Georgetown-Burleith ANC Meets Tonight: Dumpsters, Latham Condos, Penn. Ave. Bridge Repair
• October 10, 2014

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E will hold its October meeting, 6:30 p.m., tonight, Sept. 29, at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, 35th Street and Volta Place, NW, Heritage Room, main building, second floor. This following is tonight’s meeting agenda, as provided by ANC 2E.

Approval of the Agenda

Approval of September 29, 2014, ANC Public Meeting Agenda

Administrative

Approval of September 2, 2014, Meeting Minutes Public Safety Report Financial Report and FY 2015 Budget Transportation Report — Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge Repairs DPW Report

Introduction of first-time candidates for ANC 2E.

Community Comment

New Business

DDOT– Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge Construction Plans

Georgetown BID proposal for pedestrian use during one weekend in October of a parking lane in one block of M Street.
Volta Park Day

A proposal to name the alley behind 3213-3227 Volta Place, NW.

Dumpsters on residential streets in Georgetown and Burleith

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of D.C. Home Rule

ABC

3401 K St. NW, Gypsy Sally’s Acoustic Tavern, LLC., ABRA license No. 090582

2622 P St. NW, After Peacock Room, Inc., ABRA license No. 095964

Bon Appetit Management Co. for the Georgetown University Healey Family Student Center Pub, ABRA license No. 096001

Zoning

3000 M Street, NW, Latham Hotel, BZA 18845, Application for variance relief from the rear yard, parking, and loading requirements and special exception approval to locate 20 parking spaces in an off-site parking facility to permit the conversion of an existing hotel with accessory retail into a mixed-use residential and retail building (Hearing Date 10/28/14).

Old Georgetown Board

PRIVATE PROJECTS

1. SMD 02,1826 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. OG 14-320 (HPA 14-601) Commercial 2-story rear addition, roof deck at 3rd floor, green wall Revised Concept

2. SMD 03, 3137 O Street, NW. OG 14-287 (HPA 14-564) Residence 2-story rear addition Revised Concept

3. SMD 03, 3127 Dumbarton Street, NW. OG 14-345 (HPA 14-678) Residence Roof deck – existing Permit

4. SMD 05, 3220 Prospect Street, NW. OG 14-353 (HPA 14-686) (Square 1207, Lots 104, 838-841, 843, 906) New construction Concept

No Review At This Time by ANC 2E: The following additional projects, which are on the upcoming October 2, 2014, agenda of the Old Georgetown Board, have not been added to the ANC meeting agenda for OGB-related design review and we do not propose to adopt a resolution on them at this time. If there are concerns about any of these projects, please contact the ANC office by Friday, September 26th, 2014.

1. SMD 02, 3413 R Street, NW. OG 14-318 (HPA 14-599) Residence 2-story rear addition plus basement Permit

2. SMD 02, 3336 Dent Place, NW. OG 14-350 (HPA 14-683) Residence Replacement windows Permit

3. SMD 02, 3339 Reservoir Road, NW. OG 14-337 (HPA 14-670) Residence Replacement railing on front stairs – existing Permit

4. SMD 03, 1233 33rd Street, NW. OG 14-336 (HPA 14-669) Residence Replace front door Permit

5. SMD 03, 1525 34th Street, NW. OG 14-278 (HPA 14-551) Residence Alterations – existing Permit

6. SMD 03, 1519 35th Street, NW. OG 14-351 (HPA 14-684) Residence Alterations to rear yard, retaining wall, fence Permit

7. SMD 03, 3245 N Street, NW. OG 14-343 (HPA 14-676) Residence Railing – revised design Permit

8. SMD 03,3265 N Street, NW. OG 14-330 (HPA 14-646) Residence Addition and alterations to garage Permit

9. SMD 03, 3238 P Street, NW. OG 14-103 (HPA 14-206) Residence Two-story rear addition Revised Concept

10. SMD 03, 3240 P Street, NW. OG 14-352 (HPA 14-685) Commercial 2-story rear addition with basement Permit

11. SMD 03, 3343 P Street, NW. OG 14-342 (HPA 14-675) Residence Alterations to front balcony, new window well at rear, replacement garage door Permit

12. SMD 05, 3050 K Street, NW. OG 14-270 (HPA 14-514) Commercial Alterations to storefront, signs – The Orange Anchor Permit

13. SMD 05, 3306 M Street, NW, rear. OG 14-356 (HPA 14-689) Commercial Illumination of banners – Janus et Cie and Design Within Reach Permit

