Robert Devaney • April 17, 2014

Mayor Vincent Gray and other D.C. officials cut the ribbon April 14 for the soon-to-reopen Georgetown service office of the Department of Motor Vehicles after its nearly two-year absence. As it was previously, the office is located in the Georgetown Park retail complex at 3222 M St., NW. Entry for the DMV center is the one at the western M Street entrance of the retail complex for DSW and Washington Sports Club.

The Georgetown DMV will open for business April 29: hours are 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The new 12,000-square-foot space has 150 seats and is twice the area as the old center; it is on the lower level. On average, the Georgetown DMV has handled 500 persons per day; the new center will be able to handle at least 600 per day.

Speaking at the morning press conference were Gray, council members Jack Evans of Ward 2 (where the DMV office is located) Mary Cheh and advisory neighborhood commissioner Bill Starrels — along with Brian Hanlon, director of the D.C. Department of General Services, and Lucinda Babers, DMV director — and representatives of landlord Vornado Realty Trust and contractor Davis Construction.

Babers said she was grateful for all the teamwork to make the DMV office return to Georgetown after its May 2012 closing. Declaring it “a beautiful at the DMV,” Babers said, “It takes a village.” Meanwhile, she noted DMV workers were undergoing employee training.

Also coming are new requirements for DMV-issued identification cards. There are already newly designed driver IDs. On Oct. 1, updated federal IDs will be required for entry into federal buildings — a particularly acute need for those who work and live in D.C. The REAL ID Act will require revalidation of all driver’s licenses in the years ahead. By April 1, 2016, old IDs regardless of expiration date will not be acknowledged for air travel by the Transportation Security Adminstration.

DMV will notify those whose IDs will become obsolete, Babers said, and assign appointment times to come into the DMV center to revalidate. Baber said DMV has issued 541,000 driver or non-driver IDs.

Robert Devaney • April 11, 2014

As the American Medical Women’s Association met for its national conference, it also celebrated its 99th annual gala at the National Museum of Women in the Arts March 15 to salute awardees Patricia Allen, M.D., Gayatri Devi, M.D., and Arianna Huffington. The evening was quite the scene with female brainpower and all those doctors. The ANWA functions at the local, national and international level to advance women in medicine and improve women’s health. [gallery ids="116827,116820,116834,116838,116843" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

The Hyde-Addison Elementary School at 3219 O St., NW, has revised plans to expand its school and play areas, as it presents designs before community reviews groups like the Georgetown Advisory Neighborhood Commission.

The addition of a third building – with a playground on top – on the O Street side of the school property will house a cafeteria, gymnasium and extra classrooms, leading to an additional 25,000 square feet. The new building would be partly underground. While another plan adds a section to the back of Addison School, most favored is the O Street building with its greater use of light and smart connection to the old school. Hyde’s School Improvement Team expressed its frustration with approval delays for the start of construction at the overcrowded and popular school.

At the March 31 ANC meeting, commissioners approved the O Street concept. The Old Georgetown Board will look again at the concept.

During the March 31 ANC meeting, other decisions included:

• While the ANC supports 150 new apartments at the old Latham Hotel, 3000 M St., NW, it disapproved of the facade’s designs, especially the reconstruction of the retail building in front of the hotel.

• Concerning condos planned by EastBanc at 3601-3607 M St., NW, the ANC disliked the stark boxy look and also wanted the developer to lower rooftop fixtures. It asked that the stability of the hillside property of Prospect Street homeowners above be checked out.

•The ANC wants the D.C. Department of Public Works to work out a better way of picking up old trash cans when new trash and recycling containers are given out during the summer.

• Flexi-Pave material that overlies tree box space on crowded sidewalks along the commercial corridor of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street was approved. The special plastic protects the trees’ roots, while allowing water to penetrate and flow through the dirt to roots.

Robert Devaney •

Georgetowner and New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd was introduced by her friend Alec Baldwin March 24 for the Americans for the Arts — Nancy Hanks Lecture at the Kennedy Center.

