Update on Spotify’s Purchase of 440 New Jersey Avenue, SE
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 19, 2025
Last week, ANC6B discussed the Historic Preservation Application by the $137 billion Spotify Corporation (headquartered in Stockholm but operating in the US through one of its subsidiaries, Spotify USA). The company recently purchased the residence at 440 New Jersey Avenue, SE, along with the adjoining garage/carriage house at 435 1st St SE. The company plans to renovate the property.
According to ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee Chair Vince Marino, “…the renovations themselves are minor and clearly designed to respect the property’s history, so no one on the ANC objects to them as such.”
Some members of the Committee, however, are concerned about Spotify’s claim that it does not need an exemption from zoning regulations for the residential property, because they fear Spotify will use the property for commercial purposes at the expense of the residential fabric of the neighborhood – as has happened with other residential properties on the block.
Marino says, “One may suspect that Spotify might succumb to the temptation to use the home as an employee hotel, or as a lobbying office. Spotify denies that it will. But that’s certainly what we seem to be seeing with many other Capitol Hill homes owned by corporations and advocacy groups. … We need to have a neighborhood-wide conversation about whether more areas should be upzoned for mixed use and/or higher density.
ANC6B went on to unanimously approve a proposal to designate ANC6B Commissioner Tyler Wolanin – in whose single member district 440 New Jersey is located – to attempt to reach a settlement agreement with Spotify.
Marino says, “We hope that such a settlement agreement would confirm that Spotify will indeed use 440 New Jersey Avenue SE as a residence rather than as a hotel or office. This would provide Spotify with the reassurance that we are not trying to evict them, and it would provide the neighbors with the reassurance that ANC6B is trying to contain the situation, one home at a time, while the BZA and the City Council work on a broader solution to the tight property market.”
The Week Ahead…& Some Day of the Dead Photos from the Past Week
By Larry Janezich
Posted November 2, 2025
The National Community Church (NCC) will launch $5M renovation of historic Navy Yard Car Barn – according to a story by Daniel Sernovits in the Washington Business Journal. NCC Pastor Mark Batterson plans on turning the “Capitol Turnaround” – formerly and informally named “The Blue Castle” at 8th and M Streets, SE, into an event space with a coffee shop. CHC talked to events staff who said that the 8th Street and M Street sides of the building will be renovated to provide event space. Another venture owned by NCC – “Ebenezers Coffeehouse” – will be located inside the main entrance at the corner of 8th and M Streets. The original Ebenezers, founded in 2006, is at 201 F Street, NE.
Here’s the space inside the main entrace at 8th and M Street, SE, which will be the future home of Ebenezers Coffee House.
Día de los Muertos at Congressional Cemetery. This day is a tradition that honors loved ones who have passed, celebrating the ongoing bond between the living and the dead. Millions in Mexico, Latin America, and beyond celebrate by creating colorful ofrendas (altars) to welcome spirits back to the earthly world.
Sunday, November 2, was the cemetery’s second celebration of Día de los Muertos, where the chapel in the center of the cemetery was transformed into a place of learning, remembrance, community gathering, and celebration of the “Day of the Dead.”
The ofrenda alter is traditionally set up in the home to honor decease loved ones and decorated with marigolds, photographs of the deceased, candles, and offerings like sugar skulls, favorite foods, drinks, mementos and religious symbols. Key elements often include references to the four elements: water, aid, earth and fire. The paper banners (papel picado) represent air.
Here’s a detail photo of the main altar.
Visitors decorate traditional sugar skulls and craft paper flowers.
A festival atmosphere dominates Dios de los Muertos as relatives and friends celebrate those who have gone before them and joyfully welcome their spiritual return.
This free community event is made possible by the Congressional Cemetery’s nonprofit, The Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery.
The Week Ahead…
Highlight: Tuesday: First District MPD Community Advisory Committee Meeting. Discussion: The Wharf and Navy Yard Juvenile Safety Concerns. See below.
Highlight: Thursday. Free John Philip Sousa Birthday Concert at Congressional Cemetery. See below under “Capitol Hill Cornor Would Also Like You to Know About:”
Monday, November 3
ANC6C ABC Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting at 7:00pm, but has not posted an agenda.
Presentation by DC Sentencing Commission on Homicide and Car Jacking Convictions
The Wharf and Navy Yard Juvenile Safety Concerns
3rd – 14th Streets NE Safety concerns
G-K Streets NE Safety Concerns
Burglaries, Carjacking/Stolen Autos and Homicide Reports
Policing 14th Place and 15th Street, NE
Policing North Capitol Street, NE/NW
ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, 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/
Among items on the draft agenda:
ABC Renewals
Hawk N’ Dove – 329 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Cover Charge, Dancing, Entertainment, and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Dos Toros Taqueria – 215 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Restaurant License with Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Kaiju Ramen – 525 8th Street SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Sidewalk Café and Summer Garden Endorsements.
