CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Building Community Through Gardening – More on Capitol Hill’s Community Gardens

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 21, 2021

Community gardening is a global phenomenon and like its cousin, guerrilla gardening, it sprang from a grass roots movement.  Both provide an additional dimension to the social fabric of the community and act as largely unacknowledged agents of community development, building community through legally sharing – or appropriating – common ground in a way that sustains the environment and improves neighborhoods.  Capitol Hill community gardens tend to focus on food production.  Guerrilla gardens focus on the ornamental.  Both provide ways to make a meaningful contribution to the community.  During the pandemic, many Capitol Hill gardeners found relief from social isolation in the community gardens.  Some of the gardens have to be sought out – like Pomegranate Alley Community Garden; some are hidden in plain sight like the 13th Street Community Park and Garden and 1200 Potomac Avenue Community Garden.

Last week, CHC posted photos of four of Capitol Hill’s eleven Community Gardens – Hilton, King’s Court, Pomegranate Alley, and Virginia Avenue.  Here are photos of the remaining seven.  There are waiting lists for most garden plots; below, find contact information for all eleven. 

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Previously featured on CHC:

Hilton Community Garden. 6^th Street between Constitution and C Streets, NE. 35 plots.    mary.lifcher@gmail.com    

King’s Court Community Garden  34 plots.  In center of block bounded by 14^th and 15^th Streets and C Street and South Carolina Avenue, SE.  Margaret.mook@gmail.com

Pomegranate Alley Community Garden  20 plots  911 11^th Street, behind Ginko Gardens.  mark@GinkgoGardens.com

Virginia Avenue Community Garden.  80 plots.  In Virginia Avenue Park, 9^th andVirginia Avenue, SE.  This garden is part of the DPR Community Gardens program and maintained in part by DPR.  See here for more information. https://dpr.dc.gov/page/community-gardens  – contact commgarden@yahoo.com

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This is the Little Lending Library in front of CHV HQ and community hub, depicted as a double miniture of the building.

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Capitol Hill Village:  One of the Hill’s Most Powerful Community Organizations

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 16, 2021

Capitol Hill Village (CHV) was started in 2007 to provide services that enable seniors to age in place – rides to the doctor, cleaning a garage, IT and computer help, and running errands (see link below).  It is now one of the most – if not the most – powerful community organizations on Capitol Hill.  Specifically, the group excels at negotiating community benefits from developers looking for local approval for their projects.  For example, in recent years CHV won a $225,000 startup fund for an Adult Care Center from Felice Development and ownership of an E Street townhouse for CHV headquarters and community hub from Insight Development.  In addition, CHV successfully pushed for affordable housing for seniors in the redevelopment of the Hill East Boys and Girls Club.  (Here’s a link to CHV care services in addition to services of volunteers:  https://bit.ly/3g4Pw0a  ) 

The organization has 375 members and 312 volunteers (one third of whom are non-members).  Volunteers provide a variety of care services such as those mentioned above for members who need assistance.  Not all members of CHV are seniors but Executive Director Judy Berman says 95% are over 60.  There are two categories of membership:  social, which permits access to all programs (many already open to all – see link below) and regular, which also permits access to volunteer assistance and other care services.  Berman says all ages are welcome and that younger people who join tend to do so as social members or volunteers.  CHV is truly a Capitol Hill village, with boundaries – though, according to Berman, these boundaries are not rigid.  She points to members who live north of H Street, NE.  (Here’s a link to programs available to both members and nonmembers on the events calendar: https://bit.ly/3g65nLX )

Membership costs range from $12 a month to $80 a month.  Berman says CHV has a deep commitment to serve lower income residents and to that end, membership for those individuals is discounted.  About 10% of the members are lower income, and CHV holds an annual fundraiser for things they can’t afford, including medical services.  Revenue from memberships makes up 25% of what is reported to be an annual $1.1 million budget, with the balance coming from grants, fundraising events, and government funding (federal dollars come from DDOT and city funding comes from the DC Department of Aging and Community Living).

The Board of CHV is currently comprised of 15 members, limited to two-three year terms.  There is no upper limit on the number of Board members, and CVH is open to suggestions for new board members.  The Board’s Governance Committee interviews candidates and makes formal nominations to the full board.

