CIVIC at 501 8th Street, SE on Barracks Row, will open this winter in the space formerly occupied by Ophelia’s Fish House.
CIVIC’s operator Rhonda Foxx (left) with beverage director Andra “AJ” Johnson.
“CIVIC” on Barracks Row – Rhonda Foxx’s new concept for a day time coffee bar/evening cocktail bar – is best described by its website: “A Salon for the City.” https://www.salonforthecity.com/
CIVIC’s genesis can be traced back to an organization Foxx founded in 2023 – “PERSIST,” a 70,000 member nonprofit women’s political coalition who aim is to connect power players, national leaders, influencers, organizers and everyday activists. Foxx says, “After 15 years in national Democratic politics and three in corporate America I realized that we have to have a place to get offline and bring together people who are like minded.” The concept behind CIVIC, she said, is Gloria Steinem’s “gathering circles” – who holds informal, in-person meetings in her apartment where activists, organizers and individuals gather to share ideas, and build community. Foxx was inspired by these events after being invited to host one at Steinem’s home.
Her take away from the gathering circle was the importance of building physical community and CIVIC pays tribute to that idea – “a place to gather, to create and make things happen.”
The website says as much:
“Where culture and community meet. From coffee to cocktails, CIVIC. is a neighborhood salon built for connection. Woman-owned and locally operated, we honor what came before while shaping what’s next – through conversation, curation, and craft.
We feature a rotating lineup of coffee roasters in residence, guest chefs, visual artists, and music curators. New voices, new work, more reasons to stop in.”
Foxx says, “You’ll see some really cool iconic DC women in this place, for example (DC muralist) Lisa Marie’s murals will go up on the back wall. And, you know, we’re a cocktail and coffee bar and that’s being powered by Andra “AJ” Johnson (beverage director and managing partner at Serenata at Union Market). And (DC artist) Maggie O’Neill will be one of the first artists that we showcase on our walls… if you remember Winnette McIntosh Ambrose (two-time Food Network Champion who ran Souk Bakery and Sweet Lobby), she’ll provide our pastry offerings.”
Foxx says CIVIC is still working on its restaurant alcohol beverage license and hopes have a soft opening before year’s end. Their day time café and beverage menu – featuring locally sourced Swing’s coffee – is here. https://www.salonforthecity.com/menu An evening menu will follow.
Spotify joins the corporations buying residential properties near the Capitol. Spotify has purchased the townhouse at 440 New Jersey Avenue, SE, near the Congressional Office Buildings. Company reps came before ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee on Thursday night to support a Historic Preservation Application for work at the address. The applicants said they planned on fulfilling the city’s requirement that the townhouse have a full time resident and added that they are maintaining the current office space at 1100 15th Street, NW. A group of commissioners will meet with Spotify before the ANC meeting next Wednesday, November 12, to see if they are willing to provide a written agreement about use. Neighbors around 440 NJ may join the debate then.
The illegal use of residences by corporations for business activities is an ongoing controversy for neighborhoods close in to the Capitol. A concerted effort by ANCs 6A and 6C and efforts of CM Charles Allen appeared to be making traction with Brian Hanlon, Director of the DC Department of Buildings, until Mayor Bowser stepped in and ordered Hanlon to turn a blind eye to the violations. See here: https://bit.ly/4hX7kJx (Update)
Dos Toros Taqueria Capitol Hill at 215 Pennsylvania Ave SE, has been open for a couple of weeks now. Here’s their menu: https://www.dostoros.com/menu
Emergency vehicles respond to death at Eastern Market Metro on Wednesday night. Here’s a photo of the scene at Eastern Market Metro Plaza at circa 10:10pm on Wednesday night. At least 20 MPD, DC Transit, ambulances and other emergency vehicles surrounded Eastern Market Metro Plaza. Subsequently, DC Metro reported that an individual had apparently placed themselves in the path of an oncoming train.
Volunteer Musicians stepped up when Marine Band cancelled its annual concert to honor Marine Band legend John Phillips Sousa on the anniversary of his birthday at his grave site at Congressional Cemetery. The tradition’s rescue was organized by Capital City Symphony member Sarah Hanks (second from left), who reached out to colleagues and the community to help remember Sousa.
