DGS gave the members of the Eastern Market Metro Park Advisory Taskforce (EMMPAT) a project update on Wednesday, offering details on work which will be done during December on Parcel 4 where the Metro entrance is. That work will include utility and foundations, sidewalk replacement along Pennsylvania Avenue and D Street, SE, new ADC ramps and pavers, and curb improvements on 7th Street.
Work is also underway on the triangular parks – Parcels 3 & 4. The D Street SE extensions in front of Trader Joe’s and the former Baskin Robbins/Dunkin Donuts which provided access to Pennsylvania Avenue both west and east bound have been closed and will be closed permanently. The project is scheduled for completion in April of 2021.
Next week, the design team is meeting with artist Jay Coleman – winner of the Metro Park public art competition with his concept of “Joyful Hands”, to discuss issues of size, materials, color, siting and timeline. Coleman will appear at the next EMMPAT virtual meeting on December 17 to provide an update on his concept and to take questions. One of the key decisions will be the base for the piece. Some Advisory Team members are in favor of a stronger vertical element – a higher base – to create a greater sense of presence. A link for joining the meeting will be widely distributed to encourage public participation. There was also a discussion about community support for additional pieces of public art for the project.
After five years, the city’s Department of Transportation and the owners of the treehouse on Archibald Walk have reached an agreement: The tree house comes down in early 2024 and the city will dropsthe $8,000 in accumulated fines. The Washington Post reported the story last week. See here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/11/24/capitol-hill-treeho
Word is that the former Orchid Restaurant at 520 8th Street, SE, will open as a pizza restaurant. A source tells CHC that the oven will arrive on Monday and an opening is in the offing for early 2021. It will be the second Barracks Row restaurant for Asad Sheikh, owner of Bombay Street Food down the block at 528 8th Street, SE.
With the Capitol Christmas Tree in place, decorating was underway last Wednesday. The annual tree lighting ceremony will be on Wednesday, December 2.
Down Pennsylvania Avenue at The Roost there are signs of progress at Caruso’s Grocery – the planned Italian restaurant that anchors the south end of The Roost’s Culinary Court.
Eastern Market has Christmas trees.
Orangetheory Fitness at 330 7th Street, SE.
The Week Ahead…
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 29, 2020
Tuesday, December 1
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Among items on the draft agenda:
514 Archibald Walk SE. Historic Preservation Application. Revised concept for a one story rooftop addition to existing garage
413 8th Street SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special exception allowing fast food use at 413 8th Street, SE, (Chipotle).
741 12th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special exception to construct a two-story rear addition and an accessory building in the rear of an existing attached principal dwelling.
Consideration of a Text Amendment the Zoning Code to increase height and reduce alley setback for accessory buildings All SMDs; Representative: Elisa Vitale (DCOZ).
Boys and Girls Club Update
For information on how to join the meeting, go here:
ANC6C Committee on Environment, Parks, and Events Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Agenda:
Stacie West from NoMa Parks Foundation will discuss two parks projects: Intersection of NY Ave and FL Ave NE: New greenspaces will be added to the intersection of Florida Ave and New York Ave NE (a.k.a. Dave Thomas Circle). NoMa Parks will update our Committee on the latest design plans.
Swampoodle II: NoMa Parks will present a proposed schedule for designing and building a park at therecently acquired site located on the 200 block of L St NE (across from the existing Swampoodle Park).
ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
Among items on the draft agenda:
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 900-square-foot/unit lot area requirements.
Public hearing. Zoning Commission hearing on proposed zoning regulation amendments to clarify the rules for accessory buildings. Hearing date: Dec. 21, 2020.
Public hearing. Zoning Commission hearing on proposed zoning regulation amendments to clarify the conforming-use status of lawfully constructed apartment houses in the ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee, Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 7:00 pm.
ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Among items on the draft agenda:
Ethiopic Enclosed Café, 401 H Street, NE. Public space occupancy permit application at Ethiopic at 401 H Street NE to convert the existing 510 sq. ft. sidewalk cafe (which faces 4th Street NE) into an enclosed cafe. Submitted plans indicate a total of 11 tables, or 21 seats total. Enclosures will be roll up vinyl.
