CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Jazz artist Allen Jones

Friday Night Live – Jazz at Eastern Market Metro – Returns April 7

“Live, on the Hill” Jazz Concerts at Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park returns Friday, April 7, 5:00pm – 6:30pm.  The featured artist kicking off the season is drummer Allen Jones. 

Council Member At Large Christina Henderson talked about traffic and parking enforcement at last night’s ANC6B Transporttion Committee, chaired by Commissioner Matt LaFortune.

CM At Large Christina Henderson Slams City Traffic Enforcement at ANC6B Committee

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 4, 2023

“We have gotten to a point unless you destroy property or kill someone or get caught parking on a street long enough, there is no enforcement – unless you do something so egregious that MPD pulls you over.” 

In a rare appearance of a Council Member before an ANC Standing Committee, CM At Large Christina Henderson came before ANC6B’s Transportation Committee last night to talk about traffic enforcement. 

She opened her presentation noting that the Automated Traffic Effectiveness Amendment Act (ATE) she introduced last year had gone nowhere.  She said she has reintroduced the ATE Act this year but “the votes are not there” and she is trying to refine it: “That’s where we are.”

The ATE would:

• allow traffic cameras to issue points on driver’s licenses – currently the sole province of MPD
• require reporting driving records of drivers who accumulate five moving violations to insurance companies
• require reckless drivers to take “safe driving” lessons

The bill introduced last year was co-sponsored by Charles Allen, Brianne K. Nadeau, Elissa Silverman, and Brooke Pinto.

Henderson alluded to another bill introduced last year by then-CM At Large Elissa Silverman – the Reckless Driver Accountability Act of 2022 – making it easier to boot or impound vehicles with a large number of parking or moving violations.  It also went nowhere.  Henderson cited concerns about overburdening those with lower income as an impediment to passage of both bills by the city council. 

The brief presentation was followed by a Q&A period.

Can the city take a more proactive approach for towing?

Henderson:  “We have a list of vehicles which are boot-eligible … we have addresses.  DPW is reluctant to be more proactive because of a lack of resources,” with only six towing teams on the streets.  She said she had talked to DPW about doing overnight towing funded with overtime pay and whether having a crew working overnight would produce significant results.  A resident member attendee raised concerns about the safety of a towing team conducting overnight towing.

Have you considered citizen reporting and rewarding citizens with a percentage of the fine? 

Henderson:  “That has come up in conversations with bike groups regarding idling vehicles in bike lanes.  The issue is the same as with parking tickets.  If we can’t force the violator to pay the ticket, so what’s the point?   You get caught up in the idea of overburdening a certain class of people.  We have gotten to a point unless you destroy property or kill someone or get caught parking on a street long enough, there is no enforcement – unless you do something so egregious that MPD pulls you over.”

What is the status of Rock Creek Parkway case where three people were killed by a driver with 44 violation and unpaid $12000 in fines?  At what point is interest in enforcement triggered?

Henderson:  “Right now our system isn’t designed in that proactive way.  Right now visual observation of a vehicle on the street is what triggers enforcement.  It is no one’s job to actively search for the most egregious vehicles ticketed in term of speeding.” 

What’s the status of Vision Zero in light of the recent auditor’s report seeming to indicate there’s a program, but no program? 

Henderson:  “I’m meeting with the Director of DDOT to try to understand what the commitment of that agency is.  I appreciate that the ANC is considering a resolution on this because I feel like my colleagues need to hear enforcement is important to them as part of the overall Vision Zero goals, and right now, we don’t have that.”  She said that because of how we bifurcated the system it makes it difficult to hold a single agency accountable for Vision Zero – because they would say Vision Zero responsibilities cover three agencies.

What will nudge people to change their behavior?

