ANC 2E: Health Benefits, Crime, Trash, Streateries
By • November 10, 2025 0 652
By Heather Harris Roemer
Summary of Nov. 3 ANC 2E Meeting
Concerns about funding for food benefits were addressed by the mayor’s office. Open enrollment for 2026 health plans has begun. Crime continues to be minimal as the holiday season nears. The ANC aims to improve the trash situation and keep streateries in check. The District is working on plans for bikeways and alley lots.
Mayor authorizes use of funds for SNAP and WIC
As the federal government shutdown continues, the District will use $30.5 million of its reserves to cover the cost of November food benefits received by over 150,000 Washingtonians under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Women, Infants and Children program.
Open enrollment has begun
Open enrollment for health insurance through DC Health Link has begun and extends through Jan. 31.
Public safety and crime report
According to Lt. John Merzig, theft from parked cars remains the largest issue for Georgetown. Police have increased patrols in parking lots to work to discourage the behavior, but MPD noted that many of the cars that get broken into don’t have D.C. tags. Visitors from outside the city may not be stowing purchases and valuables out of sight. Since the government closure began, only one robbery and one burglary (1800 block of Wisconsin Avenue) have been recorded; the (attempted) robbery was a purse snatcher on an electric scooter, who was caught by MPD.
National Guard presence
According to Brian Romanowski of Council member Brooke Pinto’s office, the National Guard will likely maintain a presence in the city at least through the planned celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
Holiday Market
The Downtown DC Holiday Market will return to F Street NW, between 7th and 9th Streets, from Nov. 21 to 23.
MacArthur High School to be renamed
Starting next fall, MacArthur High School will be renamed after legendary Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson Jr.
Rose Park trash management
Friends of Rose Park has serious concerns about the quality and lack of quantity of the aging trash cans around Rose Park. The park is jointly managed by the District Department of Parks and Recreation and the National Park Service. Due to the park’s proximity to Wisconsin Avenue and construction sites, trash cans often fill to overflowing with takeout containers and other food waste, attracting pests, which cause health and safety issues. According to Gail Daubert of Friends of Rose Park, the organization is willing to contribute private funds to help with the cost of new cans. The ANC will request more frequent trash pickup at Rose Park and Volta Park and recommend the purchase and installation of new trash cans with lids that close.
Problematic ABC renewal application
The Lobby, located at 1660 33rd Street NW, is applying for renewal of its ABC license. Licenses are generally issued for three-year periods. According to Vice Commissioner Christopher Matthews, the Lobby has been routinely violating the existing ABC agreement since opening, despite the ANC’s best efforts to communicate with management. Neighbors testified about the Lobby’s patio area, which is disturbing the previously fairly peaceful block. ANC 2E will file a protest.
Streatery applications
The District Department of Transportation is now designing “forever permits” for streateries.
The Georgetown BID is requesting a DDOT permit for a public parklet that can provide outdoor seating for several small restaurants located on Wisconsin Avenue south of M Street. The BID is also working to include micromobility (scooter/bicycle) parking spaces, especially at corners where better turn visibility for drivers would be a net positive. The District Department of Transportation is now designing “forever permits” for streateries, requiring no formal renewal, and ANC 2E will have no say in future renewals. The ANC will request the Old Georgetown Board and DDOT to impose a two-to-three-year permit length; reiterate that the ANC prefers to see eating spaces on the sidewalk next to the building, with walk-around space on the street; request commitments that the OGB review any permanent structures; and prohibit storage of trash in the streatery space. In addition, the ANC will request as few concrete Jersey barriers as possible to improve aesthetics.
Editor’s note: Streatery operators must pay an annual use fee to DDOT and apply for an annual Certificate of Use from the Department of Buildings to continue operating each year.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is responsive to the changing needs of roadways and may revoke or alter permits as needed, which has happened annually in Georgetown. DDOT’s Streatery Guidelines state that, “DDOT will review streatery permits each year to determine if the permit needs to be revoked…. DDOT may revoke Streatery permits at any point deemed necessary by the agency.”
New fast-casual in former Harmony Café space
Flavor Hive, which has purchased the space formerly occupied by Harmony Café, looks forward to operating its fourth DMV location and its first in the District. The operation started as a food truck and has expanded to Potomac Yard, Annandale and Alexandria in Virginia.
Changes to curb areas
As the result of a recent traffic study, DDOT plans to extend a bus stop area on the east side of 35th and T Streets to allow for sufficient space for buses. In addition, there will be a new restriction to prohibit left turns from Bank Street onto M Street and some adjustments to pavement markings at P Street and Wisconsin Avenue to allow for better visibility.
1805 Wisconsin Avenue construction
This mixed-use development with nine townhomes (permits previously secured) expects to begin some construction in public areas at Wisconsin and S Streets. Construction of the building is expected to start in earnest early next year.
Strategic Bikeways Plan
DDOT and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association have announced workshops for each of the city’s eight wards to gain input on the Strategic Bikeways Plan. The Ward 2 Public Workshop is scheduled for Nov. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at MLK Library, 901 G St. NW. For details and to respond to online surveys, visit waba.org.
Citywide alley lot proposal
A citywide alley lot proposal from the District Office of Planning aims to change zoning requirements for alley lots. This would likely affect approximately 75 lots in Georgetown. A public hearing date has been postponed to 2026. The ANC is asking for clarification, since the proposal seems to aim to increase available housing, and most of the lots in Georgetown would not be large enough nor affordable enough to help with that goal.
