Mayor Bowser’s Situational Briefing on Monday, February 1
by Larry Janezich
Posted February 1, 2021
Mayor Bowser held a situational briefing Monday afternoon. Here are the main COVID take-aways:
10,975 doses of the vaccine will be delivered to DC this week. (8,775 last week)
83,125 doses have been delivered to DC and 62,219 have been administered. The difference is the number of vaccines for scheduled appointments.
The doses received by the city are split three ways every week, as follows: 1) Portal and call center, 2) Health care providers and hospitals and community health centers, 3) Special populations – essential employees, seniors living at home or in senior residential buildings, teachers, MPD, FEMS, and DDS populations.
Licensed child care providers and teachers and staff of independent schools in DC are eligible to schedule appointments this week when the portal opens.
All DCPS teachers and staff have been offered the vaccine. Approximately 3100 teachers and staff have received the first dose.
22.8% of the 86,000 individuals over 65 have been vaccinated.
Vaccinations lag in Wards 5, 7, and 8. Vaccine confidence appears to be a leading factor.
On Thursday morning at 9:00am priority zip codes in Wards 5, 7, and 8 will be eligible to schedule appointments.
The city has 200 people taking calls to assist residents with making appointments. Here’s the Vaccination portal number 855-363-0333.
According to the CDC, the second dose may be administered up to 42 days after the first dose.
The city is not using second doses to vaccinate more people with their first dose.
If you receive any messages or calls about the private sale of a vaccine, report this as an illegal scam. Report a scam to MPD: (202) 727-4159.
Last Monday, Mayor Bowser became eligible for vaccination, falling into the category of continuity of government personnel. She got the shot at the Kaiser Permanente facility at 700 2nd Street, NE.
The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee held a virtual meeting last week and Market Manager Barry Margeson informed the Committee that the Department of General Services would meet with the office of the Dempty Mayor for Planning and Economic Development this week regarding the implementation plan for the $300,000 Strategic Study completed last year.
The Department of General Services updated the Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park Advisory Taskforce last week on the status of the project. Here’s the latest – but not final – interation of the monumental wayfinding sign scheduled for the project.
The loosely organized city-wide convention of ANC Commissioners met last Monday night and reached a consensus to press the city on creating a process to fill empty ANC seats during the pandemic when it is not possible to comply with current procedures, and to press for increased funding for speed cameras for areas where they are most needed. Correspondence is in the process of being drafted for consideration at the next meeting on February 8.
More protest art from Guerrilla Girls 2020 – this one in the fire call box at 2nd and C Street, NE, across from the Hart Senate Office Building.
The Week Ahead…And Some Photos from the Past Week
Monday, February 1
ANC6C Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee will not meet in February.
Tuesday, February 2
ANC 6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
1381 Potomac Avenue, SE [6B07] Two-story rear addition. Special exceptions for lot occupancy (53% Current, 60% by right, 70% proposed) and 10 foot rule (10’8” past one adjoining property, 11’3” past the other.
102 9th Street SE [6B05] Penthouse addition for a stairway to roof deck. Special exceptions for general penthouse regulations in RF-1 zone.
515 10th St SE [6B04] Historic Preservation Application – concept for second story addition to existing accessory buildings/garage and stairwell. Special exception to lot occupancy (63.4% existing, 60 by right, 64.6% proposed. Concept review for addition on alley.
631 G St SE [6B03] Historic Preservation Application – concept for second story addition to existing garage.
320 9th Street, SE [6B05] Concept for two-story side and rear addition.
Consideration of proposal to remove Inclusionary Zoning Exemption for NC-6 Zone. Text amendment to add Inclusionary Zoning bonus height to NC-6 Zone (45 feet by right, 55 feet with IZ).
ANC 6B Letter on HPRB Treatment of heights of alley and accessory buildings. Draft Letter: https://bit.ly/36rTfzW
Wednesday, February 3
ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
622 Eye Street, NE. Further-revised application of VBS Community Builders LLC, for a special exception to convert an existing residential building into a five-unit apartment house and for variance relief from the lot area requirements.
Proposed rulemaking (Proposed text of amendments to accessory-building regulations.) ANC 6C previously considered this at the hearing stage in December and provided testimony; the rulemaking text reflects a number of changes, including in response to ANC 6C’s comments. Comment deadline: Feb. 8, 2021. (The ZC Secretary has suggested a mechanism for ANC 6C to provide comments after its Feb.10 vote.)
