Trader Joe’s bread cases at 3:00pm on Friday afternoon.
The Second Address Restaurant opens at 303 Massachusetts Avenue, NE (To see their story and the menu, go here: https://www.secondaddressdc.com/ ):
As you enter.
View of first floor looking out.
One of the two upstairs dining rooms.
Budz – the latest medical weed dispensary to open in ANC6C will open soon at 312 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.
Garfield Park – DDOT Phase 2 construction of the Garfield Park-Canal Park Connector Project, which includes the space beneath the freeway connecting the two parks is scheduled to begin (?) Monday, Jan. 26, and is expected to last six to eight weeks.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, January 26
CANCELLED ANC6A Community Outreach Committee meeting CANCELLED
ANC6B Southeast Library Task Force Meeting will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
Agenda: The agendas for the February ABC, Transportation, and Planning & Zoning Committee meetings will be voted on as will the agenda for the February Full Meeting of ANC 6B.
Wednesday, January 28
ANC6B Public Safety Committee is scheduled to hold a hybrid meeting (in-person and virtual) at 6:30pm.
The in-person meeting is scheduled at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE (entrance next to Trader Joe’s), second floor conference room #1.
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Agenda: TBA
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about events which as of this writing are scheduled for the coming week:
Go here to see a list of upcoming events for this week and to sign up to join FreeDC: https://freedcproject.org/
Wednesday, January 28
Hill Center Event
Natan Last, The New Yorker Crossword Contributor, discusses his new book, Across the Universe, in conversation with writer Stefan Fatsis
Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared both a State of Emergency and a Snow Emergency for the District. The Snow Emergency is in effect from noon Saturday through at least 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
During this time, parking is prohibited on snow emergency routes, and vehicles left on those routes may be ticketed or towed. Residents are encouraged to check the city’s snow emergency route map before parking.
Schools & Government Operations
DC Public Schools are already scheduled to be closed Monday, and staff’s professional development will be remote. Families should continue to monitor communications from their individual schools for any additional updates.
Charter schools typically follow DCPS but may make independent decisions.
Federal government operations will be announced through OPM, while the District government will share official updates directly.
Trash, Leaf Collection & City Services
Residents should anticipate delays in trash and recycling pickup, especially if snow and ice remain on streets and alleyways.
For each day of suspension, DPW typically follows a holiday-style slide schedule.
Residents should wait until late evening or the following day before reporting missed collections via 311, being mindful that icy conditions will lead to slower collection.
Leaf collection will be paused, as the same crews are responsible for snow removal.
Transit Impacts
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority riders should expect bus delays in icy conditions. Extreme cold can also impact rail service, as seen earlier this week. Riders are encouraged to check service status before traveling and sign up for MetroAlerts.
Roads, Sidewalks & Safety
Driving should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Road conditions are expected to be dangerous, even with plows operating.
Residents are responsible for clearing sidewalks within eight daylight hours after snowfall. Clearing snow periodically during the storm can help prevent ice buildup.
If you’re able, residents are encouraged to help neighbors who may have difficulty shoveling.
“During major snow events, most of us are walking, not driving,” Allen said. “Clear sidewalks make a real difference for safety and accessibility.”
Hypothermia Shelters & Cold Weather Help
With prolonged cold expected, residents who see someone outside in distress should call the DC Hypothermia Hotline at 202-399-7093. In emergencies, call 911.
The District’s Snow Team will continue posting updates at snow.dc.gov.
Volunteer to Shovel for Neighbors Who Can’t
Serve DC maintains a great DC Volunteer Snow Team that will notify registered volunteers about nearby neighbors who cannot shovel their sidewalk or stoop and could use help. If you can get over there, you just respond to let them know and take care of it – don’t worry, there’s no required commitment, but it’s a great way to help out if you are able to do some extra shoveling. You can get a free shovel as well. All the information is here: https://servedc.galaxydigital.com/snow-team/
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
AlertDC is the official emergency notification system for the District of Columbia, delivering real-time, personalized alerts about critical incidents, severe weather, traffic, and public safety issues via text, email, or app. Sign up here https://hsema.dc.gov/page/alertdc
The District’s Snow Team will continue posting updates at snow.dc.gov. https://snow.dc.gov./
A meeting to discuss the power surges/electrical problems on Capitol Hill is scheduled for next Saturday, January 24 from 11am to 12:30pm at the Northeast Library (330 7th Street, NE, Meeting Room 1).