Lola’s – 711 8th Street SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Entertainment and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Hill East Burger – 1432 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Entertainment and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Protests & Other Updates
Ambar – 523 8th Street SE. Ongoing negotiation regarding settlement agreement and protest hearing. Parties have requested continuance while discussions proceed.
ALOHA – Medical Cannabis Retailer (Second Application) – 539 8th Street SE. Second application for medical cannabis retailer license, including Delivery Endorsement. ANC6B has retained legal counsel (Kerry Verdi) to assist with protest. (Roll Call Hearing 11/03/25)
Continue Discussion for “Vision for Barracks Row”/Roundtable Planning
Consideration of Letter Regarding Cannabis Licensees
Wednesday, November 5
ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
DDOT Update on Penn/Potomac Intersection Redesign Project
Calming Measures at 6th & G SE
Issues at Capitol South Metro
Speeding in Barracks Row Alleys
Automated Curb Management
ANC6C Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Congressional Cemetery Event:
Thursday, November 6, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm. Free, but please register here: https://bit.ly/47vGNzr
John Philip Sousa Birthday Concert 2025. Please join Congressional Cemetery and the Marine Band, “The President’s Own,” for a celebration of the life and legacy of John Philip Sousa. The Marine Band plays the music the “March King” composed at his graveside every year on his birthday and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend, for free!
Congressional Cemetery will start the program at 12:30 pm with a short awards ceremony, followed by a brief lecture by a John Philip Sousa impersonator.
The Marine Corps band will enter through the 17th Street gate at precisely 1:00 PM for a 25 minute concert at the grave site, located near the chapel.
Folger Library Event.
Friday, Nov 7–9. Virtuosos of Violin and Verse. Tickets start at $20.
Folger Consort, in a special collaboration with the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series, will open its 2025-2026 season of “exquisitely played programs”
Wolfgang Puck’s Place in Union Station. Here are some photos of where Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant is going to be in Union Station, and a rendering of what it’s going to look like. It will be at the top of the escalator – which from the mezzanine – will lead UNIQLO on the west end of Union Station.
On the right hand side of the up escalator in the space formerly occupied by Pizzaria Uno is where you’ll find Wolfgang Puck’s BAR + Bites.
And here’s an architect’s rendering of what it’s going to look like.
Construction Update on SE Library Renovation. Photos from the DC Library’s October 23 Construction update – a view of the skylight from the historic entrance on 7th Street, and the view from the inside looking toward the historic entrance. (Apparently the postings on the bulletin boards inside the historic entrance will be last to go of the interior features of the original libarary.)
Inside the universal entrance at the South Carolina Entrance at street level.
Photo of the glass façade and canopy at the South Carolina Avenue Entrance. For more, go here: SE Library Construction Update for October 23: http://bit.ly/4noq3yI
Triple Candies’ monthly installations in the former Li’l Pub at 655 Pennsylvania Avenue,SE. For nearly 50hears, DC artist Betsy Packard has transferred the objects she encountered in her life into art:paintings made from dryer lint; tapestries sewn with used clothes and hair clippings: and toys. Accoring to curators Triple Candies, her work references Constructibism, Surrealism, Pop Art, Nouveau Realism, Fluxus, Feminist Art, etc. Triple Candies is a research-oriented curatorial agency run by art historian co-founders Shelly Bancroft and Peter Nesbett.
The Week Ahead….
Highlight: Monday, ANC6B Public Safety Committee discussion with DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb. 7:00pm. See below.
Monday, October 27
ANC6A Community Outreach Committee holds and IN PERSON meeting at 7:00pm.
Location: 1207 H Street NE (Old Autozone Building).
Among items on the draft agenda:
Announcements and Reminders: People’s Front of H Street, Sunday Clean ups in 6A01.
Meet your ANC Commissioner.
FreeDC with COC Member Ashley Blake.
ANC6B Public Safety Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm.
Physical Location: 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE, 2nd Floor – Conference Room #2 (Entrance Adjacent to Trader Joe’s)
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Briefing from MPD 1st District (Captain Crist).
Discussion with DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb.
Planning for next meeting.
ANC6B Southeast Library Task Force will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm.
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/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Update on renovation from Jaspreet Pahwa, of the library system (DCPL), & from Terri Bosnick, of general contractor Whiting Turner.
Discuss progress on maintaining & expanding access to the interim library at the Arthur Capper Recreation Center, 1000 5th St., SE.
Tuesday, October 28
ANC6A Alcohol Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Saturday, November 1
CHRS House Expo Set for Saturday, November 1, in the North Hall of Eastern Market.