Boiling Crab Sidewalk Café, 400 H Street, NE. New application for an unenclosed sidewalk cafe at the Boiling Crab at 400 H Street NE. The proposed 1,073 sq. ft. cafe will face 4th Street NE. Submitted plans indicate a total of 16 tables, or 48 seats total. Other elements include string lights and railings.
Yotel/ Art & Soul Sidewalk Café, 415 New Jersey Avenue, NW. New application for an unenclosed sidewalk cafe at Yotel/ Art & Soul at 415 New Jersey Avenue NW. The proposed 1,904 sq. ft. cafe will face New Jersey Ave NW. Submitted plans indicate a total of 21 tables, or 78 seats total. Other elements include umbrellas and fencing.
Here’s the car on the north side of the memorial after being righted. Photo credit Sarah Cochran.
Damage to the vehicle was severe – to the monument less so. Photo credit Sarah Cochran.
Tow truck operation removes vehicle overseen by US Park Police. Photo credit Sarah Cochran.
Car Crashes into Lincoln Park Memorial Early Thanksgiving Morning
by Larry Janezich
An early Thanksgiving morning car crash in Lincoln Park injured two and damaged the base of the park’s controversial Emancipation Memorial. Last summer, the National Park Service erected barriers and fences around statue which was reportedly the target of a group opposed to the memorial’s depiction of Lincoln standing over a freed slave. It’s unclear whether the crash was related to that incident. The WTOP Traffic Center first reported the crash at 5:40am.
Sarah Cochran, nearby neighbor and frequenter of the park captured the above images and said she was told by others in the early morning crowd which had collected that the car was found on its left side, almost against the statue. One person was trapped and extricated by the DC Fire and Emergency Services, and taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Another person was found wandering in the park and transported with minor injuries.
One explanation offered was that the car was travelling fast headed south on 12th Street when the driver mistook the sidewalk in the park as a continuation of the street. That means, however, that the car would likely have hit the curb on the south side of the park before continuing into the park, lending credibility to the possibility that the crash was deliberate. Park Police were said to have stated the occupants claimed to be evading someone trying to rob them. The car reportedly had expired VA temp tags.
The base of the statue was chipped and damaged but the statue itself did not appear to be harmed.
Mayor Bowser, at today’s press briefing and situational update.
Mayor Bowser Announces New COVID Restrictions
by Larry Janezich
Posted Monday, November 23, 2020
Mayor Bowser, responding to an increasing number of COVID infections in the city and the nationwide surge in the number of cases, today announced new restrictions in an attempt to flatten the curve and reduce the need for hospitalizations.
Starting Wednesday, November 25:
Restaurants may stay open until midnight, but alcohol sales, service, and consumption (excluding carry-out and delivery) must end at 10:00 p.m. [Effective Monday, December 14, The maximum indoor capacity of restaurants is reduced from 50% to 25%.]
Indoor gatherings may not exceed ten people. This applies to indoor home gatherings as well as any indoor gathering that is not subject to other rules (e.g. restaurants and houses of worship).
The number of people inside houses of worship indoors at any one time is reduced from 100 people to 50 people. Maximum allowable capacity is reduced from 50% to 25%. The lower of these two numbers is the maximum capacity at any one time indoors for houses of worship. Virtual services, rather than in-person services, continue to be encouraged.
The limit for outdoor gatherings is reduced from 50 to 25 people.
Non-essential, non-retail businesses are strongly encouraged to continue telework.
Gyms, private trainers, and other businesses and recreation centers must suspend all indoor group exercise classes and all outdoor group exercise classes of 25 or more people. [A Mayor’s Order and guidance on sports and recreation will be forthcoming.]
The live entertainment pilot is temporarily suspended. Entities previously granted a waiver for the live entertainment pilot will be contacted about their ability to proceed with acts or performances that have already been booked.
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On Thursday, the Capitol Christmas tree – from Colorado this year – arrived at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol and was offloaded from its truck bed after its cross country journey.
Then the tree-bearing crane began its slow creep across the Capitol lawn to the site where the tree will stand during the holiday season. Santa – at far right – was on hand to direct the operation.
