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February 9, 2025 · 11:37 pm

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from Last Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from Last Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 9, 2025

Progress report on renovation of SE Library. Photos: DCPL

Structural steel has been added to the new underground addition. 

Electrical rough-ins are underway on the main floor.  Note the skylight space in the ceiling.

Here’s the almost the same view of the design plan rendering illustrating the completed new main level. Note the center skylight which will illuminate the floors below.

MPD 1D CAC Update:  Last Tuesday night, the MPD First District Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) held its monthly virtual meeting featuring MPD 1D Commander Colin Hall (far left), Captain Adam Crist, and Captain Paul Hrebenak.  The officials gave an update on crime in the First District.  Some of the highlights:

  • Crime stats continue to decline in the First District and across the city. 
  • Recent items which have been the target of robberies include Canada Goose and Moose Knuckle Coats.
  • MPD D1 has worked with ABCA to shut down two illegal cannabis shops on PA Avenue, SE, one on the 1100 block and one on the 1200 block.  Two months ago MPD 1D officers assisted in the shuttering of two illegal cannabis shops on H Street.   
  • MPD has made progress on cleaning up the corner of 8th and H Street, NE.
  • The area around 15th and Independence SE has been quiet after MPD made several arrests and took some violent people off the streets.
  • Commander Hall will lead a contingent of MPD 1D officials participating in the Polar Plunge in Yards Park on Saturday, February 22.  (See below for additional info.)

ABCA Shuts down Illegal Weed Shop on PA Ave, SE.  Here’s a photo of Friends Smoke Shop at 1223 PA Avenue, SE, one of the two illegal cannabis outlets closed recently by the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration.   (At Friends Smoke Shop, Investigators recovered 1.4 lbs. of marijuana, 42 grams of THC vape cartridges, and 92 grams of mushroom infused products.)  The other illegal weed shop on PA Avenue, SE which was closed recently is on the 1100 block.  ABCA also closed two illegal shops on H Street SE last month.

Former Oehme va Sweden Building Sold.  The grand old building on Barracks Row at 536 8th Street, SE, has been sold.  The recent home of Oehme, van Sweden Landscape Architects and formerly a City Bank Building went up for sale in January of last year.  Reportedly, the architectural firm found maintenance of the 1908 building too burdensome.   No word on the new owner, but it’s likely the building will see continued service as office or commercial space.  

The Week Ahead…

Tuesday, February 11

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).

Among items on the Consent Agenda

  • 321 D Street, SE.  Motion to support Zoning Adjustment Application for exceptions for rear addition. 
  • 4-5 Library Court, SE.  Motion to Defer Historic Preservation Application to add second story additions to two existing alley dwellings. 
  • Amendments to Standing Rules and Bylaws.
  • Appointment of Resident Members and Alternates to all Committees & Task Forces.
  • Appointment of Committee and Taskforce Chairs.

Community & Commission Announcements and Speak Out

External Updates:

  • MOCRS Representative.
  • Representative from Councilmember Charles Allen’s Office.
  • Metropolitan Police Department.

ANC 6B Input on Other Items of Concern

Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee

  • 7th Street Love (Acqua al 2), 212 7th Street. – Motion to take no position on Restaurant Liquor License Application with Entertainment and Dancing Endorsement, pending receipt of a signed Settlement Agreement. 

ANC6B Administrative Matters.

ANC7D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm (new start time)

Among items on the draft agenda:

Community Presentations

  • Chris Dyer, DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Summer camp registration & spring programming

DC Government Updates

  • Eric Mullins, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations & Services (MOCRS)
  • Ward 7 Representative • Francis Campbell, Office of Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder

Commissioner Single Member District Reports 

Suggested Motion: ANC 7D to request FY2026 funding for DDOT to conduct a Kenilworth-focused road safety/design audit.   

Suggested Motion:   ANC 7D to send a letter to DC Government stakeholder agencies to request a feasibility study to install CCTV on I-295 pedestrian bridges to improve bridge user safety.

Suggested Motion: Recommend ANC 7D approve a grant in the amount of $1,500 to DCwise1 for food handling/safety training.

Public Safety Committee Report

Discussion of setting an ANC 7D Special Meeting between February 12 and April 12 for the purpose of a 7D01 Election.

Suggested Motion:  ANC 7D to post information requesting contracting occasional administrative support for the Commission.