In reviewing the biographical notes for Board members, it is striking how many board members also participate in other community organizations. (Here’s a link to the webpage about the board:  https://capitolhillvillage.org/about/board/)   It’s not uncommon for community organizations to carry a perception of insularity with them, and Berman says the Board works hard to address that concern.  Berman says she wants “to show that ‘clubby’ is not how we operate”.  She believes that everyone deserves a village; “Some have church or family, but we all need people close by that will take care of us and check in on us”.  What does it mean to be a member of CHV, she asks? “Membership gives you permission to say yes, you can reach out.”

One challenge facing CHV is developing a sustainable funding model.  One way forward, Berman says, is to get CHV’s contribution to wellness and health recognized to justify insurance coverage from private health care, in the same way some insurance companies pay for gym memberships.  Another challenge is maintaining a diverse and active membership and volunteer roster and CVH has outreach designed specifically to do that.

Asked how Covid has affected CHV, Berman said the biggest shift was putting the organization’s programming on-line.  During the pandemic, CHV served as a distributor of accurate information on Covid news and vaccines, and developed a sector phone network to enable members to check in with each other on a regular basis.  In addition, Covid has pushed CHV resources out further; DDOT funding permits CHV to provide Lyft transportation to get vaccine or medical services for anyone in DC, with two days’ notice.

Berman says COVID brought DC’s 15 or so “villages” together, strengthening relationships as they shared funds, programming, and advice.  The national Village to Village Network (VtVN) offers guidance, mentorship, resources and opportunities to collaborate.  VtVN serves as the national advocacy voice for Villages and the Village Movement.  Here’s a link to the Capitol Hill Village website:  https://capitolhillvillage.org/

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The Week Ahead…and Some Photos from the Past Week

By Larry Janezich

Posted August 15, 2021

Monday, August 16

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

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://bit.ly/3p95vNI

Among items on the agenda: 

• Traffic Safety Assessment for 1600 block of Isherwood Street, NE. DDOT has requested that ANC6A amend its June 10, 202,1 resolution supporting TSA#21- 00168899 (1500 block of Isherwood Street, NE, and adjacent intersections) to clarify that it includes the 1600 block as well. This will allow DDOT to install speed humps on 3 continuous blocks: the 1600 and 1500 blocks of Isherwood Street, NE, and the 1400 block of Duncan Place, NE. The 1400 block of Duncan Place, NE, was covered in the April 8, 2021 ANC6A resolution supporting TSA# 20-00287735.
• Traffic Safety Assessment(s) for 17th – 19th Street, NE, between D Street, NE, and Rosedale Street, NE.
• Traffic Safety Assessment for 700 – 1300 blocks of I Street, NE.
• Traffic Safety Assessment for 1300, 1400 and 1500 blocks of East Capitol Street, NE.
• Traffic safety assessment for 300 block of 19th Street, NE.
• Request for raised crosswalks at intersections where DDOT has indicated all-way stops are not warranted, including 14th and A Streets, NE, 15th and A Streets NE, 15^th Street and Constitution Avenue, NE and 13th and I Streets, NE.

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Bowser Briefing Raises Questions on Number of Delta Variant Breakthrough Infections

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 10, 2021

Many DC residents are wondering how many people who have been vaccinated are being infected with the Delta Variant – the so-called breakthrough infections.  Anecdotal evidence suggests the number is higher than the less than 1% suggested by the CDC, who admits the likelihood of undercounting.    

At Tuesday’s Situational Briefing where the Mayor announced that all city employees, contractors, interns and grantees must be vaccinated by September 19 (or be tested weekly) DC Health Department Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt gave an update about DC’s experience with the virus.  The briefing raised a number of questions which Nesbitt did not address nor were they raised during the Q&A with the press in attendance. 

(Yesterday, the District’s reported Covid data included 137 new cases – a month ago, the number was 21.) 

Nesbitt made the following points:

• There has been an increase in DC in the number of cases of Covid 19 in the 5 – 14 age population compared to last year, which now account for one out of every 10 new cases.
• In the 12-13-14 age group who have the ability to be vaccinated, the vaccination rate of Black students is much lower that the vaccination rate for the White/Latino/Hispanic population.
• The 25 – 34 year old age group is driving the number of cases, with no race meaningful racial disparity between the number of Blacks and Whites. (But…)
• There is a “huge gap” in vaccine coverage for that age group with the rate of vaccination coverage for Blacks at one-half the rate of coverage of their White counterparts. (No explanation was given of why there should be this disparity.)
• Latinos have great vaccination coverage compared with Black and White residents.
• A majority of cases since the vaccine has been available is occurring in unvaccinated people. As in some other jurisdictions, there has been an increase in breakthrough cases over the past month.
• Since the vaccine has been available, out of all of the hospitalized DC residents 1% – 2% of hospitalizations have been among those who are fully vaccinated – we have seen a “little bit of an uptick there”.
• 90% of the people in hospitals are not vaccinated.  (No explanation given on the apparent uptick from 1-2% percent of vaccinated Covid patients to 10%.)
• “The vaccine is absolutely worth it. We will all be better off.  The vaccine will prevent more viruses from taking over our community.” 

