Tag Archives: architecture

April 5, 2026 · 10:08 pm

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 5, 2026

Councilmember Charles Allen met with constituents and held community office hours on Friday morning at The Roost on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  

Fairy Godmother at 319 7th Street, SE, near Eastern Market is closing its doors on Monday after 42 years on the block.  Owner Roberta Blanchard says the store has been purchased by a couple who lives on Capitol Hill who have plans for a new shop with a similar business model. 

Here’s a photo from Friday as Fairy Godmother’s signage comes down.  Photo credit:  Maggie Hall.

Update on Streets Market coming to 15th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  A cut above the usual convenience store, Streets Market will offer organic and natural foods, some prepared foods, and beer and wine.

The new market at 1442 Pennsylvania Avenue continues its buildout.  Streets Market in a local chain operation with outlets in Baltimore and close-in Virginia, and 10 stores open or about to open in DC. 

Friday afternoon also saw the unveiling of “Loveful Hands” on Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  CM Charles Allen who got funding to redesign the Plaza, said, “One of the things that we wanted was to make sure that public art is a part of our public parks and I’m really grateful for the group of neighbors that came together … Eastern Market Main Street, Barracks Row Main Street. EMCAC, our Advisory Neighborhood Commission, Nicky Cymrot, and Donna Sheeder – who unfortunately is no longer with us – all really worked hard and came together to think about what we wanted this space to look like, and decided that art is going to be at the center.”

Sculptor, Jay Coleman (center) helped the city officials present which included (left to right) ANC6B Commissioner David Sobelsohn, Coleman, CM Allen, DPR Director Thennie Freeman, and DGS Director Delano Hunter unveil the piece. 

And here it stands. 

The Week Ahead…

Monday, April 6

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

  • Naming of new circle at Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street, SE
  • Support for Capitol Hill Classic
  • Discussion of IndyCar race around National Mall in August
  • Discussion of 15th Street SE bus lane removal

ANC6C Alcohol & Cannabis Licensing Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Agenda:  Not yet posted. 

Tuesday, April 7

ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm. 

Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor, Conference Room 1 (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).

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

Agenda:

ABC Renewals

New Applications

  • Little Engine – Placard Notice New Class “D” fast-casual Restaurant. Applying to serve canned beer and wine. An ANC letter supporting a stipulated license was approved and received by ABCA in March.

Protests/Other Updates

MPD 1D Citizens Advisory Council will hold a virtual meeting at 6:00pm

Wednesday, April 8

CANCELLED. ANC6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Agenda not yet posted. 

Thursday, April 9

ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Election of Interim ANC 6A Secretary

Community Presentations

  • Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen

Introduction of Candidates for ANC 6A06 Vacancy

  • Daniel Aboagye (ANC 6A06)
  • Ben Hammer (ANC 6A06)

Special Election for ANC 6A06: Saturday April 11, 2026 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Per DC Statute ANC 6A will host an in-person special election for the 6A06 seat on Saturday April 11 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 1300 H Street NE in the space formerly occupied by Ephemeral Tattoo. All registered voters who are residents of 6A06 are encouraged to vote.

For more information please see: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/1-309.06

https://dcboe.org/candidates/anc-advisory-neighborhood-commissioners

Consent Agenda

Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis (ABC)

  • Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the application for a substantial change request toa license to change hours of operation and alcoholic beverage sales, service, and consumption, and hours of live entertainment, for Transmission, 1353 H Street NE. unless a settlement agreement is reached. ANC 6A authorizes the ANC Chair or the Chair of the ABC Committee, or their designee, to negotiate the settlement agreement.

Transportation and Public Space

  • Recommendation: ANC 6A file a complaint/protest in TOPS for DDOT PSRA Permit concerning the 1000 block of H Street NE (north side).

Economic Development and Zoning (EDZ)

  • Recommendation: 1350 East Capitol Street, NE.  To construct a two-story plus cellar rear addition and a one-story plus cellar sideaddition, to an existing, attached, two-story plus cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.

Officer Reports

Accept Treasurer’s Report

Standing Committee Reports:

Community Outreach Committee (COC)

  • Accept March 2026 Report.

Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis (ABC)

  • Accept March 2026 Report.
  • Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the medical cannabis retailer license application for DC Dank, 712 15th Street NE unless a measurement is taken by ABCA that confirms the establishment is located greater than 400 feet from Miner Elementary School. If this measurement confirms that the establishment is greater than 400 feet away from Miner, ANC 6A shall protest the application unless a settlement agreement is reached. In this case, ANC 6A authorizes the ANC Chair or the Chair of the ABC Committee, or their designee, to negotiate the settlement agreement.
  • Recommendation: The application for a substantial change to a license for Allure Lounge, 711 H Street NE to add (3) Sports Wagering betting kiosks inside premises on the main floor and in the bar area be forwarded to ANC 6A for further discussion by the full ANC during its April 9, 2026 meeting.