Wednesday, February 12

ANC6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Announcements

  • Commissioner announcements.
  • DC agency informational announcements.
  • Other community announcements—D.C. Witness.

Consent calendar

  • Tapori Restaurant, 600 H Street NE, request for a stipulated license.

 Plenary agenda

  • 300 I Street NE—Alley naming, Jenay Doganay.
  • Revive Stanton Park—Jay Adelstein.
  • Safety improvements, 6th and D Streets ,NE. Notice of Intent I-25-06.
  • Oversight testimony on defective ticket practices in DPW—Mark Eckenwiler.

Motion to support Capitol Hill Classic, May 18.

Thursday, February 13

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Consent Agenda

  • Recommendation: ANC6A protest the license application of Dumpling Hot Pot Beyond, unless a Settlement Agreement is reached between the ANC and the license applicant prior to the protest deadline.
  • Recommendation: ANC6A protest the license application of Tigo’s unless a Settlement Agreement is reached between the ANC and the license applicant prior to the protest deadline.
  • Recommendation: ANC6A protest the license application of Dreamy DC unless a Settlement Agreement is reached between the ANC and the license applicant prior to the protest deadline and ABCA confirms applicant is within allowed distance from another licensed establishment.
  • Recommendation:  ANC6A send a letter to the Chair of the City Council, with copies to all members of the Council and the Mayor, requesting the city council to pass legislation creating a provision for a moratorium zone for cannabis licenses equivalent to the provision for a moratorium zone for alcohol licenses. 
  • Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT in support of the planned street closures for the Capitol Hill Classic.
  • Recommendation:  ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting all-way stops and other traffic calming along Tennessee Ave. from D/14th/E Streets.
  • Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting they extend the protected bike lane project at 14th and H Streets south through Maryland Ave and also examine ways to prioritize the B2 bus in this area.
  • Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting they expand the FY25Q2 prioritization of 11th and F Street NE to re-examine traffic calming along 11th Street NE from Florida Ave to East Capitol.
  • Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT in support of the Maury color the curb project (and that the art have some connection to the color the curb from Hill Family Biking).
  • Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT suggesting and requesting safety improvements to the 16th Street/C Street/North Carolina Ave NE corridor.
  • Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting they expand the FY25Q2 prioritization of 14th and Ames Place NE to calm traffic along 14th Street from North Carolina Ave to East Capitol. 

Recommendation: (Mini-Mall Planned for H 1355-1359 H Street, NE) ANC6A send a letter of support for the Zoning Adjustment Application requesting Special Exceptions to convert to a retail and eating and drinking establishment and use an existing, semi-detached, mixed use building in the NMU-4/HA and MU-4 zones.

Recommendation: ANC6A to send a letter of support for a Zoning Adjustment Application requesting Special Exceptions from requirement to permit construction of a two-story plus cellar rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.

Recommendation: ANC6A to send a letter of support to the DOB and the BZA requesting a  Time Extension, asking them to expedite requests associated with bringing the facility at 1022 Maryland Avenue NE into compliance with updated zoning regulations, given Sasha Bruce Youthwork’s commitment to working with the community liaison committee on any ongoing plans related to the building, particularly any external work. 

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

Hill Center Event – Tuesday, February 11.  7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Our City. Our Music. Our Writers – In-person

$10.00

Two eminent, essential local writers on jazz are featured in the February 11 session of the series.

Georgetown University Professor Maurice Jackson has just published Rhythms of Resistance and Resilience: How Black Washingtonians Used Music and Sports in the Fight for Equality.  He will also talk about DC Jazz: Stories of Jazz Music in Washington, DC., which he co-edited.

NEA Jazz Master Willard Jenkins will talk about Ain’t But a Few of Us. Black Music Writers Tell Their Story, noted by reviewers as superb, overdue, and vital reading for any jazz fan. Though performers and innovators in this genre are overwhelmingly African American, Black music writers and editors are woefully underrepresented.

Register and get tickets here:  https://bit.ly/4gAXjiJ

Polar Bear Plunge.  Saturday, February 22 – Yards Park.  12:00pm – 3:00pm. 

The Polar Plunge is a way for the community to come out and show their support for the athletes of Special Olympics DC.  There will be an above-ground swimming pool erected at the Yards Park, and participants will “take the plunge.”

For more info and to register to participate, go here:  https://specialolympicsdc.org/events/polar-plunge/

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February 8, 2025 · 12:45 pm

Acqua al 2 Update

ANC6B Committee on Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration met last Tuesday to consider a Restaurant License for Acqua al 2.