Dowd spoke of funding for the arts with her trademark wit, but she first spoke to Baldwin, saying, “… I’m so happy that you’re back in public life, even if it’s only for tonight. More than anyone I’ve ever met, you’re in love with the arts. You are celebrated in the arts community both for your incredible talent and your incredible generosity — not only with the millions you’ve given but with your own time and fierce lobbying efforts. And now that you’ve played a caustic, Irish, Pulitzer-Prize-winning New York newspaper columnist on ‘Law & Order,’ you can come write my column anytime you want. I’d like to see you take on Ted Cruz and Paul Ryan.”

Dowd then launched into her lecture: “It is a great honor to deliver the Nancy Hanks Lecture. I am humbled both by my theme and by my predecessors. And I must candidly admit I was quite surprised to be asked to give a lecture on the arts. The arts, after all, ruined my life. My love life, that is.”

Later, everyone met at 701 Restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue. (As requested by publicists, no media were allowed to ask Baldwin questions during the VIP media cocktail hour.)

Robert Devaney •

The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration announced that it “will begin accepting applications for four ABC licenses available in Georgetown beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 10. Available licenses include:

• One tavern license — available only to an existing restaurant located in the Georgetown Historic District. Application may be made for either a tavern or nightclub license in the historic district.

• Three new restaurant licenses (either C/R or D/R) in Georgetown.”

A Georgetown neighborhood moratorium on restaurant licenses caps the number at 68. There are 65 operating ones, leaving three “underperforming” or “left on the shelf,” as indicated by advisory neighborhood commissioner Bill Starrels, who heads the Alcohol Beverage Committee.

Starrels said these were licenses “not performing” and said he was “absolutely appreciative of what ABRA is doing here. It showed due process.” Some licenses can sit for years before put back in circulation, so to speak.

“We have some serious restaurant people looking at Georgetown,” Starrels said. “We cannot have licenses sitting on the shelf.”

A tavern license allows an establishment to have a smaller percentage of food to alcohol sales.

In order to apply for the tavern license, applicants should:

1. Complete a License Class Change application.

2. Submit the application and all required materials in person to ABRA beginning at 8:30 am on Thursday, April 10. The office is located at the Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 400 South, 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20009.

In order to apply for a new restaurant license, applicants should:

1. Complete an ABC License application.

2. Submit a Tax Registration Certificate with the application. Obtain a Tax Registration form by filing for a DC business tax number at the Office of Tax and Revenue.

3. Provide a Clean Hands Certificate with the application. The Clean Hands Certification form (to be filled out when you obtain your certificate) is included with the ABC License application, and confirms that you do not owe more than $100 in outstanding debts to the District.

4. Submit the application and all required materials in person to ABRA beginning at 8:30 am on Thursday, April 10. The office is located at the Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 400 South, 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20009.

Completed applications for the licenses will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the consideration of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

Members of the public who have questions can call ABRA at 202-442-4423.

Robert Devaney •

Tonight, the Georgetown Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission will meet for its April meeting because of the Old Georgetown Board’s meeting on April 3.

The monthly meeting for ANC 2E begins 6:30 p.m., March 31, Heritage Room, second floor, Founders Hall (main administration building), Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, 35th Street and Volta Place, NW.

The following agenda was provided by ANC2E (202-724-7098 — anc2e@dc.gov — www.anc2e.com):

• Approval of March 31, 2014, ANC 2E Public Meeting Agenda

Administrative

• Approval of March 3, 2014, Meeting Minutes

• Public Safety and Police Report

• Financial Report

• Transportation Report

• DPW Report Community Comment

• Nike Half Marathon at the Waterfront New Business

• DC Water re: upstream fracking

• Wisconsin Ave/Whitehaven/35th Street – new traffic signal and traffic pattern

• Concerts in the Parks 2014 – Sunday, May 18, Volta Park, Sunday, June 15th, Volta Park, Sunday, July 13, Rose Park

