Latest News

Robert Devaney • September 4, 2015

Activists gathered Aug. 25 in front of the Georgetown home of Secretary of State John Kerry and his wife Teresa Heinz to urge him to stop the expansion of the Canadian oil company Enbridge’s Alberta Clipper tar sands pipeline.

As police cut off vehicular traffic to the 3300 block of O Street NW, about 60 persons chanted, “Hey, John Kerry, come out. We got some shit to talk about. … Shut this pipeline down. Calm this crisis down . . ” One of the signs showed Kerry as a young man who protested the Vietnam War and argued for a cleaner environment.

The pipeline runs from Hardisty, Alberta, to Superior, Wisconsin.

The group Midwest Unrest, Energy Action Coalition and others contend that “Through a backroom deal with the State Department, the Canadian oil company Enbridge is proceeding with a massive expansion of its Alberta Clipper tar sands pipeline without going through the legally required environmental review process.”

“For two years we have sent petitions, called the White House, and brought thousands of people to rally against this scandal, but Secretary Kerry has still not responded or done anything to stop it,” said Kendall Mackey, national tar sands campaign manager with Energy Action Coalition and one of the main organizers of the event. “With our communities and our future on the line, we have no choice but to bring our message right to Secretary Kerry’s front door to expose this dangerous and illegal scheme and urge him to put a stop to the Alberta Clipper pipeline.”

“We are faced with a monumental decision,” said Greta Herrin, a student from Kalamazoo, Michigan, the site of a 2010 tar sands spill. “The safety of our waterways and the health of our communities rests in the hands of Secretary Kerry. He has the power to prevent further Enbridge disasters.”

Kerry did not come to the front door of his O Street home to talk to the protesters. He is likely still on vacation in New England. [gallery ids="102301,127577,127572,127565,127556" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • September 3, 2015

The Georgetown-Burleith-Hillandale Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2E) will hold its September meeting, 6:30 p.m., Aug. 31, at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, 35th Street and Volta Place, NW, Heritage Room, main building, second floor. The following is Monday’s meeting agenda, as provided by ANC 2E.

Approval of the Agenda

• Approval of August 31, 2015, ANC 2E Public Meeting Agenda

Administrative

• Approval of June 29, 2015, Meeting Minutes

• Public Safety and Police Report

• Financial Report

• Transportation Report

Community Comment

• Taste of Georgetown

New Business

• Airplane noise from Reagan National Airport routes

• Burleith Citizens Association request for traffic-calming measures at four intersections – 37th Street NW at S Street NW and at Whitehaven Parkway NW, and 35th Street NW at S and at T Streets NW; and parking on 35th Street north of T Street NW.

• Tax lots between O and N Streets: Bill 21-0218 “Lots 804, 814, 818, 820, 822 in Square 1230 Eminent Domain Authorization Act of 2015.

ABC

• ABRA-097883, 1717 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Gokulesh, LLC t/a Hop, Cask & Barrel (Class A)

• ABRA-099730, 3111 K Street NW, AMC Theaters Georgetown 14 (Class C)

 
The following ABC items have been placed on No Review by ANC 2E at this time 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, August 28, 2015:

•  ABRA-099787, 3207 Grace Street NW, Chaia Georgetown, LLC, t/a Chia, LLC (Class D)

Zoning

Comments by the Citizens Association of Georgetown on proposed final zoning regulations for R-zoned property in the Georgetown Historic District

Old Georgetown Board

Private Projects

SMD 02 OG 15-293 (OG 15-541)
1662 34th Street, NW
Residence
Addition, alterations
Concept

SMD 03 OG 15-261 (HPA 15-472)
3247 P Street, NW
Residence
Alterations: replacement windows, front stoop, new openings at rear, sliding gate
Concept

SMD 03 OG 15-305 (HPA 15-553)
3424 P Street, NW Residence
Alterations
Permit

SMD 03 OG 15-304 (HPA 15-552)
1422 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Commercial
Addition, alterations, sign
Boulangerie Christophe
Concept