The following officials will attend:
City Councilman: Charles Allen
ANC6A04 Commissioner: Amber Gove
PEPCO Senior Manager in Engineering and Design: Steven Parks
Public Service Commission Representatives: Maurice Smith, Steven Martin, and Margaret Moscowitz
Attorney from Office of People’s Counsel: Name TBD
Comments Off on Reminder: Saturday Power Surge Meeting at NE Library
Documentary on Ukraine’s Resistance to Russia Invasion
Thursday, January 22 – Westminster Church 400 I Street SW– 7:00pm – Free
The Pearl Escape Project annual procession from Westminster Church to 7th Street in the Wharf commemorates the 77 enslaved people who tried to escape slavery in the District on April 15th, 1848. This year the Pearl Escape Project has organized a four part program on Stories of Erasure and Resistance, culminating in the annual procession.
The first event is a FREE film screening of Erase the Nation, an acclaimed documentary of Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion. A conversation with the film’s director will follow the screening. To reserve a seat, go here. https://bit.ly/4sMExMt
Last Wednesday’s community meeting on the redesign of the Rumsey Center drew 150 community members to weigh in on the revised design which was first presented in March of 2025.
CM Charles Allen told the attendees: “When I walked through the plan, what I saw was a marked improvement over last spring … I think you have to have to acknowledge a significant improvement.” Allen added he doesn’t think it meets every community need and “tonight what we want to hear is constructive feedback and what else do you think we could change.”
Rumsey Closing Date Uncertain & Recap of Last Week’s Community Meeting
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 19, 2026
Last Wednesday night, some 150 community members showed up to a meeting at which DGS and DPR shared the latest concept design proposals for the new Rumsey Aquatic Center. In response to one of the last questions in the Q&A about when Rumsey would close for the reconstruction, Chris Dyer, DPR External Affairs Specialist, said, “We don’t know yet. A final design will be presented to the community at the next community meeting at a date to be determined. We anticipate construction will take 18 months to two years.”
The agencies and designers reviewed the layout of the existing structure and then presented the latest designs which incorporated community feedback from the previous community meeting on March 12, 2025. In addition to new and upgraded aquatic features, the project has been redesigned to provide a second floor with community-based program spaces.
The agencies had received considerable pushback on the March 2025 design which did not include a second floor for community spaces and not enough water for the vocal local swimming community – the project was sent back to the designers to address those issues.
It seemed that the consensus of the community was that the new designed was better, but still needed tweaking. Attendees lined up at the microphone to ask questions or raise concerns or make suggestions.
Here’s a list of comments and questions raised by community members: (Most of the responses were assurances that “we’ll take a look at it,” but when there was a more expansive reply the gist of it follows in parentheses.)
More funding to insure maintenance of the facility and to keep the equipment running.
More windows on the right hand front façade,
Include a sauna – supported by a 173 signature petition.
Increase the size of the fitness center on the second floor.
Concern about the exception from requirement for net zero energy design. (Impossible because of the energy requirements for heating the pools.)
Increase depth of aerobic pool and the size of the locker room.
Why is there a 15 foot set back on south side? (Zoning regs).
Amenities of the tech lounge? (489 s.f.– at least 2 fixed computers – free wifi).
Installing more solar panels on roof? (Amount of energy we get in this area with solar panels does not meet net zero standard currently.)
Assure consideration is given to requirements for hydro pole class.
Assure adequate ventilation because of the chlorine.
For eye level windows overlooking the pool on the outside, consider one way or transition glass instead of planned translucent glass.
Pushback on architect’s minimalist design intended to keep building from competing with iconic Eastern Market. Facility is inward facing – people want the façade to be activated.
This is an aquatic facility first. More water. A once in a life time opportunity.
Concern that community rooms are likely to be unused. An expanded fitness center would be a magnet from 6am until closing. (Demand for event space in other community centers is strong.)
Concern about programming adjustments between 5pm and 7pm that address needs of after work lap swimmers. More water.
