ANC: Jelleff Center, Dumbarton Oaks, C&O Canal Bridge  

By Lucy Cullen  

ANC 2E, the Advisory Neighborhood Commission for Georgetown, Burleith and Hillandale, met on Sept. 29 at Georgetown Visitation Prep. All commissioners were present, with Commissioner Kishan Putta participating via Zoom.    

The meeting began with public safety updates from Lt. John Merzig of the Metropolitan Police Department. No violent crimes were reported in the Georgetown area in the last month; motor vehicle thefts have shown a slight decrease from last month; and MPD is working to enhance its visibility in retail corridors with mountain bike officers.  

The mayor’s office provided information on leaf collection season, which begins on Oct. 28 for Department of Public Works-serviced households. Leaf collection requests must be made through the 311 app, or individuals can bring their bags to trash facilities.  

Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto recently made an unannounced visit to the Office of Unified Communication’s 911 call center, aiming to increase the transparency of its day-to-day operations and foster improvements in D.C.’s emergency response system. She plans to make additional visits. 

The renovation of Jelleff Community Center, the largest recreation center in the Georgetown area, was discussed. Demolition is expected to take six to nine months, with a year required for the construction work. That the center’s free after-school program will be paused for the duration of the renovation was worrisome. Commissioner Putta urged that alternative options be found for those who will be affected by the program’s temporary termination, saying, “If we can do anything for our community, it’s to bring them together, and we need to, fast.”  

The meeting’s most spirited conversation surrounded a zoning application by the Trustees for Harvard University, owner of Dumbarton Oaks, to use a building at 3100 R St. NW, just beyond the Dumbarton Oaks campus, as temporary housing for visiting fellows. Since the nonprofit purchased the property in 2021, the immediate neighbors have expressed dissatisfaction with its maintenance. At the meeting, some community members shared their concerns about the lack of upkeep and that a home in their area would be used for temporary lodging. Others were glad that the property would not remain unoccupied.    

Conditions that the community is asking the applicant to meet will be specified in a memo of understanding that ANC 2E expects to sign this week, according to Commissioner Gwendolyn Lohse.    

Another item was the National Park Service’s proposal for a pedestrian bridge at the junction of Rock Creek Park and the West Heating Plant Waterfront Park, at the end of the C&O Canal. In a resolution supporting the proposed bridge, Commissioner Mimsy Lindner said it will “serve as a connector for pedestrians, bikers and all who are enjoying the park path, especially those who wish to visit the C&O Canal zero mile marker.” The bridge will simplify and secure travel along the Rock Creek Parkway path, moving those on the path away from the four lanes of traffic heading toward the Georgetown Waterfront.  

The next ANC 2E meeting will take place on Monday, Nov. 4.