14. SMD 05, 3315 M Street, NW (also known as 3315 Cady’s Alley, NW). OG 14-360 (HPA 14-693) Commercial Illumination of banner – Leopold’s Permit

15. SMD 05, 3318 M Street, NW. OG 14-359 (HPA 14-692) Commercial Illumination of stairs Permit

16. SMD 05, 3338 M Street, NW, Rear. OG 14-366 (HPA 14-699) Commercial Illuminated planting strips Permit

17. SMD 05, 3600 M Street, NW. OG 14-329 (HPA 14-612) Mixed-use Alterations to wood doors, replacement aluminum windows and storefront Permit

18. SMD 05, 3069 Canal Street, NW. OG 14-324 (HPA 14-605) Residence Rear addition, replacement doors Concept

19. SMD 05, 3207 Grace Street, NW. OG 14-315 (HPA 14-596) Commercial Roof top deck, sign Revised Concept

20. SMD 05, 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW . OG 14-328 (HPA 14-609) Hotel Rooftop antennas behind screen walls – AT&T Permit

21. SMD 05, 3246 Prospect Street, NW. OG 14-293 (HPA 14-572) Commercial Partial demolition, 2-story rear addition, basement Revised Concept

22. SMD 05, 3100 South Street, NW . OG 14-327 (HPA 14-608) Mixed-use Rooftop antennas behind screen wall, and alterations to penthouse – AT&T Concept

23. SMD 05, 1055 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (formerly known as 1045 Wisconsin Avenue, NW). OG 14-344 (HPA 14-677) Residential Signs Permit

24. SMD 06, 2929 M Street, NW. OG 14-335 (HPA 14-668) Commercial
Alterations to storefront Permit

25. SMD 06, 3025 M Street, NW. OG 14-341 (HPA 14-674) Commercial Sign – American Apparel

26. SMD 06, 2715 N Street NW. OG 14-143 (HPA 14-283) Alexander Memorial Baptist Church – Rectory Addition, alterations, site work Revised Concept

27. SMD 06, 2924 N Street, NW. OG 14-298 (HPA 14-579) Residence Replacement windows, siding, fence, alterations to rear, roof top HVAC Concept

28. SMD 06, 3014 O Street, NW. OG 14-313 (HPA 14-594) Residence Addition at 2nd floor, alterations to rear Revised Concept

29. SMD 06, 3044 O Street, NW. OG 14-333 (HPA 14-665) Residence Alterations to fences, stone and CMU walls Permit

30. SMD 06, 3023 P Street, NW. OG 14-266 (HPA 14-507) Residence Demolition, 2-story rear addition with basement Concept

31. SMD 06, 3025 P Street, NW. OG 14-348 (HPA 14-681) Residence Alterations to rear Permit

32. SMD 07,1633 31st Street, NW. OG 14-301 (HPA 14-582) Residence One-story rear addition with roof terrace, new garage Revised Concept

33. SMD 07,1645 31st Street, NW. OG 14-314 (HPA 14-595) Residence Site work: fence, gates, terraces, swimming pool, landscaping Permit – revised design

34. SMD 07, 1671 31st Street, NW. OG 14-236 (HPA 14-471) Residence Site work: front stairs Permit

35. SMD 07, 2528-2530-2532 Q Street, NW. OG 14-237 (HPA 14-472) Residence Replacement windows – existing Permit

36. SMD 07, 2920 R Street, NW. OG 14-246 (HPA 14-487) Residence Partial demolition, additions, alterations, underground garage Revised Concept

37. SMD 08, 3700 O Street, NW. OG 14-292 (HPA 14-571) Georgetown University Site work for bus stops at McDonough Gym Revised Concept

38. SMD 08, 3700 O Street, NW. OG 14-311 (HPA 14-592) Georgetown University – Ryan and Mulledy Halls Alterations and site work Revised Concept

39. SMD 08, 3700 O Street, NW. OG 14-332 (HPA 14-664) Georgetown University – Dahlgren Chapel Installation of Healy Hall crosses on berm, landscaping Permit

40. SMD 08, 3700 O Street, NW. OG 14-334 (HPA 14-666) Georgetown University – Reiss Science Center Antennas mounted to penthouse – Sprint Permit.

Georgetown Gala to Honor Jack and Michele Evans, Oct. 24
• October 9, 2014

The Georgetown Gala, the annual black-tie soiree of the Citizens Association of Georgetown, will honor Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans and his wife Michele Seiver Evans on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Italian Embassy.