Assure that for majority of time swimmers have true 8 lap lanes. Taking over lap lanes for programming creates back logs. Aerobics during the day and learn-to-swim in the evenings put pressure on the large pool. More water.
Explain difference between collaborative rooms vs. community rooms vs. incubator space. Suggest outward facing incubator spaces with entrances facing exterior. (Can’t do the latter because it’s a recreation facility with staff so those rooms can only be accessed during staff hours. Need to have flexibility re use of upstairs space to accommodate alternate purposes such as the community looking for more work space or having a large or medium community room. The difference between a collaborative room and a community room is about furnishings.)
Encourage coordination with DC DOT to expand use of North Plaza as Bike Share location. (Already being done.)
Consider disability parking. More water. Accommodate community rooms/multi-purpose rooms to support use as a dance floor. Support more variety in what fitness can look like.
Maintain height of pool rooms to lessen impact of the “wall of chlorine” on swimmers with respiratory problems.
Consider use of roof for yoga classes.
More water. Support tinted exterior windows to let people see in.
Morning lap swimmers experience conflicts in the summer when kid camps take up all the lap lanes. Program aerobic pools for learn-to-swim which would take the pressure off.
More water. Does the two pool concept work? Can you consider one huge pool? Need more showers and locker rooms and handicap access to showers. (Two pools can’t be at the same temperature – lap swimmers like it cooler.)
Consider glass strips for windows which are shaded at eye level but transparent below. Can windows on the south side of the building be higher to bring in more light?
When will the current building close and how long before it will open? (We don’t know yet. A final design will be presented to the community at the next meeting at a date to be determined. We anticipate construction will take 18 months to two years.)
Consider a larger fitness center. Will building be all electric? (Yes.)
Update on Harris Teeter. Marc Levinson, board member on the Jenkins Row Unit Owners Association and also president of the building’s REA Board reported that “EDENS (lessor) anticipates Harris Teeter will be moving equipment out of the Jenkins Row store until early summer.” He says this reinforces the point that agreement on lease termination is good news, but the store will not be occupied by a new tenant any time soon, adding that “EDENS does not want to disclose the precise date of lease termination.”
Popeyes on Barracks Row is open, and open late.
Pasha Castle Closes. The Mediterranean dessert shop serving Turkish and Lebanese sweets and savories opened in June of 2025 at 615 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Update on Proper Exotic, the proposed cannabis dispensary at 313 8th St NE. At Thursday night’s ANC6A meeting, Commissioner Stephen Kolb told the Commission that ABCA had denied the appeal of ANC6A’s protest of the dispensary license for Proper Exotic and the permitting process will apparently go forward.
Kolb said he had communicated with Denise Wiktor, General Counsel for the DC Office of ANC about what options remained for the ANC. Wiktor suggested interested parties could testify before the Councils’ Oversight Committee in March, and that a favorable hearing could result in meaningful legislation. Kolb said that retail shop hunnybunny boutique (manufacturer and retailer specializing in all-natural bath and beauty products) located next to the weed shop is now up for sale “which ought to increase the argument that issues of property values and impact on the neighborhood have come to a head.”
Brent School Razed. Here’s Brent School in the process of being razed. The school is located at 3rd and North Carolina SE. The raze-and-construction timeline anticipates that the new building will be ready to open in the fall of 2027. Photo credit: Bob Gellman
Here’s Triple Candies’ January exhibit in the space in front of the former Li’l Pub at 655 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Triple Candies is a research-oriented curatorial agency run by art historian co-founders Shelly Bancroft and Peter Nesbett. Their purpose is to create alternative exhibition methods making that the object of critical focus rather than what is displayed (which for the most part does not include original artworks).
Their purpose is to create alternative exhibition methods making that the object of critical focus rather than what is displayed (which for the most part does not include original artworks).
The Week Ahead…
Monday, January 19
Federal Holiday.
Trash and Recycling pickup slides one day.
Second round of leaf collection begins in Section B.
Brick Sidewalk Alternatives – Eloka Achebe from DDOT will provide a status update on the brick imprint sidewalk pilot.
New Business
Torti Gallas H Street Study. DC’s Office of Planning (OP) along with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development has picked architecture firm Torti Gallas to conduct a land use and market study for the corridor.