Upcoming Council oversight hearings – The DC Council begins its annual agency oversight hearings in February. The PZE will discuss appropriate topics for ANC6C testimony. (Preliminary schedule as of Jan. 19)
Thursday, February 4
ANC6BB Transportation and Public Safety Committee will hold a virtual meeting 7:00pm.
Updates from DDOT on recent ANC6C transportation items. The Committee will follow up with DDOT on recent ANC6C items sent over the past year. This includes, but may not be limited to the following: safety concerns along H Street, NE; Maryland Avenue, NE, bike lane around Stanton Park; recent traffic safety assessments submitted for 5th and 7th Streets, NE; and truck issues around 4th and 5th Streets, NE. Andrew DeFrank, DDOT Ward 6 Community Engagement Specialist
Uncle Kenny’s Smokehouse, 732 Maryland Avenue, SE. Public Space application for a Sidewalk Café. The proposed 875 sq. ft. cafe will include a total of 13 tables, or 46 seats total with fence and planters. Hours listed on the application are from 7am to 10:30pm, 7 days a week.
111 K Street, NE. Public Space application for a Sidewalk Café. New application for an unenclosed sidewalk cafe at the southeast corner of K Street NE and 1st Street, NE. The proposed 216 sq. ft. cafe will include a total of 10 tables, or 27 seats total, with umbrellas. Hours listed on the application are from 8am or 10am until 11pm or midnight, 7 days a week.
North Capitol Street Concept Study sign-on letter. The Committee will review a sign-on letter from ANC6E to request the city to fund a concept study for the redesign of North Capitol Street between Massachusetts and Michigan Avenue, NE, in the FY22 budget. ANC 6C previously signed onto a letter from ANC 6E noting safety concerns along North Capitol Street and to request DDOT to take action in implementing the recommendations from NoMa BID’s North Capitol Needs Assessment.
Second proposed rulemaking on Visitor Parking Pass Program. The Committee will review the second proposed rulemaking on the visitor parking pass program. ANC6C previously commented on the first rulemaking in October 2020.
(For the March meeting: Baltimore-Washington SCMAGLEV Project DEIS: http://bit.ly/3cpXQ9O )
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Mayor Bowser’s Situational Update on Thursday, January 28
Mayor Bowser’s Situational Briefing – Shake Up in Top Aides – COVID – Security
By Larry Janezich
Posted January 28, 2021
Mayor Bowser announced personnel changes in the top levels of her administration.
Kevin Donahue, interim City Administration, has been named City Administrator.
Roger Mitchell, interim Deputy Mayor for Safety and Justice and Chief Medical Examiner is leaving for an academic post at Howard University.
Christopher Geldhart, Director of DPW, has been named Deputy Mayor for Safety and Justice.
Christine Davis, General Counsel for the Department of Public Works, has been named Director of DPW.
Francisco Diaz, Chief Deputy Medical Examiner City, has been named Chief Medical Examiner.
Other takeaways from remarks by Mayor Bowser and by Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, DCDOH:
Bowser: This week the Biden Administration committed to increasing DC’s vaccine allocation by 15% for the next three weeks. The increase will be allocated according to the strategy currently in place.
Bowser: DC is now vaccinating:
Individuals who work in health care settings Members of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
Residents of long-term and intermediate care facilities and residents of community residential facilities/group homes
DC residents who are 65 years old and older
Individuals experiencing homelessness
Members of the Metropolitan Police Department
Teachers and staff who are, or will be, working in person at a DCPS school or a DC public charter school
Department of Corrections employees
Continuity Government Operations personnel
Nesbitt: DC Department of Health remains opposed to creation of a waitlist because it makes it impossible to apply an equity model to insure people at highest risk get the vaccine.
Nesbitt: The perception that the most affluent neighborhoods are outpacing economic depressed neighborhoods regarding vaccinations does not take into account the distribution of residents over 65 who are found in greater numbers in affluent neighborhoods or the resistance to vaccination in some demographics.
Bowser: The next group eligible for vaccinations is likely to be child care workers and a decision and announcement will be made soon.
Nesbitt: The rate of infection is dropping after a holiday surge. Until we understand more about the virus variants and their increased rate of transmission, we are at risk for an accelerated rate of infection until we get to 10 cases per day or lower.