The gala will bring together more than 400 residents, organizations, businesses and politicos to celebrate Georgetown and CAG’s mission of historic preservation and improving the life of the community. Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero and his wife Laura Denise Bisogniero have opened the embassy, which is at Whitehaven Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW, for the town’s big bash.

“Fly Me to the Moon” is the theme of the gala and will give the evening, which begins 7 p.m., “a cool Rat Pack-‘Mad Men’ vibe,” CAG assures – with cocktails, gourmet Italian dinner buffet, music and dancing, live auction items – along with an after party.

The honorees are long-time Georgetown residents and well known throughout Washington, D.C. Jack Evans is the longest-serving member of the District Council, representing Ward 2 since 1991. Chair of the Committee on Finance and Revenue, Jack Evans is closely involved with decisions on D.C. taxes and budgets. He was in the forefront in pushing for approval of the Verizon Center and Nationals Park. Most recently, he ran for Mayor of the District of Columbia. Michele Evans is very active in CAG and the Georgetown Gala, the main fundraiser for the community non-profit. She strongly supports the Georgetown House Tour and several groups which help maintain community parks.

Co-chairs Jennifer Altemus, Colleen Girouard and Robin Jones along with their committee are putting together the evening’s entertainment to include Danny Meyers and his D.C. Love band, playing dance music during cocktails and dinner, a live auction that features Fox News commentator Griff Jenkins and an after party – starting at 10 p.m. – with deejay Trophy Brothers and lots of dancing.

Live auction offerings include a Nationals MVP package (four Presidents Club tickets, a baseball autographed by Stephen Strasburg and more), a cocktail party for 25 persons at Evermay, a five-night stay in a Sicilian villa,
a three-night stay at the Vail Four Seasons, a three-night getaway to the Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah, Ga., and a Washington weekend with an overnight at the Georgetown Four Seasons, spa treatments, dining and rooftop cocktails at the Capella. Silent auction items include dinners at Kafé Leopold, Unum and Peacock Café, plus glassware by A Mano, a wine package and more.

Honorary chairs for the gala are Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero and his wife Laura Denise, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Selwa “Lucky” Roosevelt, former Sen. Joseph Lieberman and his wife Hadassah, and John DeGioia, president of Georgetown University, and Kitty Kelley.

Sponsors include Capital Asset Management Group, MRP Realty, Rooney Properties, Kitty Kelley, Long & Foster Exclusive Affiliate of Christie’s International, Nancy Taylor Bubes of Washington Fine Properties, SB Urban, Chesapeake Management Group, Clyde’s Restaurant Group, Jamestown Properties-EastBanc, Georgetown University, the JBG Companies, the Levy Group, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Securitas Security Services USA, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, M.C. Dean, Georgetown Exxon & Georgetown Shell, Four Seasons Hotel Washington D.C., Georgetown BID, Creel Printing-Digital Lizard, EagleBank, the Georgetowner, the Georgetown Current and Second Chance.

Visit CAG’s website – CAGtown.org – for details on ticket purchases as well as corporate and individual sponsorships, or call CAG headquarters at 202-337-7313.

Friends, Family, Chefs Celebrate Boulud and DBGB Opening
• September 29, 2014

Gourmandization in the best sense: DBGB Kitchen and Bar made its D.C. debut Sept. 12 and looks to become a big hit on the dining scene, if its festive, food-filled kick-off party was any indication. Chef Daniel Boulud, who got his start in Washington, said he was happy to return to D.C. The casual French-American DBGB marks the New York-based chef’s first restaurant in D.C. The two-level place is in the CityCenter at 931 H St., NW.

On hand were hundreds of Boulud’s friends and admirers — and, of course, his family and his famous chef pals. About his early mentor in D.C., Boulud said of pioneering chef Jean-Louis Palladin: “He was the finest chef Washington ever had.”

Best seen as a little bit brasserie, a little bit bistro, half French, half American, DBGB is described by Boulud as his “tribute to casual American dishes I’ve come to love since moving to the states, all done with a French flair.”

DBGB says it will be serving “seven varieties of house-made sausages, three house-ground gourmet burgers, seasonal Lyonnais-inspired cooking and hit dishes from the original downtown, New York City restaurant.”

[gallery ids="101856,138177,138200,138196,138193,138183,138188" nav="thumbs"]

Eastbound Canal Road Braces for Off-Peak Lane Closures Until July 2015
•

The District Department of Transportation has begun off-peak single-lane closures on eastbound Canal Road, NW, between Foxhall Road and the Whitehurst Freeway, weather permitting.