Acqua al 2 Update

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 8, 2025

Restaurateur Ari Gejdenson is returning to Eastern Market to reopen Acqua al 2 (AA2).  The Italian menu will be the same, but the upstairs speakeasy – Jack Black’s – is gone.  His aim is to convert the speakeasy space to a dining and dancing event space for which Gejdenson envisions hosts selling tickets (fund raising tickets?) – which would technically meet ABCA criteria for a cover charge.  Gejdenson also wants to enclose the front sidewalk patio and extend dancing to that area with hours outside the same as those inside, 2am Sunday – Thursday and 3am Friday and Saturday.  He would also add carryout and delivery service.

Last Tuesday night, ANC6B’s alcohol licensing committee met to discuss the liquor license application with the request for the expanded operation.  Much of the discussion involved concerns of across-the-alley neighbors who have had ongoing issues with the restaurants facing 7th Street on the block.

Gejedenson had generally been a good neighbor during the first incarnation of AA2.  After it closed, it was succeeded by Harvest Tide, whom the neighbors found unresponsive to their concerns about trash, rodents, and delivery trucks blocking the alley and preventing access to their garages. 

Responding to neighbor complaints, ANC6B negotiated a new and more stringent Settlement Agreement with Harvest Tide.  (A Settlement Agreement is the mechanism agreed to between the ANC and the restaurant which governs its operations – trash, rodents, parking, hours, etc.) Neighbors say that Harvest Tide continued to be a bad neighbor despite the new Settlement Agreement. Gejdenson said that was largely because the city was lax in enforcing the Agreement.

The (ABCA Committee – per comment below) want Gejdenson to sign the same agreement they had with Harvest Tide.  Gejdenson is resisting signing the more stringent agreement saying he is unwilling to “assume additional risk” by signing commitments which could allow neighbors to put on him things that should be the city’s responsibility. 

After two contentious hours of discussion, the committee agreed to designate temporary committee chair Commissioner Anna Krebs and Commissioner Jerry Sroufe to meet with Gejdenson and his attorney in hopes of reaching an agreement on a Settlement Agreement before the full ANC meets on next Tuesday.  If not, the parties can request a two week extension to negotiate.  Gejdenson hopes to open within the next 30 to 90 days. 

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February 2, 2025 · 9:53 pm

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 2, 2025

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 2, 2025

RFK and the Commanders:  The exterior demolition of RFK is underway.  The Friends of Kingman Park RFK Taskforce will hold an in-person meeting on Tuesday, February 4, at St. Benedict’s Church to solicit community input on RFK in anticipation of a February 20 community meeting hosted by Friends of Kingman Park featuring representatives from the Washington Commanders.  The event is billed as an opportunity to meet and learn about proposed plans for RFK.  Since the Mayor’s office has not reached aa agreement on the proposed construction of a new stadium, any plans presented will be provisional and subject to change.  A sign over on the south side of RFK shows the sentiment of how some in the community feel about the stadium. 

EAT BRGZ Closes Eastern Market and the West End Locations.  The sign on the door says, “We’ve made the strategic decision to move on to an exciting new chapter.  It has been a our greatest pleasure serving this community over the past five years ….  Thank you for all the love, support and memories that will last a life time.”  EAT BRGZ owner Brandon Gaynor opened the burger joint in early summer of 2019, featuring a new concept based on a “complex burger” which set it apart from competitors.  See here:  https://bit.ly/2IOOcj3

Update on Lobby Bar.  Here’s a photo from the past week of the on-going renovation of the former Boxcar at 224 7th Street, SE, across from Eastern Market.  The owner of the new Lobby Bar expects to open at the end of February.  Photo credit:  Maggie Hall. 

Acqua al 2’s owner Ari Gejdenson is stirring up the across-the alley-neighbors.  Gejdenson is reopening AA2 at 212 7th Street across the street from Eastern Market.  All well and good.  However, the restaurant’s liquor license placard in the front window includes an application for an “Entertainment endorsement to provide live entertainment inside of the premises and on the sidewalk café with dancing and cover charge.”  And it goes on:  “House of operation alcoholic beverage sales, service and consumption and live entertainment for inside premises and for the sidewalk cafe.   Sunday through Thursday 7:00am to 2:00am Friday and Saturday 7:00am to 3:00am.”  That may be a bridge too far.  The application will come up before the ANC6B ABC Committee which will hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday night at 7:00pm (see below for details). Could be contentious. 

