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
Joe Cooney on December 30, 2024, at his home on South Carolina Avenue, SE. On the mantel behind him is a photo of his late wife, Lovey Marie Guillory.
Capitol Hill Worker-Priest Marched with King & Co-founded DC Legal Services for the Poor
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 8, 2025
Joe Cooney was a young cleric at Catholic University Law School in 1965 when Dr. Martin Luther King issued a call for clergy to support the second Edmund Pettus Bridge march in Selma, Alabama. On Sunday, March 7th, “Bloody Sunday,” civil rights marchers on the way to Montgomery, Alabama, had been attacked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge by state troopers and county police and King was responding with a call for a second protest on Tuesday, March 9th.
Cooney had been ordained as a Catholic priest the year before and got superiors’ permission to travel on short notice to Selma where he marched with Dr. King and some 2,500 others in what was known as “Turnaround Tuesday.” King led the way, but in the face of a temporary restraining order, Cooney recalled that the march stopped on the bridge, marchers knelt to pray, and then turned around and returned to their rallying point. Afterward, he returned to DC. A third march all the way to Montgomery on March 21st, was protected by National Guard, FBI, and federal marshals.
Cooney said that the experience motivated him to volunteer for SCOPE that summer. The social action and education organization was created by the King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference to increase voter registration. Cooney was assigned to work in Taliaferro County, one of the least populous counties in Georgia and birthplace and home of Alexander H. Stephens, vice president of the Confederacy during the Civil War. At summer’s end he returned to DC and graduated law school in 1966.
Asked what called him to the clergy, Coooney said he grew up in Pennsylvania coal country where the local mine operator was the Pittston Coal Company – and “the worst thing you could say about anybody is that they worked for Pittston. Their police were hated…I had five members of my extended family who were killed in the mines.” Cooney said his experience of growing up there and the example of the worker priests in France and Latin America motivated him to become a priest – “People called me a communist at the time.” The French worker priests were clergy who were not assigned a parish but who worked at ordinary jobs without clerical garb in the community. According to Cooney, that practice continues within the Catholic Church today.
The summer of 1966, he again signed up with SCOPE and became involved in school integration. Cooney said they were not very successful in registering people to vote, “so Dr. King told us to go back to your community and work for civil rights there. I came back in the fall of 1966 and then in the fall of 1967 with five other priests got permission from superiors to start a program which among other things was a legal services program. The idea was to train law students. At the beginning, we worked mostly on civil problems of patients at St. Elizabeth’s.”
Cooney said, “We started the St. Martin Deporres House located at 123 11th Street, NE.” Martin Deporres was a Peruvian laybrother who advocated for social justice and was canonized in 1962 by Pope John XIII. The decision to locate in NE was because of a nearby shelter for alcoholics on 12th Street, established by a Dominican layman. “This was the beginning of our effort to provide help for the poor,” Cooney said, “King’s idea was to relate to the poor and do things in the community.”
Church approval was difficult to get, but the Church was being revitalized by Vatican II and “the Master General (of the Dominican Order) in Rome suggested we establish a St. Deporres House. I don’t think our Province would have gone for that. Legal service was a part of our charter which included other kinds of outreach to help the poor.”
Within months, the priests had a falling out with Catholic University and the diocese. Two of the priests – one of whom was a charismatic priest named Father Thomas – held mass for alcoholics in the back yard and attracted a crowd from the community. While saying mass, Father Thomas did not wear part of the vestments priests wore while saying mass. Cooney said that the Bishop became upset, resulting in a letter from the Cardinal to the diocese saying the two priests “were taking liberties with the liturgy” and stopped us from holding mass there.
Because of relationship with the diocese, Cooney said, “the dean of law school got cold feet and withdrew support for the House, so we decided to run the organization on our own.” The project needed money so Cooney went to work for Department of Agriculture as an attorney in the Civil Rights Division. Cooney said, “We continued to be active and the Cardinal had us in twice to give us a lecture.”
“What happened then was Dr. King was killed in spring of 68 and the city exploded,” Cooney remembered… “Social activism stopped – the movement broke into separate groups along gender and racial lines – and inter-racialism collapsed. We continued but had problems recruiting.”