Here it is in place, topped by a holiday star. Other decorations will follow in the days ahead. Photo from Sunday, November 22.
Also on Thursday, the Hill East Fire Station COVID testing site was open for business…
and at 4:00pm there were 178 people in a line which stretched to three sides of the block.
Expanded COVID Testing Starts Monday.
All testing sites will be closed on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day.
Starting Monday, COVID testing will be expanded. For Capitol Hill and nearby, testing will be available MONDAY – FRIDAY, 2:30pm 7:30pm, at a new location at Nationals Park – Geico Garage, South Capitol Street, SE and N Street, SE.
The Engine 8 testing site at 1520 C Street, SE, will be in operation Tuesday, 2:30pm – 7:30pm; Saturday, 12:00noon – 4:00pm, and Sunday, 12:00noon – 4:00pm.
Capitol Hill Art League Winners Circle Exhibit at Frame of Mine Thru December 9
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 19, 2020
Capitol Hill Art League Winners Circle has an on-going live gallery exhibit featuring Capitol Hill Art League members.
Once a year CHAL awards their members who won awards in previous exhibits their own group show called Winners Circle. This show features all mediums of art and each artist selects one work to display. All of the art work is framed and will be featured online, for sale, and in the gallery.
Featuring: Louise Holland, Kim DiDonato-Murrell, Linda Norton, Karen Cohen, J Jaffery, Judy Searles Ken Bachman, Nan Raphael, Deb Furey, Erika Rubel, Rindy O’Brien, Tamora Ilasat, Mike McSorley, and Jane Mann.
Location: Frame of Mine Gallery, 545 8th St SE, Washington DC
Now thru December 9, 2020
Frame of Mine and Capitol Hill Art League feature the artwork on their websites.
“Joyful Hands” by Jay Coleman. The metal – sculpture featuring hands arranged so that the fingers and thumbs form a heart – will rest on a pedestal and will be highly interactive, encouraging passersby to take selfies while seated.
Artwork Selected for Eastern Market Metro Plaza
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 18, 2020
This afternoon, Diego Garcia, Project Manager for Eastern Market Metro Plaza renovation issued the following statement: “I’m pleased to announce that after the final round of voting, the winning artist for the Eastern Market Metro Park artwork installation is Jay Coleman with his concept submission of two hands making a heart.
In terms of next steps, DGS will be working to contractually bring Jay Coleman on board. From there, DGS will work with Jay to develop a design schedule that will incorporate opportunities for DGS, DPR, and the EMMPAT to provide feedback at different intervals in the design.
I’m looking forward to working with everyone on this art work and delivering a final product that the Capitol Hill community will be proud of!”
Members of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza Advisory Taskforce went through several rounds of voting, leading to the final sellection.
At dusk from the 11th Street Bridge, Tuesday, November 10.
Dusk, from the 11th Street Bridge, Tuesday, Novemb er 10.
Fight Club/Beuchert’s Saloon at 623 PA Avenue, SE, has a colorful new awning over its sidewalk dining – the orange light flatters diners.
The rumored arrival of retail liquor at 8th and L across from The Brig looks to be factual – the ABRA placard notifying the neighbors went up this week.
Here’s an early look inside the three concept restaurant/bar combination coming to 7th and C Street cat a corner from Eastern Market. Creator Hollis Silverman had planned open by now. It’s not, but it’s on the cusp. The space will house two restaurants – The Duck and The Peach offering breakfast and lunch before transforming into an evening dining spot – and La Collina offering modern versions of classic Italian. A bar called The Wells will start pouring gin-based cocktails later in the year. Much of the C Street Plaza has been given over to an outside planter lined patio.
Parking issues at Maury Elementary School. DDOT has agreed to locate 8 street parking spaces adjacent to the school on 12th Place NE, to be used by school staff during DCPS work hours via ParkMobile app. Outside DCPS work hours, the spaces could operate as Residential Permit Parking (RPP) zone or pay-by-cell parking open for use by the public. These spaces are already designated as “no parking during school hours”. Some concerns noted by residents include:
The calculation for the cost for the use of the Parking APP may be incorrect – possibly $648 per year rather than $3,240 per year.