Transportation and Public Space

  • Accept March 2026 Report.

Economic Development and Zoning (EDZ)

  • Accept March 2026 Report.
  • Suggested Motion: ANC 6A amend its September 25 , 2025 letter to BZA insupport of a special exception to construct a new, detached, two-story,accessory dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone at 628 15th Street NE; to include acknowledgement that the 10-foot public alleyway is nonconforming.

New Business

  • Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a letter of support regarding an after-hours permit toinstall the playground equipment and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) at Goding Elementary School located at 920 F Street NE, if needed, on Sunday April 12. 2026 andApril 19, 2026 within the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00pm.
  • Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a resolution opposing Federal attempts to remove protected Bicycle facilities in Washington, DC.

Single Member District reports (1 minute each)

Community Comments (2 minutes each)

ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee has scheduled a virtual meeting for 7:00pm. 

Agenda not yet posted. 

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

FREEDC EVENTS for April

Go here to see a list of upcoming events for this week and to sign up to join FreeDC:  https://freedcproject.org/

150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Memorial at Lincoln Park

Location: Lincoln Park is at the junction of 11th Street NE/SE and East Capitol Street NE/SE.

Date:   Saturday, April 11, 2026

Time:  12:00 PM

Duration: 5 hours

Join the National Park Service as we reflect on a living symbol of America’s 250‑year journey toward full freedom by observing the 150th anniversary of the dedication and unveiling of the Emancipation Memorial in Lincoln Park.

Type of Event

Children’s Program

Guided Tour

Living History

Performance

Talk

For more, go here:  https://bit.ly/4sT4Kst

Hill Center Event

The Life of a Poet featuring Brian Gilmore, author of No More Worlds to Conquer: The Black Poet in Washington, DC in Conversation with Poet/Editor Kyle Dargan

 In-person

Thursday, April 9 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – $12.00

A history of Black poets in Washington, DC, reveals how they have reflected and transformed American cultural discourse

The discussion will feature poet Teri Ellen Cross Davis, Folger Poetry Manager and eminent DC Poet, Karl Carter

In No More Worlds to Conquer, local poet Brian Gilmore uncovers the buried legacy of Black poets in Washington. He traces the literary life and politics of Black poets in the nation’s capital since Paul Laurence Dunbar, showing how well-known American poets, such as Sterling Brown and Jean Toomer, were mentored in DC by poets like May Miller and Georgia Douglas Johnson and making the case for the city as a center of American literature.

For tickets, go here:  https://bit.ly/4bRDwfU

Tuesday, April 7

Cajun Dance on Capitol Hill.

April 7, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 301 A Street, SE. Lively Cajun French music from southwestern Louisiana. Dance to two steps and waltzes played by the Capitol Hill Cajun Orchestra (led by members of the Capitol Hillbillies). All ages welcome; free admission

Capitol Hill Perception Survey 2026

This quick and easy survey is a great way to support your neighborhood by sharing how you as a member, resident, worker, or visitor experience Capitol Hill and our services. Your feedback directly helps improve programs and amenities that benefit the community.

As a thank you, you can enter to win a $50 gift card to one of our supporting local businesses including Ambar, Mr. Henry’s, Hill’s Kitchen and Labyrinth Games & Puzzles.

For more on this and the survey, go here:  https://capitolhillbid.org/survey

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February 7, 2026 · 8:59 am

First Look at Congressional Cemetery’s Gate House Renovation

First Look at Congressional Cemetery’s Gate House Renovation

by Larry Janezich

Posted Saturday, February 7, 2026

At ANC6B’s Thursday night meeting of the Planning and Zoning Committee, Mark Hudson, Executive Director of Congressional Cemetery, (bottom, center) introduced Hartman-Cox Architects to present concept designs for the renovation of the cemetery’s gatehouse, garage, kiosk and pergola.  The cemetery’s current vision is to be more community focused with more space for education and community engagement facilities.

Here’s a view of the proposal from the west side of the building.  The existing porch and garage will be removed.  A new  structure on the garage footprint will have restrooms, an interpretive display, a kitchen, and multipurpose space.  The entrance to the new structure will be in the middle.  A terrace in front will will be a launchpad for groups visiting the cemetery.

Here’s a view looking at the south end of the building showing the terrace. 