There was also the change in the attitude of the Church, he said. Rome was changing. Cooney said that “the Master General who started us was practically fired. The whole church atmosphere was changing. There was a lot of dissension. “
Cooney continued with Legal Services in the face of this conservative backlash to Vatican II and says, “I continued working outside of the church and went to work for three years for the US Commission on Civil Rights. I stayed there until 73 then moved over to our University Legal Services (ULS) full time.” In 1975, he went on leave from his order to provide parental care until the spring of 1976. Meanwhile, the Dominicans province he was in withdrew religious support for the St. Martin Deporres House. By then, however, the legal services effort had been privately incorporated as a non-profit organization and University Legal Services continued. After the shutdown, Cooney said, “I decided that’s not what the vocation is any more.”
After serious health issues, Cooney decided, “It wasn’t for me – they not only wanted me to close up shop they wanted me to go to the Philippines to teach at a law school. They didn’t want me working…I got the hint.” He applied for and was granted dispensation from vows from the order; “I’m just not working for the Dominican Order anymore. I do not say Mass unless I were to have permission of a bishop. But I could give last rites and absolution.“
Cooney married Lovey Marie Guillory in 1979, whom he met at ULS. She was an attorney and prominent civil rights activist from Lafayette Diocese, LA. She is the author of an autobiography, Born on the Kitchen Floor in Bois Mallet. They bought a house on South Carolina Avenue, SE. Joe, retired from ULS in September, 2014. His wife passed 7 years ago. Now 91, Cooney continues to live in his home on South Carolina Avenue and is a continuing and engaging presence in the neighborhood.
Summing up, Cooney said, “Dr. King put me on the right path, directing my Catholic energy in working for the poor. And that’s the story of my life.”
University Legal Services (ULS) continues today as a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3), community-based organization that provides housing counseling and disability advocacy for human, civil and legal rights and protection for individuals throughout the District.
List of ANC Commissioners for Five ANCs Capitol Hill ANCs
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 7, 2024
The five ANCs which Capitol Hill Corner covers with some regularity will meet this month to elect officers.
The list of commissioners is as follows, along with links to the ANC websites which have contact information for those commissioners. (Some websites have not yet been updated, but soon will be.)
Thursday, January 2, ANC Commissioners were sworn in at a ceremony held at the Walter E. Wshington Convention Center. Image provided by Council of DC.
An image from the other side of the room. Photo: CM Charles Allen’s office.
An image of Ward 7 Commissioners being sworn in – oath being administered by newly-elected Councilmember Wendell Phillips. Photo: Council of DC.
You don’t see this every day – fresh Black Winter Truffles from Spain, vacuum-packed and available at Eastern Market’s Bowers Fancy Dairy Products.
This weekend, the Eastern Market craft vendors moved off of 7th Street, and into the North Hall. On Thursday at 12:00pm, the vendors of the South Hall will hold a moment of silence as the U.S. Navy honors former President Carter with a 21 gun salute from the Navy Yard.
Saturday afternoon, the American flag flew at half staff over the US Capitol in honor of former President Jimmy Carter. The 8 foot security fence reflects the two National Security Events taking place this week: The Joint Meeting of Congress on Monday to count the electoral ballots, and the Lying in State Tuesday – and Wednesday, with the State Funeral following on Thursday. See details below.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, January 6
Snow Emergency in effect. Schools will be closed and trash will not be picked up. Residents will be notified when trash collection resumes.
ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Kenneth H Nash Post 8 American Legion t/a Kenneth H Nash Post 8 American Legion – 224 D Street SE. Substantial Change to Retailers Class C License to add a Games of Skill endorsement to their operations.
Appointment of ABC Resident Member for 6B06
ANC6C Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Update from Commissioner Wirt re: Kae LLC 312 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Medical Cannabis Retailer New License.
The Consortium at 201 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Class C Tavern New License
ANC6D will hold a virtual Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.
Please contact the office at 6d@anc.dc.gov if you wish to have a link to view the meeting.
National Special Security Event. U.S. Congress will hold a joint session to count electoral ballots. The US Secret Service says those who live and work in the District can expect security measures in place like those that are put in place during the State of the Union address.
Tuesday, January 7
National Special Security Event.On Jan. 7, former President Jimmy Carter’s body will leave Georgia and be flown to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where a motorcade will drive him to Washington, D.C. There will be a service for members of Congress at 3 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda.
