ANC Highlights: DPR, Canal Boat, 2900 M, Sports & Social
By • April 11, 2022 0 796
The Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission — ANC 2E — held its monthly meeting remotely on Monday, April 4. The following are selected highlights.
Commissioners welcomed new Georgetown University student representatives: Arnav Kumar (ANC 2E08) and Cimrun Srivastava (ANC 2E04).
The Metropolitan Police Department noted robberies and motor vehicles thefts have gone up, compared to last year.
Wayne Turnage, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, regarding the Mayor’s Proposed FY 2023 Budget, presented on his department’s work, touting the Interagency Council On Homelessness’s launch of “Homeward DC 2.0.” He talked about the focus on housing along with Human Services as well as the status of the Encampment Pilot Program. “We have more than enough vouchers to give to everyone living on the street,” he said. “The challenge is the infrastructure,” housing, “solution will have to involve rental housing and public housing. … There’s a “multiplicity of problems people bring to unhoused living.”
Brian Romanowski from Council member Brooke Pinto’s Office talked up Earth Day, April 24 activities as well as the May 21 Bike Ride, while speaking of the Redistricting Task Force and upcoming budget work. He said Mt. Zion Cemetery storm water management is underway and noted funding for booting cars is set to triple — so, “be careful where you park.”
Tommie Jones provided an update from the Department of Parks and Recreation, regarding projects in the neighborhood — start of summer camp registrations, go to DPR.DC.gov and DPRsummercamp.com where there are a “host of summer camp opportunities.” He said he had not heard about Jelleff Recreation Center getting a contractor. Commissioner Kishan Putta countered, “We heard from our Council member Brooke Pinto’s office, we’re waiting for these projects to start. Pinto said Jelleff has selected a contractor.” Jones replied, “We’ll go back and check. I’m going to double-check. If contractor is on board, we can come back to you.” Commissioner Elizabeth Miller said, “It sure would be nice to have a SITT Team right now” [community engagement team]. ANC Chair Rick Murphy said, “Members of community will be very very upset if there is not a formal process for community engagement. We want to make sure the community is heard about this and it’s not just top-down imposed on us.” Jones replied, “We pride ourselves in trying to make sure the voice of residents are heard.”
Jennifer Romm, Chair of the Georgetown Heritage Board, announced the April 28 Christening of the new canal boat at Lock 4 at Thomas Jefferson Street. The first rides in canal boat for public will begin April 29. Georgetown Heritage is “excited to be bringing Georgetown canal tours back.” They’ll be providing “educational excursions” on the new boat. There will be five tours per day, Wednesday through Sunday; cost, $15. The nearby Visitor Center is being fixed up (brickwork, resurfacing, etc.); towpath repairs and graffiti removal are also underway.
Chris Martin of Martin-Diamond Properties spoke about his Georgetown properties and vision for Georgetown. “Our projects” are to “reinvest in Georgetown,” he said. A board member of the Georgetown Business Improvement District, Martin said he got involved in after a BID survey showed that “only 40 percent said there was anything they wanted to buy in Georgetown.” He added, “We were thrilled to see as our flagship,” the former Georgetown Theater became Compass Coffee and we’ll be bringing Maman, an upscale casual dining establishment from New York to bring a new vibrancy to that block. Another block Martin is working on is the south side of the 2900 block of M Street NW. The Meridian Group of 11 continuous buildings at 29th and M will “tell a new story on that block,” he said. “We’re working on temporary art installations to reinvigorate and celebrate the rebirth of this block.” The application on the vacant buildings reads: “Temporary art installation of vines and butterflies to be placed in trees and on properties.”
Meanwhile, the commission will be protesting the license application from Sports & Social for a kiosked sports betting bar at 3123-3125 M St. NW in the former RiRa restaurant space. Owners said the overall concept is “Sports and Social; Raising the Sports Bar.” It’s an “elevated sports bar and restaurant” — with sports wagering. They’ve already opened one in Bethesda.