Foliage at Frager’s takes over the former Hype Café Space.  Staff says Foliage at Frager’s opened up the new space a few weeks ago.  A grand opening is a month or so away, but customers are welcome in the new space which is fully stocked with garden supplies.

Here’s what inside the former café looks like now.

BTW – Frager’s is holding its second annual Ladies; Night on Thursday  February 13, from 5pm – 8pm, with 20% off everything in the store during the event which features demonstrations, giveaways, and “good eats.” 

The Week Ahead…

Monday, February 3

ANC6D will hold a virtual Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.

Tuesday, February 4

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Agenda:

  • Discussion of a new Medical Cannabis Retailer license with delivery endorsement at Dreamy DC, 1111 H Street, NE.
  • Discussion of a letter requesting the city council to pass legislation creating a provision for a moratorium zone for cannabis licenses equivalent to the provision for a moratorium zone for alcohol licenses.
  • Discussion of a new Class C Restaurant license with carry out and delivery endorsement at Dumpling Hot Pot Beyond, 1216-1218 H Street.

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

Agenda: 

  • New restaurant liquor license for Acqua al 2 (212 7th Street, SE)

MPD First District Citizens Advisory Council Monthly virtual 6:00 – 7:15pm

Agenda: 

  • Discussion of crime in the First District

Also on Tuesday:

  • The Friends of Kingman Park RFK Taskforce will hold an in-person meeting at St. Benedict’s Church to solicit community input on RFK
  • Representatives of Bridgepoint Hospital at 213 7th Street, NE, will hold a community meeting featuring Chris Lafontsee, the  new Chief Executive Officer, Capitol Hill and Perry Limes, the new Vice President of Business Development.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss Bridgepoint Healthcare and community issues.  The meeting is at 6:30pm in the Bridgepoint Hospital Conference Room.   

Wednesday, February 5

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

Agenda: 

  • Update on the Potomac Ave Metro construction.
  • Continued discussion on the Penn/Potomac improvement project. Discussion will focus on forming an agreement with NPS for maintenance of the park in the traffic circle.
  • Discussion on Lincoln Park traffic safety collaboration with ANC 6A
  • Presentation on traffic closures related to the Capitol Hill Classic and discussion of a support letter request

ANC6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm. 

Agenda:  TBA

Thursday, February 5

  • ANC6C Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm. 

Agenda:  TBA

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about: 

Hill Center Events

Tuesday, February 4 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Free

Reel Abilities Film Festival – 2 screenings. Deaf Giants and Rally Caps.  For more and tickets, see here:  https://www.hillcenterdc.org/event/reelabilities-film-festival-greater-washington/

Rally Caps (In this star-studded family coming-of-age drama, young Jordy, who is recovering from a serious Little League baseball injury, goes to summer camp where he forms a friendship with Lucas, who just had Cochlear Implant surgery. Together, they form a special bond as friends and pitcher/catcher duo and lead their team in the camp championship game.)

Deaf Giants (Baseball-loving 10-year-old Bracken and his younger deaf brother investigate the contrast between early 1900s inclusion of deaf players in baseball and the present, seeking to understand why representation has regressed.)

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February 1, 2025 · 9:27 am

Update on Watkins Playground and Park

Update on Watkins Playground and Park

By Larry Janezich

Posted February 1, 2025

Community meeting on Watkins Playground and Park Update, Thursday, January 30.

Concept design for the new Watkins Playground

Last Thursday night, the Department of General Services (DGS) hosted a community meeting at Watkins School to solicit input on the design for the new Watkins Playground – part of the Watkins Playground and Park upgrades.  Construction is scheduled to begin on the $2.25 million project this summer with completion anticipated in the fall. 

The current playground will be demolished and new playground equipment will be installed.  The basketball courts will be resurfaced and improvements will be made to Watkins Field.  

A common community concern regarding DGS and Department of Parks projects is what happens to the project after completion. 

Some parents of Watkins students who attended the meeting expressed frustration at the lack of planning for maintenance and how difficult it is to get equipment repaired.  One attendee said she had “no faith in the ability of the DC government to fix things,” and questioned the wisdom of installing new swings on the playground, citing how quickly they tend to break and how impossible it is to get them fixed.  The result, she said, was a dead zone in the playground. 