Carter will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol from 7 p.m. until midnight Tues., Jan. 7, and again from 7 a.m. Wed., Jan. 8 until 7 a.m. Thurs., Jan. 9. Viewers can come to the Capitol and pay their respects during those hours.
At 9 a.m. Jan. 9, Carter’s body will be taken from the Capitol to the Washington National Cathedral for his National Funeral Service.
The Washington Navy Yard will conduct a 21-gun salute to honor President Jimmy Carter on January 9, 2025 at 12 PM. The Navy is honoring Carter’s life and legacy, including his time at the U.S. Naval Academy during World War
“The Secret Service will use drones as part of the comprehensive security plan.
Motion to elect officers: Chair – Dave Wethington (6A04); -Vice Chair/Parliamentarian –Amber Gove (6A04); Secretary – Jeff Gierst (6A06); Treasurer – Roberta Shapiro (6A02)
Motion to elect members and leaders of the permanent Committees for 2024.
Plenary Session:
Suggested Motion: ANC6A approve a 10 percent increase in the compensation for services provided by the ANC 6A administrator and note taker. (The last increase was approved in October 2020.)
Suggested Motion: ANC6A protest the application for Substantial Changes to a Class C Tavern license at Henceforth DC at 1335 H Street, NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.
Suggested Motion : ANC6A protest the application for a new Class C Tavern at Ethio Vegan at 1362 H Street NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.
Suggested Motion : ANC6A protest the application for a Medical Cannabis Retailer license for Dreamy DC at 1111 H Street NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached. ANC 6A will request formal confirmation from ABCA that the proposed location for Dreamy DC does not violate any of the proximity limits in the Medical Cannabis laws or regulations.
Suggested Motion : ANC6A ANC 6A protest the application for a Medical Cannabis Retailer license for Proper Exotic at 13 8th Street NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Historic Preservation Application for 321 D Street, SE
1900 Massachusetts Ave., SE [7F08] . Zoning application for construction of new correctional facility. Owner(s): Department of General Services Applicant: Eric DeBear
409 8th Street SE – Popeyes
Comments Off on The Week Ahead…& ANC Swearing In Photos
Another Quiet Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted December 29
Joselito Closes after Seven Years at 660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Here’s the notice announcing the closure posted next to the entrance.
“With a heavy heart, we announce the permanent closure of Joselito Casa de Comidas in Eastern Market on December 28th.
It has been our privilege to serve you for the past seven years. The laughter shared, the special occasions celebrated, and the community we have built together, especially through the pandemic, have been the highlights of our journey at Joselito. Each meal, every conversation, and all of the faces we’ve seen have made Joseliro a place my father would have been proud of: a place of warmth, connection and joy where friends and family gather.
While this closure is necessary, it is not the end of our story. We are launching “el Rincon de Joselito,” twelve special seats at our chef’s counter at SER, our restaurant in Arlington, where guests will experience tasting menus from Joselito. Seatings will be available by reservations made at least 24 hours in advance and will begin early in 2025.
We are incredibly grateful for your support and love over the years. Thank you for being a part of our story and we hope to see you at “el Rincon de Joselito” at SER.
With deepest appreciation,
Javier, Christiana and the entire Joselito Team”
Last October, owner Javier Candon, told Eater DC that he would close once someone signed a new lease. He said that once he found a tenant, the landlord (Stanton Development) agreed to let them go without any penalties. No word yet on who Joselito’s successor in the space might be.
And on Barracks Row, Hill Restaurant Group announced that its Playa Ocho Cantina on Barracks Row was up for sale. The sign says its temporarily closed for renovations.
The week before Christmas, Los Caballeros at 308 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, was celebrating its one year anniversary.
The Furies Collective House on 11th Street, SE, designated a National Historic Landmark. On December 16, the National Park Service finalized the designation, marking an additional recognition of the significance of the house at 219 11th Street, SE. The house had previously been listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Furies Collective was a group of 12 lesbian feminist activists who made the house their operational center and published a newspaper called “The Furies.” Between 1971 and 1973 the group’s publication raised questions about women’s place in society and the nature of the relationship between men and women, women and other women, and women and society. In Greek mythology, The Furies were three goddesses of vengeance.