• Nation’s Triathlon – Sunday, September 7, 2014

• 3040 O Street, NW – Temporary closing of the alley for 4 hours

• Delivery schedule for new trash cans

DDOT Public Space

• 1912 35th Street, NW, DDOT Tracking Number 92472, Application to occupy public space for the purpose of Paving: Driveway(s) Repair or Replace, Fixture: Wall/Fence Combo, Projections: Balcony, Projections: Stoop & Steps (April 7)

• 2810 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, DDOT Tracking Number 92496, Application to occupy public space for the purpose of PS Rental: Sidewalk Café (unenclosed).
(April 7)

ABC

• 1855 Wisconsin Ave, NW, ABRA License No. 75687, Safeway – hours for ABC license

Old Georgetown Board — Major and Public Projects

SMD 03, Government of the District of Columbia, Department of General Services, 3219 O Street, NW, OG 14-020 (HPA 14-024) Hyde-Addison Elementary School, Addition, Concept

SMD 05, M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Government of the District of Columbia, DC DDOT – Urban Forestry Administration, Installation of FlexiPave material on tree beds on M Street and on Wisconsin Avenue, Final

SMD 05, 3601-3607 M Street, NW, OG 14-113 (HPA 14-220) Residential, New building, Concept

PRIVATE PROJECTS:

1. SMD 07, 2703 P Street, NW, OG 14-126 (HPA 14-265) Residence, one-story rear addition, Concept

2. SMD 02, 3413 R Street, NW, OG 14-140 (HPA 14-280) Residence, two-story rear addition plus basement to replace porch, Concept

3. SMD 03, 1236 33rd Street, NW, OG 14-135 (HPA 14-275) Residence, Demolition of rear garage, new garage, Concept

4. SMD 03, 3422 P Street, NW, OG 14-144 (HPA 14-284) Residence, Alterations to carriage house, Concept

5. SMD 05, 3000 M Street, NW, OG 14-130 (HPA 14-270) Mixed-use, Partial demolition, addition, alterations, Concept

6. SMD 05, 3241 M Street, NW, OG 14-119 (HPA 14-233) Commercial, Awning and sign – Bandolero – existing, Permit

7. SMD 05, 3256 M Street, NW, OG 14-035 (HPA 14-057) Commercial, Rooftop antennas, Permit

8. SMD 05, 3600 M Street, NW, OG 14-120 (HPA 14-234) Office building, Demolition and reconstruction of brick walls, alterations to roof terrace, Permit

9. SMD 05, 3604 Prospect Street, NW, OG 14-139 (HPA 14-279) Residence, Alterations to rear, decks, awnings, replacement windows, Permit

10. SMD 06, 1231-1235 31st Street, NW, OG 14-137 (HPA 14-277) Alterations, Concept

11. SMD 06, 3025 M Street, NW, OG 14-129 (HPA 14-268) Commercial, Awning and signs – American Apparel – existing, Permit

No Review At This Time by ANC 2E: The following additional projects, which are on the upcoming April 3, 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, March 28, 2014.

1. SMD 02, 1660 34th Street, NW, OG 14-062 (HPA 14-104) Residence, Rear additions, demolition and reconstruction of front façade, Revised Concept

2. SMD 07, 3205 R Street, NW, OG 14-127 (HPA 14-266) Residence, Alterations to pool house, Concept

3. SMD 02, 3520 Reservoir Road, NW, OG 14 -122 (HPA 14-239) Residence, Replacement windows and door, Permit

4. SMD 02, 3223 Volta Place, NW, OG 14-118 (HPA 14-230) Residence, Alterations to rear yard, brick wall, fence, pavers for parking pad, Permit

5. SMD 03, 1512 33rd Street, NW, OG 14-136 (HPA 14-276) Residence, Replacement fence, Permit

6. SMD 03, 3403 O Street, NW, OG 14-128 (HPA 14-267) Residence, Replacement windows, alterations to rear, Permit

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

8. SMD 03, 3240 P Street, NW, OG 14-053 (HPA 14-077) Commercial, 2- story rear addition plus basement, Revised Concept

9. SMD 03, 3107 Dumbarton Street, NW, OG 14-058 (HPA 14-100) Residence, 2-story rear addition to replace 2-story porch, Revised Concept

