CAPITOL HILL CORNER

ANC6C Commissioner Joel Kelty tells MPD Chief Contee and Others that crime in ANC6C remains “out of control.”  In an email to Contee last week, Kelty included an image of a robbery outside of his home on January 5 captured by a security camera.  An excerpt from the email follows:

Kelty:  “Last night at 10pm a robbery occurred right in front of my house.  This was a brutal violent assault that occurred on a well-lit street and not particularly late at night.  The victim was savagely beaten and seriously injured.  It has my neighbors extremely upset, concerned and in fear of their personal safety…My constituents and I are extremely concerned with the high level of both property crime and violent crime that we are experiencing in ANC6C.  The crime problem in our neighborhood is the worst it’s been in the 22+ years I have lived here…It seems clear from these two incidents as well as other recent crimes that the people engaging in this behavior are doing so without fear of consequences and with total disregard for the common values of civil society.  Please note that we’ve been highlighting this issue for at least the past two years.  Enclosed are letters the ANC sent in October 2021 and October 2022 requesting concrete action regarding crime impacting our neighborhood.  Whatever measures MPD has implemented in response to these letters (if any) have not been adequate and additional options must be considered and implemented.” 

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee met Tuesday night to consider a Historic Preservation Application and a Zoning Application to build a garage and second story apartment on Brown’s Court.  Although a nearby neighbor raised objections that their privacy and quality of life would be adversely affected the argument was not enough to overcome clear sympathy among committee members for the city’s need for more housing.  A motion to support the plan was agreed to 9 – 2 and the issue was forwarded to the full ANC6B meeting on Tuesday. 

The ANC6B Transportation Committee met Tuesday night to discuss upcoming transportation issues during the coming year, i.e., which should have priority regarding working collaboratively to make sure the voice of the ANC is heard.  Among those noted were:  reducing traffic dangers near schools, EV charging issues including charging wire hazards and EV charging station placement, sidewalk café safety, the new Traffic Safety Input program, methods to slow traffic, improving 11^th Street as an approach to the new bridge park, proposals changing the basis for residential parking, better communication between residents and the DDOT and its contractors, construction signage, and tracking the Penn Potomac Intersection Project budget.    

ANC6B ABC Committee met on Thursday night.  A liquor license renewal for Ginza Karaoke and a new license for Pacci’s Trattoria were approved unanimously.  Regarding Pacci’s. owner Spiro Goldasis says opening has been delayed by the city where his Use and Occupancy Permit which is working its way through the bureaucracy.  He expects to open “by the end of the month.”  The committee also discussed upcoming issues for 2023.  The list includes consideration of taking an organized approach to Settlement Agreement compliance, addressing the issue of regulating shops which gift cannabis for insignificant purchases, and monitoring the proliferation of sports wagering which seems to be suffering administrative problems by the vendor. 

The Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) held an in person meeting in SE Library Thursday night and began the transition to new leadership after long-time President Neal Gregory’s decision to step down from that post.  Vice President John Wennersten presided.  A new slate of officers was nominated as follows:  President, Robert Pohl; Vice President, Bob Gellman; Secretary, Elizabeth Teegarden; Treasurer, Mary Granger.  A vote will occur at the group’s next meeting on the first Thursday of February, following the opening of the floor for other nominations.  Also attending the Thursday night meeting, was newly elected ANC6B03 Commissioner David Sobelsohn who announced his intention to ask the full ANC to establish an ANC6B SE Library Taskforce to liaison with the community regarding the upcoming redevelopment of South East Library.  The library is in Sobelsohn’s single member district.  The full ANC will meet this coming Tuesday.  Wennersten commended Gregory for his long service as president.   

Friday, January 6.  The Capitol Grounds were closed to visitors on the anniversary of the insurrectionist attack on the US Capitol. There was a heavy police presence on the East Front and the bicycle rack fences up all the way around the Capitol.  First Street on the East side of the Capitol was closed and there were USCP support vehicles along the east curb in front of the Library of Congress. 

