The future home of The Boilng Crab, at 400 H Street, NE. The site was formerly home to the problematic and TruOrleans (2011-2013), and Driftwood Kitchen. And before that, WOL-AM radio, which grew into the radio station empire, Radio One.
The Boiling Crab Looks to Open H Street NE Location in January
by Larry Janezich
Posted December 9, 2020
Wednesday night, ANC6C will consider a recommendation by its Committee on Alcohol Beverages to support a liquor license for The Boiling Crab, which expects to open at 400 H Street, NE, in January. A motion to support is likely to sail through the committee.
Representatives of The Boiling Crab informed commissioners at last Monday night’s ABC Committee meeting that serving spirits is not in their business plan, nor is providing service beyond 10:00pm. ANC6C Commissioner Joel Kelty raised concerns about the plan to make the main entrance on 4th Street, since the city requires it to be on 8th Street, and about noise on summer nights from the second story retractable windows. These and other concerns, including trash management seemed likely to be worked out in a Settlement Agreement placing conditions on the restaurant’s operations before Wednesday’s meeting of the full ANC. The ANC’s support is conditioned on the Settlement Agreement being reached before the vote.
The Boiling Crab is a casual, family-friendly restaurant specializing in Louisiana-style Cajun seafood. The chain has locations in California, Texas, Las Vegas, South Miami, Honolulu, and Shanghai, with plans to expand domestically and internationally.
The former Emilie’s has morphed into Paraíso Taqueria & Mezcaleria
Part of the new operation is the Market and Cafe
Mid-afternoon last Thursday. Paraiso had it’s grand opening earlier in the week.
Emilie’s on PA Ave SE Rebrands: Now it’s Paraíso Taqueria & Mezcaleriaby Larry Janezich
This taqueria is different – the colorful green (cilantro) and pink (beet) corn tortillas sets it apart and emphasizes the website’s claim: “Creative cuisine inspired by the streets and home kitchens of Mexico”
The menu is unusual as well, divided into these several categories: Food – Neighborhood Favorites – Desserts – Beverages – Mezcal + Tequila – Brunch – Market & Café – House Pantry
Also from their website: “Paraíso takes us to the childhood memories of a Mexican town fair. A vibrant atmosphere, hypnotizing neon lights, and captivating music. A day at the feria is a moment of wonder; all of our senses get stimulated with flavorful eats and drinks and vibrant sounds and visuals.”
Elsie Yang at DC Eater has a write up here that backs up the claim:
Protest Sculpture at the Adams Building, Library of Congress
by Larry Janezich
Protest art is everywhere, but protest sculpture is rare, which makes the piece in a fire box at the southeast corner of the Adams Building at 3rd and Independence noteworthy.
The assemblage tableau represents Thomas Jefferson holding a key, standing next to a shackled Sally Hemings with two children and a commentary on her and her children’s servitude and Jefferson’s parentage.
It’s not clear who”s responsible other than appended signature “Fearless Girls 2020.”
The original Fearless Girl is the famous NYC sculpture initially placed at Bowling Green facing down the Charging Bull statue, and later moved to a location where it faces the NY Stock Exchange.
After the British burned the Capitol and its Library during the war of 1812, Congress purchased Thomas Jefferson’s library to replace it. Initially housed in the Capitol, it was subsequently moved to its own structure across the street. In 1938, construction of the Library Annex (now the Adams Building) was complete. On the anniversary of the birthday of Jefferson on April 13, 1976, President Ford signed a law to change the name of the Library of Congress Annex Building to the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. The building was renamed for President John Adams in 1980 – Adams had approved the law establishing the Library of Congress.
Sunday night’s rehearsal for the Annual (virtual this year) Lighting of the Menorah on Thursday, December 10, in Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park, hosted by Capitol Hill BID and Hill Havarah.
This year’s Christmas tree on Eastern Market Metro Park is a temporary replacement for “Big George” named for community benefactor George Didden,III, of National Capital Bank. In January, DGS will work with a supplier to replace this with a larger tree. The tree honors George Didden III, former president of National Capital Bank and founder of the Capitol Hill BID. Last week, the Captiol Hill BID’s “Men in Blue” worked to decorate the tree and the playground.
The US Capitol’s Christmas Tree was lit on Wednesday, December 2. This year’s tree is a 55 foot, 86 year-old Engelman Spruce from Grand Mesa, Colorado.
Some 400 starlings were present for the tree lighting ceremony.
In case you were wondering, these structures on the south side of the Adams Building of the Library of Congress have to do with the restoration of the flagpoles.