Henderson:  “Infrastructure is one,” Henderson said, adding “I’m on ‘Team Infrastructure.”  She supports using “concrete and steel” infrastructure (street diets, bollards, bump outs, speed bumps) to slow traffic in support of Vision Zero goals.  But, she added, “…we should be clear not everybody on the council is onboard with infrastructure changes to improve safety.  Part of that is a legacy about how to move people in and out of downtown in the fastest way possible and sometimes at expense of public safety of the people who live here.  We have to change that paradigm.  And I’m not sure were prepared to do that.  Even in conversations about the ATE bill – in terms of the notification of insurance companies – folks were claiming I was anti-driver.  I have a car but my husband and kids bike and they commute and I want them to be safe.  I walk my kid to school.  Across Georgia Avenue and I want her to be safe.  And I think we can do both.  But every change we make toward Vision Zero, people assume that it’s anti-vehicle as opposed to safety concerns that undergird it. She added, “There are other things.  We’re still trying to figure that part out.  We’re open to suggestions.”

Afterward, the Committee unanimously supported a motion to forward a Traffic Enforcement Resolution to the full ANC for consideration at its next meeting on April 11.

The resolution urges the DC City Council to take up legislation to improve traffic enforcement in the DC including, but not limited to:

• tying nonfinancial penalties to traffic violations such as points on a driver’s license,
• reporting on traffic violations to insurance companies,
• requiring remedial lessons for drivers accruing a substantial number of violations prior to renewal of a driver’s license and registration.  The measure also:
• urges the city administration to reconvene the Fake Temp Tag Task Force and make public recommendations for further action to reduce the number of fake tags in DC and
• urges the Mayor to begin negotiations with MD and VA on a regional reciprocity agreement to hold unsafe drivers accountable regardless of where they commit traffic violations.

Mason and Greens – the Zero Waste Store at 8^th and PA Avenue, SE – plans on offering what is the possibly the city’s first beer and wine “refillery.”  Their liquor license application comes up before ANC6B ABC Committee meeting on Monday night. 

In mid April, M&G hopes to turn on the wine and beer taps which will be installed in the four holes shown above. The existing taps currently offer non-alcoholic beverages.

Barracks Row Union Kitchen – The unconfirmed word on the street is that Union Kitchen is still slated to open an outlet in the former Subway Shop on Barracks Row at 8^th and E Street, SE, across from the 7-11.  Most recently, the space was the campaign HQ of DC City Council candidate Graham McLaughlin.  The windows are blurred with film, but there’s been activity inside.  The Union Kitchen folks are pretty hard to reach. 

The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee met last Wednesday night in the Market’s North Hall.  Chair Chuck Burger announced the establishment of four committees to involve the community in the Market’s survival.  EMMCA will solicit volunteers to serve on the following four committees:  Fundraising, Events, Marketing/Branding, and Social Media.

Triple Candie’s latest.  Here are two shots of Triple Candies’ new installation in their exhibit space in the former Li’l Pub at 655 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  For more, go here: http://www.triplecandie.org/  

“Jannis Kounellis was a Greek Italian artist based in Rome. A key figure associated with Arte Povera  – a movement theorized by curator Germano Celant as a major shift from work on flat surfaces to installations.”  Wikipedia.

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich  

Posted April 2, 2023

The Week Ahead … (Some meeting dates have changed in observance of the upcoming religious holiday)

Monday, April 3

The Washington Bach Consort will offer another free performance of its Noontime Cantata series at 12:10pm at St. Mark’s Church,  301 A St SE.  Professional soloists, choir and orchestra will perform an prelude and Bach cantata.

ANC6B’s Alcohol Beverage Control Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Lola’s, 711 8th Street, SE. Application for an Entertainment Endorsement for their Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern License. 
• Lola’s, 711 8th Street, SE. Request for a stipulated license for an Entertainment Endorsement.
• Mason & Greens, 400 8th Street, SE. Application for a Retailer’s Class “B” Full-Service Grocery Store license.
• Mason & Greens, 400 8th Street, SE. Request for a stipulated license for a Retailer’s Class “B” license.

