whiting-Turner build team’s animated video of the construction sequence for the modernization of SE Library https://bit.ly/4bHEsAl

Here are a couple of images from the ongoing interior work on the library – sanding down the façade surround of the Library’s fireplace.  And a here’s a link to the SE Library Modernization Construction Updates  https://bit.ly/4asbJi9

Here are images of the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Place Winners of the Capitol Hill Art League Juried Exhibition at Hill Center announced last Tuesday.  The 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd places went to each of two works submitted by three artists.  The exhibition was juried by Nicky Cymrot (Hill Center Galleries Director) and Alan Braley (Artist).

1^st Place.  Martha Kaplan.  Future Memories Unfolding and Gladys, Queen of the Roost.  Acrylic, collage and mixed media on canvas.

2^nd Place.  Karen Cohen.  Purple Path and We Are Family.  Photos printed on Aluminum. 

3^rd Place.  Lisa Bernstein.  Solothurn – St. Ursus Cathedral and Wenger, Bernese Alps.  Oil on canvas. 

You can see the entire exhibit on line, here:  https://www.hillcenterdc.org/product-category/2024-chal/

The Week Ahead…

The events of the coming week are front loaded, with two ANC Transportation Committee meetings and two ANC Public Safety Committee meetings all occurring on Monday night. 

Monday, May 20

ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Florida Avenue NE Streetscape Project Update. The Florida Avenue, NE, Streetscape Project outreach team will provide project updates and address community safety concerns with related contractor work.
• WMATA Better Bus Proposed 2025 Network Redesign. Commissioner Gove requested an opportunity for the community to provide comment on the significant changes in service running through ANC6A.
• Sidewalk improvements. Commissioner Shapiro requested a discussion of a potential ANC6A Resolution in support of increased funding for repair; maintenance and replacement of dangerous sidewalks; a more effective system for sidewalk maintenance monitoring and allowing experimentation with alternative sidewalk materials.
• DDOT Notice of Intent re the 17th Street, NE, Multi-Modal Corridor Safety Project.  Though outside ANC6A boundary, Commissioner Gove requested discussion due to many ANC6A residents using the corridor, including children in transit to and from schools, Rosedale Recreation Center and The Fields at RFK Campus.

ANC6D Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://www.anc6d.org/anc6d-transportation-committee/

Agenda:  TBA. 

ANC7D Public Safety Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Presentation on Mental Health Resources: Anthony Hall, Director of Public Engagement & Outreach, DC Dept. of Behavioral Health.
• SMD-Specific Areas of Concern for Public Safety Focus.

ANC6B Pueblic Safety Committee will hold a virualt meeting at 6:30pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• ACTION: Letter to United States Attorney Office Requesting Implementation of Case Management System and Public Metrics Reporting. 
• DISCUSSION: Joint Resolution with ANC Public Safety Committees on Addressing Gun Violence. 
• Agenda Planning for June Meeting

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about: 

Thursday, May 23

• East City Bookshop:  In person and online hybrid Event: JoAnn Hill, Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington DC.  East City Bookshop welcomes JoAnn Hill for a discussion of her new book, Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington DC.  Free.  Get tickets here:  https://bit.ly/3wvniY4
• Hill Center In person Event:  The Life of a Poet Featuring Critically Acclaimed Poet Regie Cabico in Conversation with Kyle Dargan.  7:00pm.  $10.  Get tickets here: https://bit.ly/3V6ITiV

Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Plaza: Friday May 17 – 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

by Larry Janezich

Posted Thursday, May 16, 2024

Jazz vocalist Imani-Grace Cooper will return to Eastern Market Metro Plaza to inaugurate the 2024 season of Friday Night Live Jazz.  Cooper has performed at the Kennedy Center, the Washington National Cathedral, Blues Alley, and the Apollo Theater.  She has appeared with with Dianne Reeves, Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, the late George Duke, and Al Jarreau.  For more, go here: https://www.pyramidprojects.org/    

The concert series will continue through the summer and comes to Eastern Market Metro Plaza through the efforts of Barracks Row Main Street and the Department of Parks and Recreation.  CM Charles Allen secured funding for the artists.  