A crowd of some 50 community members turned out for the ceremony.
Organizers distributed flowers to lay on Sousa’s grave.
Here’s video of the band playing “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
The Week Ahead…
Monday, November 10
ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Task Force will hold an IN PERSON ONLY meeting at 7:00pm at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, 2nd floor.
Agenda: TBA
Tuesday, November 11
ANC7D will hold its November virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Proposed Motion: ANC 7D send a letter to relevant District agencies recommending the re-designation of a presently unnamed alley as Graceland Court, NE.
Wednesday, November 12
ANC6B will hold its November hybrid meeting at 7:00pm. Note: This meeting date has been adjusted to avoid conflicts with holidays, religious days, or other events.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Consent Agenda
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Items (TBA)
Transportation Committee Items (TBA)
Planning & Zoning Committee Items (TBA)
Public Safety Committee Items (TBA)
SE Library Task Force Items (TBA)
Public Parks and Recreation Spaces Task Force Items (TBA)
Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee Items (TBA)
Administrative Consent Items (If Any)
Community & Commission Announcements & Speak Out
Office of the Mayor (MOCR)
Councilmember Charles Allen’s Office
Metropolitan Police Department
Congressional Cemetery
Update on Items from Executive Committee Meeting
Adoption of Revised Standing Rules (Update/Announcement)
Reminder of Upcoming Meeting Dates
Presentations
11th Street Bridge Park Presentation
ANC 6B Input on Other Concerns
Testimony Regarding MPD & Immigration Enforcement
Testimony Regarding Youth Curfew
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee Renewals
Hawk N’ Dove– 329 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Cover Charge, Dancing, Entertainment, and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Dos Toros Taqueria – 215 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Restaurant License with Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Kaiju Ramen – 525 8th Street SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Sidewalk Café and Summer Garden Endorsements.
Lola’s, LLC t/a Lola’s – 711 8th Street SE (ABRA-086141), Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Entertainment and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Hill East Burger – 1432 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Entertainment and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Protests/Other Updates
Ambar – 523 8th Street SE. Ongoing negotiation regarding settlement agreement and protest hearing. Parties have requested continuance while discussions proceed.
ALOHA – Medical Cannabis Retailer (Second Application) – 539 8th Street SE (ABRA-129362). Second application for medical cannabis retailer license, including Delivery Endorsement. ANC6B has retained legal counsel (Kerry Verdi) to assist with protest. (Roll Call Hearing 11/03/25)
Continue Discussion for “Vision for Barracks Row”/Roundtable Planning.
Consideration of Letter Regarding Cannabis Licensees.
Planning and Zoning Committee
655 South Carolina Avenue SE; Zoning Adjustment Application.
440 New Jersey Avenue SE; Historic Preservation Application.
ANC6C will hold its November virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee Recommendations:
ANC 6A take no action on the renewals:
Class C Tavern license with for Brewpub, Entertainment and Summer Garden endorsements for Henceforth DC , 1335 H Street NE.
Class C Tavern license for Providencia, 1321 Linden Court NE.
Class C Tavern license with Dancing, Entertainment and Summer Garden endorsements for Sushi Sato, 1245 H Street NE.
Class C Tavern license with an Entertainment endorsement for Solid State Books, 600 H Street NE.
Class C Tavern license with an Entertainment endorsement for The Little Grand, 808 7th Street NE.
Class C Tavern license with Entertainment and Summer Garden endorsements for Copycat Co., 1110 H Street NE.
Class C Tavern license with Cover Charge, Dancing and Entertainment endorsements for District Alley on H, 1378 H Street NE.
Class C Tavern license with Dancing and Summer Garden endorsements for Pie Shop, 1339 H Street NE.
Class C Tavern license with Entertainment and Summer Garden endorsements for Sol Mexican Grill, 1251 H Street NE.
Class C Tavern license with an Entertainment endorsement for Allure Lounge, 711 H Street NE.