10. SMD 04, 3700 O Street, NW, OG 14-132 (HPA 14-272) Georgetown University – Athletic Training Facility, New construction, Concept—design development

11. SMD 04, 3700 O Street, NW, OG 14-141 (HPA 14-281) Georgetown
University – New Science Center, ADA ramp and curb-cut

12. SMD 05, 3000 K Street, NW, OG 14-133 (HPA 14-273) Mixed-use, Wall-mounted antenna for Verizon Wireless, Concept

13. SMD 05, 3286 M Street, NW, OG 14-034 (HPA 14-051) Commercial,
Signs for parking lot, Permit

14. SMD 05, 3314 M Street, NW, OG 14-111 (HPA 14-217) Commercial,
Alterations to Cady’s Alley: green screens, lighting, speeding tables, landscaping

15. SMD 05, 3323 Cady’s Alley, NW, OG 14-121 (HPA 14-236) Commercial, Banner sign – Artist’s Proof Gallery, Permit

16. SMD 05, 1209-1211 Potomac Street, NW, OG 14-070 (HPA 14-112)
Restaurant (Georgetown Cupcake), Alteration to first floor window, 2nd floor replacement windows – existing, Permit

17. SMD 05, 1025 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW, OG 14-138 (HPA 14-278) Office building, Alterations to paving, Concept

18. SMD 05, 1045 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 14-131 (HPA 14-271) Residential, Alteration, Permit – revised design

19. SMD 05, 1251 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, OG 14-142 (HPA 14-282) Commercial, Back-lit sign, graphics – Reebok, Permit

20. SMD 06, 1510 30th Street, NW, OG 14-134 (HPA 14-274) Residence, Site work: stairs, replacement fence, paving, Permit

21. SMD 06, 2722 P Street, NW, OG 14-124 (HPA 14-263) Residence, Replacement windows and doors, alterations to rear, shutters, Permit

22. SMD 06, 2715 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, OG 14-102 (HPA 14-205) Commercial, Signs – Valero gas station, Permit

23. SMD 07, 1601 30th Street, NW, OG 14-123 (HPA 14-262) Residence, Brick wall and gate to replace fence, Permit

24. SMD 07, 3028 Cambridge Place, NW, OG 14-100 (HPA 14-203) Residence, Replacement windows, Permit

25. SMD 08, 3700 O Street, NW, OG 14-125 (HPA 14-264) Georgetown University – Healy Hall, Restoration, Concept

Agenda as of 2 p.m., March 24, 2014.

Robert Devaney •

For the Washington Nationals, the new baseball season brings new developments. Besides the new coach and players, check out these new options at National Park, which has new clubs, concessions, menu items, ticketing platforms and eCash apps.

“This is baseball. We’re blessed to work here,” said Valerie Camillo, who was recently appointed chief revenue and marketing officer for the Washington Nationals. Camillo was explaining what is new for the fans in the stands this season. It is all about making the best fan experience with “team service,” she said.

For season plan holders, here are some ballpark upgrades: a redesigned webpage and use of a personal dashboard, along with mobile apps and “eCash Only Lines,” a quick way to purchase. With their special access cards, fans can earn Red Carpet points, which can get them practice passes, autographed items and more.

Bobbleheads are popular, and the Nats have increased the give-aways to seven. There are redesigned stands with digital menus — and even an increased farm-to-table program.

The new concessions and food made the most news.

There is G at National Park from chef Mike Isabella with his sandwiches at Section 136. While there is a cauliflower veggie sandwich, there’s also the Drewno, centered on kielbasa, and called “a hot dog on steroids.”

There are Intentional Wok, a great name for stir fry noodles, Chesapeake Crab Cake (great crab nachos), Bullpen Burrito — and even South Capitol Sushi.

The Nats expanded Ben’s Chili Bowl, Hard Times, Change Up Chicken and Field of Greens.