More Funding for Capitol Hill Projects – Eastern Market Metro Plaza, Eastern Market, Safe Passage, H Street, LGBTQ Retail – in FY 2025 Budget

by Larry Janezich

Posted May 16, 2024

Last Tuesday night at ANC6B’s May meeting, Kimberly Kennedy, CM Charles Allen’s Constituent Services Coordinator, gave a brief presentation on budget items directly affecting Capitol Hill which Allen successfully inserted in DC’s FY 2025 budget.   CHC followed up with his office for these additional details

Eastern Market Metro Park

• New Park Manager for Eastern Market Metro Park:  $100,000 to enhance the existing Department of Parks and Recreation grant Allen created in FY23 for Eastern Market Metro Park programming to fund a new Park Manager position; the Park Manager will be responsible for managing maintenance, repairs, activation, and programming with relevant agencies, Main Streets, and the Capitol Hill BID.  (In April, the ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce chaired by Commissioner Jerry Sroufe, sent a letter to CM Charles Allen supporting a Park Manager for the park.)
• Eastern Market Metro Park maintenance and repairs:  $400,000 in both FY25 and FY26 for ongoing capital maintenance and repairs at Eastern Market Metro Park
• Safe Passage:  Fundimg for Safe Passage grants to create a new priority area including and between the Potomac Avenue and Eastern Market metro stations; this will support students commuting to and from several schools in close proximity to the station, including Brent ES, Chisholm ES, Payne ES, Watkins ES, Digital Pioneers Academy, Capitol Hill Day School, St. Peter School, and Friendship PCS Chamberlain Campus.

Eastern Market

• Securtiy and Maintenance at Eastern Market:  An additional $1,700,000 in FY25 for Eastern Market for the completion of the bollards installation project, chilled water piping replacement, and stabilization of hot water piping
• Security at Eastern Market:  Identified $81,000 to fund weekend security coverage at Eastern Market.

LGBTQ

• $100,000 grant through the Office of LGBTQ Affairs to preserve LGBTQ nightlife and retail establishments along DC Main Street retail corridors in Ward 6, including Barracks Row. 

H Street Corridors

• Small Business Support:  $350,000 for a new grant to a non-profit organization that advocates, connects, and promotes Capitol Hill businesses and commerce to support partnerships with small businesses, retailers, restaurants, and neighbors retail corridors in Ward 6, for corridor and vacant storefront activation, events, and arts and cultural programming.
• Pop-Up Permit Program:  Extension of the Department of Buildings’ new Pop-Up Permits Program from the current Downtown boundaries to the H Street NE corridor to speed up permitting to activate vacant buildings.
• Funding to install private security cameras and other tools like glassbreak sensors inside small businesses in response to a series of break-ins at H Street restaurants.

The city council’s first vote on the final FY 2025 budget is scheduled for late May.

ANC Votes to Support Conservatives’ Alley Closing Request

by Larry Janezich

Posted May 15, 2024

Tuesday night, ANC6B signed off on both a motion to support the alley closing behind the former Capitol Lounge on the 200 block of PA Avenue, SE, and the community benefits agreement negotiated with the Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) to compensate the community for the loss of public space. 

The vote was 5 – 1 with 2 abstentions – the “nay” vote coming from Commissioner Frank Avery and the abstentions from Commissioners Kasie Durkit and Matt Lafortune. 

Several commissioners had concerns which threatened to delay a vote, the most significant was a provision which required that (until the council votes to approve or reject the closing) an ANC representative would “periodically” urge CM Charles Allen to urge Council approval).  CPI representatives present at the meeting offered to remove that language to expedite consideration.  The motion that ended up passing struck the offending language from the benefits agreement.  That change prompted a change in the degree of opposition of Commissioners Durkit, who voted to abstain, rather than “nay.” * The change did not fully satisfy opponents of the measure who had additional concerns about procedural and substantivd matters.  Prior to the final vote, a motion to postpone the issue until June failed by a vote of 3 yeas – 4 nays – 1 abstention. 

The agreement, according to the ANC’s press release, provides a dozen benefits, including

• A $100,000 contribution to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, a local nonpartisan nonideological grants-making fund that, according to its website, supports “activities, projects, and groups that enrich the lives of residents and celebrate the history and beauty of our community.”
• Public access to the courtyard, currently off-limits to the public.
• Public use of meeting space in CPI’s buildings.
• Indoor trash storage, a limit on truck access and on hours CPI can use its courtyard, and the installation of security cameras, a privacy fence, extra lighting, and a safety mirror.

For the full text of the ANC6B Press Release, go here:  https://capitolhillcorner.org/library/ and scroll to the bottom. 

The application to close the alley has to receive the approval of multiple city agencies, and exactly where it is in this process is uncertain.  Copies of the letter went to CM Charles Allen and to the Office of the DC Surveyor.  The City Council will have to approve the alley closing and the Mayor will have to sign off on it before it becomes effective.  The Council generally defers to the Ward Councilmember on alley closing issues wirh respect to timing or whether to take it up at all. 

*An earlier version of this post said Commissioner Lafortune abstained rather than voting “nay.” In fact, Lafortune announced early in consideration that he would abstaiin.