On the West Front of the Capitol, there were fewer Capitol Police, but one standing on the Capitol side of the low stone wall on First Street across from the Grant statue was carrying an automatic rifle.  The USCP communications truck which is usually seen only at demonstrations and special events was parked on the West Side of the Capitol.  CHC asked a USCP officer if the grounds had been closed all week or just today.  He said just today because it’s January 6 and that the grounds would probably be open tomorrow.

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from Last Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 8, 2023

Monday, January 9

ANC6CD will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Election of officers
• Public Safety Report
• Presentation: Update on Greenleaf Redevelopment – DCHA
• Update on Pepco Capitol Grid Project
• Update on 807 and 899 Maine Avenue
• Update on 1301 South Capitol Street
• Update on Early Childhood Center at Amidon Bowen

Tuesday, January 10

ANC6B will hold a virtual Special Call Meeting at 6:45pm to elect ANC6B officers.

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/meetings/january-2023-meetings-of-anc-6b/

ANC6B will hold its virtual January Meeting a 7:00pm. 

To join the meeting, go here: (same as for the Special Call Meeting)

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Harvest Tide Capitol Hill DC, 212 7th Street, SE. Request for an Entertainment Endorsement for its Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant license. 
• Rose’s at Home, 721 8th Street. SE. New Class “B” Internet Retailer selling beer and wine online only for off-premises consumption. 
• Pacci’s Trattoria, 106 13th Street, SE. Request for a New Class “CR” Restaurant License with a total capacity of 85 people. 
• Ginza BBQ Lounge and Karaoke Spot, 526 8th Street, SE. Renewal of Retailer’s Class C Tavern License.  
• 637 A Street SE. Special exception to construct a detached, two-story accessory garage with dwelling unit, and convert to a flat, an existing attached, two-story principal dwelling unit
• 637 A Street SE. New two story carriage house to replace existing one-story garage, with second floor accessory apartment.
• Proposal to reestablish an ANC 6B telephone number and Formally Change ANC 6B Address to 700 Penn Office Building
• Proposal to Revive the ANC 6B Public Safety Committee
• Proposal to establish a Southeast Library Task Force

Wednesday, January 11

ANC6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6c.org/january-2023-virtual-meeting-details/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Election of ANC Officers
• Appointment and Election of Committee Members and Officers
• The Ministry, 601 New Jersey Avenue, NE, Suite 102. Renewal of Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern license.
• Sidamo Coffee & Tea, Inc., 417 H Street, NE. Renewal of Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant.
• Purl, 644 H Street, NE. New Application for  Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant license.
• Hillsdale College, 219-299 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Public Space Application for plaza alterations. 
• FedEx, 300 Maryland Avenue NE. Public Space Application for Knee wall to 30”,
• Giant Foods, H Street NE. Application for curb cuts. 
• Discussion of Union Station Expansion Project
• 300 M Street, NE, Zoning Application. Informational presentation.
• Upcoming Council performance oversight hearings on the Department of Buildings.

Thursday, January 12

ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

• Election of Officers: Chair- Amber Gove; Vice Chair – Keya Chatterjee; Secretary – Robb Dooling; Treasurer – Steve Moilanen; Parliamentarian – Laura Gentile).
• Election of members and leaders of the permanent Committees for 2023: Economic Development and Zoning Committee – Brad Greenfield (Chair– 6A06), Tim Drake, Michael Cushman (6A04). Transportation and Public Safety Committee – Shaun Lynch (Co-Chair), Caitlin Rogger(Co-Chair – 6A07), Jeff Fletcher(6A07), Hassan Christian. Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee- Erin Sullivan (Chair – 6A06), Kara Hughley (6A05), and Joe Krisch (6A01) Community Outreach Committee- Adina Wadsworth (Chair- 6A07), Jessica Clark, Kelsey Grimes.
• Cru Hemp Lounge at 816 H Street, NE. Motion the ANC take no action on application for renewal of Class “C” Tavern License.
• Motion that ANC6A send a letter to DDOT and MPD expressing grief for the loss of our neighbor Ralph Williams to a car crash on the 900 block of K Street, NE, in November 2022, in an area where ANC 6A has repeatedly expressed concerns about traffic safety.
• ANC6A requests:

1. 1. More information about the incident;
   2. A response on DDOT and MPD short and long-term plans to address the safety issues previously identified by ANC6A
   3. Immediate traffic calming measures

Octet Productions sets up on the NE quadrant of Eastern Market Metro Plaza to film a scene from A Kismet Holiday.