Bowser: Fencing around the White House and the US Capitol is temporary. There are upcoming potentially volatile events requiring additional security. We want the city and institutions to be safe but we don’t want fences or troops to be long term fixtures.
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The three piece sculpture “Found You” by Beth Nybeck has been funded by Barracks Row Mainstreet for placement in Parcel 4 near the playground.
“Weavings” by Hiroshi Jacob is being considered by Barracks Row Mainstreet as an addition to Parcel 6 – the triangle park at the Corner of 8th and Pennsylvania near Trader Joe’s.
Artist Jay Coleman is in discussions with fabricators regarding the scale of his 5 foot to 7 foot piece “Loveful Hands” before moving to renderings and drawings for the final project. The piece will be oriented so the thumbs are facing the 8th and Pennsylvania Avenue intersection with the proposed pavilion on the south side of the Metro entrance in the back ground.
More Public Art Planned for Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 27, 2021
At a progress briefing on Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park held on Wednesday by Diego Martinez, project manager for the Department of General Services, Martinez announced plans for a second and possibly a third piece of public art for the Plaza/Park. This, in addition to Jay Coleman’s interactive sculpture “Loveful Hands” which will reside in front of the entrance to Eastern Market Metro.
Barracks Row Mainstreet is funding the fabrication and installation of Beth Nybeck’s “Found You” – three 5 & 7 foot metal sculptures of rabbits playing hide and seek. The artist describes the piece as a “hopeful, whimsical, playful experience to help people find the goodness and light existing within each other”. The stainless steel structures are perforated so that light from inside will sprinkle light on the ground at night. The piece will be will be placed near the playground on Parcel 4 of the Plaza/Park.
Another piece which is under consideration for addition to the project is Hiroshi Jacobs” “Weaving”. The 4X20X9 construction of plate steel encourages interaction and can be experienced in different ways. It would be sited on Parcel 6 – the small triangle park in front of Trader Joe’s. The artist says it “represents intersection and interaction among people, providing seating and promoting communication”. David Perry, Chairman of Barracks Row Mainstreet, measured the enthusiasm of the community stakeholders who attended the meeting and said he would take a proposal to fund the piece to the Barracks Row Mainstreet Board.
Artist Jay Coleman’s piece, “Loveful Hands” was selected last year by the Eastern Market Metro Plaza Advisory Taskforce as the first choice for public art located near the Metro entrance on Parcel 4. “Found You” and “Weaving” also enjoyed considerable support from stakeholders in the community resulting efforts to find ways to fund additional pieces for the Park/Plaza project.
For more information on the original 8 artistic concepts submitted for consideration for the project, see here: http://bit.ly/2Hnji1R
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It’s not clear how long Independence, East Capitol, and Constitution Avenues will be closed, but Sunday afternoon, the National Guard announced that 5,000 troops will remain at the Capitol through mid-March. Currently there are sone 7,000 troops and that number will fall to 5,000 in early February. Those troops will remain in place should any demonstrations develop in connection with the Senate impeachment trial of former President Trump scheduled to start the week of February 8 and/or President Biden’s State of the Union Message likely to be scheduled in late February.
The Ugly Mug has applied to add Sports Wagering to their operation. It will probably come up next month before ANC6B.
The Park Kennedy is now leasing on Reservation 13. A window banner proclaims as part of the sales promotion, “Not for the faint of heart.” (What?)
Another banner (upper left) on the wall overlooking the Sunoco Station at Pennsyvania Avenue and 13th Street, SE, announces a forthcoming mural of Cong. John Lewis.
Meanwhile, in the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, next to the the proposed Sports Book outlet Handle-19, BB&T has folded its tent and departed its former location at 317 PA Avenue, SE.
The Marine Barracks about 3:00pm on Wednesday, January 20.
The Week Ahead…
By Larry Janezich
Posted January 24, 2021
The Week Ahead…
Monday, January 25
ANC6A Community Outreach holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Representatives from CM Charles Allen’s office, DC Board of Education, and all DCPS and charter schools in ANC6A have been invited to present at the meeting.