Class C Tavern license with Cover Charge, Dancing and Entertainment endorsements for Ethio Vegan, 1362 H Street NE.
Class C Tavern license with Cover Charge, Entertainment and Summer Garden endorsements for Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar, 1104 H Street NE.
Economic Development and Zoning Committee:
Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to BZA in support of a special exception for rear yard and lot occupancy requirements at 1332 Corbin Place NE to construct a third story and a three-story with basement rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit.
Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to BZA in support of a time extension for 1371-1375 H Street NE submitted by Salvation Arts, LLC, to extend for an additional year, the Board of Zoning Adjustment Order Number 20967, to construct a new, attached, six-story with roof deck, 30-unit, mixed use building.
Transportation and Public Space
Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT and WMATA asking that they coordinate to fill the gap in transit service that will be left by the early end of Streetcar service.
Recommendation: ANC 6A Send a letter to DDOT outlining ANC 6A’s requests for their update to the Strategic Bikeways Plan.
Standing Committee Reports
New Business
Suggested Motion: ANC 6A approve Lorena Gil as a member of Community Outreach (COC) Committee
Presentation: Results of survey about Sherwood Recreation Center
Single Member District reports
ANC6D Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Leaf Collection in underway. Here’s a link to DPW’s real-time leaf collection tracker. https://dpw.dc.gov/leaf (The search for your home address doesn’t appear to be working, but you can track which neighborhoods and undergoing leaf collections.)
The Week Ahead…& Some Day of the Dead Photos from the Past Week
By Larry Janezich
Posted November 2, 2025
The National Community Church (NCC) will launch $5M renovation of historic Navy Yard Car Barn – according to a story by Daniel Sernovits in the Washington Business Journal. NCC Pastor Mark Batterson plans on turning the “Capitol Turnaround” – formerly and informally named “The Blue Castle” at 8th and M Streets, SE, into an event space with a coffee shop. CHC talked to events staff who said that the 8th Street and M Street sides of the building will be renovated to provide event space. Another venture owned by NCC – “Ebenezers Coffeehouse” – will be located inside the main entrance at the corner of 8th and M Streets. The original Ebenezers, founded in 2006, is at 201 F Street, NE.
Here’s the space inside the main entrace at 8th and M Street, SE, which will be the future home of Ebenezers Coffee House.
Día de los Muertos at Congressional Cemetery. This day is a tradition that honors loved ones who have passed, celebrating the ongoing bond between the living and the dead. Millions in Mexico, Latin America, and beyond celebrate by creating colorful ofrendas (altars) to welcome spirits back to the earthly world.
Sunday, November 2, was the cemetery’s second celebration of Día de los Muertos, where the chapel in the center of the cemetery was transformed into a place of learning, remembrance, community gathering, and celebration of the “Day of the Dead.”
The ofrenda alter is traditionally set up in the home to honor decease loved ones and decorated with marigolds, photographs of the deceased, candles, and offerings like sugar skulls, favorite foods, drinks, mementos and religious symbols. Key elements often include references to the four elements: water, aid, earth and fire. The paper banners (papel picado) represent air.
Here’s a detail photo of the main altar.
Visitors decorate traditional sugar skulls and craft paper flowers.
A festival atmosphere dominates Dios de los Muertos as relatives and friends celebrate those who have gone before them and joyfully welcome their spiritual return.
This free community event is made possible by the Congressional Cemetery’s nonprofit, The Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery.
The Week Ahead…
Highlight: Tuesday: First District MPD Community Advisory Committee Meeting. Discussion: The Wharf and Navy Yard Juvenile Safety Concerns. See below.
Highlight: Thursday. Free John Philip Sousa Birthday Concert at Congressional Cemetery. See below under “Capitol Hill Cornor Would Also Like You to Know About:”
Monday, November 3
ANC6C ABC Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting at 7:00pm, but has not posted an agenda.