The house is now the home of Capitol Hill author Robert Pohl and his wife Antonia. Here’s a link to Pohl’s Facebook page which follows progress on his latest book, 101 House in a Zeppelinhttps://www.facebook.com/RobertPohlAuthor
Fencing the Capitol. Sunday afternoon, the Architect of the Capitol’s securing of the Capitol Complex with 8 foot fencing was underway. This is the view from 2nd and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The fencing will eventually encompass the Capitol.
Status Report on the Inaugural Platform. Construction continues on the West Front of the US Capitol. As seen in the photo, the structure on the far left is the radio platform from which audio correspondents will broadcast live coverage of the ceremony. Just to the left of center, the narrow white structure is the Center Camera Stand, where the network pool will provide head-on video coverage to other news subscribers who do not have cameras on this platform. Other occupants of the structure will be network cameras (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX) providing unilateral coverage as well a C-SPAN camera and official video cameras. Also on this platform will be still photographers from major news organizations. On the far right, the South Camera Stand will be home to additional network cameras, video cameras from the major network and independent news organizations, and more still photographers.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, December 30
ANC6A’s Community Outreach Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Rumsey Pool Likely to Close in January 2026 for Demolition/Reconstruction
by Larry Janezich
Posted December 19, 2024
Thursday night, DPR held the first of many community meetings on the modernization of Rumsey Aquatic Court.
CM Charles Allen called the project a once in a generation opportunity.
Thursday night, DPR held its first community meeting to launch the design phase for the construction of a new Rumsey Aquatic Center. CM Charles Allen told more than 150 attendees that they could swim for about another year while the new building is being designed and before the old building closes for at least 18 months of demolition and construction.
The meeting was held in the North Hall of Eastern Market and was presided over by DPR External Affairs official, Tommie Jones.
CM Charles Allen who shepherded the already-appropriated $37 million in funding for the project through the City Council spoke at the meeting.
Allen called the project a once in a generation opportunity and noted the challenges the project faced, being adjacent to the historic Eastern Market, and the importance of designing a structure appropriate for that space. He said he had met with several swim stakeholder groups and heard one consistent message: they want more water – more swimming lanes. He said he heard a lot of ideas about the second floor, including an observation deck where parents can watch their children swim. The second floor is currently slated to be a senior center with a tech lounge, a business incubator space, and an indoor fitness center. Another opportunity will be to reimagine the alley between the new building and Eastern Market and activating the dead zone on the C Street side (which used to be the original entrance to the building). He said, “The building will not be all things to all people,” but “we will turn to the community to ask whether we’re headed in the right or wrong direction – just let us know.”
Plans are under consideration to transport Rumsey swimmers to other pools during the closure. “The Rumsey users are a community, Allen said, “and we will do everything we can to hold the community together.”
In addition to ideas mentioned by Allen, DPR’s PowerPoint presentation listed other ideas which have been mentioned, including:
Zero Entry Approach to pool (also known as beach entry pool).
Locker Room improvements.
Explore new ways to activate front plaza.
Honoring local history.
Multipurpose community spaces.
The preliminary Project Milestone Schedule is as follows:
Dec 2024 Community Meeting 1 – Project kickoff community meeting.
(Electronic Community Survey – February/March 2025)
Spring 2025 Community Meeting 2 – Concept Review.
(Schematic design phase)
TBD Community Meeting 3 – Design Update.
TBD Community Meeting Final Design.
(Permitting Phase)
TBD Community Meeting Construction Kick off.
(Construction Updates)
During Q&A, some of the concerns which members of the community asked the design team to consider included:
The importance of providing adequate funding for maintenance.
Provision for swim meets.
Transgender bathrooms.
Expansion of the building footprint.
Use of bromine or ozone instead of chlorine water treatment.
Prioritizing use of the new building as an aquatic center.
Keeping pool open until last minute.
