Suspect in Hill East Sexual Assault Was Charged With Felony, Released Two Weeks Before Crime — The 21-year-old suspected of sexually assaulting a woman in her home in Hill East was on supervised release after an arrest for felony drug possession at the time of the assault. [NBC Washington]
DDOT Releases Proposed Routes for NoMa Circulator — The District Department of Transportation released five potential routes for a Circulator bus in NoMa. DDOT is seeking feedback on the proposals online and at community events. [Washington City Paper]
Developer Considers Pulling Out of Major NoMa Project — First Potomac Realty Trust is considering backing out of its planned Storey Park development at 1005 First St. NE in NoMa. [Washington Business Journal]
Whether Hurricane Joaquin makes landfall near the District or not, it’s going to be a very rainy weekend. District officials are warning about possible flooding and many of the weekend’s events have been postponed or moved indoors.
Here’s what you need to know to make the most of this wet weekend in the Capitol Hill area:
Weather
The District is under a flash flood watch through Saturday. City officials distributed sandbags to several flood-prone neighborhoods, but did not expect flooding to be a significant issue on Capitol Hill, Navy Yard or Southwest. City officials said they will post updated information on the effects of the rain online.
If Joaquin does hit the District, which meteorologists do not expect, there could be flooding along the river in Navy Yard and Southwest, according to a District government flooding map.
Events
Wunder Garten Oktoberfest
Wunder Garten at NoMA (150 M St. NE)
Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. (closes at 10 p.m. on Sunday)
Several days of free community events lead up to the pop-up’s ticketed, three-day Oktoberfest celebration on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The weekend festivities will feature festival games, including a beer stein competition and a dirndl relay race. Tickets for the weekend events are $10 per day and must be purchased in advance online.
DC VegFest
N and 1st streets SE
Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The free festival that was founded in 1997 is back and ready to educate D.C. residents about the benefits of a plant-based diet. The first 1,000 attendees will receive a tote bag with samples and coupons. The event features a beer garden, more than 130 vendors, live music and a children’s activity area.
Dead Man’s Run 5k and Kids Fun Run
Congressional Cemetery (1801 E St. SE)
Saturday 6 p.m.
Costumes are an unofficial requirement for this 5K race, now in its fifth year. The course, which is along the Anacostia River, is flat and fast. If a 5K is too far, the cemetery also is having a family-friendly 2K fun run, which will start shortly after the main event. All proceeds go toward the preservation of the cemetery.
Scream City
RFK Stadium (2400 East Capitol St)
Saturday 7 p.m.
The District’s largest haunted attraction is closed today due to weather, but promises to open Saturday night.
“Madam Satan” Screening
Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
Time: 4 – 6 p.m.
The “Tough Dames in Satin Slips” returns to the center this weekend to kickoff the first of four screening of racy films from before 1934. New Yorker writer Margaret Talbot and film critic Nell Minow will host the program. The screening is expected to be standing room only. Online registration in advance is encouraged.
Metrorail
- Weekend track work continues this weekend for all lines except the Green Line.
- Metro riders going to the D.C. United game tonight should take Blue Line trains or buses because the Orange and Silver line trains will not stop at the Stadium-Armory station until 7:30 p.m.
- Red Line trains will run every 20 minutes.
- Orange, Blue, Silver, and Yellow line trains will run every 24 minutes.
Metrobus
- There are no scheduled bus line interruptions in the Capitol Hill area.
- The bus stop at H St and 3rd St NE, which serves the D8, X1 and X2 buses and is currently closed, will reopen Sunday.
Circulator
On Sunday, the Union Station-Navy Yard and Potomac Avenue-Skyland routes will switch to winter service hours, meaning this is the last weekend that either route will run.
Photo via Facebook/DC Veg Fest
Pope Francis may have left the Capitol Hill area on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean this weekend will be quiet.
Barracks Row, the H Street corridor, Navy Yard and other areas on and around Capitol Hill are set to have a variety of happenings Saturday and Sunday. And while road closures and rerouted buses won’t be as prevalent as they were during the pope’s visit, the Barracks Row Fall Festival will cause some disruptions for drivers and bus riders.
Here’s a roundup of what to expect this weekend on and around Capitol Hill:
Events
Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
8th Street SE between E and I streets SE
Live music, arts, fashion trucks, food trucks and a petting zoo are just some of the features of the street festival that will take over several blocks of 8th Street SE.
Saturday 7 p.m.-3 a.m.
H Street corridor
Arts venues along the H Street corridor will participate in the District’s annual Art All Night festival, which includes gallery shows and live performances.
Saturday 2 p.m.
Amidon-Bowen Elementary School Park (4th and G streets SW)
Multiple vendors will set up shop at the school’s park. Organizers asked vendors to donate a portion of their proceeds to a college fund for Taije Chambliss, a 13-year-old girl who was injured in an Aug. 30 shooting.
Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
1400 East Capitol St. NE
More than 15 residents of the Car Barn condo building will participate in a building-wide yard sale.
Saturday 1-5 p.m.
Yards Park (355 Water St. SE)
Wiener dog races are the main attraction at this festival, which will also include live music, beer and food.
Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St. NE)
The Sherwood Neighborhood Volunteers are hosting the 2nd annual event celebrating the neighborhood with food and activities for families.
Congressional Cemetery Screening of ‘Psycho’
Saturday 7:30 p.m.
Congressional Cemetery (1801 E St. SE)
The Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery will hold their third scary movie screening in the cemetery.
Road Closures
The only road closures planned for the Capitol Hill area this weekend are around the Barracks Row Fall Festival. The following blocks will be closed between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.:
- 8th Street SE from E to I streets SE
- G Street SE between 7th and 9th streets SE
Metrorail
Every line except the Green Line will have maintenence work this weekend
- Red Line trains will run every 20 minutes, with additional trains from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. running every 10 to 12 minutes between the Farragut North and Rhode Island Avenue Metro stations.
- Orange, Silver, Blue, and Yellow line trains will run every 24 minutes.
Metrobus
The only Metro bus route interruptions this week will occur around the streets closed for the Barracks Row Fall Festival. The 90, 92 and 93 bus routes will detour around the closure on 8th Street SE. The following bus stops will not be served between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday:
- M and 10th streets SE (both directions)
- M and 8th streets SE (northbound)
- 8th and L streets SE (both directions)
- 8th and G streets SE (both directions)
- 8th and E streets SE (northbound)
- 8th and D streets SE (southbound)
Circulator
The Potomac Avenue-Skyland and Union Station-Navy Yard Circulator routes also will detour around the street closures on Barracks Row. On Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Circulator will skip all stops on Barracks Row.
Photo courtesy of Barracks Row Main Street
Road closures, transit changes and extra security are set to arrive in the Capitol Hill area this week when Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the District.
Locals near Capitol Hill are expected to feel the effects of the pope’s visit most strongly on Thursday, when he is slated to speak to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol.
Here’s how his trip will affect the Capitol Hill area:
- A ticketed event is scheduled to view a live video feed of the pope’s 10 a.m. address to Congress from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Attendees also might catch a glimpse of Francis outside, but should check the list of prohibited items.
- No public, non-ticketed viewing areas are available on the U.S. Capitol grounds or the National Mall.
- The U.S. Capitol will close to the public at 5 p.m. Tuesday and remain closed for the duration of the pope’s visit.
Street Closures
- All streets within a three-block radius of the U.S. Capitol will be closed from midnight to noon on Thursday.
- Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd and 1st streets NW and Maryland Avenue SW between 1st and 3rd streets SW will both be closed from 5 p.m. Wednesday to 4 p.m. Thursday.
- Louisiana Avenue NW between Columbus Circle and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington Avenue SW between South Capitol Street and Independence Avenue SW, and East Capitol Street between 2nd and 1st streets SE and NE will be closed between midnight and 4 p.m. Thursday.
Metrorail
- Metro will increase service during afternoons and evenings. Metro does not have the capacity to increase service during rush hours and expects trains to be very crowded at those times.
- Bicycles and large coolers won’t be allowed on Metro trains Wednesday or Thursday.
- Bags, packages and containers may be searched at Metro stations.
- There is no scheduled track work on any lines during the pope’s visit.
- Updated information will be made available online.
- D3 bus will not operate on Wednesday or Thursday.
- X2 will not go further downtown than Gallery Place from 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to 2 p.m. Thursday.
- 30N and 30S will not run between Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle from 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
- 32 and 36 only will operate from Southeast to 12th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW from 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
- 39 only will operate between Naylor Road and 6th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW.
- A9, P17, P19 and W13 only will run between Southeast D.C. and L’Enfant Plaza.
- X1 only will operate between Benning Road NE and 6th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW.
- The National Mall route will not operate at all on Wednesday or Thursday.
- Buses on the Union Station-Navy Yard route will detour to avoid road closures near the Capitol. Buses going to Navy Yard will take Massachusetts Avenue NW to 4th Street NW to Pennsylvania Avenue SW, where it will resume its normal route. Buses going to Union Station will take Pennsylvania Avenue SW to 6th Street SW to Massachusetts Avenue NW, where it will resume its normal route.
- Buses on the Georgetown-Union Station, Potomac Avenue-Skyland and Union Station-Navy Yard routes will all operate every 15 minutes from noon to the end of the day Wednesday.
Public Works
- Street sweeping has been suspended on Wednesday and Thursday on the 200 block of East Capitol Street and the 200 to 300 blocks of Massachusetts Avenue NE.