The Expo connects homeowners with contractors & experts. Free House Expo is hosted by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) , from 9am to 3pm Saturday, November 1, in Eastern Market’s North Hall.
A “Day of the Dead” celebration in collaboration with Capitol Hill resident Rosa Moreno. The public is invited to contribute memories to a shared ofrenda. 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Folger Library Tours: Tuesday – Friday | 11:30am – 4:30pm | Each tour lasts 1 hour. We invite groups of all ages to sign up for guided tours of the Folger’s building and grounds. All tours are led by experienced guides who can share details about the Folger’s collection, the architecture of the building, and fascinating facts about Shakespeare, his world, and our own. Priced at $25 per person with discounts for student groups, tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Special student experiences are also available for classes. http://bit.ly/43t0LYS
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Map of the proposed land swap. The deal involved exchanging a 15 acre parcel of land in the SE corner of the Navy Yard (blue at lower right) for a 6 acre GSA parcel just outside the NW corner of the Navy Yard on M Street SE (red at upper left).
Secretary of Navy John Phelan has withdrawn the Navy from the land swap agreement it forged with the DC city government announced last year to construct a “National Museum of the United States Navy” near the Navy Yard.
This news came from former Secretary of the Navy, Kenneth Braithwaite, who serves as the chair of the Naval Museum Development Foundation, as first reported in Tuesday Tidings, the newsletter of the National Maritime Historical Society. See the October 21, 2025 edition of the newsletter here: https://seahistory.org/education/navyhistory/)
During a Q&A session in last week’s annual “Congress” of the Naval Order of the United States held in Philadelphia, Braithwaite announced that Secretary Phelan has pulled the Navy out of the deal for construction of the long-awaited museum, halting his fundraising efforts pending identification of a new site. The Navy had expected to open the museum by 2030.
Last October, city officials, including DC Deputy Mayor Nina Albert, attended a ceremony at the M Street site to celebrate the construction of the museum, envisioned as “an enduring memorial to honor the service of American Sailors, inspire selfless service, and enhance public understanding of the Navy’s history and heritage.” See here: http://bit.ly/3WSv7jR
No other details were forthcoming, though Tuesday Tidings added that “an overview of previous sites considered for the Navy Museum will be provided in next week’s TT.” During the selection process, 42 potential sites in 18 cities were considered for the location of the museum before the Navy chose DC. Other candidates included San Diego, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and Norfolk.
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Photo Essay: Dedication of Hill Center’s New Gathering Space
By Larry Janezich
Posted October 2, 2025
Wednesday night, The Hill Center dedicated and celebrated the opening of its new community space – seating in the round for the Center’s outdoor activities and public gatherings. The space is named in honor of Hill Center visionary John Franzén. Franzén, who died in 2020, was one of the Center’s founding board members and a former president of the Old Naval Hospital Foundation which created Hill Center.
Some two hundred community members participated in the event. Radio host, author and podcaster Bill Press was the master of ceremonies and recounted Franzén’s efforts leading Congress gifting the former Old Naval Hospital to the District and the sites subsequent transformation into the Hill Center which opened in 2011.
Mayor Bowser had planned to attend, but the closing of the federal government disrupted her schedule. Press introduced the speakers which included Jennifer Cartland, President of the Hill Center Board of Directors; Ward Six Councilmember Charles Allen; Nate Franzén, a nephew of Johnathon who represented the family; and Mary Early, sculptor and juror of the six sculptures featured in the opening of the new sculpture garden.
In his remarks, Allen paid tribute to Franzen’s vision of community: “This is a space where you’ll run into friends whenever you come here…a place where the community can all come together. John saw value in creating this space…he talked about the power of community and wanted to be part of making that community. We are now a part of that effort and will carry it forward.”
Following the dedication of the space, Mary Early, sculptor and juror spoke to the dedication of the newly established Hill Center Outdoor sculpture garden and announced the Best of Show: “X and Why” by Luc Fiedler.
Here are the six pieces inaugurating the new garden display. The garden will feature a rotating exhibit featuring primarily local artists. The current exhibition will continue through March of 2026.
Left to right: Searching, by Nicholas Femia; Split Decision, by Todd Smitn; Repose, by Mimi Frank and Breon Gilleran. Roots in Black and White, by Dalya Luttwak; Acorn, by Kirk Seese; and Best of Show, X and Why, by Luc Fieller.
Herb Scott, founder of the Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation, and his band provided entertainment for the reception before and following the dedication.
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The wrought iron entrance to Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, SE. The gate house is at left.
Anthony “A.J.” Orlikoff, Interim Director of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery
It’s easy to overlook the community building attributes of Congressional Cemetery. In truth, the cemetery is powerful unifying force on Capitol Hill.