Remind DDOT of prior request for ROP on west side of 12th Pl. and RPP from 6 pm – 7 am on east side
Public Space application for Paving: Driveway(s) at 1518 North Carolina Avenue, NE.
Discussion of whether to create a coordinated list of ANC 6A paving priorities (per PaveDC) and, if so, how should the list be developed.
ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
903 11th Street, NE. Application for special exception to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing principal dwelling unit.
114 12th Street, NE. Application for special exceptions to construct a second-story addition to an existing accessory structure in the rear yard of an existing flat.
1608 East Capitol Street, NE. Application for a special exception to convert an existing, detached, two-story, carriage house to a principal dwelling unit.
240 11th Street, NE. Historic Preservation Application – concept for a third story roof addition and three-story rear addition.
Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
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Among items on the draft agenda:
Meeting convened by Stanton EastBanc on plans for C street Plaza.
Eastern Market Strategic Plan study letter.
Report of the Market Manager.
Covid restrictions at the Market update
Possible return to normal operating hours update
Revenue and expenses
End of fiscal year
HVAC status
Status of the conflict resolution proposal
Holiday Market plans
Signage and banner update
Capital Improvements Report: Capital Budget requests for next budget year. Monte Edwards
Tenant’s Council Report.
Eastern Market Metro Plaza Update.
Capitol Hill Restoration Society Preservation Café will hold a virtual presentation at 6:30pm.
Lost Farms & Estates of Washington DC. Lost Farms and Estates of Washington, D.C. Kim Prothro Williams, Author and Architectural Historian, will be the featured speaker.
ANC6B Piqued at City Over Gambling, Eastern Market & the Boys and Girls Club
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 11, 2020
ANC6B’s met virtually for 4 and ½ hours last night and there was plenty of grumbling about the short shrift city government gives the community representatives. Resentments flared on the city council’s failure restrict sports gambling from setting up shop in neighborhood commercial districts, on DGS’s lack of response to community concerns on Eastern Market, and on DMPED’s lack of transparency and response to ANC concerns on development of Reservation 13.
Handle 19 – Sports Wagering.
ANC6B voted 6 – 2 – 1 last night to formally protest ABRA issuing a liquor license with a gambling endorsement to Handle 19, the sports book/restaurant that owner Shane August wants to open at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The protest was made on the basis of peace, order, and quiet and parking and vehicular/pedestrian safety.
The proposed business is in Commissioner Jennifer Samolyk single member district. She said proponents and opponents handled the controversy well, and said, “Unfortunately, this is just not the right location (because there are too many close by schools.”
The proposed hours for Handle 19 are 11:00am until 1:00am, Sunday thru Thursday, and 11:00am until 2:30am Friday and Saturday. Gambling would have to cease at midnight every night.
Handle 19’s attorney Ian Thomas said he couldn’t speculate on what would happen if the protest is successful and the liquor license is denied, but could say that Handle 19 doesn’t need an alcohol license to have sports wagering or serve food. He said the Handle 19 has partnered with a restaurant group that has a number of restaurants throughout the city to run the food and beverage side of the business.
As the process plays out over the next few months, there is a slim chance that a Settlement Agreement might be reached as the result of ABRA required mediation. It is also likely that if the protest fails and ABRA grants a liquor license, the agency will impose some operating restrictions on Handle 19 to address community concerns.
Commissioners Kelly Waud and Corey Holman voted against the protest, the former saying she had a hard time seeing how Handle 19 differed from a restaurant, and the latter supporting a settlement agreement noting that although poorly implemented, “it’s the law.”
Commissioner Steve Holtzman responded, saying the high volume of traffic in and out of Handle 19 would burden an already stressed traffic infrastructure and present a danger associated with conditions that accompany that.
Commissioner Jerry Sroufe said “the City Council didn’t do us any favors, and should have considered where sports betting establishments can occur.”