Department of Recreation External Affairs rep Tommie Jones acknowledged existing difficulties in the city’s repair response record.  But he also said that there was pressure from the community for swings because they are so popular with children. 

ANC6B Chair Vince Marino attended the meeting and later commented, “I’m pleased that DPR is taking community feedback seriously, from both adults and children.  I’m especially happy that DGS, the maintenance corps of the city, sent a representative who took notes on the neighbors’ heartfelt complaints about the slow pace of city repairs and litter removal.”

For more info and a link to the January 30 PowerPoint presentation, go here:  https://bit.ly/4aDfKlD

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January 30, 2025 · 3:50 pm

ANC6B Crime Committee Sets 2025 Priorities

ANC6B Crime Committee Sets 2025 Priorities

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 30, 2025

ANC6B Public Safety Committee.

Last Monday night, 6B’s Public Safety Committee met to lay the groundwork for guiding the committee’s agendas for the rest of current year.  The session was chaired by chair pro tempore, newly elected Commissioner Brian Gorman.

Among suggestions for focusing on the work going forward, were the following:

  • Hear a crime report from MPD First District every meeting. 
  • Continue discussions about safety at Eastern Market and support expediting installation of static and pneumatic bollards at the Eastern Market Special Use District, including the space occupied by the weekend street vendors.
  • Continue discussions with residents of Potomac Gardens regarding their specific needs.
  • Encourage engagement with the Office of the DC Attorney General and departments such as the Departments of Behavior Health and Youth Rehabilitation Services as well as the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, and with representatives of programs including Cure the Streets and the Violence Interrupters.
  • Monitor City Council legislation dealing with crime issues and advise ANC6B on positions they should take regarding such legislation.
  • Publicize public safety events, using emails to constituents and posts on the ANC6B website.
  • Continue neighborhood public safety walks.
  • Continue monitoring operation of the 911 system and the Office of Unified Command.
  • Provide a forum for people impacted by crime.
  • Request regular appearances by the DC Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.

There were two suggestions regarding actions committee members, commissioners and residents can take which pointed to things everyone can do to participate personally in addressing crime issues. 

Every month, MPD provides an opportunity for ANC Commissioners and residents to engage directly with top MPD First District officials and raise concerns about crime issues which directly affect them or their neighborhoods.  It’s surprising that more commissioners and residents fail to take advantage of this opportunity, especially since MPD offers offers assurances that they respond to concerns which are raised.  One suggestion that came out of Monday night’s meeting was:

  • Encourage residents and commissioners to attend the monthly virtual meeting of the MPD First District MPD 1D Citizens Advisory Council Monthly (next meeting:  Tuesday, February 4 – 1st Tuesday.  6:00 – 7:15pm.  https://1dcac.com/ )

Regarding a another specific way residents can become personally involved to improve the public safety landscape – albeit long term – resident committee member Ann Keep offered a concrete suggestion, pointing to need for mentoring third grade students in reading.  Keep, a Hill East resident, says she worked for 35 years in the DC Jail and that her public safety world centered on the jail and on people who are released.  She cited a “chilling statistic – when people are considering the construction of new prisons, they look at third grade reading scores because those are the children that are possibly headed in the carceral direction.” 

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January 19, 2025 · 10:34 pm

The Week Ahead…New Mini-Mall Planned for H Street NE & Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…New Mini-Mall Planned for H Street NE & Photos from the Past Week

By Larry Janezich

Posted January 19, 2024

New Mini-Mall Planned for H Street, NE. The former Biergarten Haus at 1355 H Street, NE, which closed in July of 2023, is among the several properties recently purchased by Jonathan Askarinam and Moe Pishvaeian .  The development team – which also includes Ian Ruel – plans to use it and adjacent buildings to open a new food hall with retail and event spaces 

On January 15, Developers presented the plan to ANC6A’s Planning and Zoning Committee for combining four H Street buildings (including the former Biergarten Haus) plus three alley lots to create a mini-Union Market with a roof deck event space.

The remodeled combined space will contain 14 stalls for retail outlets.  Developers are looking at a number of potential tenants including four or five food stalls, a barber shop, a bar, a tattoo parlor, fitness space, a coffee shop, and a bakery.  They envision larger areas as lounge space for work and socializing, starting at breakfast and lasting through dinner where patrons will be encouraged to “come and hang out for a long time.”  

The Committee unanimously voted to recommend that the full ANC support the application for Zoning Adjustments providing exceptions from requirements for parking, rear yard, and fast food establishments. 