ANC6B  Transportation Committee Meeting 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:

• DPW Presentation on Parking Enforcement.
• DDOT Presentation on Bridge Rehabilitation Project on the SE/SW Freeway (I-695).
• DDOT Presentation on Traffic Cameras.
• DDOT Presentation on 695 Offramp & I Street, SE.
• Presentation by Councilmember Henderson on Traffic Enforcement.
• Resident Member Cunningham Update on Draft EV Letter.
• Traffic Safety Resolution.

ANC 6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

No meeting this month.

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

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 301 Florida Avenue NE – Streetscape Plan.  The NRP Group has requested a review of their proposed streetscape plan for the development project at 301 Florida Avenue, NE.
• 1100-1199 Block of 4th Street. NE – DDOT TOPS. Construction Permit Request, Fixture Small Cell Installation.
• Folger Shakespeare Library request for support.  The Folger Shakespeare Library is requesting ANC support for the installation of two digital totems (signage); one at 2nd and East Capitol, one at 3rd and East Capitol.
• Request for bike lanes on Massachusetts Avenue, NE.  ANC 6C resident requesting the addition of bike lanes on the Massachusetts Avenue corridor.

Tuesday, April 

ANC 6B April 2023 Planning and Zoning 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:

• Request for Oversight by Council of DOB Vacant Building Enforcement.
• 4-5 Library Court, SE; Special Exception to combine one tax lot and two record lots in the RF-3 zone (Square 788, Lots 28 and 817).  
• Rezoning of 1323 E Street SE.
• Potential of Moving P&Z Meetings from Tuesday to the Thursday ABC Committee Slot.

•  

ANC6C Planning, Zoning and Economic Development is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.

No meeting this month.  

ANC 6C Environment, Parks & Events Committee 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:

• Capitol Hill Classic – The 42nd annual 10-K, 3-K and Fun Run will be held on May 21, 2023. Race representative Roberta Stewart will discuss the event with our committee, answer questions, and seek ANC 6C support. For details, please see https://www.capitolhillclassic.com/
• Hayes Senior Wellness Center Tot-Lot Playground – The playground, which first opened in 2012, is in need of repairs. Specifically, the rubberized surface has worn away in several locations, the entry gate is misaligned and difficult to operate, and the metal fencing along K St is detached/loose. EPE Chair Joe McCann will present.
• L and M Street Underpasses (NoMa) – Request to DC Government that the concrete barriers be removed at the L & M Street underpasses in NoMa, and that the District install on the side path areas seating, bike lanes, playable art, and other elements to activate these spaces. 
• Brentwood-Hamilton Field – Request to DPR to install basic safety and access improvements to the Brentwood-Hamilton field on 6th Street at Neal NE in ANC 5D adjacent to 6C. This limited seating, no ADA pathways, and very poor maintenance of the areas outside the fields. 6C07.

Thursday, April 6

Friends of Southeast Library will hold their monthly meeting at 5:30pm in Southeast Library, lower level.  

Agenda: 

• The April book sale.
• Report by SE Neighborhood Library Branch Manager Julia Strusienski

“Woodhenge” by Ragnar Thoresen  – photography

“Untitled—1” by Tom Chabolla – acrylic painting

“The Old Frederick Douglas’s Bridge” by Roderick Turner – oil painting

The rescheduled opening Reception (from April 1) will be on Saturday, April 15 at 5:30pm for the Art League Exhibit  “Free for All”

The Capitol Hill Art League Presents its 12th Annual Open Call Juried Exhibition March 28-April 28, 2023 At Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th Street, SE.

Juror Priya Vadhyar, who has selected pieces by 30 artists, will provide remarks and present awards at the opening reception on April 15, 2023 from 5:30-7:00, pm at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop.

The theme of this exhibit left it up to artists to explore, to work in new ways or experiment in their usual medium through their own personal process and any 2D and 3D media, including photography.