Rumsey opened in 1970 as the Capitol East Natatorium – the first year round, racially integrated public swimming pool in the district. The facility renamed in honor of Dr. William H. Rumsey, former Director of the DC DPR and co-founder of the Black History Invitational Swim Meet. For more, see here: https://bit.ly/3RCTY70
Photo Essay: New Congressional Cemetery Tradition Debuted Saturday
by Larry Janezich
Posted December 16, 2024
Saturday marked the debut of a new annual ceremonial tradition at Congressional Cemetery with the remembrance of fallen veterans and those who continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. For the first time ever, the cemetery participated in a national ceremony and laying of wreaths on the graves of those who have served in every branch of the United States military. Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun in 1992. On Saturday, more than two million volunteers gathered nation-wide to “Remember, Honor, and Teach” at more than 4,600 participating locations in all 50 states. https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
There are over 1,700 veterans from almost every American armed conflict dating back to the American Revolution interred at historic Congressional Cemetery and volunteers placed 350 wreaths on veteran’s graves. Wreaths were donated by community members who ordered them online on the Wreaths Across America website at $17 each.
The ceremony came to Congressional Cemetery owing to the efforts of Jim Guckert, founder and Executive Director of Guerrilla Gardeners DC. After volunteering for wreath-laying in Arlington National Cemetery, Guckert thought that Congressional Cemetery warranted its own service. He put Wreaths Across America in conversation with representatives of Congressional Cemetery and Saturday’s first commemoration event was the result.
Wreaths Across America’s community partners in the effort included the DC National Guard, Post 46 – The American Legion, The Judge Lynn Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and Guerrilla Gardeners of Washington DC.
In remarks, A.J. Orlikoff, Director of Programming, Historic Congressional Cemetery, cited President Lincoln’s address on the purpose of the struggle to the 166th Ohio Regiment who were visiting the White House on August 22, 1864.
“It is not merely for to-day, but for all time to come that we should perpetuate for our children’s children this great and free government, which we have enjoyed all our lives. I beg you to remember this, not merely for my sake, but for yours…. The nation is worth fighting for, to secure such an inestimable jewel.”
Here are wreaths for each branch of the United States Armed Forces, waiting placement.
Veterans of the Armed Forces selected to place the wreaths in front of the American Flag in the center of the veterans’ section of Congressional Cemetery.
The wreaths after placement.
After the ceremony, the volunteers split up into four groups to lay wreaths, each assigned a section of the cemetery. Section leader Guckert led his group to a pile of wreaths – nearby was the grave of gay activist Leonard Matlovich who was the first gay service member to purposely out himself to the military to fight their ban on gays.
Guckert hands out wreaths to volunteers.
Coast Guard veteran Denise Krepp lays a wreath on Matlovich’s grave.
For more on The Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery and how to join it, go here: https://congressionalcemetery.org/
Last Monday, there were signs of progress on the buildout for Dos Toros Taqueria, opening at 215 Pennsylvania Avenue – formerly the Firehook Bakery. Dos Toros Taqueria – a San Francisco-style taqueria – has announced the opening of three outlets in DC. The enterprise has a dozen locations in NYC. Here’s a link to the restaurant’s menu at the NYC outlets: https://www.dostoros.com/menu Photo credit: Bob Gellman
Last Friday, CM Charles Allen held community office hours at Pretzel Bakery at 15th and C Street, SE.
Friday afternoon, DC Public Library posted the December construction update on the modernization of the SE Public Library. The Library closed on January 4, 2024 and is scheduled to reopen in early 2026. Here are a few photos from the update (see here: https://bit.ly/3ZEo7YL ) The one above shows the lower level, excavated and braced. Photo credit DCPL.
The new addition, lower level, facing South Carolina Avenue. Photo credit DCPL.
Laying of the concrete slab on the lowest level is complete. The windows mark the original building’s lower level. Photo credit DCPL..
The new opening in the roof for the skylight. Photo credit DCPL..
The Week Ahead….
Monday, December 16
ANC6B SE Library Taskforce will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm.
The in-person meeting will be held on the 2nd floor of 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The entrance is adjacent to Trader Joe’s.
For info on how to join the meeting virtually, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Agenda: Status of the renovation of the library and how to improve services at the DC Public Library’s Arthur Capper TechExpress, located on the second floor of the Arthur Capper Recreation Center in the Navy Yard neighborhood at 1000 5th Street, SE. Services include wi-fi access, public computers, printing, copying and scanning as well as item return and holds pick-up. For more, see here: https://www.dclibrary.org/plan-visit/arthur-capper-techexpress
Tuesday, December 17
ANC6B’s Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Agenda: To set the agenda for the January 14 meeting of the full commission.