CHC interviewed Anthony “A.J.” Orlikoff, Interim Director of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery: “Cemeteries need to be places of solemn contemplation of grief or mourning – they need to be that space – but what we’re seeing now across North America is cemeteries more as places of community, engaging people in different ways. There are a lot of reasons for that and it comes out of communities themselves organizing and using these places.”
We take cemeteries for granted until they fill up and are taken for granted. Their fortunes wax and wane, driven by demographics and other factors, and Congressional Cemetery’s history has been one of periods of prominence and affluence and then periods of decline.
Orlikoff says, “Congressional cemetery was in decline in the 1980s and when you look at the cemetery as a community building organization it really starts with a group of neighbors who lived nearby in the late 1980s that began walking their dogs here and they realized, ‘Hey, this amazing historic place that I’m walking my dog in is really overgrown and it’s dangerous and there’s open-air crime.’”
Asserting that this was not something they wanted in the neighborhood, neighbors began organizing the first group of community dog walkers and started thinking about raising money to hire a landscaper and about alerting MPD on some of the criminal activity on the grounds. As the conditions improved, the cemetery started filling with people who appreciated the green space and cared about the community. Orlikoff said, “And so it really was from this kernel of community that you can chart the activity that led to calls to Congress to save the cemetery and the later appropriation of funds.” Congress now provides matching funds for the Congressional Cemetery Endowment administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
And the dog walkers are now organized as the K-9 Corps. They have a committee made up of K-9 members which oversees the dog walkers’ use of the cemetery by the Corp’s 700 families and 1,000 dogs. Those families constitute the core of the Congressional Cemetery community, but equally important (though more loosely organized) are the component parts of the community within the larger community. This includes the large number of residents and visitors who attend and participate in the cemetery’s programs. Some of these programs are the Cinamatery (the outdoor summer movie screenings), 5k races (including the upcoming Dead Man’s Run), tours (including the upcoming historically theatrical outdoor Soul Stroll Tours), the Death Awareness program, the Bee Keeping program and the Book Club. In addition to the attendees, there are hundreds of community volunteers ranging from tour guides to Adopt-A- Plot volunteers to Association Board members.
There’s considerable overlap with respect to the contributions of volunteers and Orlikoff says, “You need to have harmony – you need everybody in the symphony kind of playing together or it’s just going to be 21 notes.“
Congressional Cemetery held its Spring Fair on Sunday, March 30, featuring more than two dozen vendors, an Introduction to Green Burial in the Chapel, a tour of historical trees and grave sites, and a presentation on Equinox Gardening.
Orlikoff is a historian by profession and came to Congressional Cemetery after working as a contractor for both the Navy and Army at several military museums. He says, “I see myself as a history translator – someone who can help people find the meaning in those things that maybe otherwise could be inaccessible, and you do that through programming and education. So when I heard about the opportunity here at Congressional Cemetery for a Director of Programming position it was a perfect fit for me.” That was three years ago. When the then-Director of the Association Jackie Spainhour left last January, Orlikoff was named Interim Director by the Association’s Board. He says he is proud of his work since then, including supporting the team of professionals working at the cemetery even in areas outside of his expertise. He also counts the collective effort of the team in the World Pride programming this year, and especially becoming part of and getting up to speed on the newly initiated Master Plan – an expansive project to chart the next two decades of the cemetery’s future which had just launched when he took the job of Interim Director.
The Master Plan Initiative came about because one of the major issues facing Congressional Cemetery is the question of how to sustain the cemetery after running out of space – how to make it a place people will continue to want to support.
Orlikoff says that many cemeteries have to figure out how to keep the cemetery going with a model that is ultimately unsustainable once capacity for full casket site burial is reached: “How do you pivot – how do you change those revenues? What we’re trying to do is pivot and become more of a nonprofit model. And the strategy is to find ways to maximize what site space is left – because there’s not much (hundreds but not thousands of burial sites) – and then really adopt a nonprofit model that relies on programming and institutional giving and development.”
There are three primary components addressed in the Master Plan: storm water management (the cemetery has a drainage issue – never good in a cemetery), burial site expansion (including the development of columbariums for the interment of ashes), and enhancing the visitor experience (including things like gatehouse and chapel upgrade, signage, etc.).
The Board will continue seeking community feedback on the Master Plan throughout the process; the next community meeting will be October 15 at Christ’s Church. The Board is scheduled to receive a finalized Master Plan in February of 2026. After that, Orlikoff says, the Board will be undertaking several fundraising initiatives to realize the plan.
