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| | | Southeast Capitol Hill (ANC 6B) | | June 22, 2009 | | | | At its June 9 meeting, the commission:
heard representatives of the newly formed Eastern Market Community Residents Association, Thom and Barbara Riehle, ask whether a meeting has been scheduled to discuss programming for the upcoming Hill Center, to be housed at the Old Naval Hospital on Pennsylvania Avenue. Hill Center’s board president had promised to schedule the meeting in June. They also inquired about the Eastern Market Metro Plaza task force, saying they had not been invited to its latest meetings. Commissioner Ken Jarboe promised to look into the meetings.
heard an announcement that Tunnicliff’s, 222 7th St. SE, will host a free barbecue on June 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. to celebrate the reopening of Eastern Market and 7th Street.
heard a District Department of Transportation representative talk about the planned reconfiguration of the intersection at Pennsylvania and Potomac avenues SE. Officials said they are currently conducting an environmental assessment of the proposal, which was developed out of the Middle Anacostia Crossing Plan. That assessment should be available for public review in August.
Officials told the commission that though the intersection could be left as it is, the current design plan is the only construction option. Commissioner
Ken Jarboe asked whether other designs might be considered. “Within reason the design is still fluid,” one Transportation Department official said.
Some attendees questioned the design; one resident said it could block the clear view down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol. Commissioner Carol Green said the design would not work because it would force pedestrians to walk more than a block to cross the street in certain places. More information on the design is at theanacostiawaterfront.com.
voted 6-3, with commissioners Julie Olsen, Francis Campbell and Will Hill opposing, to “urge the city to reconsider its decision to bypass a full discussion of the pros and cons of closing 7th Street SE” in front of Eastern Market on weekends. The commission’s resolution asks that the “city immediately initiate a thorough analysis, with full community involvement, of the data and issues associated with the parking needs of the market.”
Olsen had pushed for an amendment asking the city to reopen the street until the city conducts the public process that the commission is requesting.
But the commission voted down the amendment 5-3. People both for and against the closure came to the meeting to voice their opinions. Opponents of the closure, which began in April 2007 after the Eastern Market fire, said it has been bad for business. Proponents said it has been good for tourism and public safety. “I’m really concerned about keeping this closed based on the mayor’s dictatorial decision,” said Campbell, referring to Mayor Adrian Fenty’s May 14 announcement that the street would remain closed.
But commissioner Ken Jarboe said that although he disagreed with what he called a “terrible process,” it resulted in the “correct decision.”
unanimously voted to ask the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to void a previously signed voluntary agreement with the owner of 8th Street Bar & Grill, 727 8th St. SE, for a tavern liquor license. After approving the voluntary agreement at its previous meeting, the commission discovered the owner’s claim that space in the Capitol Hill Sporting Goods building was available was untrue. The beverage control board has since nullified the agreement and scheduled a new protest hearing for August.
scheduled two meetings to discuss the four proposals for development of the Hine Junior High School site. At the first hearing, scheduled for June 23, potential developers will be allowed to present their proposals. The second hearing, scheduled for June 30, will be an opportunity for the commission to choose a proposal to recommend or to recommend a combination of proposals. The meetings will be held at the Old Naval Hospital at 7 p.m.
heard commission chair David Garrison announce the creation of a community group to advise the city on signage needed for various Capitol Hill locations. The group includes representatives from the Capitol Hill Association of Merchants & Professionals (CHAMPS), the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District, the Eastern Market Citizens Advisory Committee, Barracks Row Main Street and the Capitol Hill Preservation Society.
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