Juror Priya Vadhyar is a visual artist based in Ellicott City, Maryland. In her current work, Priya explores the manifestation of what Loren Eiseley calls one’s “interior geography,” and the self’s relationship with the sum of things

The Capitol Hill Art League invited artists in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia to enter this annual open call.

In addition to viewing the show in person, the exhibit may be viewed and art purchased through the “Exhibitions” section, on the Capitol Hill Art League website at: www.caphillartleague.org

The Capitol Hill Art League is a visual arts program of The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW).

Capitol Hill Institution Distad’s Has Been Sold

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 30, 2023

A week ago today, MetroMotor closed the deal on the sale of neighborhood institution, Distad’s Auto Clinic, at 823 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  It came as a shock to the Capitol Hill community and their loyal customer base since the new owners wanted to hold off on an announcement until the sale was complete.  The new owners will continue operating the auto clinic business.  

According to Amanda Distad, the owners – brothers Rick, John, and Roy (her father) – decided last year that they wanted to retire.  (Their sister, Donna Jean (Distad) Crawford, who John said was “key to the operation,” passed away suddenly, January 19, 2021 from covid.) 

Amanda said her grandfather – Harold Distad – opened the service station seventy-five years ago in 1959.  She’s the third generation of Distad’s to work in the station. 

The public face of Distad’s – the faces behind the counter – were John and Amanda Distad and Abby Astatke.  John’s last day was yesterday. Amanda says the first thing he’s doing is leaving for South Carolina on an 8 day camping trip.  Amanda and Abby will continue dealing with clients in the front office. 

The new owners wanted to retain the name “Distad’s,” but the brothers would not agree to that condition.

The station’s new service manager is Dana Novosel, who has been with MetroMoters for 12 years.  He said all employees are being retained for as long as they want.  He said, “Nothing’s changed except the ownership.  No one is going anywhere.  We don’t want them to leave.  We need all the familiar faces.”

MetroMoters has two more outlets on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Capitol Hill Exxon and Pennsylvania Avenue Exxon and 12 other outlets in and around the District.  

Update on Demolition of RFK – Phase 3 Structural Demolition To Begin

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 30, 2023

Last Monday night, Ryan Conway, Senior Director of Events DC and his team, briefed the community on the status of demolition of RFK during the RFK Campus Quarterly Stakeholders Meeting. 

He recounted that the project generally consists of four phases: 1. hazmat materials abatement, 2. selective (non-structural) demolition, 3. structural demolition, and 4. back filling and grading. 

Conway said that the contractor has completed the first two phases and Events DC is in the process of securing approvals in order to proceed with structural demolition.  Though the demolition is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2023, Conway team members say they don’t have a firm time line as they work through regulatory approvals.  So far, they have received sign off from DOE, Historic Preservation, Zoning and DDOT. 

The stadium will be demolished mechanically in sections, working clockwise on the inside, from top to bottom, and starting on the C Street, NE, side of the structure.  Once the contractor begins demolition on the outside and the walls are breached permitting a view into the interior, the demolition will be more apparent.  Again, the time line for that part of Phase 3 is uncertain.

Once the stadium is down and demolition complete, the site will transform to a compacted pervious lawn area.  After demolition, Events DC doesn’t know what will be done.  Land use has to be established before anything else.  A lot of ideas have been put out there but Events DC has not endorsed any of them.  One such idea was recently presented to ANC6B by a representative of the Capitol Riverside Youth Group Capitol Riverside Youth Sports Park (CRYSP).  This plan, an Events DC representative noted, is coming from an outside organization; as Events DC formulates a vision it will keep the community informed.

During the Q&A, the question of what will happen to the RFK bust arose.  Events DC said they would work with the Kennedy family and the community regarding a permanent location.  For the time being, the bust remains outside of the construction fence and available for public viewing. 

EventsDC has installed a live construction camera on the roof of the DC Armory to record the demolition of RFK Stadium.  See here:  http://eventsdc.com/venue/rfk-stadium/live-demolition-camera

See here for more information and demolition updates http://eventsdc.com/venue/rfk-stadium

The front wall of 639 A Street, SE is all that remains after the developer exceeded the scope of work for construction on the property.  The blue tarp makes assessing the degree of the demolition difficult. 