These single-lane closures on eastbound Canal Road, NW, will occur on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

These closures will allow DDOT crews to repair a wall area along Canal Road, NW, and install a guardrail along the corridor. DDOT expects the project and associated lane closures to be completed in July 2015.

DDOT advises all motorists to be alert, while traveling through this location and be observant of the work personnel. Traffic controls will be in place to warn motorists as they approach the area.

For more information, please contact Project Manager James Sellars at 202-391-8207.

Georgetown Breaks Ground on Thompson Athletics Center
• September 25, 2014

Georgetown University broke ground Sept. 12 on a new state-of-the-art athletic facility, named after legendary Hoyas men’s basketball coach John R. Thompson Jr. Although the tennis courts next to McDonough Arena are gone, they will return in the four-story, 144,000-square-foot John R. Thompson Jr. Intercollegiate Athletics Center, slated for completion in August 2016.

Here are more details from Georgetown University about the groundbreaking and the facility:

The $62-million project will be completely supported through philanthropy. The Thompson Center will be constructed adjacent to McDonough Arena and include practice courts, team meeting rooms, men’s and women’s basketball coaches’ offices, and weight-training and sports medicine rooms for all varsity athletes. The new facility also includes a Student-Athlete Academic and Leadership Center, an auditorium, team meeting facilities for varsity programs and a new venue for the Georgetown Athletics Hall of Fame.

More than 500 people – including former players such as Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning and Allen Iverson, all of whom played for Thompson, Jr., and more recent players ranging from Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert, Otto Porter Jr. and Henry Sims, who played for current Head Coach John Thompson III – came to the site for the official groundbreaking of the facility.

John Thompson Jr.’s name is synonymous with success. From 1972 to 1999, he compiled 596 wins, the most of any coach in the history of Georgetown University. On the court, he amassed league-leading records against all Big East Conference opponents (233-122) and captured 13 Big East Championships, seven regular season titles and six tournament championships. Thompson’s Hoya teams earned 24-consecutive invitations to postseason play, appeared in three NCAA Final Fours (1982, 1984 and 1985) and won the NCAA Championship in 1984.

“Without the help of a lot of people that are in here now, it would’ve been impossible to succeed,” said Thompson, who added that he gains the most satisfaction in seeing the success that many of his players have had off of the court.

BID Transportation Working Group Update
•

At the Georgetown Business Improvement District meeting on Sept. 15, the Transportation Working Group updated the community on a number of projects relevant to the neighborhood. First up, the working group updated BID on negotiations with the District Department of Transportation around subsidizing Circulator trips from Union Station and K Street NW to Georgetown. BID expects free service to start in the spring. Next, BID discussed DDOT’s environmental assessment process in Georgetown for streetcars. BID expressed support for an engineering solution that could extend service to Georgetown University. In addition, BID presented consolidated community support for a 2028 plan that would bring Metro to Georgetown by splitting the blue line, building two or more stops in Georgetown and creating a new tunnel under the Potomac. BID also announced that it is nearly finished studying an aerial gondola that would run from Georgetown to Rosslyn. The aerial gondola could be constructed in one year, BID reported. Lastly, the Circulator line that runs between Dupont Circle and Rosslyn will expand service to U Street. The Circulator that runs between Union Staton and Georgetown will also expand, up to the area around the National Cathedral. Another extension will bring the Circulator to the National Mall.

Mayoral Campaign Debate
•

It’s been a long time since April, when Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, with full momentum, brushed aside incumbent Mayor Vincent Gray, and three other council members to win the Democratic Party mayoral primary handily.

In the interim, Bowser traveled heavily throughout the city at town hall events, meet-and-greets and events from Fourth of July parades to gay pride events, as well as to business association meetings, here there and everywhere, to let folks get used to her citywide presence, if not her proposals.

The powerful at-large Councilmember David Catania had, as expected, jumped into the race as an Independent just before the primary. Later in the year, former Republican Councilmember Carol Schwartz, who has run for mayor several times in the past—with big numbers for a GOP candidate in a Democratic city—also joined in the fray, dropping the GOP for Independent status.

So, what happened? You’d think with three high-profile candidates, there’d be a buzz around town, a lot of talk and debate, especially now, after Labor Day, but also before. But nothing much actually happened. It is partly because there were no debates, no candidate forums, no face-to-face meetings among the three people vying to be the next Mayor of the District of Columbia.

