The race to enter (or stay in) the lowest level of elected office in the D.C. government officially has begun.
Almost a dozen locals who live in the Capitol Hill area yesterday picked up nominating petitions to serve as members of District’s Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.
Monday was the first day prospective candidates could get the nominating materials. They have until Aug. 10 to collect the signatures of 25 of their neighbors in their single member districts to get on the Nov. 8 ballot.
So far, the candidates include:
- Single Member District 01
- Marie-Claire Brown (704 10th St. NE)
- Single Member District 02
- Commissioner Phil Toomajian (631 10th St. NE)
- Single Member District 07
- Commissioner Sondra Phillips-Gilbert (1744 E St. NE)
- Single Member District 03
- Brian Ready (622 1/2 I St. SE)
- Single Member District 04
- Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg (423 12th St. SE)
- Single Member District 07
- Aimee M. Grace (1219 Potomac Ave. SE)
- Single Member District 10
- James Zeigler (1717 East Capitol St. SE)
- Single Member District 03
- Commissioner Scott Price (517 E St. NE)
- Single Member District 06
- Heather Edelman (1152 5th St. NE)
- Single Member District 05
- Katelynd Mahoney (1250 4th St. SW)
At Large Councilmember David Grosso has turned to a NoMa-area community leader to take the helm of his office.
Tony Goodman, who has represented NoMa and Near Northeast on ANC 6C for the past four years, became Grosso’s chief of staff Tuesday.
He succeeded Keenan Austin, who stepped down this summer to serve as the Florida political director for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
Excited to start today as Chief of Staff for @cmdgrosso to help improve our great city! pic.twitter.com/UJVcEgLloj
— Tony T Goodman (@TonyTGoodman) July 5, 2016
Great to have you on board! https://t.co/5eefIHT0de
— David Grosso (@cmdgrosso) July 5, 2016
Aside from Goodman’s duties as commissioner, he also serves as a member of the D.C. Pedestrian Advisory Council, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He most recently was a D.C. Department of General Services construction manager, working on projects that included a new pedestrian and bike trail that will run from NoMa to the National Arboretum.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, Goodman has lived in D.C. since 2002.
“The Councilmember is very excited to have Tony on board,” Grosso spokesman Matthew Nocella said in a statement. “Tony’s experience with various aspects of District government deepen the knowledge base of an already incredible staff and he looks forward to working with him on behalf of the people of the District of Columbia.”
Photo via Twitter/Tony Goodman
Metro Transit Police Investigating Thursday Attack on Red Line Metro Train — Metro is investigating after a man reported that he was attacked by a group of teenagers on a Red Line Metro train Thursday afternoon. The group of teens reportedly boarded the train at the NoMa-Gallaudet University station about 4:30 p.m. and harassed several passengers. [Washington Post, Washington City Paper]
Southwest Residents Raise Concerns About Buzzard Point Development — As development brings more people to Buzzard Point, residents want to make sure that the area is prepared with transit options and public spaces. [Hill Rag]
Monthly Capitol Hill Area ANC Meeting Roundup — Hill Rag takes a look at what happened last month with Capitol Hill area ANCs, including 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. [Hill Rag]
Bayou Bakery Expands Dinner Service Starting Friday — Capitol Hill eatery Bayou Bakery will start serving dinner on Friday, with plans to serve fried chicken livers, seared Cajun pork belly and blue crab fritters. [Washington Post]
Turf Athletic Field at Randall Recreation Center Almost Complete — Construction on a new turf athletic field at Randall Recreation Center in Southwest is almost complete. The field includes a new scoreboard, soccer field and baseball/softball field. [SWTLQTC]
Monthly Capitol Hill Area ANC Meeting Roundup — Hill Rag takes a look at what happened last month with Capitol Hill area ANCs, including 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. [Hill Rag]