Here’s something new. On Pennsylvania Avenue, the Hawk & Dove has added table top fire pits to encourage outdoor dining.
The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Week Past
by Larry Janezich
Monday, December 7
ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Gerard Brown, DC Department of Health, to speak on DC rodent concerns and efforts to reduce rodent population during Covid-19 (TENTATIVE).
Harris Teeter, 1350 Potomac Avenue, SE; Renewal of Class B Retail-Full Service Grocery.
Archibald Walk SE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept for a one story rooftop addition to existing garage.
413 8th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application: Special Exception; Application for a 10-year extension for a 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 at premises 741 12th Street, S.E.
Text amendment to increase height and reduce alley setback for accessory buildings All SMDs; Representative: Elisa Vitale (DCOZ).
Boys and Girls Club Update.
Letter of support for DDOT 65% Design plan for Penn/Potomac Avenue SE Intersection Project.
Report on DDOT presentation on a new study on Eastbound Exit Ramp (D4) at 695 & 11th Street, SE, with Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements.
Report from Hill East Task Force.
Discussion of Reservation 13 Phase II Requst for Proposals.
Discussion of 2020 ANC 6B Service Awards.
Wednesday, December 9
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
ANC 6A Community Leader Award to Fernanda Zavaleta.
The Cupboard, 1504 East Capitol Street, NE Renewal of Class B Retail Liquor License.
Economy Market, 1804 D Street, NE. Renewal of Class B Retail Liquor License.
H Street Beverage Warehouse at 1431-1433 H Street, NE. Application for a Class A Retail Liquor License. Committee recommends protest, unless a signed settlement agreement is submitted before the protest deadline.
Amazon Retail at 801 H Street, NE. Application for a Class B Retail License with Tasting Permit. Committee recommends protest, unless a signed settlement agreement is approved by the chair of the ANC by the protest deadline.
ANC6A letter to BZA in support of Zoning Adjustment Application for a new street parking plan for Maury Elementary School, 1250 Constitution Avenue, conditional upon DDOT’s consideration of the ANC request for ROP (Resident Only Parking) on the west side of 12th Place, NE, and RPP (Resident Permit Parking) from 6:00 pm – 7:00 am on the east side of 12th Place, NE, and that there are 8 parking spaces involved.
Letter to DDOT stating that ANC6A reviewed and commented on Public Space Application for 1518 North Carolina Avenue NE in March of 2020. As the application is unchanged, DDOT should refer to the letter of opposition already sent.
Letter of support for Public Space Application to permit fence on public space at 424 11th Street, NE, conditional upon the fence atop the retaining wall being no higher than the current fence (36″) and of similar (open, iron) construction.
Letter of support to Bureau of Zoning Adjustment for a special exception to permit construction of a two-story rear addition to an existing principal dwelling unit at 903 11th Street, NE.
114 12th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application for special exceptions to construct a second-story addition to an existing accessory structure in the rear yard of an existing flat at 114 12th Street, NE.
Letter of conditional support for Zoning Adjustment Application for a special exception from the minimum vehicle parking requirements to allow conversion of an existing, detached, two-story, carriage house to a principal dwelling unit at 1608 East Capitol Street, NE.
Request for removal of Metro Bus Shelter located at 17th Street and Road NE.
Update on the Pennsylvania and Potomac Avenues SE Improvement Project
by Larry Janezich
Last Wednesday, ANC6B’s Transportation Committee chaired by Commissioner Kirstin Oldenburg voted unanimously to support DDOT’s 65% design for the Pennsylvania and Potomac Avenues SE Improvement Project. DDOT appeared before the committee in a virtual meeting to present the latest version of the plan.
Currently the intersection is an awkward mess, with a challenging pedestrian network, closely spaced intersections, inconsistent traffic controls and a skewed geometry.
DDOT’s solution is to reconstruct the intersection to create an elliptical traffic circle with a park in the middle, new traffic signals, revised curb geometry for future bike lanes (per the PA Ave SE Corridor Study), landscaping treatments, expanding the bus stop/layover in front of Metro, and relocating two other bus stops.
The Ellipse Park will feature stone clad seating walls, oak and crab apple trees, and a raised central planter with potential for becoming a location for public art.
DDOT will be back before the ANC’s Transportation Committee in the spring of 2021 with a 90% design and in the summer of 2021 with a 100% design.
Construction is expected to start in the spring of 2022 and last 18 months.
The plan now goes to the full ANC6B where an endorsement is virtually certain. For the full DDOT PowerPoint presentation, go here: https://bit.ly/33Nbs9S
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 CORNER 