Bowser continues to be the dead-on favorite, and as time went by she started taking on aspects of a presumptive mayor. When a debate finally materialized last week, it came with the proviso from Bowser that she would participate in only four debates before the November election. The first debate came in the immediate aftermath of a Washington Post-NBC 4-Marist poll, which showed Bowser with a 43-percent to 26-percent lead over Catania, with Schwartz at 16 percent.

The debates remaining are a WAMU 88.5 affair at NPR headquarters, Oct. 2, 7 to 9 p.m.; an NBC4-Washington Post debate, streamed online, Oct. 15, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.; and a Ward 8 Collaborative Forum at Anacostia High School, Oct. 16, 7 to 9 p.m.

The Post—which endorsed Bowser in the primary and will likely endorse her in the general election—also applauded the four-debate scheme in an editorial, rationalizing that live streaming on the Internet and televisions would allow more people to see the debates and participate. In short, the city could dispense with all those repetitive forums in various wards—including one in Georgetown. Those forums—and there were a lot in the primary, and there should be more for the general election—while hectic, frequent and often focused on neighborhood issues, allowed the whole city to participate in the flesh, instead of being allowed to punch in an anonymous response on the Internet.

Given that every one agrees that many people just don’t know enough about Bowser—her personality, her accomplishments and record—why not let her loose on the general public where she can not only face her opponents but also the people who will decide whether to support her or oppose her? The last debate, while often contentious, was not particularly illuminating or revealing, with the Post offering up softball questions like one on the types of transportation each candidate prefers.

It seems to us the Post should be encouraging more, rather than fewer debates. But then we know the Post has already made up its mind. Some of the rest of us have not and would like to see more of the candidates—not less.

Can We Save the Georgetown Exxon?
•

Georgetown residents have an opportunity to make their voices heard on the possible loss of another gas station — the Georgetown Exxon at Wisconsin Avenue and Q Street, NW.

The land, owned by D.C. gas station king, Joe Mamo, is up for sale. The business on that land – which is the Georgetown Exxon gas and service station – does not have the right of first refusal, as is customary with D.C. tenants. The business has no real dog in this possible departure, as it runs other service stations in D.C. and Arlington.

Here is the question: does Georgetown care enough to speak up about the loss of something as ordinary but as necessary as a service station?

Already, Key Bridge Exxon at 3601 M St., NW, is slated to be swept aside for condos. Lukoil (Georgetown Getty) at 2715 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, is also set to depart. The west side property is owned by EastBanc., Inc. (It was purchased from Mamo.) EastBanc also purchased the Lukoil property at the east entrance of Georgetown across from the Four Seasons.

If Georgetown Exxon departs, that would leave Georgetown Shell as the only gas station in Georgetown. With the loss of car repair bays at the Exxon, there would be fewer gas pumps in town. How much of a loss? An industry insider surmised that with Key Bridge Exxon (120,000 gallons monthly), Lukoil (40,000 gallons monthly) and Georgetown Exxon (40,000 gallon monthly) gone, that would leave Georgetown Shell pumping the last gas in town. That’s a lot of gas for a small corner business to pump – in fact, it cannot do it.

No deal has been inked, as far as we know. There is time to speak up and ask the District Council to get involved on behalf of Georgetowners who want Georgetown Exxon to stay. The council can find ways to help. Citizens should contact Ruth Werner at the office of Ward 2 councilmember Jack Evans by calling 202-724-8058 or emailing rwerner@dccouncil.us. (Werner asked the community to comment on this issue during a meeting of the Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission.)
Comments may also be sent to this newspaper at Editorial@Georgetowner.com.

Friends, Family, Chefs Celebrate Boulud and Opening of DBGB
•

DBGB Kitchen and Bar kicked off its opening with a Sept. 12 food party that will be tough to top. The great food and good, Gallic cheer did not subside. Chef Daniel Boulud, who got his start in Washington, said he was happy to welcome to D.C. The casual French-American restaurant DBGB marks the New York-based chef’s first restaurant in D.C. and is at CityCenter on H Street, NW. On hand were hundreds of Boulud’s friends and admirers — and, of course, his family and his famous chef pals. Boulud said of his D.C. mentor and pioneering chef Jean-Louis Palladin: “He was the finest chef Washington ever had.”
[gallery ids="101864,137658,137648,137654" nav="thumbs"]

Ike Behar Grand Opening
•

The entire Behar family was on hand Sept. 18 for a grand opening party for the new Ike Behar store at 2900 M St., NW. The shop has been open for a few months. Founder Ike Behar along with Regina, Steven, Alan and Lawrence Behar greeted friends and clients. [gallery ids="101865,137642" nav="thumbs"]