And the proposed first floor plan.  The second story of the main building will be extended over the one story south end of the original building to create more administrative space on the main building’s second floor.  The current E Street entrance to the building will remain funeral-focused to separate that function of the gatehouse from the more public event space.

Here’s a view of the new kiosk which will be an orientation point for the cemetery and have a fulltime staff member to take check-ins for the local canine group and possibly a gift shop and pamphlets for self-guided tours.  There will also be lockers for docents who do volunteer tours at the site.  The pergola will be a shade structure for the golf cart used to navigate the site and help people with limited mobility. 

Regarding a timeline, Hudson says, “We’re looking at this calendar year for design work and we’re still raising funds which to some extent is driving the process – and then completing construction in 3 to 4 years.”  Hartman-Cox is looking to get concept approval from Historic Preservation this year, but does not anticipate ground breaking in 2026.

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January 11, 2025 · 12:14 pm

The Design of New Jail in Hill East

The Design of New Jail in Hill East

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 11, 2025

Design team rendering of the new DC Jail at 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, SE.

Last Thursday night, Meridith Moldenhauer, Zoning Counsel for the DC Correctional Treatment Facility Project, presented current renderings of the new jail being built in Hill East to ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chaired by Commissioner Vince Mareino.  The new jail is in Ward 7, but Ward Six and ANC6B border Ward 7 so it has a say in how the new jail will affect the Ward 6 community.  The correctional campus is located at 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, SE. 

Moldenhauer’s task was to present a request for zoning waivers having to do with the setback from the property line and use of materials on the exterior façade of the structure. 

This rendering shows the main entrance to the institution on Massachusetts Avenue. The renderings in Moldenhauer’s PowerPoint presentation included here are those presented to the Zoning Commission in preparation for a hearing on the project’s design and zoning changes scheduled for March 17.  But those drawings from the design team of CGL Companies, CORE architecture + design and Neoscape, Inc., are currently being revised in response to a critical review by the DC Commission on Fine Arts (CFA) last November. 

CFA was critical of the design for not fitting well enough into the neighborhood (specifically the materials of the exterior) and for looking too much like a carceral institution. 

Currently, the façade has three layers – a security barrier, an opaque window wall system, with the exterior covered by a decorative perforated screen or “scrim” of pre-weathered Corten steel panels.  Moldenhauer said the intent was to make the façade look like “leaves and trees with a ‘scrim’ over the top.”  One of the critiques from CFA was that the Coren steel might darken over time presenting a more threatening visage to the community. 

Here’s a schematic of the footprint of the new structures. What will emerge on the opposite side of Massachusetts Avenue remains to be seen, since that will be up to private developers.

The timeline for the project anticipates construction beginning in 2027 and completion in 2034.  So far, only the first phase of the project has been funded by the Mayor’s budget, at $463 million.  An estimate for the final cost of the project has not yet been released. 

For an earlier CHC report, go here:  Update & Timeline for New DC Jail and the Correctional Treatment Facility https://bit.ly/3XG5T9J

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November 16, 2024 · 10:40 am

Images of the New Brent School and Project Update

Architect’s rendering of the new Brent School seen from North Carolina Avenue. The entrance is at the right.

View from North Carolina Avenue and D Street looking southwest. To maximize use of space a play area for younger students is located facing North Carolina, while the play area for older students is behind the school.

Here’s a closer view of the entrance.

The view from the corner of 3rd and D Streets looking northeast. (D Street shifts south a block after it intersects North Carolina Avenue.)

The view from D Street looking northwest showing the location of the play area for older students.

Here’s a rendering showing the building’s footprint.

Images of the New Brent School and Project Update

by Larry Janezich

Posted November 16, 2024

At last Tuesday night’s ANC6B meeting, Erika Lehman from the DLR Group design team presented the plan and architectural renderings for the Brent School modernization project.  The school is located at 3rd and North Carolina SE.  The raze-and-construction timeline anticipates that the new building will be ready to open in the fall of 2007. 

DLR Group will take over occupancy in August of 2025.  Demolition will be complete by the end of the year and construction of the new building will begin thereafter.  During the closure, students will attend the former Meyer Elementary School at 2501 11th St NW.  Free busing will be provided and depart from a location near Brent. 

Project Overview – Brent’s modernization will include:

  • Upgraded classrooms and community spaces with improved technology.   
  • Enhanced safety features – modern security systems and updated building infrastructure.
  • Green spaces – new outdoor areas for play and learning
  • Accessibility improvements.

For more, go here:  https://www.brentelementary.org/our-school-2/modernization

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