Presentation by DC Sentencing Commission on Homicide and Car Jacking Convictions
The Wharf and Navy Yard Juvenile Safety Concerns
3rd – 14th Streets NE Safety concerns
G-K Streets NE Safety Concerns
Burglaries, Carjacking/Stolen Autos and Homicide Reports
Policing 14th Place and 15th Street, NE
Policing North Capitol Street, NE/NW
ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Second Floor, Conference Room 1 (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
ABC Renewals
Hawk N’ Dove – 329 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Cover Charge, Dancing, Entertainment, and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Dos Toros Taqueria – 215 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Restaurant License with Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Kaiju Ramen – 525 8th Street SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Sidewalk Café and Summer Garden Endorsements.
Lola’s – 711 8th Street SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Entertainment and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Hill East Burger – 1432 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Entertainment and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Protests & Other Updates
Ambar – 523 8th Street SE. Ongoing negotiation regarding settlement agreement and protest hearing. Parties have requested continuance while discussions proceed.
ALOHA – Medical Cannabis Retailer (Second Application) – 539 8th Street SE. Second application for medical cannabis retailer license, including Delivery Endorsement. ANC6B has retained legal counsel (Kerry Verdi) to assist with protest. (Roll Call Hearing 11/03/25)
Continue Discussion for “Vision for Barracks Row”/Roundtable Planning
Consideration of Letter Regarding Cannabis Licensees
Wednesday, November 5
ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
DDOT Update on Penn/Potomac Intersection Redesign Project
Calming Measures at 6th & G SE
Issues at Capitol South Metro
Speeding in Barracks Row Alleys
Automated Curb Management
ANC6C Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Congressional Cemetery Event:
Thursday, November 6, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm. Free, but please register here: https://bit.ly/47vGNzr
John Philip Sousa Birthday Concert 2025. Please join Congressional Cemetery and the Marine Band, “The President’s Own,” for a celebration of the life and legacy of John Philip Sousa. The Marine Band plays the music the “March King” composed at his graveside every year on his birthday and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend, for free!
Congressional Cemetery will start the program at 12:30 pm with a short awards ceremony, followed by a brief lecture by a John Philip Sousa impersonator.
The Marine Corps band will enter through the 17th Street gate at precisely 1:00 PM for a 25 minute concert at the grave site, located near the chapel.
Folger Library Event.
Friday, Nov 7–9. Virtuosos of Violin and Verse. Tickets start at $20.
Folger Consort, in a special collaboration with the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series, will open its 2025-2026 season of “exquisitely played programs”
L-R, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb; Commissioner Brian Gorman, Chair, ANC6B Public Safety Committee; Commissioner Sam Pastore.
Office of DC Attorney General Under Seige, AG Schwalb Tells ANC Committee
by Larry Janezich
Posted October 28, 2025
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb attended ANC6B’s Public Safety Committee meeting Monday night. He summarized what his office does for the city: serving as its law firm, serving as a public advocate defending and protecting the public interest, and protecting public safety – which he said was broader than prosecuting crime.
He defended the independence of the Attorney General’s Office noting that “our Mayor has never been a fan of an independent Attorney General” but it’s a necessary check on executive power. Currently, he said, his office was very much under siege and an attack from the federal government. For example, after filing lawsuits against the federal government for taking over the MPD and deploying out-of-state National Guard in the city, Schwalb said a member of congress introduced a bill – in collaboration with the White House – to change the independent elected DC attorney general to a presidential appointed attorney general with no Senate confirmation. The proposed law would make the attorney general accountable to the President – which allows for the office to be weaponized. The bill has passed the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and will come up on the House floor at the discretion of the Speaker of the House.
He cited another bill which reflects the administration’s hostility to the District – supposedly in the interest of public safety which Schwalb termed a “ruse” used to attack home rule – the Judicial Nominations Reform Act which would abolish the District’s Judicial Nomination Commission which currently vets and recommends candidates for DC’s local courts. The bill would shift shift this power to the President with confirmation by the Senate.
He also pointed to the House of Representatives’ passage of the Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act that would – at the discretion of the US Attorney General – lower the age from 16 to 14 for prosecution of District juveniles as adults for some violent crimes, including murder, first-degree sexual assault, first-degree burglary, and robbery while armed or assault with intent to commit any of these offenses.