Laura Marks, Chief of Staff, Office of CM Charles Allen
Jessica Sutton, Ward 6 Member, State Board of Education (SBOE)
Eastern Senior High School
Sah Brown, Principal
Elizabeth Braganza, IB Coordinator
Regina McClure, NAF Director, Eastern Academy of Health Sciences
Antwanette Starks
Benjamin Davis
Heather Schoell, PTO President
Apple Tree PCS -Lincoln Park
Shirvon Smith, Acting Principal
Jamie Miles, Chief of Schools
Eliot Hine Middle School
Marlene Magrino, Principal, (invited)
Lena Heid (invited)
Robert Campbell (invited)
Kingsman Academy
Kennesha Kelly, Head of School (invited)
Maury Elementary School
Helena Payne Chauvenet, Principal (invited)
Jean Kohanek (confirmed)
Monument Academy
Jeffrey Grant, Principal (invited)
Ludlow Taylor Elementary School
Shaunte Daniel, Principal (invited)
Rachel Turow, PTO President
Miner Elementary School
Bruce Jackson, Principal (invited)
School within School @ Goding
John Burst, Principal (invited)
Nick Rutar, (invited)
ANC6A Transportation and Public Space Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Discussion with DDOT of traffic calming options for 1300-1400 block of North Carolina Avenue, NE and related bike lane connectivity issues as part of C Street NE redesign plans.
Status update and discussion with DDOT on pending Traffic Safety Assessments and other critical areas of concern previously identified by the ANC.
Tuesday, January 26
ANC6B Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm to set the agenda for the February 9 meeting of the full ANC.
Discussion of a request for support for application for a stipulated license for new establishment at 1378 H Street NE, subject to existing June 21, 2004 settlement agreement with Rose’s Dream, Inc.
Discussion of additional conforming changes to template settlement agreements identified while making updates as identified at December meeting.
Wednesday January 27
Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Mayor Bowser’s Situational Update, Thursday, January 21, 2021
Vaccines and Security – Mayor Bowser’s January 21 Situational Briefing
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 21
On Friday, January 22, at 9:00 a.m., 740 additional appointments will become available to any DC resident who is 65 and older or any individual who works in a health care setting in DC.
If you previously attempted to get an appointment and you did not receive a notification with a confirmation code, date and location, you must re-register.
Here are some highlights from today’s briefing.
Next week, DC will receive 8,775 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 5,600 doses of Moderna vaccine.
Going forward: Appointments will be released every Friday a 9:00am for eligible groups in ALL DC zip codes. Appointments will be released every Thursday at 9:00am for eligible residents in PRIORITY zip codes – most of Wards 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8.
Vaccinations are prioritized based on two factors: Prevention of morbidity and mortality and preservation of societal functions.
Vaccinations to prevent morbidity and mortality are well underway for those over 65 and others. (See CHC post from January 11.)
Preservation of societal functions vaccinations have also started – including health care workers, EMS workers, and frontline public health workers.
Beginning the week of January 25, additional groups will become eligible under preservation of societal functions including teachers and support staff at DC Public Schools and DC Public Charter Schools, members of the MPD, and “Continuity of DC Government” personnel.
Public school teachers and staff will receive direct communication to schedule their appointments far vaccinations at Dunbar High School.
DC Public Charter Schools will receive guidance from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
Restaurants will be able to resume indoor dining up to 25% capacity as of Friday, January 22.
Inaugural Security
The out-of-state National Guard is beginning to return home starting today.
DC National Guard will remain in DC through January 30.
The Mayor will make a to-be-determined request for National Guard assistance for the State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress, likely to occur in late February.
Right wing extremism will continue to be a persistent threat and the city is planning for a short, medium, and long range posture to counter the threat.
Fences lining DC Streets are being taken down and most will be removed by tomorrow. The fences around the Capitol Building – maybe the Capitol Complex – are likely to remain through the end of the month.
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Mayor Bowser’s Situational Briefing, Tuesday afternoon, at 7th and PA Avenue, SE.
Charles Allen said he had been impressed with the way the city mobilized and felt confident about the steps taken regarding security. He added that the fight for DC statehood could not be stronger and more important or necessary that anytime in our country’s history.
Here’s a view of the press gaggle with the Mayor barely visible below the dome of the Capitol.
Highlights from Mayor Bowser’s January 19 Situational Update
by Larry Janezich
Mayor Bowsers held a situational update in the middle of the median on Pennsylvania Avenue, at 7th Street, SE, this afternoon, along with Council Members Charles Allen and Brook Pinto, MPD Chief Contee, HLS Director Chris Rodriquez, Deputy Mayor Mitchell, and others.