Spin Time Records – a New Capitol Hill Music Outlet:  John Lottman, the DC music scene aficionado who has marketed DC Go-G0, Punk & D.I.Y., Soul & Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop & Electic, and DC Americana on-line has opened his brick-and-mortar outlet on the 2nd floor above Barrel at 619 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. 

Here’s Lottman from his website:  “Like so many parts of DC, the Capitol Hill I grew up in has become a neighborhood that has “everything,” but feels like it’s lost so much.   One thing I can give it back is a record store.  It seemed like there used to be one on every block, but the last one closed about 25 years ago….

I want this to be a resource for locals, visitors, and people around the world to dive into the city’s musical life. You can look, listen, and read about this dimension of local history. You might give a local artist you’ve never heard of a spin, or discover a connection to DC in an artist you already knew.  And you are guaranteed to find some good music.”  Here’s a link to the website:  https://spintimerecords.com/  to see their collection.  And here’s a link to a WaPo article: https://wapo.st/3IOlThA  

ANC6D met January 13 and elected new officers: Chair, Gottlieb Simon (upper right); Vice Chair, Bruce Levine (middle far left); Secretary, Rhonda Hamilton(bottom left); and Treasurer, Fredrica “Rikki” Kramer (upper far left). 

ANC6B met January 14 and elected new officers.  Chair, Vince Marino (far right); Vice Chair, Edward Ryder; Secretary, David Sobelsohn; Treasurer, Anna Krebs (second from left); and Parliamentarian; Tyler Wolanin. Also pictured above are Commissioner Jerry Sroufe (far left), and Commissioner Karen Hughes.

ANC7D also met on January 14 and elected new officers:  Chair, Brian Alcorn (upper left); Vice Chair, Mike Davis; Treasurer, Brett Astmann (lower right); and Secretary, Dev Myers.  Also shown is MPD Lt. Stephen Miller (upper right), and wearing chapeau at lower left, Andrew Lightman, recruited by ANC7D as a non-member of the commission, to offciate at the election.

New officers for ANC6A and ANC6C were elected the previous week – one in which scheduling conflicts prevented CHC from capturing.

ANC6A:  Chair, Dave Wethington, Vice Chair/Parliamentarian, Amber Gove; Secretary, Jeff Giertz; Treasurer. 

ANC6C: Chair, Karen Wirt: Vice Chair, Mark Eckenweiler; Secretary, Andrew Hayes; and Treasurer, Jay Adelstein.

The Week Ahead…

Monday, January 20

Inaugural Day Holiday.  Trash and recycling pick up slide one day. 

Tuesday, January 21

ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee Meeting will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Among items on the draft agenda: 

  • Request for an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Tennessee Avenue NE & E Street NE. ANC 6A sent a letter requesting this to DDOT on October 20, 2024. This was not listed in the TSI FY25Q1 or Q2 prioritizations.
  • Request for an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Tennessee Avenue NE and 14th Street NE. ANC 6A sent a letter requesting this to DDOT on October 20, 2024. This was not listed in the TSI FY25Q1 or Q2 prioritizations.
  • 14th & H Streets NE. DDOT issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to implement a bike lane on 14th Street NE between Florida Avenue and H Street NE, and upgrade and existing bike lane on 14th Street NE between H Street NE and Maryland Avenue NE. Committee has requested DDOT join us to present the plan.
  • 11th and F Streets NE. This area is under investigation for speed issues. ANC 6A sent a letter requesting this to DDOT on October 20, 2024.
  • Jayme Johnson will present on the 2025 Capitol Hill Classic and has requested a letter of support to HSEMA from ANC6A by March 31, 2025. [Note: this will be covered as the first topic of the meeting to accommodate scheduling]
  • Color the Curb Program at Maury Elementary. Kim Vacca from DDOT will present.
  • Both North Carolina Avenue NE and C Street NE from 16th to 14th Street – Committee Member Sussman produced a slide deck on potential improvements to the car and bike lanes in this area. One aspect would be the continuation of the westbound bike lane down North Carolina Avenue NE after the split with C Street NE. Other improvement suggestions aimed at making the blocks in question safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and automobiles.
  • 14th and Ames Place NE. The area is under investigation for traffic speed. This is between the traffic lights on North Carolina Avenue NE and East Capitol Street, and there is no stop sign at A Street NE.

Wednesday, January 22

ANC7D Transportation and Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm. 