Eastern Market
ANC6B also took umbrage at the recently released Eastern Market Strategic Study for not specifying the ANC’s a role in the future governance of Eastern Market, voting 8 – 0 – 1 to send a letter to DGS and to Councilmember Charles Allen asserting that the ANC expects to have a significant role in any future governing structure. Further, the ANC will clarify its expectations once DGS responds to questions submitted to them by the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee, which features ANC representation.
The $300,000 study, commissioned by DEMPED, outlines a process for implementing a recommendation that Eastern Market transition to a joint public/non-profit governing body, but was vague about community representatives who would be participating both in the implementation and ultimately in governing the Market. One of the questions the ANC wants an answer to – as expressed in the EMCAC letter to DGS referenced above – is a request for details about how members of the implementation committee will be selected.
Commissioner Chander Jayaraman spoke for most commissioners when he said, “I’m very concerned that the role of the ANC is being marginalized. We have a greater role to play in the governance of the Market.” He called for setting a marker with a letter to DGS and Allen, expressing the ANC’s concerns.
EMCAC Chair Donna Scheeder was on hand to offer reassurances. She said it was “shocking” that the study team did not consult the ANC during the writing of the report, but that the process of figuring out how to govern Eastern Market would be a long one and would involve writing new legislation, providing plenty of opportunities for the ANC to make its position known.
Boys and Girls Club
ANC6B frustration at lack of response from DMPED about Reservation 13 boiled over on the issue of the Boys and Girls Club development. As reported earlier in CHC, economic considerations scuttled developer Joel Kelty’s original plan to redevelop the site, and – with the backing of DMPED – Kelty came up with a new 100% affordable housing project instead of the mixed affordable/market value project originally planned. But authorization for the original project will time out in the next month or so, and the “term sheet” for disposition of the public land needs to be extended by the city council. Initially, Commissioner Denise Krepp wanted ANC6B to oppose the extension until DMPED responds to a list of questions on Reservation 13 which she and the ANC6B Hill East Task Force sent to DMPED. Other commissioners thought it unwise to do anything to impede progress on the Boys and Girls Club.
Commissioner Corey Holman, Chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee, suggested a letter to the city council, requesting that the city deny the term sheet change unless DMPED responds in writing no later than Friday, November 20, to ANC6B and community questions on Reservation 13. The letter also requested any city council consideration of the term sheet change not happen before the council’s scheduled December 1 legislative meeting, to allow possible ANC consideration of the matter. The motion to send the letter was adopted, 7 – 2 – 0.
Presentation of Colors and the Star Spangled Banner
American Legion Kenneth H. Nash Post 8 Commander Jason Seacrest (center left) salutes the Posting of Colors
Ward Six Councilmember Charles Allen parsed the term “service” in remarks to the crowd.
Featured speaker NBC4 Investigative reporter Scott MacFArlane – “Inculcate individual obligation.
Few of those who had reserved the 50 seats showed up, preferring perhaps to watch the live stream on Facebook. But some 25 neighbors and residents turned out despite the weather.
Folger Park Vets & American Legion Post 8 Undaunted by Rain
by Larry Janezich
A sparse crowd turned out on a rainy day for the Veterans Day Commemoration in Folger Park this morning, but American Legion Kenneth H. Nash Post Commander Jason Secrest said it was important that the ceremony be held.
Ward Six Councilmember Charles Allen spoke to some 25 residents and neighbors who faced down the weather. Allen spoke of “service – it takes care of others and puts ourselves last, which is what we see in our community and the leadership of the community.”
Featured speaker NBC4 Investigative Reporter Scott MacFarlane reflected on a phrase on a plaque inside the Post, calling on members to “Inculcate individual obligation….” MacFarlane said this means being civic minded – community minded – being an example of what we all could be. He went on to say there has never been a more important time to inculcate individual obligation in our community and our nation.
American Legion Post 8 hosts this annual Veterans Day event in Folger Park, opposite the Post on the corner of 3rd and D Streets, SE.
The invocation and benediction were provided by the Reverend Alisa Wailoo, Capitol Hill Methodist Church.
Jason Secrest, Commander, Kenneth H. Nash American Legion Post 8 presided over the ceremony. Music was provided by The US Army Brass Quintet.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 