Notice of Intent: 8th Street NE Bus Stop Changes. The plan would: Remove the northbound bus stop at 8th and D Streets NE resulting in one additional metered parking space; Remove the southbound bus stop at 8th and C Streets NE resulting in approximately three new residential permit parking spaces; Relocate the northbound bus stop at 8th and C Streets NE from the near/south side of the intersection to the far/north side of the intersection; This change will result in no net change in the number of parking spaces; However, the new parking spaces created will be residential permit parking only, whereas the removed parking was zoned as 2-hour parking spots from 7:00 am to 6:30 pm.
Wednesday, January 21
CANCELLED. ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm
Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You to Know About
Go here to see a list of upcoming events for this week and to sign up to join FreeDC: https://freedcproject.org/
Power Surge Meeting at NE Library
Saturday, January 24 from 11:00am to 12:30pm.
A meeting to discuss the power surges/electrical problems on Capitol Hill is scheduled for next Saturday, January 24 from 11am to 12:30pm at the Northeast Library (330 7th Street, NE, Meeting Room 1).
The following officials will attend:
City Councilman: Charles Allen
ANC6A04 Commissioner: Amber Gove
PEPCO Senior Manager in Engineering and Design: Steven Parks
Public Service Commission Representatives: Maurice Smith, Steven Martin, and Margaret Moscowitz
Attorney from Office of People’s Counsel: Name TBD
Documentary on Ukraine’s Resistance to Russia Invasion
Thursday, January 22 – Westminster Church 400 I Street SW– 7:00pm – Free
The Pearl Escape Project annual procession from Westminster Church to 7th Street in the Wharf commemorates the 77 enslaved people who tried to escape slavery in the District on April 15th, 1848. This year the Pearl Escape Project has organized a four part program on Stories of Erasure and Resistance, culminating in the annual procession.
The first event is a FREE film screening of Erase the Nation, an acclaimed documentary of Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion. A conversation with the film’s director will follow the screening. To reserve a seat, go here. https://bit.ly/4sMExMt
Juried by Claude Elliott, the Hill Center Galleries 2026 Regional Juried Exhibition features the work of artists from all over DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The selected artists compete for cash prizes and honorable mention awards. First place $1000, Second Place $750, and Third place $500.
The second pass for leaf collection in Section B in Wards 1-8 will begin the week of January 19. Section B, please have your leaves at the tree box or curbside by Sunday, January 18.Go here to find your collection section. https://dpw.dc.gov/leaf
Comments Off on The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week
Last week, ANCs 6A, 6B, 6C, and 7D met and elected officers for the upcoming year. Here are the results:
ANC6A: Chair, Amber Gove 6A04 (top center) ; Vice Chair, Stephen Kolb 6A07 (middle right); Secretary/Parliamentarian, Jeff Giertz 6A06 (not pictured); Treasurer, Roberta Shapiro 6A03 (middle left). Also pictured are the two candidates for ANC6A0l, the seat vacated by the resignation of Paul Spires: Scott Berger (top right) and Lorena Gill (botton center). Two other seats are vacant or about to become vacant: ANC6A02, now vacant after the resignation of Mike Velasquez, and ANC6A 05, which will become vacant upon the planned resignation of Dave Wethington, who is relocating. Kimberly Butler (not pictured) has announced her candidacy for the open seat in 6A02.
ANC6B: Chair, Sam Pastore 6B05 (lower left); Vice Chair, Edward Ryder 6B08 (lower center); Treasurer, Anna Krebs 6B06 (not pictured); Secretary, David Sobelsohn 6B03 (not pictured), and Parliamentarian, Tyler Wolanin 6B01 (not pictured).
ANC6C: ANC 6C officers are Chair, Karen Wirt 6C02 (upper right); Vice Chair, Mark Eckenwiler 6C04 (upper left); Treasurer, Jay Adelstein 6C03 (lower center); and Secretary, Andrew Hayes 6C06 (not pictured).