Schwalb criticized the District’s bifurcated criminal justice system which provides for the prosecution of adults by the District’s US Attorney and juveniles by the DC Attorney General. He says we need a local prosecutor accountable to the people of the District.
He said that there are 16 bills* before Congress that would change the way home rule operates in the District and debate on all of them is on-going. He urged residents to support home rule.
Appearing under a time constraint, Schwalb took several questions from members of the public and the Public Safety Committee. On the issue of enforcement against reckless moped drivers, he offered criminal prosecution where warranted and a potential investigation of the questionable operation of problematic third party providers – neither suggestion provided much satisfaction to the father of a child who had received a concussion from a recklessly operated food delivery moped. (See CHC post here: http://bit.ly/3WtcTW0 ) Similarly, he could not offer much insight with respect to a question about the performance of Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services owing to the “difficulty in measuring recidivism,” or much hope with respect to a question of progress on renovating the DC Jail, noting “it’s in our interest to get jail repaired – but not easy with tight dollars.”
*In addition to the bills affecting home rule mentioned by Schwalb, some of the other 16 bills pending in Congress which would affect DC home rule include:
Repeal of policing legislation: Overturns police reform legislation the D.C. Council passed after the murder of George Floyd.
D.C. Policing Protection Act: Expands the circumstances under which police officers are allowed to engage in vehicular pursuits.
Amendments to the Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act: Would eliminate judicial discretion to sentence eligible youth offenders below a mandatory minimum and restrict youth offender status for individuals convicted of certain crimes.
Repeal of the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act: Nullifies a D.C. law that allows juveniles to petition for early release after serving 15 years.
Bail system overhaul: Requires pretrial detention for anyone charged with a “violent or dangerous offense,” including some felony drug charges, and brings back the use of cash bail for certain crimes.
Criminalizing homelessness: Makes it illegal to sleep in public places, including in a car.
Last Friday night, Capitol Hill historian Robert Pohl lead a tour of Capitol Hill’s reputed haunted houses, sponsored by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society for its members. Here, at the tour’s beginning on Eastern Market Metro Plaza, Pohl related the story of the haunting of the US Capitol’s old House Chamber (currently Statuary Hall) by John Quincy Adams, who returned to the House of Representatives after serving as President of the United States.
A house across from the Marine Barracks at 822 G Street, SE, was owned by a curmudgeonly career Marine named “Old Howard.” After his passing, the family rented it out to successive tenants who reported the presence in the house of a poltergeist – presumably “Old Howard” – who would move the bed around the room while it was occupied. Old Howard’s restless spirit eventually departed the premises.
The Marine Commandant’s House at 801 G Street, SE, is reputed to have three ghosts: Two sergeants who in 1814 were directed to hide the Barrack’s payroll on the grounds before departing to try to halt the British army’s advance on Washington (where they were killed in the battle) and the ghost of Archibald Henderson known as the “Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps” for his record 38-year tenure as Commandant who by his causing his portrait to fall off the wall during a reception, seemed to be protesting the admission of women to the Marine Corps as clerical workers.
The John Phillips Sousa House at 636 G Street, SE, was the occasion for relating the history of the Marine Band leader and the claim that on foggy days, the “lonesome sound of the Sousaphone can be heard over Congressional Cemetery,” where Sousa is buried. (On November 6, the Marine Band remembers Sousa with a birthday concert at his grave site in Congressional Cemetery.)
The MPD 1st District Substation on Marion Park was the site of the murder of an MPD police captain by a disgruntled officer in the late 19th Century, which could be the genesis for the report of a late night appearance of a solitary dripping wet figure who entered the front door of the station and disappeared through a locked side door.