Octet Producers Chuck and Bree West (center and right) confer during a break in the shooting.

Romantic Movie Will Feature Eastern Market Metro Plaza

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 7, 2023

Thursday morning found a local production company filming scenes for A Kismet Holiday, on Eastern Market Metro Plaza near the children’s’ playground.  The holiday love story is based in DC and is a spinoff of the 2001 film Serendipity which starred John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.

The film is the latest project of Octet Productions, owned by Executive Producer Chuck West and Creative Producer Bree West.  According to Bree West the film portrays a couple who meet “in a series of serendipitous path-crossings, overcome obstacles, and experience some Christmas magic which works in their best interests.” 

She added, “It’s important to showcase the beauty of our own city and to employ its residents.  Washington is home to a lot of different things and destinations and this movie shows off the heart of the city.  It’s a beautiful love story and you can feel the beauty and love on the set.” 

Assistant Director Al G. Sillah (in white sweatshirt) gathers crew members before the shoot for a Safety Meeting – part inspiration, part aspiration, part expression of gratitude, part prayer circle, and part bonding ceremony. 

The film will feature scenes in every quadrant of the city.  West said that after the morning shoot, the company would move to Northwest where a holiday tree vendor has kept a Christmas tree lot open past the holidays so a scene could be shot there. 

From left, A Kismet Holiday Director, Chazitear, Octet Creative Producer Bree West, and Octet Executive Producer Chuck West.

OCTET Productions was founded in 2015 and is based in DC.  Their website lists 15 productions – for more info, go here:  https://octetproductions.com/   Octet is active in the academic community and works with Duke Ellington School, Howard University, American University, and Bowie State University in film production education programs.  According to their website, Octet partners include BET, BETher, TVOne, and UMC.

Monday, January 2, was the last day to see the Botanic Gardens outdoor G-gauge model train exhibit.  The trains circulated through a display of 13 agricultural scenes from across the US and around the world, all made from plant parts.  Here are some shots of the exhibit from Saturday morning.

Wheat and corn farm. Kansas

Olive grove. Spain.

Sorghum-Millet-Cowpea farm. Mali.

Artichoke farm. California.

Potato farm and Macchu Picchu. Peru.

The Week Ahead…& Photo Essay:  Botanical Garden Model Train Exhibit

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 2, 2023

Tuesday, January 3

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

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

Among items on the Draft Agenda: 

• 637 A Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application.  Special exception to construct a detached, two-story accessory garage with dwelling unit, and convert to a flat, an existing attached, two-story principal dwelling unit
• 637 A Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application.  New two story carriage house to replace existing one-story garage, with second floor accessory apartment

Wednesday, January 4

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

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

Draft Agenda:

• Open Discussion on 2023 Transportation Priorities

Thursday, January 4

ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

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

Among items on the Draft Agenda:

• Harvest Tide Steak House, 212 7th Street SE. Request for an Entertainment Endorsement for Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant license. 
• Rose’s at Home, 721 8th Street SE. New Class “B” Internet Retailer selling beer and wine online only for off-premises consumption. 
• Pacci’s Trattoria, 106 13th Street, SE. Request for a New Class “CR” Restaurant License with a total capacity of 85 people.  Hours of Operation, Sales, Service and Consumption Sun.-Thurs. 11 AM—11 PM; Fri. & Sat. 11 AM – 12 AM Midnight; Same for sidewalk café.

The National Museum of the American Indian is exhibiting “Raven and the Box of Daylight.”  The museum describes it as “an immersive, multisensory experience” which tells a creation story – the story of the transformation of darkness to light. 

The Tlingit people of Southeast Alaska share a creation myth about how the culture’s iconic Raven brought light into the world.  The myth has many variations among the Tlingit villages but all have common elements.  The Tlingit American artist Preston Singletary has woven these myths into a narrative and illustrated the story in glass sculpture. 

The Raven of the Tinglet myths is a trickster, teacher, and transformer. 

According to the myth, the world was once enveloped in darkness and the Raven decides to do something about it.  Following the Nass River, he encounters the Fishermen of the Night who tell him about the local Nobleman who has light captured in three boxes.  Raven finds a devious way to enter the Nobleman’s house. 

Raven birth. After an immaculate conception of the Nobleman’s daughter, Raven is reborn as a “precocious and precious” human boy.

The Boxes of Light: The Moon, The Sun, The Stars. Given the boxes of light to play with, the now-human Raven releases the contents one by one to take their places in the heavens.

Freed from the darkness the people become the Animal People, the Winged People, and the Water People according to the regalia they wore when the world was dark.  “Those who remained strong (and stubborn) became Human People,” the myth says. 

The exhibit runs through January 29, 2023. 10:00am – 5:30pm.

Happy Holidays from Capitol Hill Corner.

The Week Ahead…. Is pretty quiet. 

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing 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:    

• Discussion of application by Cru Hemp Lounge at 816 H Street, NE  Renewal of Class C Tavern License. 

Here’s the concept for R13 Community Partners plan for developing their three parcels of Phase II Bundle II.  There are three components: The two residential buildings nearest RFK (with ground floor retail) and the Marriott Residence Inn (parcel C), the Central Park mid-screen (parcel E), and the Condos and Town Houses at the bottom (parcel H).  (These depictions are concepts only and the final product may look substanially different.) 

The Donatelli and Blue Skye development team was awarded a contract for Bundle 1 comprised of parcels A, B-1, B-2, F-2, G-2.

Update on Development of Reservation 13 Phase II – Tentative Timeline for Bundle II

by Larry Janezich

Posted December 20, 2022

In November of 2021, the city awarded development contracts to build over 2,300 units in Hill East on Reservation 13 to R13 Community Partners and to Donatelli and Blue Skye Development. 

Last Tuesday night R13 Community Partners (a team of 8 developers) gave an update to ANC6B on the planned construction of a mixed use project with 1,246 units and 60,000 square feet of retail near RFK – part of Phase II of the Reservation 13 development plan.

The briefing was ostensibly to seek ANC input on development of the central park component of the project, but a since the project is in Ward 7 it had the feel of being a demonstration of good will by the developers after Donatelli and Blue Skye had received criticism for demonstrating indifference to Ward 6 residents of Hill East during their planning of the Phase I development of Res 13.     

Evans Charles of the contracting firm Frontier Development and Hospitality Group, gave a tentative time line for the project:   

The development will proceed in three phases:

Phase 1 – two apartment buildings, retail and infrastructure near RFK is scheduled to break ground in the spring of 2024.

Phase II – the central park including the RFK Memorialization and Relisha Rudd Playground will overlap with Phase 1 and break ground about 12 months later.   

Phase III – the start time on the condos and townhomes “will probably be about 12 months after that.”

Charles added that construction time would be about 24 months

The project anticipates delivery of 1005 rental units in two buildings: 334 Affordable Units (184 at 30% MFI Median Family Income and 150 at 50% Median Family Income); 334 Middle Income and Workforce Units at 80% Median Family Income; and 333 at Market Rate.  There will be studios and 1 – 3 BR units at each income tier evenly dispersed. (Median Family Income:   https://bit.ly/3PGLMT4 )

The project will include 115 fully furnished co-Living units (presumably in the smaller building) with common kitchens:  19 at 30% MFI, 16 at 50% MFI, and 80 at Market Rate.

The Central Park including the RFK Memorialization and Relisha Rudd Playground.

Also, 126 For Sale condos and townhomes: 38 affordable: 19 at 50% MFI, 19 at 60% MFI, and 87 at Market Rate.