SMD 05 OG 14-346 (HPA 15-679)
1065 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW
Residence
Additions and alterations
Revised concept?    ?
SMD 05 OG 15-177 (HPA 15-336)
2900 M Street, NW?Commercial?Awnings and signs – Ike Behar
Permit

SMD 05 OG 15-242 (HPA 15-452)
3109 M Street, NW Commercial?Alterations, back-lit sign and blade sign – Steve Madden
Permit

SMD 05 OG 15-291 (HPA 15-539)
3239 M Street, NW Commercial?Internally-illuminated sign and blade sign – Gant
Permit

SMD 05 OG 15-289 (HPA 15-537)
3245 M Street, NW?Commercial?Alterations, replacement windows

Existing alterations without review?Permit

SMD 05 OG 15-300 (HPA 15-548)
3210 Grace Street, NW 
Mixed-use?Fenestration alterations, site work, new chimneys
Permit

SMD 05 OG 15-283 (HPA 15-528)
1042 Wisconsin Avenue, NW?Commercial?Alterations to rear – Existing alterations without review
Concept

SMD 05 OG 15-296 (HPA 15-544)
1055 Wisconsin Avenue, NW?Mixed-use?Signs
Concept

SMD 05 OG 15-310 (HPA 15-559)
1206 Wisconsin Avenue / 3219-B M Street, NW
Alterations
Concept

SMD 05 OG 15-282 (HPA 15-527)
1254 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Mixed-use?Alterations?Concept

SMD 05 OG 15-266 (HPA 15-478)
1255 Wisconsin Avenue, NW?Multi-family residence?Replacement fence?Permit

SMD 06 OG 15-063 (HPA 15-103)
1502 27th Street, NW Residence?Front porch, site alterations?Permit

SMD 06 OG 15-294 (HPA 15-542)
1228 29th Street, NW?Residence?Brick wall, site work?Concept

SMD 06 OG 15-290 (HPA 15-538)
1242 29th Street?Residence?Replacement windows
Permit

SMD 06 OG 15-312 (HPA 15-561)
1312 31st Street, NW?Residence?Site work?Permit

SMD 06 OG 15-260 (HPA 15-471)
2905 N Street, NW Residence?New parking pad, alterations, site work
Revised concept

SMD 06
3021 P Street, NW Residence?Demolition, rear addition
Permit

SMD 06 OG 15-269 (HPA 15-486)
2815 Dumbarton Street, NW?Residence?Alterations, replacement roof, site work
Concept

SMD 06 OG 15-273 (HPA 15-517)?3009 Dumbarton Street, NW?Residence?Raze auxiliary structure
Permit

SMD 06 OG 15-267 (HPA 15-481)
2712 Poplar Street, NW Residence?Replacement fence and gate?Permit

SMD 07 OG 15-311 (HPA 15-560)?1626 29th Street, NW?Residence?Rear addition, basement windows?Concept

SMD 07 OG 15-307 (HPA 15-556)
3058 R Street, NW?Residence?Side addition, alterations
Concept

No Review At This Time by ANC 2E:

The following additional projects, which are on the upcoming September 3, 2015, 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, August 28, 2015.

SMD 02 OG 15-276 (HPA 15-520)
1695 35th Street, NW Residence?Replacement windows?Permit

SMD 02 OG 15-271 (HPA 15-510)?1614 Wisconsin Avenue, NW?Restaurant?Alterations, deck?Permit

SMD 02 OG 15-268 (HPA 15-485)?1612 34th Street, NW  Residence?Through-wall AC unit at side elevation?Concept

SMD 02 OG 15-316 (HPA 15-566)?1724 34th Street, NW?Residence?Partial demolition, two-story rear addition
Existing alteration without review
Permit

SMD 02 OG 15-190 (HPA 15-349)
3417 R Street, NW Residence?Rear addition and alterations?Revised concept

SMD 03 OG 15-181 (HPA 15-340)
1411 33rd Street, NW Residence?Replacement Windows?Permit

SMD 03 OG 15-295 (HPA 15-543)?1223 34th Street, NW Residence?Alterations?Permit

SMD 03 OG 15-306 (HPA 15-555)?3107 N Street, NW Residence?New fence at rear?Permit

SMD 03 OG 15-302 (HPA 15-550)?3226 N Street, NW?Residence?Solar panels
Permit

SMD 03 OG 15-275 (HPA 15-519)?3252 N Street, NW Residence?Replacement fence
Permit

SMD 03 OG 15-285 (HPA 15-531)?3301 N Street, NW Residence?Rear addition, alterations
Permit

SMD 03 OG 15-313 (HPA 15-562)?3319 N Street, NW?Residence?Replacement windows?Permit

SMD 03 OG 15-238 (HPA 15-448)?3331 N Street, NW ?Residence?Addition and alterations?Revised concept

SMD 03 OG 15-280 (HPA 15-525)?3112 O Street, NW Christ Church Rectory?Demolition, rear addition?Permit

SMD 03 OG 15-308 (HPA 15-557)?3300 O Street, NW Residence?Demolition, addition, alterations
Permit

SMD 03 OG 15-309 (HPA 15-558)?3300 O Street, NW?Residence?Repair windows?Permit

SMD 03 OG 15-301 (HPA 15-549)?3405 Prospect Street, NW?Residence?Solar panels?Permit

SMD 03 OG 15-303 (HPA 15-551)?3411 Prospect Street, NW?Residence?Solar panels?Permit

SMD 05 OG 15-286 (HPA 15-532)?1035 31st Street, NW?Commercial?Blade sign – Chez Billy Sud?Permit

SMD 05 OG 15-287 (HPA 15-533)?1035 31st Street, NW?Commercial?Replacement windows – Existing alterations without review
Permit

SMD 05 OG 15-281 (HPA 15-526)?1039 31st Street, NW?Commercial?Alterations, blade sign – Existing alterations without review – Chez Billy Sud
Permit

SMD 05 OG 15-297 (HPA 15-547)?3104 M Street, NW Commercial?Alteration – skylight?Permit

SMD 05 OG 15-298 (HPA 15-546)?3104 M Street, NW Commercial?Alteration – fire connection
Permit

SMD 05 OG 15-279 (HPA 15-524)?3286 M Street, NW?Commercial?Signs, alterations to parking lot
Permit

SMD 06 OG 15-207 (HPA 15-398)?1250 28th Street, NW Residence?Porch replacement
Revised concept

SMD 06 OG 15-277 (HPA 15-521)?1341 28th Street, NW Residence?Replace door and transom?Permit

SMD 06 OG 15-288 (HPA 15-536)?1241 30th Street?Residence?Replacement roof?Permit

SMD 07 OG 15-299 (HPA 15-547)?1624 29th Street, NW Residence?Rear yard excavation, new garage with roof terrace
Permit

SMD 07 OG 15-101 (HPA 15-189)?1609 31st Street, NW Residence?Alteration, addition, site work?Revised concept

SMD 07 OG 15-314 (HPA 15-563)?1687 32nd Street, NW Residence?Alterations
Permit

SMD 07 OG 15-292 (HPA 15-540)?2715 Q Street, NW?Headquarters & Museum, The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America Signs – Dumbarton House
Permit

SMD 07 OG 15-270 (HPA 15-505)?2908 R Street, NW?Residence?New door surround and window trim
Permit?

SMD 07 OG 15-254 (HPA 15-465)?3264 S Street, NW Residence?Additions and alterations
Revised concept

SMD 07 OG 15-272 (HPA 15-512) ?3011 Cambridge Place, NW ?Residence Replacement fence
Permit

SMD 07 OG 15-274 (HPA 15-518)?3019 Orchard Lane, NW?Residence?Replacement slate roof
Permit

SMD 08 OG 15-248 (HPA 15-458)?3700 O Street, NW Georgetown University?Guard booth
Revised concept

Government of the District of Columbia: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E

3265 S St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

202-724-7098
anc2e@dc.gov
www.anc2e.com

Robert Devaney •

Residents lost power around 31st and P Streets NW Aug. 17, prompting many to recall the days of 2000, when the popping of manhole covers was a common occurrence along M Street. A manhole cover let out smoke into the intersection, indicating burnt wiring underground. According to Pepco, about 170 customers were affected. Most had power restored just before midnight the same day; a few had power restored the next morning. Neighbors were complimentary of the swift, thorough work by Pepco workers on the scene.

Peter Murray • August 31, 2015

Last week, Georgetown resident Shelley Clark and her cat were startled when they heard scampering on her rooftop. Clark rushed outside her home on 29th and Dumbarton streets NW to determine the cause of the commotion, expecting to find a large critter on her roof. Instead, she looked up and saw the faces of two local parkour enthusiasts who, she learned after her partner Andy Leddy confronted them, were using her and nearby residents’ rooftops to practice their jumps, vaults, leaps and flips.

Clark and Leddy’s neighbor wrote a post on the neighborhood’s public safety messaging board on GroupMe to further illuminate the situation. “A neighbor on 29th street called 911 last week to report 3 young men on the roof of a home on Dumbarton. After calling 911, the neighbor confronted the men on the roof who explained they’re Urban Roof Runners and using our neighborhood as an obstacle course,” she wrote, adding, “please we aware of this trending activity and call 911 should you see anyone taking part in this dangerous practice.”

Leddy called the police but by the time officers arrived on the scene the roof runners were gone. According to NBC 4, police have seen an uptick in roof running in Georgetown recently, and those caught participating in the activity “could face charges.”

According to Wikipedia, “parkour is a training discipline using movement that developed from military obstacle course training. Practitioners aim to get from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible without reverting back to point A. This is done using only the human body and the surroundings for propulsion, with a focus on maintaining as much momentum as possible while still remaining safe. Parkour can include obstacle courses, running, climbing, swinging, mantling, vaulting, jumping, rolling, quadrupedal movement, and other, similar movements depending on what movement is deemed most suitable for the given situation.” Participants usually perform the activity in urban spaces.

However, “you don’t want people running around on your roofs,” Clark told NBC, “these are historic houses.” Old and aging rooftops may be a cause for concerns for parkour enthusiasts, too.

So urban runners, beware. Not only are Georgetown residents and police now on the look out. Aging rooftops could give way, leading to serious injury or worse.

It started with a post on neighborhood public safety mes

Peter Murray •

Matthew Shlonsky, a 23-year-old District resident, 2014 American University graduate, Cleveland native, Deloitte consultant and former Capitol Hill intern, was gunned down outside the Shaw-Howard University Metro station Aug. 15, while on his way to a party at Right Proper Brewing Company.  He was pronounced dead at Howard University Hospital shortly after the 5 p.m. shooting. 
 
According to police, Shlonsky hopped out of a cab with friends at the corner of 7th and S streets NW when he was hit by a bullet meant for someone else.  Police are searching for a burgundy color Chrysler 300 with Maryland license plates after reports that a vehicle matching that description fled the scene around the time of the shooting.
 
The shooting was the latest in a string of gun violence in Shaw, a rapidly changing historic downtown neighborhood that many residents generally consider safe. Notably, at 7th and O streets NW, a few blocks south of where Shlonsky was killed, three people were shot last Tuesday, August 11 and one person was shot and killed on Memorial Day. 

Chuck Baldwin •

The former chief of staff to Mayor Vincent Gray started as Georgetown University’s first ever vice president for government relations and community engagement last Monday. Chris Murphy, a 1998 Georgetown Law graduate, brings more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit, local and federal sectors.

“Georgetown is a very important member of, and contributor to, the Washington, D.C., community and plays a critical role in so many national conversations,” Murphy says. “I am eager to expand on those relationships so that Georgetown can play an even more influential and helpful role.”

In the newly created position, Murphy will coordinate the university’s engagement with local community groups, as well as the federal government, the District of Columbia and other area governments.

Before working for the mayor, Murphy served as editor of the Georgetown Law Journal, deputy chief of staff for the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, general counsel and executive director of human resources for Atlantic Media Company, and founded City Year Washington, D.C., an AmeriCorps program, for which he also served as executive director.

Peter Murray •

D.C. Public Schools kicked off the 2015-2016 school year today, sending kids back to 113 schools around the city. In a statement, DCPS noted an uptick in enrollment for the fourth year in a row, the opening of four new schools and a new lifetime learning program called “Cornerstones,” aimed at teaching students skills they will need for life.

“Challenging curriculum has always been part of DCPS’ strategy, but going forward, students will receive the same high-quality learning experience, no matter where they live or go to school,” said DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson. “Every first-grader, from Simon Elementary in Ward 8 to Janney Elementary in Ward 3, will bioengineer a frog habitat and 10th-graders at every high school will build electric batteries. And starting this year, every DCPS second-grader will learn to ride a bicycle, regardless of whether they have one at home. All high schools will provide at least six Advanced Placement courses, and some will offer more than 20.”

Mayor Muriel Bowser played her part for back to school by making appearances at schools all over the District to highlight the Slow Down Campaign, “to remind drivers that school is back in session and that they should slow down in school zones.”

Despite promising new programs and expansions at D.C. Public Schools, personal finance data website WalletHub rankings give the District’s school system incredibly low marks. WalletHub found that D.C. students have the lowest math and reading and SAT scores in the country, and the city’s schools have one of the highest dropout rates when compared to those in other states. This despite the fact that D.C.’s adult residents are some of the most educated, or most schooled, in the country.

There are good schools in D.C., but getting your kids into one requires living in some of the city’s most expensive real estate. A District Office of Revenue analysis released in June showed that housing prices in D.C. neighborhoods closely correlate with test scores in community schools.

Robert Devaney • August 20, 2015

Mayor Muriel Bowser stepped up to the microphone set up in the middle of the hallway for the fifth floor of the Wilson Building on Pennsylvania Avenue Aug. 13 and faced the press after an hour-long public safety and justice cluster meeting. With Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier at her side, Bowser talked about the spike in violent crimes over the last couple of weeks.

On poster boards near Bowser and Lanier stood pictures and information about the latest victims and on-going criminal investigations by the MPD. Some cases were closed; most were not.

Bowser said she was asking for help from the community in solving these crimes. Lanier said homicides were up but the MPD was recovering more guns over the last two years. She said she saw high-capacity magazines for guns as possibly contributing to the summer’s uptick in violent crimes and simply said she could not say for sure what the exact cause of the spike is it.

“Our people in the community are tired of this,” said Lanier, who added that the MPD closure rate on crimes was 20 percent higher than the national average — 77 percent compared to 57 percent. She said she was reviewing deployments, working with the Public Housing Authority and “focused on making the system work.”

Lanier also indicated at least 10 homicides involved repeat offenders. “If there is a failure somewhere we have to identify it and address it,” she said.

Bowser said that there was now a test for synthetic drugs and that any crimes on public transit should result “robust sentences.”

“People need to come forward,” Lanier said of solving crimes. “We can’t do it without public assistance. . . .We need witnesses.”
Police need to “work smarter, not harder,” she said. MPD’s so-called lemonade tent at the Kennedy Recreation Center in Shaw — which has seen an increase in crime during the summer — is cited as a simple but effective way for the police to make their presence known and get to know more people.

Lanier summed up this summer of heightened violence and conflict: “It is dispute resolution with a gun.”
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