The hour-plus long tour became darker figuratively as well as literally near the end which was at The Maples, at 619 D Street, SE. One of the oldest houses on Capitol Hill, The Maples was purchased in 1871 by Emily Edson Briggs, the first female reporter in the here-to-fore all male Senate Press Gallery. Briggs’ husband died shortly thereafter. His widow, who continued to live in the house, began experiencing unexplained sounds of weeping and piano playing which culminated in evidence of a slept-in guest room bed and a presence – and departure – marked by the leaving of a single pearl on the bed’s pillow. The peculiar happenings ceased after the pearl incident. A possible connection, Pohl suggested, was the ghastly suicide in the house of a friend of the wife of a previous owner. That owner, one Augustus Nicholson, the Marine Barracks Quartermaster in the 1840s, was by all accounts a bounder, who had been keeping company with another woman, Sally Carroll, who he married six months after his wife’s suicide.
Robert Pohl is the author of “Wicked Capitol Hill: An Unruly History of Behaving Badly”
Wolfgang Puck’s Place in Union Station. Here are some photos of where Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant is going to be in Union Station, and a rendering of what it’s going to look like. It will be at the top of the escalator – which from the mezzanine – will lead UNIQLO on the west end of Union Station.
On the right hand side of the up escalator in the space formerly occupied by Pizzaria Uno is where you’ll find Wolfgang Puck’s BAR + Bites.
And here’s an architect’s rendering of what it’s going to look like.
Construction Update on SE Library Renovation. Photos from the DC Library’s October 23 Construction update – a view of the skylight from the historic entrance on 7th Street, and the view from the inside looking toward the historic entrance. (Apparently the postings on the bulletin boards inside the historic entrance will be last to go of the interior features of the original libarary.)
Inside the universal entrance at the South Carolina Entrance at street level.
Photo of the glass façade and canopy at the South Carolina Avenue Entrance. For more, go here: SE Library Construction Update for October 23: http://bit.ly/4noq3yI
Triple Candies’ monthly installations in the former Li’l Pub at 655 Pennsylvania Avenue,SE. For nearly 50hears, DC artist Betsy Packard has transferred the objects she encountered in her life into art:paintings made from dryer lint; tapestries sewn with used clothes and hair clippings: and toys. Accoring to curators Triple Candies, her work references Constructibism, Surrealism, Pop Art, Nouveau Realism, Fluxus, Feminist Art, etc. Triple Candies is a research-oriented curatorial agency run by art historian co-founders Shelly Bancroft and Peter Nesbett.
The Week Ahead….
Highlight: Monday, ANC6B Public Safety Committee discussion with DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb. 7:00pm. See below.
Monday, October 27
ANC6A Community Outreach Committee holds and IN PERSON meeting at 7:00pm.
Location: 1207 H Street NE (Old Autozone Building).
Among items on the draft agenda:
Announcements and Reminders: People’s Front of H Street, Sunday Clean ups in 6A01.
Meet your ANC Commissioner.
FreeDC with COC Member Ashley Blake.
ANC6B Public Safety Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm.
Physical Location: 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE, 2nd Floor – Conference Room #2 (Entrance Adjacent to Trader Joe’s)
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Briefing from MPD 1st District (Captain Crist).
Discussion with DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb.
Planning for next meeting.
ANC6B Southeast Library Task Force will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor, Conference Room #1 (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Update on renovation from Jaspreet Pahwa, of the library system (DCPL), & from Terri Bosnick, of general contractor Whiting Turner.
Discuss progress on maintaining & expanding access to the interim library at the Arthur Capper Recreation Center, 1000 5th St., SE.
Tuesday, October 28
ANC6A Alcohol Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Saturday, November 1
CHRS House Expo Set for Saturday, November 1, in the North Hall of Eastern Market.
The Expo connects homeowners with contractors & experts. Free House Expo is hosted by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) , from 9am to 3pm Saturday, November 1, in Eastern Market’s North Hall.
A “Day of the Dead” celebration in collaboration with Capitol Hill resident Rosa Moreno. The public is invited to contribute memories to a shared ofrenda. 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Folger Library Tours: Tuesday – Friday | 11:30am – 4:30pm | Each tour lasts 1 hour. We invite groups of all ages to sign up for guided tours of the Folger’s building and grounds. All tours are led by experienced guides who can share details about the Folger’s collection, the architecture of the building, and fascinating facts about Shakespeare, his world, and our own. Priced at $25 per person with discounts for student groups, tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Special student experiences are also available for classes. http://bit.ly/43t0LYS
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Map of the proposed land swap. The deal involved exchanging a 15 acre parcel of land in the SE corner of the Navy Yard (blue at lower right) for a 6 acre GSA parcel just outside the NW corner of the Navy Yard on M Street SE (red at upper left).