She said she wanted to check in ahead of the Inaugural and discuss what’s in the future for DC.
Here are some of the highlights:
Sousa, 11th Street, and South Capitol Bridges, originally scheduled to be completely shut down inbound, will remain partially open with traffic reduced to one lane inbound.
Every MPD Police District has contingency plans and resources for any demonstrations which spill into residential neighborhoods.
DC’s overall need for COVID-19 vaccine is much greater than supply. With the intense scarcity, the distribution will be imperfect until we get more vaccine. The allocation by ward was meant to address issues concerning those who were underrepresented in the number of vaccinations administered and over represented in the numbers of those infected. Creation of a central registry to administer the vaccine would still involve a question of how to select people for vaccinations.
The city is looking into whether there are any additional federal funds to compensate business adversely affected by the security lockdown.
Bowser said DC doesn’t want fences or armed troops longer in the city than they have to be – “but we want to be smart. We want to see the best approach to hardening our security posture without looking like were hardening.”
There are no indications of specific or credible threats to any building outside the federal enclave.
The Mayor has nothing to announce regarding the end of the ban on indoor dining at restaurants now in place until 5:00am on January 22.
The majority of those arrested under the Inaugural security restrictions have been charged at the federal level and will appear in District Court.
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Last week the four ANCs on or abutting Capitol Hill met for the first meeting of 2021. As part of the regular order of business new officers were elected, many held over from last year. A noteable exception was the election of Edward Daniels as Chair of ANC6D. Those officers marked with an asterisk in the list below are newly elected to the post.
Amber Gove was reelected as Chair of ANC6A
ANC6A Officers and Commissioners
Amber Gove 6A04, Chair
Keya Chatergee 6A01, Vice Chair*
Laura Gentile 6A05, Secretary *
Brian Alcorn 6A08, Treasurer
Other Commissioners:
Phil Toomajian 6A02
Mike Soderman 6A03
Robb Dooling 6A06
Sondra Phillips-Gilbert 6A 07
Brian Ready was reelected as Chair of ANC6B
ANC6B Officers and Commissioners
Brian Ready 6B03, Chair
Steve Holtzman, Vice Chair *
Jerry Sroufe, Secretary
Corey Holman, Treasurer
Kirsten Oldenburg, Parliamentarian *
Other Commissioners:
Jennifer Samolyk 6B01
Edward Ryder 6B07
Peter Wright 6B08
Alison Horn 6B09
Denise Krepp 6B10
Karen Wirt was reelected as Chair of ANC6C
ANC6C Officers and Commissioners
Karen Wirt 6C02 Chair
Mark Eckenwiler 6C04, Vice Chair
Christine Healey 6C01, Secretary
Joel Kelty 6C05, Treasurer
Other Commissioners:
Jay Adelstein 6C03
Drew Courtney 6C06
Edward Daniels in the newly elected Chair of ANC6D
ANC6D Officers and Commissioners
Edward Daniels 6D07, Chair*
Fredrica “Rikki” Kramer 6D05, Vice Chair*
Jared Weiss 6D02, Secretary*
Ronald Collins 6D03, Treasurer
Other Commissioners:
Andrew Bossi 6D01
Andy Litsky 6D04
Rhonda Hamilton 6D06
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Extreme Pizza is close to opening on Barracks Row.
Here’s a preview of the interior.
Extreme Pizza To Open on Barracks Row
by Larry Janezich
An Extreme Pizza franchise is on the cusp of opening in the space formerly occupied by Orchid at 520 8th Street, SE. There it will join four other pizza providers: &Pizza, Pizza Boli’s, Matchbox, and Mediterranean Café.
According to the websites of two Arlington outlets, the restaurant will offer salads, subs, calzones and wings in addition to pizza. You can check out the menu for the Pentagon City location here: http://bit.ly/3bRAvNY
According to Wikipedia, the company was founded in San Francisco in 1994 and has more than 30 locations in the US. The theme of West Coast restaurants is extreme sports, and the décor features photos of athletes in action. Restaurants on the East Coast differ in that they reflect the style and local of the neighborhood.
1637 D Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application for special exception to construct a two-story with basement addition to an existing, nonconforming, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit.
1300 I Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application for a special exception under the residential to construct a third story, with rear and side additions, and to construct six residential units to an existing, two-story, detached building.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 