Here’s a view of the rear of the property from the alley. 

Demolition at 639 A ST SE – a “tragic and unfortunate development “– Gets Stop Work Order

by Larry Janezich

Posted:  March 28, 2023

In May of 2022, the Historic Preservation Review Board approved an application to build a two-story rear addition and a new cellar under the house at 639 A Street, SE, in the Capitol Hill Historic District.

According to Beth Purcell, chair of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s Historic Preservation Committee, “The plans called for demolition of some exterior walls, but retaining the front wall, party wall, and part of the dogleg wall.  In March 2023 an alert neighbor noticed that only the front wall was left and contacted HPO.  On March 17, 2023 a Department of Buildings inspector found that the work exceeded the scope of the building permit and issued a stop work order.  No further work can be done until the property owner corrects the violations and obtains a new building permit, which will require HPO sign off.”

Bruce Yarnall, Historic Preservation Operations Manager at the DC Office of Planning called it a “tragic and unfortunate development.”

Moira Nadal, Architectural Historian, DC Office of Planning says, “The property owner will need to follow the instructions provided with their Stop Work Order and file a response with the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).

To amend the building permit for the new scope of work – in essence, to apply for after-the-fact approval of the demolition and for new construction on the site – the property owner would need to file for review by the HPRB.  The HPRB review process gives great weight to resolutions from the ANC, and will include an opportunity for the public to provide testimony or to submit letters in advance.

The Stop Work Order will remain in place until the HPRB has completed its review and the new permit is issued, and no work is permitted at the property while the Stop Work Order is in place.”

The path forward seems to be one that involves a matter of months and is not without peril regarding the preservation of the remaining portion of the structure or the comfort level of the adjoining neighbors.  Excavation for the new cellar has begum. 

As mentioned above, a new HPRB review will come back before ANC6B.  In the meantime, the developer might be subject to fines and penalties for infractions.  These, however, seem paltry compared to what might be a potential doubling in value of the property beyond the original cost of purchase and redevelopment, and that could be an incentive for the same thing happening again.  Here are some of the consequences facing the developer: 

From the DC Office of Planning Website:  https://bit.ly/3JRm7oo

Historic Preservation Violations and Fines

It is illegal to violate the DC preservation law, just as it is illegal to violate building codes or traffic laws. Historic Preservation Office (HPO) inspectors are authorized to stop illegal construction and may also issue citations and fines for violations of the DC building and property maintenance codes.

Violations of the preservation law and DC building code include:

• Working without a required construction permit
• Exceeding the scope of a permit
• Failure to comply with the conditions of a permit
• Failure to maintain historic property in good repair
• Demolition by neglect

Fines and Penalties

Violators of the preservation law and building code are subject to a $4,068 civil infraction fine for failure to obtain or stay within the scope and conditions of a building permit.  Fines may double for a second infraction.

If you get a Stop Work Order for illegal construction, you may be liable for a fine of 50 percent of the cost of the permit you should have obtained. DCRA will not release the Stop Work Order until you pay the permit fee and any fine assessed.

Capitol Hill Corner reached out for comment to real estate agent Jessica Bachay who is listed as the contact for 639A LLC, the applicant for DOB permits for the property, but as of press time has not received a reply. 

Back in 2021, a similar case occurred a few blocks west at 326 A Street, SE.  Here’s a link:  http://bit.ly/3lLBHtH

Blossoms at Eastern Market.  Cherry blossoms filled the North Hall today as part of the months – long celebration of the 150^th year anniversary of Eastern Market. 

CHAMPS sponsored a series of events at the Market throughout the day.  One of them was a life-drawing demonstration in the North Hall. 

Friday, March 31, will be the last day for the Covid Centers throughout the city, including the one on Barracks Row. 