Bowser reiterated that free Covid testing is available at fire houses, recreation centers and other sites.  In addition, free test kits are available at 16 public libraries.  For more information, see here:  https://coronavirus.dc.gov/testing

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And Saturday morning, over on 6^th Street, SE, Brian Ready and a single volunteer continued the restoration of the 6^th Street murals on walls of the 295 Underpass.  Ready says the project is on track for completion by the end of August.  He could use some additional volunteers.  Those interested in participating in the project can email Ready at www.anc6b.org

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 The Week Ahead…

August begins its second week, and community organizations’ business has been suspended.  It’s probably just as well.  Here’s a thought from Al Aronowitz: 

“August is the month when wars start. It’s when the water dries up and the spirit begins to wither. Insomniacs pull down their shades and lock themselves in their rooms in August. Lifelong friends have fist fights. People feel like they’re going to burst. Sometimes they do.”

Al Aronowitz was a journalist of the Beat Generation who wrote for the New York Post in the 1950s.  He introduced Bob Dylan to the Beatles in a New York City hotel room on August 28, 1964. (Wiki)

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Capitol Hill BID Pushes Back on Metro Plaza Maintenance – Says They Can’t Do It

By Larry Janezich

The unresolved question of who is going to maintain Eastern Market Metro Plaza/Park tables, chairs, public space furniture and other tasks moved to the front burner Wednesday afternoon, when Patty Brosmer, President of the Capitol Hill BID, said they can’t do it.

At a Department of General Services virtual briefing of the Eastern Market Metro Park Advisory Team yesterday, Brosmer said that maintenance of the plaza/park was totally separate from the Capitol Hill BID operation.  She said the additional work would “require resources we don’t have”, and that the BID has been using Covid Payroll Protection Program funds to maintain the spaces around the Metro entrance but they can’t do it forever. 

“The city came in and built this and left it up to us to maintain,” she added, “but it’s a big deal to wipe down furniture a few times a day”.  She said this is a problem common to all eleven of the city’s BIDs and by no means do they accept the additional tasks – “all of them are up in arms about it”.  The  BIDs – Business Improvement Districts – are private public partnerships funded by property owners that provide enhanced services in commercial and mixed use neighborhoods.

The issue of who would take care of the plaza/park has come up from time to time, and there was once talk of reaching a contractual agreement with the BID.  It appears that this was never formalized and the BID’s responsibility was taken for granted by the DGS contractor and others.  ANC6B02 Commissioner Jerry Sroufe – whose single member district includes the Plaza – commented that his recollection was that the BID was to maintain it and if not, we need another answer. 

Managing public space furniture is more problematic than it sounds, as users move the tables and chairs to seek shade or suit their convenience.  Just returning the furniture to the hard surfaces where they are intended to be rather than on the grass requires considerable time and attention.  Sometimes, plaza furniture has been found far afield.  

Nichole Opkins, representing  CM Charles Allen’s office expressed surprise that the BID had brought this up so late in the game. 

Brosmer said she had had a conversation with the city two years ago and were fine with emptying the trash, but weeding and furniture care involves a lot extra and “we can’t do it”.  She offered to provide documentation of what the city told her they would take care of. 

Opkins said she would continue discussions with Brosmer and bring the Department of General Services and the Department of Parks and Recreation into the loop as well.

The Metro Plaza renovation is nearing completion, and the children’s playground on parcel one between 8^th and 9^th Street, has proven to be extremely popular and successful with the playground and splash pad often attracting more than 100 people to the destination and a gathering place.  CM Charles Allen got the $15 million in budget authority for the project.

Patty Brosmer has been the President of the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District (BID) since its inception in early 2003. Prior to that, she was a consultant to the interim board during the 3-year formation phase of the BID.