The project will include a 150 unit Marriott Residence Inn

The R13 Community Partners provided the unit numbers used above on their website and they don’t quite add up to 1,246 units, but that’s not unusual as numbers are tweaked to account for studio and 1-3 bedroom units.  Here’s a link to the website:  https://bit.ly/3HVYBHz

Update on Pacci’s Restaurant on Lincoln Park.  Last Tuesday night, ANC6B voted to support restaurateur Spiro Goldasis’ request for a stipulated alcohol beverage license allowing him to operate before his liquor license is formally approved.  He told the ANC that he hoped to open this coming week.  On Friday morning, however, he had pushed that back to “early January” pending receipt of his license to operate.   Pacci’s is at 106 13^th Street, SE.  The building formerly housed the Park Café, Ninnella, and the Lincoln Park Kitchen and Wine Bar.  Goldasis has another Pacci’s Trattoria in Silver Spring, Maryland.  You can check out that menu here:  https://www.paccistrattoria.com/

Here’s a shot of how the interior is shaping up.

Meanwhile, over at 1430 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Olga & Manny’s Pizza is making progress on their build out but they don’t look close to opening any time soon.

ANC6B.  Last Tuesday night, ANC6B held it’s final meeting with many expressions of mutual appreciation exchanged among commissioners.  One of the main recipients was outgoing Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg who is retiring after 15 years of service as an ANC commissioner.  The commission awarded its Distinguished Public Servant Award to Naomi Mitchell, who recently retired from the staff of CM Charles Allen and whose work as community liaison touched numerous lives in Ward 6 over the past 16 years.  The commission also received a briefing on the development of Res 13 11/Bundle II – which will be detailed in an upcoming post on Capitol Hill Corner.  The commission will see a major turnover in January with the retirement or redistricting of Oldenburg, Samolyk, Ready, Holtzman, Holman, Horn, Krepp, and Wright. 

ANC6C.  Wednesday night saw a brief last meeting of the current commissioner.  Three commissioners are retiring including the long serving chair Karen Wirt who has a 24 year record of serving as a 6C commissioner.  Expressions of gratitude went to her as well as Commissioners Healey and Courtney who are also retiring. 

ANC6D.  Like the other ANC meetings this month, this one was heavy on the sentiment and plaudits, especially for retiring Commissioner Litsky – who like Commissioner Wirt in 6C marked the end of 24 years of service on the ANC.  Also leaving 6B either through retirement or redistricting:  Commissioners Daniels, Weiss, and Lightman.    

 In some substantive ANC6D business regarding the BZA Application for 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW, (The Portals) the developer, Lowe Enterprises, floated a compromise regarding a dispute over affordable housing.  ANC6D is pushing for more affordable housing in a 450 unit luxury condo conversion of the commercial building which – because of zoning – has no requirement that affordable housing be provided.  The developer initially offered two units in recognition of the need for housing in the city.  After a lot of back and forth the developer proposed using the $2 million cost of the proposed two units in The Portals for affordable housing in another development to provide “9 or 10” affordable housing units that would benefit more than just two families.  The ANC lent conditional approval to the idea and to continue to negotiate while preserving the two units currently on the table. 

The Week Ahead … Update on Pacci’s & Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted December 18, 2022

The Week Ahead…

Monday, December 19

ANC6A 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 agenda: 

• 9^th/K Streets, NE, pedestrian fatality. The DDOT Vision Zero team will discuss the fatal car crash that killed a pedestrian in November 2022 and actions to prevent additional fatalities.
• 1300 block of North Carolina Avenue, NE, project (traffic calming/protected bike lanes). Will Handsfield from DDOT will discuss final design.

Tuesday, December 20

ANC6B Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm to set the agenda for the January meeting of the full ANC6B.

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

Neighbors for Justice invites residents to send virtual letters to our neighbors in the DC Jail.  Tuesday in the deadline.  The website makes it easy to download a form with guidelines on what to write about.  