- All other parking restrictions and street sweeping schedules will be enforced as usual.
Schools
- D.C. public schools all will be open for the entirety of the Pope’s visit. But school officials warn that road closures and crowds may affect transportation to and from school and said parents can contact the Parent Resource Center at 202-576-5000 for transportation-related questions during the pope’s visit.
- Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy will close Wednesday.
- Center City Public Charter Schools won’t hold classes Wednesday.
Capitol Hill-area residents and visitors could have fewer places to board D.C. Circulator buses if a District Department of Transportation plan to improve service on the line comes to fruition, a DDOT official said today.
The agency is in the process of deciding whether it should eliminate eight stops along the D.C. Circulator bus route between Union Station and Navy Yard, said Circe Torruellas, DDOT’s citywide planner for the bus service.
“Bus stop consolidation improves on-time performance and reliability by combining bus stops that are very close together,” she said. “It also reduces the average travel time for passengers because buses are able to travel faster.”
The stops that DDOT is considering closing include:
Northbound (toward Union Station)
- M and 4th streets SE. (The closest stop is less than two blocks away at 600 M St. SE.)
- 8th and E streets SE. (The closest stop is two short blocks away at 8th St SE and Pennsylvania Avenue SE.)
- Pennsylvania Avenue SE and 5th Street SE (Seward Square). (The closest stop is two blocks away at Pennsylvania Avenue SE and 3rd Street SE.)
- 8th and G streets SE. (The closest stop is three blocks away at 8th and L streets SE.)
Southbound (toward Navy Yard)
- Pennsylvania Avenue SE and 5th Street SE (Seward Square). (The closest stop is three blocks away at Pennsylvania Avenue SE and 8th Street SE or three blocks in the other direction at Independence Avenue and 2nd Street SE.)
- 8th and D streets SE. (The closest stop stop is one block away at Pennsylvania Avenue SE and 8th Street SE.)
- M and 4th streets SE. (The closest stop is less than two blocks away at 600 M St. SE.)
- 8th and G streets. (The closest stop is three blocks away at 8th and L streets SE.)
Before any stops are eliminated, residents will have a chance to weigh in on the proposed changes at an open house later this month. The event will be at the Southeast Neighborhood Library (403 7th St. SE) on Sept. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Capitol Hill residents and visitors will have a new way to travel from Union Station to the National Mall starting this weekend.
D.C. Circulator buses will run a 15-stop loop from Columbus Circle and E Street NE to the Lincoln Memorial beginning Sunday. The buses also will stop near the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and each of the Smithsonian museums on the Mall, among other places.
A bus will arrive at the stops every 10 minutes. The buses will operate from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays from April 1 to Sept. 30. From Oct. 1 to March 31, the buses stop running one hour earlier on weekdays and weekends.
The fare is $1.
“The DC Circulator’s expansion is a win for the District, its residents and visitors as a sustainable solution for moving people around the National Mall and into our unique and diverse neighborhoods,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a statement. “This route will provide people with greater access to the nation’s most iconic monuments, memorials and museums while boosting economic activity in the District.”
Photo via Twitter/D.C. Circulator
Candlelight Vigil for Slain Reporter — On Wednesday evening the life and work of Charnice Milton will be commemorated at a silent vigil on Alabama Avenue SE. The Capitol Community News staffer was shot and killed in Anacostia on her way home from covering a meeting at Eastern Market. [The Hill is Home]
Tidal Basin Circulator — Training for a new Circulator route around the National Mall started on Monday. Service was originally slated to begin in “spring 2015.” [DCist]
Power Play — Eastern Market resident John Bocek claims to have set the world record for pull-ups done over a 24-hour period. He recorded the feat on video at a Crossfit gym in Arlington. [ARL Now]
Hill Intern Arrested — A temporary staffer for Kansas Rep. Lynn Jenkins was arrested for bringing an unloaded handgun to work. He is charged with carrying a pistol without a license for having an unregistered firearm. [NBC News]
Passport Check — Two NoMa bars, Suburbia and Rappahannock Oyster Bar at Union Market, are participating in a national 2-for-1 drink special where patrons can present a “passport.” [Borderstan]
Ward 6 will soon have another transit option on weekends.
Starting Monday, the D.C. Circulator buses will run on Saturdays on the Union Station-Navy Yard Metro and Potomac Avenue Metro-Skyland routes.
Service on those routes will run from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. The weeknight service times have been extended by two hours for the summer.
On nights with Washington Nationals night games, the Union Station-Navy Yard buses will run until midnight. They’ll run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. when the team plays home games on Sundays.
For full information on schedules and routes, see the Circulator website.
Photo via Facebook/DC Circulator