Secretary of Navy John Phelan has withdrawn the Navy from the land swap agreement it forged with the DC city government announced last year to construct a “National Museum of the United States Navy” near the Navy Yard.
This news came from former Secretary of the Navy, Kenneth Braithwaite, who serves as the chair of the Naval Museum Development Foundation, as first reported in Tuesday Tidings, the newsletter of the National Maritime Historical Society. See the October 21, 2025 edition of the newsletter here: https://seahistory.org/education/navyhistory/)
During a Q&A session in last week’s annual “Congress” of the Naval Order of the United States held in Philadelphia, Braithwaite announced that Secretary Phelan has pulled the Navy out of the deal for construction of the long-awaited museum, halting his fundraising efforts pending identification of a new site. The Navy had expected to open the museum by 2030.
Last October, city officials, including DC Deputy Mayor Nina Albert, attended a ceremony at the M Street site to celebrate the construction of the museum, envisioned as “an enduring memorial to honor the service of American Sailors, inspire selfless service, and enhance public understanding of the Navy’s history and heritage.” See here: http://bit.ly/3WSv7jR
No other details were forthcoming, though Tuesday Tidings added that “an overview of previous sites considered for the Navy Museum will be provided in next week’s TT.” During the selection process, 42 potential sites in 18 cities were considered for the location of the museum before the Navy chose DC. Other candidates included San Diego, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and Norfolk.
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The Signs of Fascism. Last Thursday evening, starting at 8th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE and stretching to the east, a half dozen or so masked individuals, all dressed in black, held signs alerting outbound traffic to the Signs of Fascism.
City Shutters Illegal Weed Outlet on Barracks Row. ABCA has closed down DC’s first Mushroom Church at 409 8th Street, SE, above the former and future Popeyes. According to an advertisement, mushrooms were “only available for purchase for members of our Church through verified membership on location or through a Member Portal.”
The ABCA Notice makes pretty clear what was happening at the church.
Barracks Row’s Little District Books formerly at 737 8th Street, SE, relocated to 631 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Here’s the new place. From their website: “Our collection is curated to represent the full spectrum of LGBTQIA+ identities and we’re proud to uplift local authors, indie publishers, and expand access to queer literature.”
Congressional Cemetery Master Plan. Last Wednesday night, the landscape architectural firm Rhodeside and Harwell held the second of two community meetings to receive feedback on the proposed Master Plan – a comprehensive, long-term plan for the future of Historic Congressional Cemetery. Some 50 community members turned out to hear their presentation. The firm will continue seeking community feedback on the Master Plan throughout the process and is scheduled to receive a finalized Master Plan in February of 2026. After that the Board of Congressional Cemetery will begin several fundraising initiatives to realize the plan.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, October 20
ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Strategic Bike Plan Feedback – Chris Berg from DDOT presented an overview last mont on the plan to update the Strategic Bike Plan. The committee will discuss feedback to DDOT.
H Street NE Corridor Update – The 14th Street, NE, bike lane gap between Florida Avenue and G Street, NE is set to be closed this month. The installation of bus platforms at 6th and H Streets, NE has been delayed until at least November.
New Business
H Street/Benning Road, NE Streetcar – Due to a change in DC budget, streetcar service will end in March 2026 as opposed to September 2026.
Public Space Construction Permit application at 729 K Street, NE – this application covers installation of benches at the pocket park on 8th and K Streets, NE.
ANC6B Parks & Public Spaces Taskforce will hold an In Person Meeting at 7:00pm.
This meeting will be held 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
Public Safety Report: 1st District Commander Colin Hall will report on public safety.
Discussion of Better Bus Reorganization: WMATA has been invited to send a representative.
ABC Matters.