• Help let the 1,500 men and women in the jail know that we are thinking of them this holiday season and help provide some encouragement during what has been a very difficult year with lockdowns, mistreatment, and inhumane conditions at the jail.
• Neighbors for Justice was founded in August 2020 by neighbors who live a few blocks from the DC Jail and wanted to do more to support our neighbors at the jail during COVID and beyond.

Go here:  https://neighborsforjusticedc.org/send-a-virtual-holiday-letter-campaign-to-our-neighbors-at-the-d-c-jail/

Wednesday, December 21

---

CANCELLED.      ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

 

 

A family poses for a photo with Santa.

Mott’s Winter Wonderland Attracts a Crowd

by Hilary Russell

Posted December 18, 2022

Local investors in Mott’s Market, 233 12th Street SE, are making sure that the location continues to bring the community together and offers needed resources.  On Saturday, December 17, “Mott’s Winter Wonderland” provided family photos with Santa, hot cider, Christmas treats, gift-wrapping services, a toy-donation box, and opportunities to buy Christmas gifts and baked goods from local vendors. Visitors seized the chance to tour the opened-up market space and the two-bedroom apartment above, both available for rent.

The outdoor pop-up market featured local vendors.

A fund-raising poster flanks a table groaning with Christmas treats.

Tours were available of the building’s interior.

Kingman Island shoreline.

Out and About – Kingman and Heritage Islands

by Elizabeth Eby

Posted December 14, 2022

In need of post-Thanksgiving exercise my partner and I walked to Kingman Island.  We didn’t expect much given the time of year and late afternoon sunlight.  But it was fun.  It was so quiet we could hear our footsteps as we crossed the wooden bridges.  We saw a gigantic beaver, ducks, a variety of grasses, and a splendid Bengal cat wearing a harness and exploring with his human.

It’s a good destination for a winter nature walk suitable for adults and children.  If duck and beaver viewing isn’t sufficient incentive for the kids, there is a large playground and restrooms at the nearby Fields at RFK.  Checking the tide on a Kingman-tide related websites may add another dimension to further a child’s interest in the hike.

Wide angle view of the bridge.

Getting There. You can park in RFK Lot 6 near the Ethel Kennedy Bridge (AKA Benning Road Bridge). Or take the Metro. Kingman is between the Stadium/Armory and Benning Road stations. A short downhill walk from Lot 6 leads to the road sign in the parking lot that directs you to the Anacostia River Trail.  The Trail runs between Kingman and the Wharf .  It is designed for bikes, pedestrians and is wheelchair accessible.

The Anacostia River Trail.

A little History.  In 1742 the Anacostia was a deep tidal river and wetland with a commercial seaport in Bladensburg.  But grasslands and forests were quickly cleared as the populations grew. By 1840 unchecked erosion filled the river bed and closed the port.  Eroded soil formed huge mud flats covered with American lotus, lily pads, and wild rice.  It sounds ideal but human waste from local sewage systems was drained into the Anacostia and the area became a breeding ground for disease bearing insects.  Malaria became so prevalent that the US Surgeon General got involved.  With his help civic groups petitioned Congress to fix the situation.

Enter the Army Corps of Engineers.  Under the direction Col. Dan Christie Kingman in 1898, the Corps created the recreation area by dredging the Anacostia.  Drying out the mud eliminated the public health danger and provided material to create Kingman and Heritage Islands.  The restored area is named for Col. Kingman who died before the work was finished.  Ideas for developing the island included a major effort to develop a children’s amusement park but money and lack of parking killed those ideas.  Ownership was eventually transferred to DC in 2021.

Grasses in ceramic planters.

Grasses have long served humans as food, shelter, vessels, clothing and musical instruments throughout history. Today, one species, phragmites australis, is a case history of how a plant becomes invasive.  Stalks are sometimes as thick as 20 stems per foot.  You have probably seen their gigantic plume-like blossoms in roadside wetlands.  Each plume contains thousands of seeds that sail in the wind.  They are rapidly replacing other grasses, native plants and wildlife by absorbing nutrients and space.  They pose a fire hazard and block access to the water for wildlife and humans.  They are next to impossible to eradicate without chemicals.