For anyone in need of the services provided by the COVID Centers, including COVID-19 vaccine, booster, or test kits, including through:

Local retailers and pharmacies;

https://www.covid.gov/tests offers free at-home COVID-19 tests

https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/ directs people to a local free testing location

https://www.vaccines.gov/ directs people to a local free vaccination site

The ANC6B Task Force on Public Safety met last Monday to hammer out a statement of purpose:

• Identify and raise public safety issues to ANC6B, draft resolutions for their consideration, and call for timely action to respond to community concerns, preentcriime, and preserve public safety in 6B.
• Promote community engagement and offer greater transparency and agency to community members regarding public safety.
• Identify the scope and drivers of crime in the community and recommend strategies to improve public safety.
• Amplify the voices and recommendations from residents most directly impacted by crime, and leverage expertise of community resources.
• Improve communication and coordination between the community and law enforcement, judicial, and social service, mental health and non-governmental entities.

And today, Sunday afternoon, the ANC6B SE Library Task Force met to continue its search for interim service library space during the two years plus the SE Library will close for renovation.  Representatives of the group have scheduled a meeting with CM Charles Allen on March 31 to appeal for his assistance, since the DC Public Library’s position is that residents can use the NE Library in the interim.  Task Force Chair Commissioner David Sobelsohn is emphatic in his assertion that this is not acceptable.  In addition, on April 13, members of the Task Force will testify before the DC Council Library Committee Budget Hearing to request funding for interim services.  The next meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for Monday, April 10^th at 7:00pm. 

The Week Ahead 

by Larry Janezich

Posted:  March 26

Monday March 27

ANC 6A Community Outreach 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:

Presentation: 

• Christopher Wade, 1D Community Outreach Specialist, Community Engagement Section, United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia

                                                                                      ***

Events DC is hosting its quarterly community meeting on FRK Fields and Campus at 6:00pm.Register to receive a link here.  http://bit.ly/3K7b0Jg

Tuesday, March 28

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

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  http://bit.ly/40fWl40

• The Committee will set the agenda for the April meeting of the full ANC.

                                                                                      ***

ANC6B will hold its April meeting on Tuesday, April 11 at 7:00pm.  The agenda and information on how to join the virtual meeting will be posted on Capitol Hill Corner on Sunday, April 9. 

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee will host 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 Hiraya Kapamilya at 1250 H Street, NE, for a Class C Tavern License.
• Discussion of application by Old City 1 Café at 1307 H Street. NE, for a Class C Restaurant License.

                                                                                     ***

Saturday, April 1

Community Cleanups. Join neighbors in cleaning up our neighborhood at multiple locations next Saturday. Bags and gloves will be available, but bring your own if you have them.  Information can be found at  https://www.charlesallenward6.com/SpringClean23

Here are sites you can join on April 1 (start time is 10 am, unless otherwise noted):

Eastern Market Metro Park (hosted by CM Allen’s Office)

• Meet near metro entrance; will cover Barracks Row, as well

H Street NE (hosted by CM Allen’s Office and 6A02 Commissioner Mike Velasquez)

• Meet at 8th and H, NE

King Greenleaf Rec Center (hosted by CM Allen’s Office):

Anacostia River Trail (hosted by Bozzuto)

• Meet at the trail entrance

Barney Circle (hosted by 6B08 Commissioner Edward Ryder):

• Meet at 17th and Barney Circle

Navy Yard (hosted by neighbor Tori Collins):

• Meet in front of the AC Hotel (867 New Jersey Ave, SE)
• Tyler Elementary School (hosted by Tyler PTO)

Sherwood Rec Center & School-Within-a-School (hosted by SWS PTO):

• Meet at the playground. Bagels provided by Bullfrog Bagels.  Register here:  http://bit.ly/3K6Z8WD

Maury Elementary School (hosted by 6A04 Commissioner Amber Gove and Maury ES PTO)

• JO Wilson (hosted by JO Wilson PTO)

C St, NE (hosted by neighbor Maggie Edwards)

• Meet at North Carolina Avenue and 15th St, NE

The Smart Street Lighting project will install new LED light bulbs city wide but won’t alter light-pole placement or the design of historic globes and shades.