For sophisticated drinks, there are aged bourbon at various spots and “Firkin Friday” with special beers in the Red Porch.

The team store will be expanded and moved to the right of center field plaza. There will also a shop dedicated to women’s wear with original designs.

As for new clubrooms in the suite level, Norfolk Southern Club replaces the Star & Stripes Club, along with the newly built Gold Glove Club and Silver Slugger Club.

The Heineken Red Star Bar, located near Section 205, should be a popular destination as D.C. is the number-one market for Heineken for volume per capita.

The Levy Restaurant Group runs the concessions for the stadium and manages other food businesses at many other stadiums and event arenas across America, including Wrigley Field and Verizon Center, as well as O2 Arena in London.

Meanwhile, Sport Illustrated and ESPN Magazine have picked the Washington Nationals to win the World Series. Now, that’s “Nothing But Natitude.”

Robert Devaney • March 31, 2014

Politicians, developers, architects and local residents got together March 19 at the Southwest Waterfront to celebrate the groundbreaking of $2.2-billion mixed use urban project, known as the Wharf, at the Washington Channel.

At 8th and Water Streets, SW, at least 20 persons sat in a stage placed on the Washington Kastles tennis court — to become the yacht piazza — under a tent during the rainy day. After 90 minutes of introductions and speeches, they put their shovels into the ground to start the construction of the first phase of the 40-month construction that will give Washington, D.C. new residences, offices, hotels, restaurants, movie theaters and a 6,000-capacity concert hall — and a marina.

Big names in local real estate and retail included Oliver Carr, Paul and Dan Hoffman, Tom Gilmore, Michael Jones and Dan McCann. Monty Hoffman of PN Hoffman acted as emcee along with David Brainerd of Madison Marquette. On hand was Mayor Vincent Gray, Victor Hoskins, deputy mayor for planning and economic development, and council members Tommy Wells (whose ward the project is in), Jack Evans and Muriel Bowser as well as advisory neighborhood commissioner Andy Linksy. Also in the audience were council members Anita Bonds and Vincent Orange.

Most speakers mentioned the superlatives of the project and how it was a game changer for the District of Columbia. “This is the largest crowd I’ve ever seen for a groundbreaking,” said Gray, who added, “The day will come when the Potomac and the Anacostia are fishable and swimmable.”

Via video, Rep. Darrel Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, complimented D.C. and called the Wharf project, its “58th crane.” Issa said the project would add to “the resurgence of the greatest city on earth.”

Praising the work of former Ward 6 council member Sharon Ambrose on the waterfront plans, Wells saluted the project’s “superstar team” and said it add a “great mix for a special neighborhood.” Hoffman then introduced Evans as having “served since the last century.” Acknowledging that the idea of the Wharf started years ago, Evans continued the joke and said that he had met with Pierre Lefant and George Washington about it. The longest-serving council member then threw in that he had also spoken with Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass about the project.

Next year, Hoffman said, there would eight new cranes along the mile-long waterfront. Hoskins noted that the total investment for the new waterfront neighborhood would be $6.8 billion. The first phrase should be completed in 2017, and Hoffman said the ribbon cutting would be in 40 months.

“We won’t need a casino to keep it afloat,” said the local ANC’s Litsky, referring to National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md.
[gallery ids="101675,144581,144569,144578,144574" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Two mayoral candidates stopped by the Georgetown Business Association reception at the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton on South Street March 19. Reta Jo Lewis spoke to the crowd, reminding them of her government experience. The other candidate was well known to the group: Ward 2 council member Jack Evans, who is also running in the Democratic primary for Mayor of D.C. “The mayor will be indicted,” said Evan, referring to allegations concerning Mayor Vincent Gray. “We’ve been here before,” he said, adding that if the mayor gets re-elected and then indicted, D.C. “will be the laughing stock of America.” Despite such troubling news, the business types still managed to have a good fun at the welcoming Ritz-Carlton. [gallery ids="101679,144182,144161,144179,144185,144166,144170,144174" nav="thumbs"]