Site of the former Harris Teeter at 1350 Potomac Avenue, SE
Harris Teeter Will Terminate Lease on Potomac Ave Space
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 15, 2026
The main obstacle to leasing the former Harris Teeter at 1350 Potomac Avenue SE is that the company has continued to hold their lease on the unoccupied space. That’s about to change according to an announcement in an email from Danna Robinson, Director, Corporate Affairs and Customer Relations for Harris Teeter. Robinson announced today that the company has “a fully executed termination agreement for this location. Negotiations required to reach this agreement took time, but they were necessary to ensure an appropriate resolution.”
Asked to comment on the announcement, ANC6B09 Commissioner Karen Hughes – in whose single member district the site lies – said, “I hope another grocery goes into the space as a matter of food equity. The Potomac Avenue transit plaza is an important hub for Ward 7, which has very few grocery stores. I’m also looking forward to more competition in the neighborhood, as prices at the Safeway are quite high. Streets Market is already opening at 15th and Penn, and having another food vendor in the Harris Teeter space would be huge progress for food access on the east side of the city.”
Also weighing in on the announcement was Marc Levinson who is a board member on the Jenkins Row Unit Owners Association and also president of the building’s REA Board which governs shared property rights.
The commercial properties on the ground level of the building are owned by EDENS Properties who was Harris Teeters’ landlord. Levinson said, “Harris Teeter moved out of the store four years ago this month but continued to maintain the lease on the property and did not allow EDENS to show the property until last year.
I know the building has shown the space to a number of potential tenants, but no takers yet. Any new tenant will need to re-fit the interior space to suit their needs. So I’m sure we’re still looking at 1-plus years till something moves in, but that’s much better than having to run out the lease. I still don’t know a date at which the lease is going to be terminated. This…letter did not specify that…people should not be expecting a new grocer to come into that space next week. It’s going to take a lot more time than that for any new tenant to move into the space.”
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) have scheduled a community meeting to discuss the latest concept design for the Rumsey Aquatic Center.
Meeting Details:
Location: North Hall at Eastern Market | 255 7th Street SE
Time: 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM
Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact Christopher Dyer at (202) 702-9453 or Christopher.dyer@dc.gov
The outline on the map delineates the Barracks Row “overlay” created by the Zoning Board where fast food restaurants are technically banned.
Here’s Why There’s a Fast Food “Ban” on Barracks Row
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 12, 2026
DC Board of Zoning regulations ban or restrict fast food outlets on certain commercial corridors like Barracks Row, Georgetown and Ninth Street, NW near the Convention Center. The purpose is to prevent over-concentration and to limit adverse livability issues such as trash, rodents, and traffic. The regulations also provide that restaurants can apply for an exception to the ban.
The application for an exception is first considered by the appropriate ANC during which neighbors have an opportunity for input. The ANC then makes a recommendation to the Board of Zoning: the recommendation is advisory only – ANC stands for Advisory Neighborhood Commission.
The regulations state a number of criteria for the ANC to consider regarding whether the applicant is a fast food outlet and needs an exemption, including payment before eating, disposable tableware, production line food preparation, and pre-prepared food.
During consideration of the application, the ANC will often require the restaurant to agree to a “Settlement Agreement” on the outlet’s operational procedures regarding trash, rodent, and odor management as well of hours of operation, as the price of their support. The ANC can protest the exemption if a Settlement Agreement is not reached, which can result in an administrative delay, sometimes for months. In the final analysis, however, a restaurant is whatever the Board of Zoning or Board of Zoning Adjustment decides it is.
ANC6B has recently begun planning to hold a Barracks Row stakeholders’ roundtable to discuss ways to promote economic diversity. That issue has been discussed periodically on Barracks Row since at least 2012. Taco Bell recently received an exception and opened the first week of 2026 – Popeyes has received an exception to open next door – and WingStop across the street has an application pending before ANC6B. All three are on the 400 block of 8th Street, SE, Barracks Row which already hosts the fast food spot Boli Pizza and the less restricted “fast-casual” outlets like &Pizza, Ledo Pizza, Dunkin’, Chiko, Chipotle, Maman Joon’s Kitchen, and Union Kitchen.
In addition to some corridors and Zoning Board overlay areas, fast food outlets are banned in MU-4, MU-17, MU-24, MU-25, MU-26, MU-27 Zones.Here’s DC’s Zoning Map: https://maps.dcoz.dc.gov/HistoricZoning/
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 