Orlikoff says of the cemetery, “It’s a place for people who love history – it’s a place for people who want to walk their dog. It’s a people place for people who love nature – it’s a place for people who want to attend our programs. But most of all it’s a place where living people want to come and gather. And we’re always going to be taking care of our first mission as a place of grief and solemn contemplation in mourning. We always have to remember that we still serve families. It’s our original mission. But cemeteries can be so much more than just that and I think that’s something that we’re really helping chart for North American cemeteries.”
The Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit who realizes its mission in large part through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. For more, including a calendar of events and programs and how to support, go here: https://congressionalcemetery.org/
The Week Ahead…(New Sushi Restaurant Coming Near Eastern Market) & Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted August 17, 2025
A new sushi counter restaurant concept will open in the space at 325 7th Street, SE, between Ruta Ukrainian Restaurant and Randolph Cree Hair Salon. The plans call for a sushi counter with fixed seating to run the length of the interior front of house area. The space was formerly occupied by My Cake Theory and before that by the Dawn Price Baby store. The build out is underway, but no estimate yet on how long it will take.
August 14: National Guard troops began 24-hour operations in DC, with a focus on areas like Union Station and the National Mall.
August 16: Three states (West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio) pledged to send hundreds of National Guard troops to the city to assist with the federal crackdown (SC 200, Ohio 150, WVA 360). A NG spokesman said “Guard members may (soon) be armed consistent with their mission and training.”
National Guardsmen probably just taking a break inside Union Station.
Two National Guard personnel headed to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge.
FreeDC has been active the past week. Here’s a photo from Eastern Market Metro Plaza Playground.
Dog Days of August – Jazz Series at Eastern Market – Every Friday evening in August, from 5pm – 7pm. Under the Farmer’s Line Shed at Eastern Market.
Dog Days of August is live jazz series every Friday evening in August. Join your neighbors and enjoy a relaxed summer vibe with your favorite take-out from local restaurants, or bring your own. As this event is outdoors, your four-legged friends are welcome to join as well.
Friday, August 22nd: Herb Scott Trio
Friday, August 28th with Capital Bop: Zoey Jorgenson
The Week Ahead…
The Week Ahead…
None of the political, community, or civic organizations regularly covered by Capitol Hill Corner is meeting this week.
Here are some items of interest regarding upcoming precautions and events.
Congressional Cemetery October 12 Dead Man’s Run Tickets Now on Sale
“Dead Man’s Run is Congressional Cemetery’s annual fall 5K fundraiser race! We hope that you will join us Sunday, October 12 at 5:30 PM for the region’s most death defying and thematic 5k race. This bare bones run is the best way to stay ahead of your grave… by running among them! The race starts inside the cemetery and continues onto the Anacostia Trail for a ghostly evening run full of spooky music and other fun!
Please note, we raised the price of the race as a complimentary race shirt will now be included for all registrants who purchase a ticket by September 22!
Costumes are encouraged, with prizes for best individual costume and best team costume! Form a team to compete with your friends – and we love to see creative team names.
Prizes will also be awarded to the top performing individuals, age groups, and best team time!
All proceeds from Congressional Cemetery events, including Dead Man’s Run, help support our 501(c)(3) organization and fund the preservation of this National Historic Landmark.”
The Week Ahead…ZomTum Opens…& Some Photos From Last Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted August 10, 2025
Charles Kia’s New ZomTum Laos/Thai restaurant at 660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, near Eastern Market opened last Monday. The space was formerly occupied by Joselito. For more about the restaurant and to view the menu, go here: https://zomtumdc.com/about
The Week Ahead…
None of the political, community, or civic organizations regularly covered by Capitol Hill Corner is meeting this week.
One item of interest for the coming week:
Garfield Park- Canal Park Connector work begins on Monday, August 11, 2025. The Garfield Park-Canal Park Connector Project will improve the DDOT Right of Way underneath I-695 that provides access between Garfield Park and Canal Park. It will provide a new ADA-compliant pedestrian path, drainage, and grading improvements. Phase 1 of the work, located in the amenity area beneath the overpass will continue through January 2026. During construction the site will be closed to pedestrian traffic. A pedestrian detour will be in effect from the intersection of H Street SE and 2nd Street SE around Garfield Park using 3rd St SE & F St SE. The view shown above is the construction site seen from 2nd and H Street, SE, looking north into Garfield Park. To the left is the Virginia Avehue spur which deadends after a few hundred yards.
More of the Virginia Avenue spur – formerly the site of a homeless encampment which the city removed. The upgrade to the area under the bridge will incorporate the use of the area into the park. The upgrades will include repaving the existing skate park, the basketball court, and the new pickleball courts.
Virginia Avenue deadends beyond the construction trailer visible in the photo. This will be the site of pickleball courts funded by the DDOT and Washington DC Pickleball.