NoMa Parks Foundation Purchases Two Acres North of New York Avenue NE — The NoMa Parks Foundation purchased two acres from Pepco at the northern end of NoMa to convert into a park. It’s the second park purchased by the parks foundation, a branch of the NoMa Business Improvement District. [Washington Business Journal]
ANC 6C Commissioner’s Home Vandalized With Anti-Abortion Poster Alleging He ‘Supports Baby Killing’ — Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Chris Miller, a member of ANC 6C, found a sign taped to his home saying he “supports baby killing” after he wore a shirt saying “I Stand with Planned Parenthood.” [Washington City Paper]
Starbucks, Petco Coming to the H Street Corridor — Plans for a development on the 600 block of H Street NE, across from the future Whole Foods Market site show space for a Starbucks and a Petco Unleashed pet store. [The Hill Is Home]
Exterior of First Condo Building at The Wharf Nearly Complete — Construction continues on the first condo building of The Wharf development in Southwest at 525 Water St. SW with plans for condos to be ready by spring. [SWTLQTC]
Bowser Emphasizes Health Initiatives at New Year’s 5K in Hill East — Mayor Muriel Bowser called for a focus on health initiatives in the new year at her second annual Fresh Start 5K walk/run near Eastern High School on New Year’s Day. [WTOP]
Capitol Hill Residents Fight ‘Pop-Backs’ Near Union Station — ANC 6C Commissioner Mark Eckenwiler has joined some neighbors in complaining about expansions to rowhouses near Union Station that he says violate city code. [Washington Post]
Barracks Row Eatery Las Placitas Reopens at New Location — Las Placitas restaurant has reopened at its new location at 8th and L streets SE after relocating several blocks South of its original location. [JDLand]
Power Restored After Overnight Outages on Capitol Hill — Capitol Hill residents along East Capitol Street between the Supreme Court and Lincoln Park lost power for several hours last night due to a problem with a circuit breaker, but Pepco now says that power has been restored. [WTOP]
Navy Yard Brewery Honors Capitals Player With New Beer — Bluejacket brewery in Navy Yard released The Chimmer beer, an IPA honoring Washington Capitals player Jason Chimera. [Eater]
D.C. Councilmembers Speak Out Against Pepco-Exelon merger — Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen joined Ward 3 Councilwoman Mary Cheh and At Large Councilmembers David Grosso and Elissa Silverman on a letter urging the District’s Public Service Commission to reject the proposed takeover of Pepco by Exelon. [Washington Post]
Monthly Capitol Hill Area ANC Meeting Roundup — Hill Rag takes a look at what happened last month with Capitol Hill area ANCs, including 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. [Hill Rag]
Enterprise Car Rental to Open in Southwest This Week — Enterprise car rental is slated to open its new location at Waterfront Station at 1100 4th Street SW this week. [SWTLQTC]
Video Compares H Street Streetcar to Simpsons’ Monorail — A song created by Express writer Sadie Dingfelder, who has written other local transit-themed tunes, compares the H Street Streetcar to the Springfield Monorail from The Simpsons. [Washington Post]
H Street NE restaurant Sally’s Middle Name has applied to expand into the second floor of its building at 1320 H Street NE, adding 60 seats to the restaurant.
The application was submitted to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration during its meeting on Wednesday. Residents will have a chance to protest the expansion at a hearing that has not yet been scheduled.
Also on Wednesday, ABRA approved a settlement between Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C and Sugar Factory, a new candy store and bar in Union Station. According to the terms of the agreement, alcoholic drinks larger than 32 oz. can only be served to groups of two or more. Sugar Factory’s menu includes several cocktails served in 60-ounce goblets.
The agreement also allows Sugar Factory to stay open until midnight Thursday through Saturday and until 10 p.m. during the week. It also bars the sale of alcoholic beverages to-go.
ABRA also approved a settlement between ANC 6B and the 7th and L Street Market at 700 L St. SE. The agreement prevents the corner store from selling individual alcohol containers, including beer or malt liquor in single containers less than 70 ounces and spirits in half-pint or smaller containers.