Agenda:  TBA

Thursday, January 23

  • ANC7D Economic Development, Housing Justice, Zoning and ABCA Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1

Agenda:  TBA

ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce will hold an in person meeting at 7:00pm at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Second Floor, Conference Room 3 (Main Entrance Adjacent to Trader Joe’s)

Agenda:  TBA

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January 12, 2025 · 11:14 pm

The Week Ahead & Some Photos from Last Week

The Week Ahead & Some Photos from Last Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 12, 2025

Crime in MPD 1st District and Hill East:  1st MPD District Commander Colin Hall briefs ANC7D Public Safety Committee chaired by resident member Brynn Barnett. 

Hall said crime has fallen both citywide and in the First District.  In 2024, citywide saw a 35% reduction in violent crime over 2023 and a 47% reduction in violent crime in the 1st District.  Homicides have decreased by 68% in the 1st District and robberies and carjackings decreased over 50% in each category. 

The 2024 gunfire seen in residential communities on Independence Avenue, SE, Hall said, had been because three neighborhoods had been in conflict with each other.  MPD made several key arrests and recovered “a lot of firearms and that quieted everything down.”  It currently does not appear to be a hot spot.

MPD made several arrests in response to a spate of robberies involving young females 14 – 17 years old who were repeating juvenile offenders and that has calmed down as well.  MPD is working with group homes and is engaging the Youth and Family Engagement Bureau to get juvenile offenders on the right track, but keep them out of the community.

Regarding the shooting at Eastern High School at the end of the year, Hall said, “We’ve identified the people involved and warrants are out.  We’ll find them and close the case.” 

On the tragic hit and run death of Ronnie Clark on Christmas Eve at 16th and C Streets, NE, Hall said it was still an active investigation:  “The vehicle involved was unregistered and we have identified a person of interest and recovered video of the crime.  This appears to be a case of speeding then losing control and careening on to the sidewalk.  We should be able to share more information soon and to make an arrest in a timely manner.”

Throughout the presentation, Hall emphasized how the community can help fight crime through use of the MPD Tip Line – Text 50411.  In addition to anonymously texting tips to the MPD, community members can now use their cell phone to send pictures or video about serious or violent crimes to the Metropolitan Police Department. 

Text, photo and video messages are monitored by members of the department 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tips on serious or violent crimes will be investigated by members of the department.  Call 911 for a police response.  Tips may also be directed to (202) 727-9099 and may be eligible for a reward.

Pennsylvania/Potomac Avenues Intersection Project Begins this month.  On January 8, ANC6B’s Transportation Committee heard a DDOT presentation on the upcoming redesign of the PA/Potomac intersection.  The meeting was chaired by newly-elected Commissioner Karen Hughes, ANC6B09.

Here’s a rendering of the completed project.  DDOT Project Manager Abdullahi Mohamed said the agency is moving to construction phase and will focus on the Potomac Avenue/ PA Avenue Circle, and will include new signal lights, street lights, and handicap ramps.  The kick off for the project will be on January 27 – the purpose is to  enhance pedestrian safety and optimize traffic flow.  The completion date is December 28, 2026.  Construction of bike lanes east on Pennsylvania Avenue will begin once the circle project is complete.  The National Park Service will maintain the circle.

Snow storm collapses Pennsylvania Avenue Streetery – last week, this was the scene on the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue – spelling the perhaps temporary end of this streetery.

Basquiat X Banksy at the Hirshhorn through October 26.  This exhibit features two major paintings by the artists – the first time either artist has been exhibited in the Hirshhorn.  Above is Basquiat’s Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump (fire hydrant), 1982.

Banksy’s Boy and Dog in Stop and Search, 2018.

In Banksy’s appropriation of Basquiat the former pays homage to the legacy of the latter and comments on the systemic racism he encountered.  For more, see here:  https://hirshhorn.si.edu/exhibitions/basquiat-x-banksy/

The Week Ahead…

Monday, January 13

ANC6D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

Among items on the draft agenda:  TBA

Tuesday, January 14

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).

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Consent Agenda

Community & Commission Announcements and Speak Out

Reminder of Upcoming Meeting Dates

ANC 6B Input on Other Items of Concern

  • ANC 6B Letter to on Write-In Certification Timing

Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee

  • 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.

Planning & Zoning Committee

  • 321 D Street, SE.  Historic Preservation Application
  • 1900 Massachusetts Ave. SE.  Zoning Application.   Project: Construction of new correctional facility. Owner(s): Department of General Services Applicant.