Kingman Park Among First in Line for Smart Street Lighting

by Hilary Russell

Posted March 22, 2023

DC’s $309-million Smart Street Lighting Project is poised to convert the city’s jumble of 72,000-plus incandescent and high-pressure-sodium street light bulbs to LED technology that is monitored and controlled remotely.  Installation will begin in the next few weeks in Wards 5, 7, and 8.  During this phase, the project will add wireless access points in underserved communities in Wards 7 and 8, thereby advancing DC’s stated goal of citywide broadband access.

When completed in May 2024, the Smart Street Lighting Project is projected to reduce the city’s greenhouse-gas emissions by 38,000 tons per year and enhance public safety, including for pedestrians and cyclists.  Its monitoring and control system will eliminate 311 calls to report broken or malfunctioning streetlights and ensure quick repairs.  The new LED bulbs are projected to reduce light pollution, though they will be brighter than those in current use (27000k versus 24000k).  Each can be dimmed on request, but not below approved public-safety levels and only once, according to DDOT.

Attendees at the March 14 meeting of the Friends of Kingman Park learned that such a request must be coordinated through Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs).  Commissioners in ANC 7D, 7C, and 7E will among those inaugurating this service for their constituents and DDOT.

 

Commissioner Ebony Payne, who represents ANC7DO5, said she is pleased “the project will bring more internet access and that the new streetlights will reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions…”

Kingman Park residents will turn to Commissioner Ebony Payne if they have issues with the new lighting. Some of them have noted the need to brighten dark streets to enhance public safety, especially if they live on a block with broken streetlights. Others expressed some apprehension about the new lights being too bright and possibly disrupting sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. As Payne put it, “The real test will be once neighbors experience the new brighter lights after installation. I am reserving my judgement until then.”

Residents of Ward 6 are in Group 3. Installation of its new LED street lights won’t begin until all the work is completed in Group 1 (wards 5, 7, and 8) and Group 2 (wards 2, 3, and 4).

Mother Blossom Cannabis Products Opens on Barracks Row.  Mother Blossom had a soft opening on Friday at its new location at 406 8^th Street, SE, and was open for regular business on Saturday.  The shop is owned by Dee Martin and the general manager is Al Hagler.  It’s the latest addition to the cannabis gifting outlets on Capitol Hill and the third on the 400 block of 8^th Street, SE. 

The store offers cannabis, tinctures, edibles and topicals as well as non-psychoactive cannabis products.  A couple of features which sets it apart from most gifting shops are a lounge with a bar and an open air patio. 

Here’s a still-under-construction image from last Thursday of the bar and lounge where cannabis product-infused smoothies will be served. 

Update on Auto Zone Project.  The ANC6A Planning and Zoning Committee heard an informational presentation on the proposal to develop the nearly 1 acre Auto Zone site at 1207 H Street, NE, from Ben Miller.  Miller is co-owner of the H Street development firm WestMill Capital and is also co-founder of the crowd funding platforms Popularise and Fundrise.  Miller told the committee his company hopes to be able to obtain financing to develop the project and is close to submitting a package to the Bureau of Zoning Adjustment.  He anticipates a 240 unit project with up to 40 off them being affordable units.  Above is a preliminary architectural rendering of the north elevation of the building. 

Update on 1000 – 1016 H Street, NE.  The ANC6A Planning and Zoning Committee also recommended that the full ANC support local developer Sanjay Bajaj’s plan to put up a $30 million, 78 unit, five story residential project at this location after the developer conceded to the committee’s demand for more retail space on the ground floor.  Originally, the developer had offered only 1223 square feet, but under pressure from the Committee raised that to 3261 square feet – the maximum feasible for the site he claimed.  Committee Chair Brad Greenfield said that thought the desire was for something closer to 100%, this was probably the best they could get.  The Committee agreed and voted 6 – 1 with one abstention to forward the proposal to the full ANC. 

Update on New Residential Project at 1 K Street, SW – Last Monday night, ANC6D voted 8 – 0 to oppose the Historic Preservation Review Board  design review of the W.C. Smith Development plan to construct a 13 story 352 unit entirely residential building at 1 K Street, SE, adjacent to the long-time South Capitol fixture, the Skyline Inn.  The committee found that the project’s design is inconsistent with the context of the surrounding neighborhood due to design elements, that the uses are not in context with the surrounding neighborhood given the mixed use requirements of construction in the D5 Zone, that vehicular traffic caused by the building will not minimize contacts between pedestrians and vehicles or the environment, and that congestion caused by the building will not be in context with surrounding neighborhoods or street patterns.  Here’s a view of the building looking southeast with the smaller Skyline building in front of it.   

The Week Ahead & Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 19, 2023

Monday, March 20

ANC6A Transportation and Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

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

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) camera request for westbound H Street NE. Commissioner Dooling has requested an update from DDOT on this specific request.
• Traffic on the 1400-block of G Street NE. Commissioner Dooling requested a discussion of ongoing traffic issues on the 1400-block of G Street NE.
• Illegal parking within the H Street, NE, corridor. Commissioner Dooling will lead a discussion about longstanding issues with local business employees and visitors parking in front of residents’ garages within the H Street NE neighborhood.
• FOIA request for TSIs closed as a result of TSI 2.0 implementation. Commissioner Shapiro will lead a discussion about a FOIA request to DDOT for a listing of all TSIs closed out as a result of the January 6, 2023 implementation of TSI 2.0, to include TSI #, location, problem cited and resolution requested, and any subsequent action.
• FOIA request for all ANC 6A TSIs Filed after TSI 2.0 Implementation. Commissioner Shapiro will lead a discussion about a FOIA request to DDOT for a listing of all ANC 6A TSIs Filed after the January 6, 2023 implementation of TSI 2.0, to include TSI #, date filed, location, problem cited, resolution requested, current TSI dashboard category, detailed data and scoring used to select of defer the TSI, and specific data sources used in scoring the TSIs.
• FOIA request for Sidewalk Risk Management Data. Commissioner Shapiro will lead a discussion about a FOIA request for Sidewalk Risk Management Data for DC by ward for the last three years, to include the dollar amount and number of claims paid by the District related to sidewalk conditions.
• Sidewalk Experience Survey. Commissioner Shapiro will introduce a Sidewalk Experience Survey she has drafted to collect input from ANC 6A residents on overall sidewalk conditions in the neighborhood.
• Florida Avenue NE Streetscape Project Permit Enforcement. Commissioner Chatterjee and TPS Committee Co-Chair Lynch will discuss conditions of the Florida Avenue NE bike lanes during construction related to the Florida Avenue, NE, Streetscape Project, specifically ongoing permit enforcement challenges with Washington Gas contractors performing work on PROJECT pipes main and service pipe replacement program.

ANC6B Special Committee On Public Safety will hold a virtual meeting at 8:00pm.

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Review and Comment on Draft Statement of Purpose
• Open Discussion of Committee Priorities and Set Meeting Schedule for the Year
• Identify Topics of Interest and Potential Expert/Guest Speakers
• Identify Agenda Items for Next Meeting

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Library of Congress Concert at 8:00pm. 

• Mark’s will host a Library of Congress concert featuring Ars Nova Copenhagen, a premiere choir that specializes in both early and new music. Tickets: Free, but advance-registration is required. https://www.loc.gov/item/event-407487/ars-nova-copenhagen/2023-03-20/

Sunday, March 26

ANC6B Library Taskforce will hold an in-person meeting at 2:30pn at SE Library, lower level. 

Agenda not available at press time.