DC and the non-profit Living Classrooms together manage on-going conservation efforts on the island.  Clearing dense mats of wild honeysuckle and other brush that block access to the river bank for erosion management is an on-going battle. 

Living Classrooms (https://livingclassrooms.org/programs/kingman-heritage-island / ) is active in Baltimore and DC.  They are a great resource for information, activities and educational programs ranging from job training for adults to watershed and Invertebrate exploration for families.  They also host canoes for public use.  Volunteers are invited to participate in clean up days posted on the website.  Activities include clearing brush and planting seeds in the newly cleaned up areas.

A walk to Kingman might make a good end to a day of holiday excitement.  Have a wonderful holiday and may 2023 be packed with happy trails.

Out and About is an occasional photo feature by artist, photographer, gardener, and Capitol Hill resident Elizabeth Eby.  She finds vignettes while out and about on or near Capitol Hill.

The Library of Congress Scrubs the Oculus Project

by Larry Janezich

Posted December 13, 2022

Last Sunday, Capitol Hill Corner reported that sources say that the controversial oculus project is dead.  The project had envisioned removing the central circulation desk in the Main Reading Room to make way for a 24 foot oculus affording visitors a view of the interior dome from a new Orientation Gallery on the floor below.

Capitol Hill Corner has confirmed that the oculus project has been cancelled.  According to Brett Zongker, Chief of Media Relations, LOC, some changes to the plan to make the LOC a friendlier visitors’ destination were necessary due to “budget overruns and a suboptimal design that has emerged from the design process.” 

In a November 14, 2022 letter to Senator Roy Blunt, Ranking Member of the Committee on Rules & Administration which oversees the Library, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said:

“Preparations are underway to create a new 8,600 square foot orientation gallery… The Library recently received the final design plans with associated budget and schedule requirements for the oculus feature proposed as a centerpiece of the Orientation Gallery. Several changes required during the construction design process resulted in a significantly less impactful and engaging outcome, including the addition of fire safety equipment that reduced the size of oculus from a diameter of 24 feet to 16 feet. At the same time, the cost for the feature escalated considerably, and the Architect of the Capitol estimated that they would require additional time to complete construction for the Orientation Gallery, based on the final oculus design plans.

The suboptimal design, significant increase in cost, and unacceptable extension of the entire project’s timeline led the Library to make the difficult decision to eliminate the oculus from the Orientation Gallery plans. The Library’s leadership will move quickly to develop a new approach that will enhance the Orientation Gallery’s design, while minimizing the budget and timeline impacts on the overall project.

While we are disappointed that the new Orientation Gallery will no longer provide visitors with the new and exciting perspective into the Main Reading Room that we initially envisioned, plans for a glass vestibule extending from the Great Hall entrance into the Main Reading Room for visitors will also move forward…..”

The plan, which would have eliminated all – and then part under a revised oculus concept – of the historic central circulating desk in the Main Reading Room drew wide opposition from preservationists.  Recently, The Society of Architectural Historians released a September 8, 2022, letter from the SAH Heritage Conservation Committee to Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla D. Hayden opposing the proposed alterations to the Main Reading Room.  See here: https://bit.ly/3HtWrhY

Zongker told Capitol Hill Corner:  “We will provide updates on the project as the designs are further refined and finalized.”

Another CBD (read weed gifting) outlet on Barracks Row.  Strawana opened at 427 8^th Street, S.E., in the space formerly occupied by the sneaker laundry Sole Wash next to the 7-11.  When it opens across the street, Mother Blossom – where the buildout is underway – will be the second CBD/weed gifting outlet on the 400 block of Barracks Row.  There are several CBD/weed gifting outlets on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, on the 500 block and the 1100 block.  Last April, the City Council voted down a proposal to close down weed gifting shops. Some councilmembers said gifting would move to a harder-to-monitor delivery service while others decried stifling entrepreneurship.  Those who voted against the bill (which fell one short of the 9 votes needed for emergency legislation) were Silverman, George, Henderson, Robert C. White, and Trayon White. Sole Wash has relocated to The Yards at Eastern Market –700 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Suite 2066. 