The ANC also called on the market to be more proactive about discouraging the consumption of alcohol around the store by not providing cups, posting no loitering signs and selling the alcohol in clear plastic bags.
Group Opposed to Hine Project Development Files Freedom of Information Act Request for ANC Documents — The Hine Coalition, a group of Capitol Hill residents opposed to the Hine Project development next to Eastern Market, have filed a Freedom of Information Act Request for documents related to ANC 6B’s consideration of the project. [Capitol Hill Corner]
Monthly Capitol Hill Area ANC Meeting Roundup — Hill Rag takes a look at what happened last month with Capitol Hill area ANCs, including 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E. [Hill Rag]
Pedestrian Killed in Car Accident on Maine Avenue SW on Friday — A person driving a car struck a pedestrian just before 8:30 p.m. Friday on Maine Avenue SW. The pedestrian died shortly after arriving at the hospital. [WUSA]
Meet the Neighbors: Hill East’s Spider Lady and Her Famous Halloween House — Lara Walker, 48, is the self-proclaimed “Mama Spider” behind the Capitol Hill spider house at the intersection of 13th Street and South Carolina Avenue SE. Almost every Halloween, the elaborate decorations seem to weave their way out of the brick home. [Hill Now]
Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen gave first aid to a pedestrian who was struck by a car earlier today.
About 11 a.m., Allen witnessed the woman being struck by a car at the intersection of 9th Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. He stayed with her until an ambulance arrived, according to a tweet from Allen.
The woman had the light to cross and was in the crosswalk when she was struck.
@20002ist @struckdc I was there. She had light & in xwalk. Gave aid, held her hand & kept her calm til EMS arrived. We also called her boss.
— Charles Allen (@CharlesAllenW6) October 28, 2015
Mark Eckenwiler, an ANC 6C commissioner who was at the scene shortly after the accident occurred said on Twitter it appeared that the woman was hit by a taxi turning left onto Pennsylvania Avenue. He also added that the woman was taken away in an ambulance.
@struckdc Lots of police/paramedics at 9th/Penn NW ~10am. Looked like s/b cab turning L onto Penn hit ped in xwalk; victim on stretcher.
— Mark Eckenwiler (@20002ist) October 28, 2015
Representatives from D.C. Fire and EMS could not be reached immediately to confirm the accident or any information on the victim.
Photo via Twitter/ Mark Eckenwiler
NoMa Development Moves East of the Tracks — Developers in NoMa say that in a few years, development on the eastern side of the neighborhood will turn it into one of the most densely populated areas in the city. [District Source]
Monthly Capitol Hill-Area ANC Meeting Roundup — Hill Rag takes a look at what happened last month with Capitol Hill-area ANCs, including 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. [Hill Rag]
Anti-Abortion Group Develops Strategy to Prevent Planned Parenthood in NoMa — Abortion-Free DC, an organization launched in July to oppose the future Planned Parenthood site in NoMa, is working to prevent the clinic from opening by scrutinizing permits and canvassing neighborhoods. [Washington City Paper]
Locals Petition Against ‘Misplaced Priority’ of New Redskins Stadium at RFK — A group called “Prioritize DC” is calling on city officials to “focus on District-wide priorities, not football” for the RFK Stadium campus as D.C. works to redevelop the area. [Hill Now]
Indigo on K Street NE is one step away from keeping its patio, after receiving the backing of a neighborhood government commission yesterday.
ANC 6C last night approved the Indian restaurant’s application for a sidewalk cafe, which it has had since it opened in 2013 at 243 K St. NE. The ANC’s support came after more than 400 people signed an online petition calling for the commission to back Indigo’s bid.
The District Department of Transportation Public Space Committee now must sign off on the application before the patio officially is in the clear.
Dinesh Tandon, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Nidhi, said he initially thought the liquor license he obtained for outdoor seating was all he needed to ensure his patio was in compliance. Then, the ANC approached him about the need for a sidewalk cafe application two months ago, when he added a bar and made other updates to the space, he said.