Thursday, December 19
Community Meeting on Rumsey Aquatic Center (Rescheduled from December 12):
DC Department of Parks and Recreation will host the first community meeting on the demolition and modernization of the Rumsey Aquatic Center, December 19, at 6:30pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market. The design/build team are expected to take part in the meeting. For more, see here: https://bit.ly/3ZsHnsv
ANC6C Grants Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:30pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Closure of Downtown Metro Stations Dec. 20-30
WMATA plans to close some Downtown Metrorail stations for the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines between Friday, Dec. 20, and Monday, Dec. 30 to improve tracks and signaling. During the closure, shuttle buses will replace train service at affected stations, providing customers with alternate access to stations. Stations will reopen Dec. 31. Work will be completed in two phases:
Dec. 20-26: Farragut West, McPherson Square, and the lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) at Metro Center will be closed.
Dec. 27-30: Farragut West, McPherson Square, lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) atMetro Center, Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, and the lower level of L’Enfant Plaza (Blue, Orange, Silver service) will be closed.
The Week Ahead…& Some Mostly Restaurant Photo News
by Larry Janezich
Posted Sunday, December 8
Boxcar Tavern has been purchased and according to a source, is investing in a $200,000 renovation to open an upscale bar called The Lobby Bar. The owner, the source says, hopes to open in a few weeks. That seems optimistic.
On last Monday afternoon, workers were engaged in a substantial demolition and construction project inside Boxcar.
Lavagna has a new owner who is somewhat vague about his plans for the retail space. He introduced himself as Daoud and said “we haven’t decided – it might be a smoke shop or maybe we might serve Mediterranean food “– though he acknowledged that the previous tenant had had a restaurant and “it hadn’t worked for them. “ He said he might separate the space on the second floor since there were two entrances in the front. Asked when he might know what the plans are, he replied he wasn’t sure, but “You’ll know soon enough.” The owner said he has a smoke shop on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda.
The new Popeyes at 409 8th Street, Barracks Row – is shown here on the right adjacent to the build out for Taco Bell. Despite bending over backwards to address concerns of nearby neighbors and other businesses on Barracks Row, Popeyes has hit a speed bump with their attempt to reopen under a new franchisee. The problem is with the Department of Buildings (DOB) which is insisting that the restaurant have two restrooms. Popeyes plan was to use one of the two existing bathrooms for indoor trash storage in accordance with best rodent control practices urged by the neighbors. DC Code provides an exception for low occupancy restaurants to operate with one restroom. The code is open to interpretation by DOB, and they’re coming down on the side of the rodents – this despite support for the trash storage plan from the DC Department of Health Rodent Control.
The neighbors and Popeyes appealed to ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee for advice and assistance at last week’s committee meeting. The committee voted to write a letter to DOB and CM Allen to urge granting an exception and permit one of the two bathrooms to be used for trash storage. The recommendation to send the letter will come up before the full ANC6B at its December meeting next Tuesday. The DC Health Department shut down this Popeye’s in November of 2021 after a video of a rat infestation went viral.
Barracks Row’s Cafe 8 Mediterranean Bistro wants to more than double its occupancy. The request to amend their liquor license application to increase occupancy from 88 to 180 comes after the restaurant purchased two adjacent buildings. Last Tuesday, ANC6B’s Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee voted to support the request. The full ANC will take up the recommendation at next Tuesday’s December meeting of the full commission.
The café at 424 Eighth Street, SE, is a hookah bar and grille owned and operated by a Turkish family and has been in business on Barracks Row for almost 20 years.
Rosedale Library Update. Last Tuesday night at Rosedale Library, DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan, announced at a community meeting on the future of Rosedale Library, that the current site of the Library had been selected to build the new Rosedale Library. The yexpect to open in 2030.
The Week Ahead….
Highlights
Tuesday, ANC6B: Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management – Pre-Inauguration Briefing
(Postponed until December 19.) Thursday, DPR Community meeting on Rumsey Aquatic Center
Community Announcements (Commissioners and Audience
Public Safety Report (PSA 103,105,106)
Community Concerns
Presentations
Illegal Cannabis Enforcement (ABCA Dir. Moosally, CM Allen, Capt. Hrebanek)
DCPS Amidon-Bowen Swing Space
Pepco Stacks Substation Repairs, Renovation
DOEE – Lead Safe and Healthy Housing
Consent Agenda
Development, Planning, and Transportation
501 I Street SW
Commission Updates & Administrative Matters
***POSTPONED*** ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce will meet at 7:00pm at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Second Floor, Conference Room 3 (Main Entrance Adjacent to Trader Joe’s)
Among items on the agenda: TBA
Tuesday, December 10
ANC6B will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm. Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to access the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Introductions
Consent Agenda
Administrative Consent Items
Amendment of Standing Rules
Annual Report for ANC 6B 2024
January 2025 ABC Committee – Orthodox Christmas Conflict (Move to January 6th, 2025)
Community & Commission Announcements and Speak Out
Presentations
Green New Deal for Social Housing Presentation – Connor Laughland
Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management – Pre-Inauguration Briefing
ANC 6B Input on Other Items of Concern
Presentation of 2024 Outstanding Public Service Award
Letter to Council to Support Funding for Initiative 83
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee
Café Bistro Med – 424 8th Street SE. Request to amend settlement agreement to allow for greater occupancy. (Capacity from 88 to 180)
Planning and Zoning Committee
Letter to DOB, CM Charles Allen, et. al;, supporting Popeyes appeal for an exception from regulations requiring two bathrooms in order to free up space for indoor trash storage in accordance with neighbor’s request for this rodent control measure.
Public Safety Committee
Resolution Regarding Implementation of the Gun Violence Reduction Strategic Plan
Motion to renew service agreements for package prep/web services and notetaker for FY2025.
Single Member District reports (2 minute each)
Community Comments (2 minutes each)
***DPR Community Meeting*** (Postponed until December 19.)
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a community meeting on the demolition and modernization of the Rumsey Aquatic Center at 6:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market. It is anticipated that the design/build team will take part in the meeting. For more, see here: https://bit.ly/3ZsHnsv
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Hill Center Event
Our City. Our Music. Our Writers., Featuring Daniel Boomhower and Carol Oja. Tuesday, December 10 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. In-person at the Hill Center. $10.00. Register here: https://bit.ly/3Bem7hX
Hill Center Event
“SONG OF SOLSTICE” A Celtic Christmas Celebration Featuring: OCEAN Celtic Quartet. Sunday, December 15 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. In-person. $20.00. Register here: https://bit.ly/49seW2g
Folger Library Free Event
Free community singalong with Choral Director and The Voice contestant (season 25) L. Rodgers. Friday, December 13, 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Great Hall of the Folger Library.
The Folger is ringing in the season with favorite festive tunes at our next Folger Friday! Join for a cheerful evening of songs, crafts, and warm beverages as we celebrate in community. Free Register here: https://bit.ly/3Vp8t2n
The former Capitol Hill Tandoor and Grill at 419 8th Street, SE, Barracks Row
Empire Racquet owner Bryn Bryant at left shows off the new space
And here’s the reverse shot looking toward the 8th Street
Empire Racquet Pickle Ball and Gym Is Coming to Barracks Row
By Larry Janezich
Posted December 4, 2024
What is being billed as a multipurpose family gym is opening in the space formerly occupied by Capitol Hill Tandoor and Grill at 419 8th Street, SE, Barracks Row.
Owner Bryn Bryant told CHC that he hopes to open Empire Racquet by February 1. He is currently awaiting a demolition permit to begin construction in the 110 X 35 foot space. In addition to a gym, the space will hold a tennis shop which will sell equipment and string racquets.
Bryant, who is new to the area, comes from NYC where he ran tennis clubs for 15 years.
He says he will program the space to keep it busy all day and into the night:
5:00am to 9:00am – Boot Camp
9:00am to 2:00pm – Pickle Ball and kiddie classes
2:00pm to 6:00pm – Indoor cricket and kiddie classes, including indoor cricket, soccer, tennis, and gym
6:00pm to 8:00pm – Pickle Ball
8:00pm to closing – Indoor Cricket
The website – empireracquet.com – is under construction. Bryant is opening a second Empire Racquet at 15th and L Street, NW.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 