Here’s the site of the formen basketball court.
Here’s a rendering of the new court.
Here’s a view of the site looking west. Last week, this space held around 30 giant stone blocks each weighing a few tons. They were salvaged from their original purpose when they formed the arched entryway to the origina CSX Railway Tunnel. Last week, they were removed to the vacant cornor in front of Blackbird Salon at Virginia Avenue and 8th Street, SE. It’s unclear what plans the city has for them.
And here’s a rendering of the new skatepark which will lie west of the basketball court.
This project is separate from but is being coordinated with the Department of Parks and Recreation’s just completed renovation of Garfield Park project. Asphalt work and painting are weather dependent, necessitating a flexible timeline – the project could be completed as early as late Fall/early winter or as late at March 2026.
Rendering of some of the six pickleball courts which DDOT recently authorized for the Virginia Avenue spur under the freeway as part of the Garfield Park/Canal Park Connector Project. Source: DDOT
Finding Community in Pickleball – More than a Sport
by Larry Janezich
Posted, August 3, 2025
A sense of community doesn’t just happen – it comes from the contributions of individuals and social/civic organizations to their community.
Washington DC Pickleball (WDCP) https://www.washingtondcpickleball.org/ is a community enriching endeavor that adherents find personally rewarding as well as a vehicle for creating and developing a network that unites its players across a broad swath of the city’s social fabric.
In an interview with Ruth Ellis, Ambassador for WDCP, one word that keeps popping up is “community,” referring not only to the shared interest among players, but also to the reality that they are part of something larger than themselves.
According to the website, “WDCP is a volunteer-led nonprofit that provides on-site equipment, balls, social events, promotional and charitable programs, and pickleball advocacy throughout Washington, DC.” The organization advocates for, increases awareness of, and encourages active involvement in the sport.
As a WDCP Ambassador, Ellis and others have testified before the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) oversight hearing to push for city resources to further the organization’s intertwined vision and sports related goals.
To illustrate the community benefits, she cites the organization’s community programming, including the success of the DC Jail Program. Inspired by a Washington Post article https://wapo.st/3INlJdH about Roger BelAir bringing pickleball into prisons, WDCP proposed doing the same thing at DC Jail. The DC Department of Corrections was enthusiastic about the proposal and weekly play began at the jail in April 2024.
Ellis says, “The pickleball program is no cost to the jail so there’s no economic impact at all….The vast majority (of players) are going to be re-entering our civic life and our civic space and I think it’s safe to say everybody wants them to come home in a way that’s safe and positive and healthy for them and for their families and for their community and for the city.”
Buoyed by positive feedback on the program at DC Jail, Ellis says regarding the oversight hearings, “Testifying shows our commitment to the community – not just for ourselves, but for the broader community and what I’m trying to do now is to expand pickleball into the youth community because the youth community is having some problems that are having a severe impact on the city. Pickleball is a great way to connect and show how you can treat other people with respect while you’re competing with them.”
As a new sport and one that is exploding in popularity, pickleball does not have as many resources as tennis. Ellis says, “We don’t have a permanent net location so every time we go out to play pickleball we have to first of all find a place where we can play go out there, set up nets – do everything ourselves. I mean everything we do is volunteer.”
She says she is trying to fill that gap a little bit – “…which has been challenging – I’ve offered a series free coaching lessons at Anacostia Park. We’ve had an event there on July 4th three years in a row and we have 60 to 80 people coming out to play pickleball. About half of them are from DC east of the river and we had a big group that came from Prince Georges County.”
WDCP’s 2024 Red White & Pickleball July 4th event at Anacostia Park. Photo: Ruth Ellis
Also, in partnership with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the National Capital Area, DCPB hosted a sibling match event at Anacostia Park in October 2024. Every participant learned to play pickleball in a 90-minute coaching session.
Ellis says, “There’s nowhere else in the city where we could do this” but she adds, that next year the National Park Service will put in pickleball courts in the park.
In answer to what kind of assistance from the city she seeks, she said, “DC DPR does not currently have any youth pickleball programming and “We don’t have courts – we don’t have time in the DPR’s recreational schedule.”
She envisions more sports programming in collaboration with the city…”I’d like to partner with the city and help support programming for pickleball. We want pickleball to be more of a regular sport than it is. Tennis players don’t have to fight to get a court built in their community – they just build tennis courts – and we want the same thing for pickleball.”
Ellis sees signs of hope and progress – DDOT has issued permits for construction of six permanent pickleball courts as part of the Garfield Park Connector Project. All funds to pay for the court construction will come from WDCP’s fund raising efforts and the player community. The Capitol Riverfront BID will hold the permit and manage the funds for Garfield courts. WDCP will manage day to day operations including setting hours, permitting, and events, with sign off from the Capitol Riverfront Parks Foundation to ensure courts are sufficiently publically accessible. The project is weather dependent so the projected completion date could be as early as fall of 2025 or as late as spring, 2026.
