ANC Report: Burglaries, Parking, El Centro, Ellington, Halcyon, Heating Plant

The Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E met at Georgetown Visitation Prep Sept. 3. Highlights from the monthly meeting follow.

= The police report kicked off the meeting, as Lt. John Hedgecock of the Metropolitan Police Department noted that burglaries were increasing around town, especially those involving unlocked or locked garages. In the last three months, there were 25 burglaries in Georgetown. Last year, during the same months, there were 18 burglaries. Hedgecock also commented on the Aug. 30 incident on the Potomac River in the dock at Washington Harbour, where an MPD harbor boat pulled a “Miami Vice” move and swarmed two boats with water, causing one to sink. He said he was not part of that division to the slightly amused audience.

= There was discussion about the upcoming renovation of Ellington High School, the expansion of its theater and a new underground garage. A few neighbors expressed concern about increased traffic.

= The West Heating Plant reconstruction plans will face scrutiny by the Old Georgetown Board in November. The plans, worked out by new owners, the Levy Group, Four Seasons and the Georgetown Group which bought the property from the federal government, feature added green space around a radically changed historic structure. More to come on this big project.

= A new settlement agreement (formerly known as a “voluntary agreement”) was reached by the ANC and the new El Centro restaurant at 1218 Wisconsin Ave., NW., on matters of hours and crowds at the restaurant. The building, leased by the business headed by Richard Sandoval Restaurants, was once the site of the legendary Third Edition. There is another El Centro on 14th Street; the Sandoval company runs 30 restaurant nationally and internationally. Another signatory to the agreement is the Citizens Association of Georgetown, which praised the reputation of the applicant.

= The ANC expressed disappointment at the way the District Department of Transportation suddenly initiated a visitor parking pass system for households across the city. DDOT had been meeting with community groups about parking concerns. Most said the new plan would lead to less parking being available for residents, as the new parking pass is a placard placed on the dashboard of the car and valid for one year that can be used by anyone a resident gives it to. There are a few days left to comment on this new plan. Send comments to publicspace.policy@DC.gov.

= Halcyon House at 3400 Prospect St., NW, owned by Halcyon Georgetown LLC and to be used primarily for programs run by the S&R Foundation, has applied for “a special exception to establish a non-profit” (BZA No. 18604; application for hearing, Sept.10.). The parties met at least two time with Prospect Street neighbors and reduced the amount of planned events, which are mainly for small groups. The ANC approved the application unanimously.

= Georgetown Community Day is set for Oct. 12. The cookout event on the campus of Georgetown University will highlight university programs and classes open (and free) to neighborhood residents as well as opportunities for students to participate in neighborhood activities.