Here’s a shot from last Friday of the Christmas tree in the Great Hall of the Library of Congress.  You’ll need a timed entry pass to get in to see it.  Go here:  https://www.loc.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/ 

And speaking of which, here’s a shot of the Library’s Main Reading Room and the central desk which is the subject of a controversial plan which would entail removal of the center tower to permit construction of an oculus window giving visitors on the floor below a view of the interior dome of the Library.  One of the LOC volunteers who are present to answer questions said that the oculus project was dead. (Later, a second source told CHC it had been scrubbed a few weeks ago.) In November, The Society of Architectural Historians released a September 8, 2022, letter from the SAH Heritage Conservation Committee to Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla D. Hayden in opposition to the proposed alterations to the Main Reading Room.  See here: https://bit.ly/3HtWrhY

Across the way, here’s a shot of the Capitol Christmas Tree.  This year’s tree is a 78 foot red spruce from North Carolina.  Nicknamed “Ruby” the tree is decorated – according to tradition – with handmade ornaments from residents of North Carolina.

Thursday, December 8, saw the 100^th anniversary of South East Library.  The hope was to have the renovation done in time to re-open the Library on the date of its anniversary – but, bureaucratic delays, you know….

Last Thursday was the last meeting of the current members of ANC6A.  The business of the commission was routine and was followed by commissioner comments on the accomplishments of the commission and expressions of thanks from Chair Amber Gove.  When the Commission convenes in January 2023, it will be a 7 members commission (down one seat from the current 8, owing to redistricting) and will be comprised of ANC6A01 Keya Chatterjee, 6A02 Mike Velasquez, 6A03 Roberta Shapiro, 6A04 Amber Gove,  643, 6A05 Laura Gentile, 6A06 Robb Dooling, and 6A07 Stephen Moilanen. 

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted December 11, 2022

The Week Ahead…

Monday, December 12

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

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

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• Public Safety Report.
• DDOT Updates.
• Development at 1301 South Capitol Street, SW.
• BZA Application for 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW, The Portals.

Tuesday, December 13

ANC6B 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:

Consent Agenda

• Letter of Withdrawal for ANC 6B applications for Barney Circle Historic District as the entirety of the application is no longer in ANC 6B.
• Letter to DDOT on Safety Measures at 9th & I Streets, SE.
• Letter to DDOT on Traffic Signal for 11th & D Streets, SE.

Presentations

• Southwest/Southeast Freeway Rehabilitation project.
• R13 Community Partners Phase II/Bundle II.

Plenary Session

• Rose’s at Home, 721 8^th Street, SE. Class “C” Restaurant License: Request for Stipulated License for Internet Sales, Hours: 7am-12am. 
• 531 12th Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application – Concept Review.  Third story-addition and roof deck garden, new front window well and expanded areaway. 
• 647 G Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application – Concept Review.  New three-story rear addition.

Wednesday, December 14

ANC6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Taqueria Rosticeria Fresca, 701 H Street, NE. Liquor License Application.  Class C restaurant license – entertainment endorsement.
• Elevate, 15 K Street, NW. Liquor License Application.  Class C tavern license – renewal.
• Hillsdale College, 219-299 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Public Space Application.  Plaza alterations.
• Discussion: Metro for D.C – Free bus fare beginning July 1.
• 301 Florida Avenue, NE. Public Space Application. 115 unit all-affordable housing community development and building projections for proposed affordable housing.
• FedEx, 300 Maryland Avenue, NE. Public Space Application. Knee wall to 30”. 
• Discussion: K Street NE, safety issues.  K Street underpass and corridor generally. 
• Discussion: 3rd and 4th Streets NE – Truck traffic concerns.
• 775 H Street, NE. Informational presentation, zoning map amendment, change from zone NC-16 to NC-17.
• 507 Florida Avenue, NE. Discussion of potential BZA appeal of permit to remove cornice and mansard.