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The Week Ahead…& Photos from Barracks Row July 4th Parade
By Larry Janezich
Posted July 6, 2025
Here’s Eastern High School’s Blue and White Marching Machine, “The Pride of Capitol Hill,” setting the mood and the pace for the Barracks Row July 4th Parade.
Mayor Bowser was close behind, waving the flag and wearing a Commander Jersey.
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb followed the Mayor.
City Council Chair and Capitol Hill resident Phil Mendelson marched alone – as is his custom – without a supporting contingent and leading the way for CM Charles Allen…
…who trailed a large groups of his supporters.
Technically, MPD lead the parade, clearing the way for the politicians, bands, and community groups that followed. First District Commander Colin Hall did some community building with the next generation of Capitol Hill residents.
The crowd gave it up for the tightly disciplined Ruff Ridaz Percussion Squad performance.
ANC6B marched with a banner carried by (l-r), Commissioners David Sobelsohn, Vince Mareino, and Tyler Wolanin. Commissioner Jerry Sroufe is at the rear, far left.
The Fife and Drum Corp was a crowd pleaser, juxtapositioned appropriately with the local Chapter of the Judge Lynn Daughters of the American Revolution.
Free DC showed their colors and their relentless enthusiasm for lobbying Congress to restore DC’s authority to spend their own revenues for the balance of the current FY – which has been denied by Conress’ failure to include that routine measure in the recently passed Reconsiliation funding bill. Free DC is a force to be reckoned with.
Pride showed up, marching proudly.
This required some concentration as well as hand and eye coordination.
The Week Ahead
Highlights:
Sharon Kershbaum, Director DC Department of Transportation, will visit ANC6B Tuesday night. The ANC has a list of transportation issues which could come up. See below.
Thursday, the 257th Army Band will performance in Lincoln Park. See “Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:” below.
MONDAY July 7
ANC6D will hold a virtual Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.
Renovation: 730 Rear 11th Street, SE. Demolition of an existing attached rear commercial space and replacement with a single-family dwelling. Filing pending.
LATE BREAKING: Renovation: 418 4th Street, SE.
LATE BREAKING: Nominations for Committee leadership positions.
LATE BREAKING: Recommendations on encouraging commercial variety in ANC6B.
ANC6C Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Wolfgang Puck Bar + Bites. 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. NE Class C restaurant.
Proper Exotic. 313 8th Street, NE. Medical Cannabis Retailer. (Located in ANC 6A, but ANC 6C is directly across the street and has authority to participate)
White Horse Hookah Bar and Tobacco, 521 H Street, NE.
Tuesday, July 8
ANC6B will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Presentations
Sharon Kershbaum, Director DC Department of Transportation.
(Here at the topics the ANC6B Transportation Committee has prioritized in meetings which could be discussed with the Director.)
Lincoln Park – comprehensive traffic safety study of Lincoln Park.
Open Streets – How are decisions made about where to host Open Streets, and why aren’t the ANCs a part of that process?
RFK – How is DDOT participating in evaluating the transportation needs and opportunities around the RFK parcel given the Mayor’s proposal?
School Safety – How is DDOT evaluating school safety initiatives like the Safe Routes, Crossing Guards and School Transit support?
Vision Zero – What’s the status of Vision Zero?
Eastern Market Traffic Plans & Safety – How are people are getting to Eastern Market and the general traffic patterns around Capitol Hill. Are there any plans to study modes of transport on the Hill? What I the current status of safety bollards being approved for use at Eastern Market?
Robin Roesch, Creciendo Chisholm Initiative.
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis license renewals:
Ted’s Bulletin, 505 8th Street, SE; Renewal of Class C Restaurant; Protest Petition Deadline: July 18, 2025 [6B03] (Originally Extended by 60 days).
The Flying Mexican (Renewal of License held previously by: Playa Ocho Cantina), 514 8th Street SE; Renewal of Class C Restaurant.
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis license new applications:
ZomTum, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Application for new Class C Restaurant license with Sidewalk Café and Alcohol Carry-Out & Delivery endorsements.
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis License protests and other updates:
Ambar (ANC6B is currently protesting – non-compliance with signed Settlement Agreement).
ALOHA (Status of Request for Reinstatement from Applicant for cannabis license).
Planning & Zoning Update:
Legislation: short update from Connor Laughland about DC City Council bill to develop social housing (https://janeeseward4.com/gnd/ ).
Citizen request: illegal vacation rental at 220 14th Street, SE.
