*UPDATED* DMPED Moves Forward on Donatelli/Blue Skye Plans for Reservation 13

September 25, 2013

During a Sept. 24 Council hearing on major economic development projects, Ketan Gada of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development announced that DMPED has decided to move forward with the Donatelli/Blue Skye plans for parcels F1 & G1 at Reservation 13.

This is really good news for the neighborhood and will hopefully be the first step in the realization of the community supported Reservation 13 Master Plan. Over the next 120 days, DMPED and Donatelli/Blue Skye will negotiate an agreement that will allow the project to begin (transfer of land, etc.). This agreement will need to be approved by the DC Council prior to construction. Both affected ANCs – ANC 6B and 7F – will have an opportunity to weigh in on the negotiations and the agreement.

During the hearing, Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, chair of the Committee on Economic Development, suggested the creation of a community task force to focus on the project. I plan to work with my ANC 6B colleagues to determine whether the commission’s existing Hill East Task Force or a new task force should take on Reservation 13/Hill East.

We also need to continue to push the city to take action immediately on preparing the remaining parcels at Reservation 13 for development. While DMPED answered my question on the status of the Donatelli/Blue Skye proposal, they have not fully answered the other three questions I posed in my testimony (pdf).

Please post any comments/reactions/questions below.

Updated 10/4/13 – Video from the Sept. 24 hearing is now posted on DC’s Office of Cable Television website. Just click on the third “View Meeting” link and fast forward to 1 hour 26 minutes to see testimony on Hill East.

3 Comments | Development, Reservation 13/Hill East Waterfront | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

Res. 13/Hill East Council Hearing Tomorrow

September 23, 2013

The DC Council’s Committee on Economic Development, chaired by Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, is holding a hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 24, on major economic development projects. Reservation 13/Hill East is one of four major projects on the committee’s agenda. The hearing begins at 11:00 am in Room 500 of the Wilson Building (1350 Penn Ave NW). Read the hearing notice.

At the hearing, I’ll be testifying on behalf of ANC 6B. The main witness will be Victor Hoskins, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. I’ll be curious to hear if Deputy Mayor Hoskins has any updates on the Donatelli/Blue Skye proposal and DMPED’s larger vision for Res. 13.

in addition to Councilmember Bowser, Councilmembers Anita Bonds (At-Large), Jack Evans (Ward 2), Kenyan McDuffie (Ward 5) and Vincent Orange (At-Large) serve on the Committee on Economic Development.

You can watch the hearing on the DC Council website. Written statements can be submitted to Rob Hawkins, the committee’s legislative director, at rhawkins@dccouncil.us.

1 Comment | Development, Reservation 13/Hill East Waterfront | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

ANC 6B September 2013 Meeting Recap

September 13, 2013

After an August break, ANC 6B re-convened on Tuesday evening for our September full commission meeting. Here are the highlights:

  • The commission voted unanimously to send a letter (pdf) to the Federal Highway Administration and the District Department of Transportation with comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Virginia Avenue Tunnel Reconstruction. In the letter, the commission asks the agencies to pursue a hybrid option for the reconstruction of the Virginia Avenue rail tunnel, take steps to ensure that historic properties are protected during reconstruction and pursue a tree-lined linear park that connects Garfield Park and Virginia Avenue Park as a community benefit. Kudos to ANC 6B Transportation Committee Chair Kirsten Oldenburg (6B04) for crafting the commission’s comments.
  • The commission voted to send two additional letters to DDOT. The first (pdf) requests additional information on the agency’s intent to install traffic signals on 11th Street SE. The second letter (pdf) requests an extension on expiration date of visitor parking passes.
  • A long list of new resident members were unanimously approved, including seven new Hill East Task Force members. A big thanks to Jennifer Howard, Nike Opadiran, Ross Parman and Claudia Vilato for agreeing to represent 6B09 on the Task Force.
  • On a 9-0 vote, the commission voted to approve testimony on the status of development at Reservation 13/Hill East. I plan to deliver the testimony at the Council’s Committee on Economic Development’s Sept. 24 hearing on the status of major economic development projects in the city.
  • The commission voted 9-0 to support a new liquor license for District Taco (656 Pennsylvania Ave SE) and 8-1 to support the addition of rooftop garden summer garden seating at Rose’s Luxury (717 8th Street SE), a new restaurant opening soon on Barracks Row.
  • Concerned about a lack of notice to nearby neighbors, the commission delayed voting on the liquor license renewal for Bearnaise (313-315 Pennsylvania Avenue SE), the new Spike Mendelsohn restaurant that recently opened. The commission is going to take up the license renewal at a special call meeting on Tues., Sept. 24, 8 pm at the Hill Center.
  • After discussing concerns about the location of a dumpster and venting issues, the commission voted 5-1-1 to support a special exception to allow hot food service at Southeast Market (1500 Independence Avenue SE). The market currently sells cold sandwiches but wants to expand to hot sandwiches, which requires a fast food exception.
  • After a presentation by ANC 6B Treasurer Brian Pate (6B05), the commission unanimously approved a FY14 budget. FY14 will be a transition year for the commission as we work to move away from a traditional staffed office.
  • The October ANC 6B meeting will be on Tuesday, October 8, 7 pm at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE).

1 Comment | ANC 6B | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

Monday Quick Takes: Old KFC Site, Town Hall, Cupcakes, Day of the Dog

September 9, 2013
Construction underway at the old KFC Site on Penn Ave SE.

Construction underway at the old KFC Site on Penn Ave SE.

  • Construction is underway on the new two-story retail building at 1442 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, the old KFC site. At last week’s ANC 6B Planning and Zoning Committee meeting, Paul Millstein of Douglas Development, said that they expect construction to be complete by December.  The company has been contacted by potential tenants but does not have any leases signed as of yet.
  • A liquor license for District Taco (656 Pennsylvania Avenue SE), a fast food exception for Southeast Market (1500 Independence Ave SE), comments on proposed alternatives for the re-construction of Virginia Avenue Rail Tunnel and proposed testimony on Reservation 13 for an upcoming DC Council hearing are among the agenda (pdf) items for tomorrow’s (Tues., Sept. 10) ANC 6B September meeting. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE).
  • A big thanks to Jennifer Howard, Nike Opadiran, Ross Parman and Claudia Vilato for volunteering to represent 6B09 as Resident Members on the ANC 6B Hill East Task Force. Their appointments will be voted on by the full commission at the Sept. 10 meeting. I’m still looking for a volunteer to serve as 6B09 representative to the ANC 6B Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee. If you are interested, please contact me.
  • I’m really excited that Curbside Cupcakes is moving into the old Crepes on the Corner space at 257 15th Street SE. Owners Kristi and Sam plan to open in  the next month or so and will be offering more than cupcakes. Should be a great addition to 15th Street SE and Hill East!
  • Mark your calendars! I’ll be holding a Neighborhood Town Hall meeting on Thursday, October 10 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the Chapel at Congressional Cemetery (1801 E Street SE). More information to come!
  • Speaking of Congressional Cemetery, the first Day of the  Dog Festival will take place at the Cemetery on Saturday, Sept. 21 from  10 am – 3 pm. The festival is open to the public and will include contests, music and local vendors.

1 Comment | 15th Street SE, ANC 6B, Congressional Cemetery, Development, Penn East | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

15th Street SE Construction Work Begins Sept. 11

September 6, 2013

I just received notice from the District Department of Transportation that a roadway improvement project on 15th Street SE will begin on next Wednesday, September 11. According to the notice (pdf), DDOT plans to upgrade wheelchair ramps, repair sidewalks, repair curbs and gutters and resurface the roadway on 15th Street SE between A Street SE and Potomac Avenue SE. The project will take roughly four weeks and will be conducted between 7 am and 7 pm Monday through Saturday. Curbside parking will be restricted – make sure you look for and abide by the “no parking signs.”

If there are any problems or issues with this construction work, please let me know.

Leave a Comment » | 15th Street SE, Transportation | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »