Long Agenda Takes ANC 2E Meeting Past Midnight
By • October 6, 2025 0 662
The “October” meeting of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission for Georgetown, Burleith and Hillendale, held on Monday, Sept. 29, began at 6:30 p.m. and didn’t gavel down until about 1 a.m. Besides the many agenda items (see below), there was a surprise, high-jolt visual presentation about an ongoing issue: medical waste near Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.
Reports from District Officials
Officials from the mayor’s office and Council reported that public safety would continue to be a top focus. Under a “Peace DC Omnibus Bill” introduced by Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto and passed this summer, the District will expand its law enforcement agents and take on measures to “reduce recidivism,” according to Pinto.
Ward 2 Board of Education representative Allister Chang reported that the reading scores of D.C. students are going up — a nearly 10-percent rise in the last year. He expects the increase to continue with the “evidence-based” reading system now in place. Still, D.C. ranks among the lowest in the country (compared to states), with 36.5 percent of public school students reading at grade level. “But we’re going in the right direction,” Chang said.
Department of Transportation planner Ted Randell reported that city officials and representatives of licensed companies that rent motorized scooters and bikes are negotiating a solution to the problem of parked vehicles blocking sidewalks. Part of the problem is that the District is essentially a dock-free community. He urged flexibility and patience as policies are worked out.
Projects in Georgetown Parks
After years of delays, long-planned construction projects are underway in three of Georgetown’s parks and recreation areas, closing them down until at least the spring of 2026, possibly into 2027. Quick updates, with promises to get back with further details, were given by Department of Parks and Recreation official Tommie Jones.
Duke Ellington Field: The entire playing field and track surface has been dug up and replaced and now is in its final phase of resurfacing. Neighbors are urging that the track be done first, with finishing the field, landscaping and fieldhouses renovations to follow. The top concern is the installation of very tall lights around the field, that some neighbors say were not tested and approved before finalization. Guarantees about hours of usage are also wanting, they say.
Volta Park: Following a year of delays due to unexpected drainage problems and other issues, the baseball field at Volta Park has been fenced off and construction equipment put in place to begin its refurbishment. Some commented that things seem to have suddenly stopped. “I’ll look into it,” said Jones. Pinto announced that funds for new playground equipment have been secured
Jelleff Recreation Center: After almost seven years of planning meetings, town halls, permit and contract previews and design meetings, the Jelleff project’s “final design” was announced by DPR and presented at a Sept. 24 meeting with little advance notice. In 2024, the budget had gone from an initial $7 million for required ADA improvements to $28 million for a full renovation, a sum that was maintained in the 2025-26 budget. But in that time the costs have also gone up substantially. Two major expectations were therefore cut from the final plans: the second gym — which had been the focal point of the project when it was first expanded — and a second activities area for the Boys and Girls Club that had been considered essential. Also cut were renovations to the swimming pool.
Several ANC commissioners shared with The Georgetowner their disappointment and frustration that these final decisions were made without conferring with Georgetown stakeholders and officials involved for years in the planning. “The lesson here is not to delay things after funding is secured,” said one commissioner (off the record). “Now let’s just get it done.”
The Jelleff area is being fenced off and permits for demolition are being secured. The Boys and Girls Club has moved to the old Filmore School at 1801 35th St. NW, despite complaints that there is no playing field. The club will share the building with Georgetown Village, which, some commissioners noted, could develop into meaningful intergenerational activities.
Final Standards for Streateries
A final report regarding streatery standards is near completion by the Georgetown Business and Improvement District and various District departments. The regulations include some for appearance and upkeep. Once the standards are set, four or five of Georgetown’s some 16 streateries, including those with “tents,” may require requests for special consideration.
A Jolting Presentation
Around 9:30 p.m., during the comment period, a Burleith neighbor handed out “gift packages” to all the commissioners. Inside each was a collection of medical garbage including used bandages and wraps, syringes, needles and even some surgical equipment. The packages were, as one commissioner put it, a very graphic reminder of a rather gross problem: medical trash left by individuals in the residential neighborhoods adjacent to MedStar Georgetown Hospital. “We have been working on this problem for years,” noted Burleith Community Association President Eric Langenbacher.
Resolutions
Commissioners also considered three repeat advisory resolutions to be sent to the appropriate government bodies. They all contained urgent requests for increased transparency concerning Georgetown projects. Resolutions included a request to implement and make accessible recordings of Old Georgetown Board hearings and meetings; and a repeated appeal for improvement in the collection of fall leaves throughout Georgetown this year, so that the failures of the program in 2024 are not repeated.