Proposal: draft a short letter endorsing DOB investigation
Renovation: 409 East Capitol Street SE, Sambria & Co. Zoning Adjustment Application. New rear addition.
Renovation: 730 Rear 11th Street, SE. Demolition of an existing attached rear commercial space and replacement with a single-family dwelling. Filing pending.
LATE BREAKING: Renovation: 418 4th Street, SE.
LATE BREAKING: Nominations for Committee leadership positions.
LATE BREAKING: Recommendations on encouraging commercial variety in ANC6B.
Hakeem Mumford, Manager, External Affairs, PEPCO Update from PEPCO.
Kunta Bedney and Mike Dempsey, Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Local Union 197 Apprenticeship Opportunity Information.
DC Government Updates
Office of Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder.
Mayor’s Office of Community Relations & Services.
Committee Reports and Motions
Transportation/Public Space Committee
Proposed Motion: Recommend ANC7D issue a resolution that expresses support for the ongoing operation of the DC Streetcar, an important public transit link for the H Street Corridor, Rosedale, Carver/Langston, Kingman Park and the RFK campus; and recommend any funding resultant from any change in Streetcar service be reinvested into these communities.
Proposed Motion: Recommend ANC7D issue a letter of support to the Zoning Commission for plans as presented by So Others May Eat to renovate and expand an existing building at 2 18th St, SE to convert it from a nonconforming rooming house with 57 units to an apartment building with 61 units.
Proposed Motion: Recommend ANC7D issue a letter of support to the Board of Zoning Adjustment for a Special Exception to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing attached two-story plus basement principal dwelling located at 515 21st Street, NE.
RFK Campus Checkup
Opportunity for 7D Commissioners to Discuss Ongoing RFK Development Related Activity.
Planning Zoning, and Economic Development Committee
502 C Street, NE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept approval to renovate three-story mixed-use structure and enlarge new three-story rear addition.
409 East Capitol Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special exception and use variance to construct a third story rear addition and a second dwelling unit, and convert the first floor to office use at an attached mixed-use two-story building.
1128 4th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special exception for after-the-fact approval of an illegally constructed railing atop a porch roof.
Transportation and Public Space Committee
H Street Main Street NE, Public space improvements. Mr. Saleem is seeking ANC support for public space improvements on the H Street corridor.
1232 4th Street, NE. Transportation Online Permitting – paving, curb, gutter, and sidewalks. The applicant requests a permit for public space improvements including electric vaults, new curb and gutter, closure of existing driveway, bike racks, new trees and plantings, benches, balcony, and bay window.
1 Columbus Circle, NE. Transportation Online Permitting – WMATA installation of a bus stop bench.
Alcohol and Cannabis Licensing Committee
Wolfgang Puck Bar + Bites. 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Class C restaurant license.
Proper Exotic LLC, Application for Medical Cannabis Retailer license. (Located in ANC 6A, but ANC 6C is directly across the street and has authority to participate.)
White Horse Hookah Bar and Tobacco. 502 H Street NE.
Within School @ Goding Leaks in the Basement Project – Andrew Walker, DCPS.
Consent Agenda
Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter supporting the renewal of a Class C multipurpose license with Cover Charge, Dancing, Entertainment, and Summer Garden endorsements at Gallery O on H at 1354 H Street NE, and that the ANC update the settlement agreement.
Recommendation: ANC6A protest the renewal of an alcoholic beverage license with summer garden endorsement at Tiffany’s Bar and Bistro at 709 H Street, NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter supporting the renewal of a Class C restaurant license Entertainment and Sidewalk Café endorsements at Fresca Taqueria, 701 H Street NE.
Recommendation: ANC6A protest the application for a retail Class B Beer and Wine at B & B Convenience and More at 1447 Maryland Avenue, NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to ABRA requesting clarification that the proposed location for Proper Exotic at 313 8th Street, NE, is not in violation of the proximate requirements of the specific nearby establishments that cater to children/minors.
Community Outreach
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter of support to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for a public arts initiative along H Street NE within the boundaries of ANC6A.
Transportation and Public Space
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting speed bumps in the Atlas Court alley between 11th and 12th Streets, NE.
New Business Recommendation:
ANC 6A send a letter to the DC Council regarding its concerns about Mayor Bowser’s FY26 Budget.
Suggested Motion: ANC6A send a letter of support to BZA for a special exception for a porch renovation at 916 D Street NE.
Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT in support of the Notice of Intent to add a protected bike lane and other safety measures to 14th Street, NE, between Maryland Avenue and G Street NE.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Monday-Friday throughout July and August, 7 pm, Military Bands Capitol Summer Concert Series, west lawn of the Capitol Building. For more, go here: https://bit.ly/4lF97Dq
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