Financials

ANC 6B Administrative Matters

Adjournment

ANC7D will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.

Among items of the draft agenda:

Administrative Matters

  • Motion to adopt the Commission Bylaws
  • Motion to elect the Commission officers
  • Motion to elect Committee members for 2025 and 2026
  • Motion to schedule Commission virtual monthly meetings for 2025 and January 2026
  •  Motion to participate in the ANC Security Fund and authorize the Treasurer to write a check for $50 to participate in the Fund
  • Motion to adopt the December 2024 meeting minutes   6:50 p.m. – 7:10 p.m.

DC Government Updates/Presentations

Community Comment 1-2 minutes each  New Business Items 

Monthly Treasurer Report

Approve FY 2025 Q1 Quarterly Financial Report  

ANC 7D Committee Updates

Commissioner Single Member District (SMD) Reports 1-2 minutes each

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Among items on the draft agenda:

1355-1359 H Street, NE.  Bureau of Zoning Adjustment.  To combine five lots (2 facing H street NE, 3 facing alley) and convert to a retail and eating and drinking establishment use an existing, semi-detached, mixed use building in the NMU-4/HA and MU-4 zones:  Special Exceptions from minimum parking requirements and rear yard requirements and eating and drinking establishment use requirements. 

1232 Maryland Avenue, NE.  Zoning Adjustment Application.  To construct a two-story plus cellar rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.  Special Exception from lot occupancy requirements and rear addition requirements. 

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

Hill Center Event, Wednesday, January 15.   Hill Center Galleries 2025 Regional Juried Show Opening Reception. 6:30 – 8:30 pm | FREE | Register Here https://bit.ly/3DSwokM

The exhibit will showcase new exhibits from local artists all across DC, Maryland and Virginia.  During the reception prizes will be awarded.  All pieces of art will be on display throughout our Galleries and online at Hill Center Galleries. The exhibitions run from January 15th through May 3rd.

What’s On at the Folger?  https://www.folger.edu/whats-on/

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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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January 8, 2025 · 4:12 pm

Capitol Hill Worker-Priest Marched with King & Co-founded DC Legal Services for the Poor

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. 

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January 7, 2025 · 7:57 pm

List of ANC Commissioners for Five Capitol Hill ANCs

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.)

ANC6A – next meeting, Thursday, January 9.  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/   

  • 6A01 Paul Spires
  • 6A02 Mike Velasquez
  • 6A03 Roberta Shapiro
  • 6A04 Amber Gove
  • 6A05 David Wethington
  • 6A06 Jeff Giertz
  • 6A07 Stephen Kolb

ANC6B – next meeting, January 14.  https://anc6b.org/  

  • 6B01 Tyler Wolanin
  • 6B02 Gerald Jerry Sroufe
  • 6B03 David Sobelsohn
  • 6B04 Brian Gorman
  • 6B05 Sam Pastore
  • 6B06 Anna Krebs
  • 6B07 Vince Mareino
  • 6B08 Edward Ryder
  • 6B09 Karen Hughes

ANC6C – next meeting, January 8.  https://anc6c.org/   

  • 6C01 Jeremiah Foxwell
  • 6C02 Karen J. Wirt
  • 6C03 Jay Adelstein
  • 6C04 Mark Eckenwiler
  • 6C05 Daniela Kelley McInerney
  • 6C06 Andrew R. Hayes
  • 6C07 Tony T. Goodman

ANC6D –  next meeting, Monday, January 13.  https://www.anc6d.org/  

  • 6D01 Marquell Merlin
  • 6D02 Gottlieb Simon
  • 6D03 Gail Fast
  • 6D04 Andrea M. Pawley
  • 6D05 Chearie Phelps-EL
  • 6D06 Bruce Levine
  • 6D07 Fredrica (“Rikki”) Kramer
  • 6D08 Rhonda N. Hamilton

ANC7D – next meeting, January 14.  https://7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1  

  • 7D01 Charles Boston
  • 7D02 vacant
  • 7D03 Artilie Wright
  • 7D04 Mike Davis
  • 7D05 Ebony Payne
  • 7D06 Marc Friend
  • 7D07 Brett Astmann
  • ANC-7D08 Brian Alcorn
  • ANC-7D09 Ashley Schapitl
  • ANC-7D10 Dev Myers

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