Report of Task Force on Pedestrian Safety.
801 Maine Ave. (Jair Lynch Development) Zoning Application. Extension of PUD. The approved development would rise up to 130 feet along Maine Avenue and 90 feet along G Street, delivering 498 residential units—75 of which will be affordable under Inclusionary Zoning, including eight family-sized three-bedroom apartments—along with more than 24,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, including a neighborhood-serving grocer or market and a bank branch. The applicant cited persistently high borrowing costs, rising construction expenses, and a sharp decline in new rental construction across D.C. as reasons for the delay, noting that despite pursuing financing partners and cost reductions, current market conditions have hindered the project’s ability to move forward. The requested extension would allow additional time to secure financing and preserve the entitlements while the developer continues advancing design and permitting work.
Adopt FY26 ANC 6D Budget
Capitol Hill Corner Would Like You to Know About:
Folger Theater – Continuing, through Sunday, October 26
Julius X – a re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Julius Caesar through the lens of the American Civil Rights Movement, focusing on the story of Civil Rights leader Malcolm X and drawing parallels between ancient Rome and 1960s Harlem.
Playwright and poet Al Letson, a Peabody Award-winning journalist and the host of the Reveal podcast, champions Shakespeare’s original text, amplifying it with his own verse.
Marcus Hunt, Office of the Deputy Mayor’s Director of DC Government Operations for the DC National Guard, makes a presentation to ANC6B. Hunt has been billed in local media as “Director of the National Guard.”
Wednesday night, at its hybrid October meeting, ANC6B re-affirmed its decision not to place a discussion of the National Guard on the meeting’s agenda. The genesis of the proposed discussion was an offer from the Guard – via Marcus Hunt, DC’s liaison to the Guard – to help with beautification projects in ANC commissioners’ single member districts. The offer was sent to individual ANC commissioners across the city. Some commissioners suggested that since Hunt’s offer was sent to individual commissioners, the decision should be left to them, and as such, there was no role for the ANC in this matter.
Commissioner David Sobelsohn continued to push to hear from two individuals on the subject. First, from Marcus Hunt, who was billed as the Director of the National Guard, but who is actually an employee of the Office of the Deputy Director of Public Safety. He is the city’s liaison with the National Guard on the issue of beautification efforts. And while he is also a Lt. Col. in the National Guard he did not appear in uniform and is currently not acting “under orders.” Second, from ANC2G01 Commissioner Howard Garrett who authored a letter opposing Commissioners accepting the offer for the Guard to assist in beautification projects because that would “normalize” the Guard for tasks that belong to civilian agencies.
It is routine for the commission to provide a period for “Community Announcements” and it was the consensus of the commission that Hunt and Garrett could use this time to discuss the National Guard. Comments are usually limited to three minutes, but the Commission agreed to a motion to allow discussion at the beginning of the period and then subsequently set a time limit of 20 minutes.
As it turned out, the discussion lasted some 40 minutes, but produced little clarification on beautification possibilities as Hunt discussed his background, history of the Guards and its relation to DC, his job with the Deputy Mayor’s Office and some of the beautification activities the Guard has undertaken. He referred questions regarding the safety activities of the Guard to Master Sergeant Arthur Wright (who was not present), saying he could only speak at tonight’s meeting to talk about beautification.
During the Q&A, the meeting turned confrontational as some of the dozen community members attending in-person challenged the legitimacy of the deployment of the National Guard on DC streets – a subject on which Hunt could not comment. One member of the audience expressed his appreciation for the Guard’s presence in the community. Afterward, Commissioner Howard Garrett, appearing on-line, read a prepared statement reiterating the points of his letter (which many ANC Commissioners have signed) opposing requesting assistance for beautification efforts.
Following the discussion, Sobelsohn proposed two more motions. The first asked the ANC’s Public Safety Committee to make a recommendation about what commissioners should do regarding the Guard’s offer to help with beautification projects. When that motion failed for lack of a second, the second motion asked for a recommendation from the ANC’s Parks and Public Spaces Task Force. That motion also failed for a lack of second.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 