Tandon said he appreciates the support he has received from neighbors and customers.
“I feel completely blessed to be surrounded by people of character and good heart,” he said in an email.
An Indian restaurant near the H Street corridor has garnered hundreds of supporters in its fight with a neighborhood government commission to keep its patio.
Indigo at 243 K St. NE is seeking ANC 6C’s approval for a sidewalk cafe, which the eatery has had since it opened in 2013. More than 400 people have voiced their support online for Indigo’s outdoor space since a petition went up on Change.org this week.
Dinesh Tandon, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Nidhi, said he initially thought he didn’t need the backing of the ANC for his eatery’s patio. Tandon said he thought that having a liquor license that supported outdoor seating for 65 people was sufficient.
“It was a learning step for me,” he said.
The ANC approached him about the patio about two months ago when he added a bar and made other updates to the space, he said.
ANC 6C chairwoman Karen Wirt didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tandon said the outdoor seating upgrades are part of his efforts to spruce up the corner of 3rd and K streets NE. In addition to the patio, he said he is planning to add green space for outdoor games and bicycle parking on the east side of his restaurant.
“My sole purpose is to beautify this corner,” Tandon said.
The commission is scheduled to vote on Indigo’s bid for a sidewalk cafe tonight.
Community leaders on Capitol Hill are urging D.C. and federal officials to install protected bicycle lanes that would connect cycle tracks near Union Station and the U.S. Capitol.
The two-way cycle track ANC 6C formally requested last night would be on Louisiana Avenue, between Columbus Circle NE and Constitution Avenue NW. The bike lanes are intended to bridge the Pennsylvania Avenue NW bike lanes with the 1st Street NE cycle track that is under construction, helping link bike lanes that stretch across the District.
“Right now, it’s a dangerous stretch of roadway for cyclists,” said Joe McCann, a former ANC 6C transportation committee chairman, who is helping lead the commission’s push for the cycle track.
The District Department of Transportation last year identified the cycle track as a second tier priority in the “Multimodal Long-Range Transportation Plan” it released last year. The cycle track, which would be almost a half-mile long, would cost $900,000 to complete, according to DDOT.
To build the bike lanes, DDOT would need the approval of the Architect of the Capitol. Louisiana Avenue NE between Columbus Circle and North Capitol Street NE has three lanes for congressional staffer parking, one of which needs to go to support the cycle track, the ANC wrote in a letter it approved last night to DDOT Director Leif Dormsjo and Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers.
A DDOT spokeswoman didn’t have an immediate comment. A representative of the Architect of the Capitol wasn’t immediately available to comment.
The National Park Service wants to build a memorial to the Peace Corps near the Capitol, but the local ANC panned the plan.
ANC 6C unanimously voted against a proposal to build a memorial to the 53-year-old program on the triangle of parkland bounded by C Street, Louisiana Avenue and First Street NW. Putting the memorial there would harm two trees and take over valuable park space, ANC members ruled.
“We’re getting more and more of these requests, and they’re eating up our public space,” ANC 6C commissioner Karen Wirt said Friday.
Members objected to potentially harming a 75-foot-tall oak tree and 35-foot-tall elm tree in the pocket park, and said they could not support designs that had not been presented to them, Wirt said.
The Park Service named the half-acre pocket park on Louisiana Avenue its preferred site for the memorial due to its proximity to other national monuments, as Washington Business Journal was first to report.
The Park Service and the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation studied three other possible locations: Edward R. Murrow Park at 18th and H streets NW; the pocket park at the southeast corner of 19th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW; and 26th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
The memorial authorized by Congress earlier this year is intended to honor the “establishment of the Peace Corps and the ideals and values it represents, [as] a quintessential, preeminent part of American history, and a vital part of world history,” a presentation by the PCCF says.
Photo via Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation