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Mayor Bowser Reimposes Indoor Mask Mandate Starting Saturday

by Larry Janezich

Posted July 29, 2021

Today, Mayor Bowser announced that starting Saturday, July 31 at 5:00am, she would order mandatory wearing of masks indoors for everyone over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status.  The public emergency remains in place.  As of now, only the masking requirement changes, with no change in the social distancing requirement.

Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, head of DC Health Department, said that since the beginning of July, there had been a fivefold increase in the city’s daily case rate and the increase was attributable to those in two age groups – 5 to 14 and 20 to 34.  The activities linked to the increase in those groups include travel, international travel, dining out, and social activities with group size and attendance skewing toward larger groups.  Only a handful of new cases came from the over-65 age group.

Asked about enforcement, Bowser said that DC residents had “been supportive throughout this and have been willing to follow DC guidance.  This is not a big lift for a lot of folks”. 

The first day of school will be August 30.  Masks will be required for all indoors, and social distancing will be maintained to the extent possible.  The city is launching a large financial incentive program to get students vaccinated, including the giveaway of $51 gift cards, air pods, iPads, and college scholarships. 

Currently Covid vaccination is strongly encouraged for all students 12 and older, but is not required.  Starting Monday, August 2, students and families will be able to schedule appointments for shots through https://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/get-vaccinated .  Appointments will be at participating DC Public Schools and public charter schools and can be made regardless of the student’s school of enrollment. 

Regarding city workers, the District has started working with labor partners to create a vaccination requirement for DC Government employees. 

Asked how far back the city might go with respect to re-imposing additional restrictions, the Mayor said that the hope was that by acting now, “we can stop this before it goes too far.”  Asked how long the masking requirement would last, she said, “I don’t know.”

The city still offers free Covid testing daily at select fire stations, recreation centers, and other sites.  For more info, go here:  https://coronavirus.dc.gov/testing

For the Power Point presentation of the Mayor’s Situational Briefing today, go here: https://bit.ly/375r89X .

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Editorial:  Bowser Yanks $1.4 Million Out of Budget for Canal and Yards Parks

by Larry Janezich

Mayor Bowser cut $1.4 million in funds for the Capitol Riverfront BID’s maintenance and programming for the two parks near the National’s stadium from the FY22 Budget.  That means that the Department of Recreation will have to pick up the ball starting October 1.  The money supported a contract with the BID which has overseen the maintenance, operations, programming, and activation of the parks for the past ten years. 

To date, neither the Business and Economic Development Committee nor the Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs – which have oversight of the parks – has moved to restore the funds and if that doesn’t happen by August 3, it’s not going to happen at all. 

This would leave the BID little choice but to surrender the parks to the city agency since funding the work without city help will force staff cuts or increasing the assessments from businesses which benefit from the BID.  Even that solution would leave some sort of legal contractual agreement to be negotiated. 

CHC asked ANC6D Chair Edward Daniels to react to the cuts:  “I was surprised to hear of these cuts to our local parks and will do all that I can to support our BID in securing funding to continue the wonderful job that their team performs to make our green spaces some of the best that you will find in the District. Our parks are staples in our community, not only for locals, but as a destination for residents and tourists alike. At this time, we need a collective voice from our residents to let DC Council know just how important their budget funding is. Based on my interactions with DPR, there is no way that their agency can come close to maintaining and programming our parks the way that the Capitol Riverfront BID has, for years.”

This is the second year in a row that Bowser has squeezed the BID – last year, she eliminated one-year contracts over $1 million which included the BID’s park maintenance contract.  Funding was later restored, but cut from $1.85 million to $1.2 million because of the pandemic. 

The BID’s position is that both of these parks are important assets to the neighborhood, ensuring access to green space, the water, and community-building programming.  The need for high-quality maintenance and operations will only increase as the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood continues to grow.  DPR simply can’t provide what is needed. 

The DC Council will hold the final votes on this $17.5 billion budget on August 3 and August 10.  Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen supports restoration of the funding but that’s not going to be enough.  What is needed is community outreach to other Chair Phil Mendelsohn and other DC Councilmembers urging them to include $1.4 million in funding for Yards Park and Canal Park in the overall budget.  They should do this for the good of the community. 

The community can help by contacting Mendelson and all other DC Councilmembers to ask for their support in restoring the funds. 

pmendelson@dccouncil.us  (Chair, DC City Council)

kmcduffie@dccouncil.us  (Chair, Business and Economic Development Committee)

twhite@dccouncil.us   (Chair, Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs)