ANC Update: 3254 O St. Deja Vu; Reservations on EastBanc’s Back 
• June 12, 2013

A few more items were on Georgetown’s and Burleith’s advisory neighborhood commission (ANC2E) Nov. 28 meeting agenda:

The owner of 3254 O Street again submitted designs for a back alley garage to be renovated with a second floor. Variations of this design have been presented to the ANC before and were rejected – just as this one was – for the past 10 years. At a September ANC meeting, commissioner Jeff Jones expressed annoyance at the owner for bringing up the garage re-design concept so many times. At this latest meeting, architect Outerbridge Horsey came to oppose the design for the Citizens Association of Georgetown.

EastBanc wants to raise the roof and allow rear entry for its commercial property at 3259 M St., N.W., which is the Coach shop. Commissioners voted unanimously to express their reservations about the project, which is seen by neighbors on Prospect Street as the start of EastBanc’s push to make the alley between M Street and Prospect into a kind of Cady’s Alley. The dead-end alley opens onto Potomac Street. [See Letters to the Editor for a neighbor’s perspective on this proposal.]
ANC2E will next meet on Jan. 2 at Visitation Prep.

Cause of Building’s Partial Collapse Not Yet Determined
•

The Thanksgiving Day partial collapse of the back wall and interior of 1424 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., remains unexplained as experts from the  Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs investigated the scene. The adjacent stores at 1422 and 1426 were also effected by the collapse. No one was in the closed stores at the time.

At first, onlookers believed the Nov. 24 afternoon incident was an explosion because of the blown-out windows and a gas odor from leaking pipes. After D.C. Fire and EMS waited for Washington Gas to turn off the gas, firefighters searched and secured the buildings. There had been neither an explosion nor a fire.

Major, the sneaker and clothes shop at 1426 Wisconsin Ave., remains closed “until further notice.”  The old Commander Salamander at 1420 was already vacant. As for the property in question – at 1424 Wisconsin Ave. – it had been talked about as the future site for a new Z Burger outlet. Recent renovation work at the property – now condemned – hints at a possible cause of the collapse, but the large debris needs to be removed for closer inspection.

Biz Confab Seeks to Revitalize Wisconsin Avenue, Fix Theater Sign
•

Residents and business persons met Nov. 29 at the old Georgetown Theater, now emptied of its jewelry stands, to discuss the commercial potential of Wisconsin Avenue in the center of the village. The brainstorming session, sponsored by the Citizens Association of Georgetown, was headlined by Councilman Jack Evans, real estate developer Herb Miller and retail broker John Asadoorian, a board member of the Georgetown Business Improvement District, with CAG secretary Topher Mathews of the Georgetown Metropolitan as moderator.

All that is left of the theater is its rusty, street sign, which hangs as a reminder of the loss of unique retail businesses near Wisconsin Avenue and O Street. Among the vanished: Georgetown Pharmacy, Little Caledonia, Au Pied du Cochon and Neam’s Market, frequented by residents for decades.
“I would love to see that sign re-lit,” said Angie Heon Nys, one of the Heon family owners of the Georgetown Theater property at 1351 Wisconsin Ave., which has been for sale for more than two years. Others thought the idea of re-lighting the sign – not a new idea – could be a catalyst for this commercial stretch of the avenue. “I remember when Wisconsin Avenue was more important than M Street,” said George Heon. 

While chains get the attention, Mathews offered a break-down of Georgetown retail businesses, showing that more than 70 percent are independents. Of all retail, roughly 25 percent are restaurants and 25 percent are clothing stores. Asadoorian said the market was the main driver of which businesses would choose to set up shop and added that Georgetown might be getting the reputation as “a hard place to do business.” Evans recalled all the work done to improve the town’s infrastructure. Miller said that there needs to be a vision for Wisconsin Avenue “from Safeway to the waterfront” — and that government money might left over from downtown programs to help.
One possible sign of the future was the provider of refreshments for the group: the newly opened Paul Bakery, located near the intersection of Wisconsin and M. Paul is an international chain eatery of French breads, pastries, crepes and sandwiches that fits in nicely with Georgetown’s present and past.

Merriment in Georgetown Begins Friday, Dec. 9; Party on Dec. 10
•

Get ready for 12 days of festive holiday shopping events and promotions at more than 50 stores and $2 parking, Dec. 9 through 20, along with dining specials, yuletide movie screenings and more festive fun in D.C.’s best shopping neighborhood. These holiday festivities are presented by the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID).

• From Dec. 9  through 20, enjoy $2 flat-rate parking at select garages and lots throughout Georgetown when you present a Georgetown receipt of $50 or more — after 5 p.m. weekdays; all day, Saturday and Sunday.

• Merriment in Georgetown Kick-Off Party, Saturday, Dec. 10, 1 to 4 p.m., in the PNC Bank lot at Wisconsin Avenue and M Street.

• Enjoy complimentary pedicab rides from Dupont Circle and Foggy Bottom-GWU metro stations to Georgetown, noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10.

• Performance by the Georgetown University’s a cappella group — The Georgetown Phantoms.

• Kick-off the holiday season with holiday-style “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” and gluttonous Fruitcake Eating contests. Email events@georgetowndc.com to become a contestant. Chance to win fabulous Georgetown prizes!

• Enjoy Gourmet Cocoa Tastings from some of Georgetown’s premier restaurants and sweetest shops, sing holiday karaoke, and meet pets from Lucky Dog hoping to be adopted into a new home.

• Wear your most hideous, outdated or downright silly holiday sweater for a chance to win fabulous prizes. Capture that sweater in our photo booth.

• In the spirit of giving, Goodwill will be on site accepting donations to help those in need this holiday season. Make a donation and receive an “I Shop Georgetown” tote bag (while supplies last).
Check the website, GeorgetownDC.com, for details.

Mayor Asks for Town-Gown Peace
•

Georgetown University held its annual “Holiday Open House” Dec. 7 in Healy Hall’s Riggs Library, where neighbors, business and community leader and university officials gathered for conversation, refreshments and music. Among them was Mayor Vincent Gray, who had visions of streetcars, a GU-GWU basketball game and town-gown peace in his head.

University president John DeGioia introduced Mayor Gray to the crowd in the grand, multi-storied room which one guest described as something out of “Harry Potter.” Gray commended associate vice president Linda Greenan and Brenda Atkinson-Willoughby of Georgetown’s external relations office and mentioned Georgetown’s hot town-gown issue, the 10-year campus plan under consideration by the District’s zoning commission. “Can you imagine working on one every year?” asked Gray. As for working on disagreements about it, he added: “I would not say it’s delightful. You will get to a conclusion.”

Gray envisions the District becoming a leader in high technology, he said, as well as using the collective minds of the universities in D.C. As if needing to clarify, he said: “I have no intention in taxing universities.”After touting new rail routes in the city, Gray said, “We ought to bring streetcars back to Georgetown. We already have the tracks.” One more item on Gray’s wish list: a basketball game between Georgetown University and his alma mater George Washington University (the college teams do not play each other).

ANC Update: GSA Explains Sale Process; Safeway Traffic; ‘It’s Not About Macaroons’
•

The Georgetown/Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC2E) met Jan. 4 at Georgetown Visitation Prep.

Tim Sheckler of the General Services Administration explained the process of the impending sale of the West Heating Plant on 29th Street, just south of the C&O Canal. Future bidders, such as those from the Levy Group and EastBanc, and a Fox5 News camera were also in the room. Designated Federal property, the plant and its land will be sold to the highest bidder, “as is, where it is,” in an online auction.

The future buyer must contend with any cleanup and the land is unzoned. GSA will simply sell the property without regard to its future use. There is no federal transfer to consider, Sheckler said, and there is no “financial angel” to pass the land to D.C. and its community for greater future control. Developers already have plans for the site, which include condos in the plant building and parkland to the south at K Street and Rock Creek. (The Levy Group, with partners that include the Fours Seasons Hotel Corporation, has a comprehensive plan for such redevelopment.

A Jan. 26 public scoping meeting is planned for the community. The property will be marketed in the spring with an approved sale expected by August.

Safeway’s Craig Muckle talked to the group about traffic concerns at its south entry on Wisconsin Avenue. The traffic light for cars leaving the store gets a left-turn green and then a right-turn green. The sequence leaves some cars waiting a little longer for their desired turns. (There is a north entry from the garage as well.) Some wondered whether an additional lane could be made for separate left and right turns onto Wisconsin Avenue; others said that would have pedestrians crossing three lanes at the sidewalk. Safeway and the District’s transportation department will discuss the three-lane exit option, at which point the ANC will comment on that decision.

Macaron Bee, coming to 1669 Wisconsin Avenue, got approval for its tri-fold window from the Old Georgetown Board with redesign requests. Shopkeepers plan to sell pricey macaroons (that’s the English spelling) to sidewalk sweets-lovers. The design is fine, but its intent is under scrutiny. That window could be used to sell almost anything and cause a noisy crowd along the sidewalk. Maurine Littleton, whose gallery is next to the new macaron shop, said she did not like the arrangement, adding, “It’s not about macaroons.”
Littleton and others said they preferred that customers go into the store to buy their cookies and coffee. But the commissioners appeared sympathetic with Macaron Bee and wants “to give the business a chance.” Without mentioning the sidewalk service window, the ANC resolution supported Macaron Bee’s re-designs.

ANC2E will meet on Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m., at Georgetown Visitation Prep on 35th St., NW. For more information visit ANC2E.com or call 202 724 7098.

Key Bridge Dec. 16 Deaths: U.S. Park Police Officer; Jumper Still Not Identified
•

A man discovered on the towpath beneath the Key Bridge after 5 p.m. and a United States Park Police officer responding to the emergency both died Dec. 16.

U.S. Park Police Sgt. Michael Boehm suffered a heart attack at 5:30 p.m. on the scene while first responding to the man on the towpath and working with D.C. Fire & EMS personnel. He was pronounced dead at Georgetown University Hospital. The 45-year-old Boehm had been with the Park Police for 19 years and was an Army veteran.

Two joggers running on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal’s towpath halted when coming upon the so-called jumper. Prospect Street resident Andy Kline and his female running companion were stunned at the sight, he said. The woman, who requested anonymity, said she called 911 immediately.

With the Key Bridge at least 35 feet above, the man on the towpath was attended by D.C. Fire & EMS personnel and later pronounced dead at Georgetown University Hospital. He has not been identified by police who have also not confirmed whether he jumped or fell from the bridge.

U.S. Park Police were on the scene at 34th St. and the C&O Canal, next to Francis Scott Key Park. Along with the D.C. Fire Department, the Metropolitan Police Department were also on the scene. With the call, “Officer Down,” there were many Park Police cruisers on the streets; traffic was blocked for a time.

Boehm is the only line-of-duty death this year for the U.S. Park Police, one of the nation’s oldest law enforcement agencies. He is survived by his wife Corrina and son Christopher. A memorial service was held Dec. 28.

GBA Salutes Dumbarton House; MPD’s Reese and Corchado; Chip Dent; Serendipity 3
•

The Georgetown Business Association held its annual meeting and awards presentations Dec. 14 at Dumbarton House on Q Street. Mayor Vincent Gray and council members Jack Evans and Vincent Orange addressed GBA members and friends. Noting that he had been in Georgetown a lot lately, Gray seemed in high spirits as he teased ANC Commissioner Ed Solomon—“Ed, I am here because of you”—and Ward 2’s long-serving councilman Jack Evans—“How do you get to that stage without an opponent?”

Gray also said he and the council were working to get the Washington Redskins back in D.C. and complimented the Citizens Association of Georgetown on its recent gala and the Right On Band.

New GBA President Rokas Beresniovas proclaimed the state of the association strong and said that lobbying for local interests would be a top goal, and GBA secretary Janine Schoonover introduced the presenters and awardees. The Art Schultz Communitarian Award was presented to Karen Daly on behalf of Dumbarton House by last year’s awardee John Dreyfuss of Halcyon House. The Joe Pozell Public Safety Award was given to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District Commander Michael Reese and officer Roberto Corchado as well as to Chip Dent for his work on high-tech videocams. The Business of the Year Award went to Serendipity 3 — presented to co-owner/restaurateur Britt Swan by last year’s awardee Judith Beermann of the Georgetown Dish. Lawyer Joel Bennett certified the election of new board members.
[gallery ids="121590,121585,121577" nav="thumbs"]

October’s ANC 2E Meeting
•

 

-The October meeting of ANC 2E did its best to deal with the unusually high influx of problems facing the community. The first major problem was an unexpected lack of seating accommodation, as the modest-sized Heritage room, in the Georgetown Visitation School, found itself overrun with community members. All present were waiting to hear news regarding police efforts, in response to the recent crime wave, and updates on the Tudor Place preservation plan, among the other orders of business.

Metropolitan Police Department Lieutenant John Hedgecock was brought in to discuss the recent crime increse in the neighborhood. “Regrettably, I don’t have a lot of good news,” he said. The recent spike in crime is a trend begun in Georgetown that is extending into the West End and Dupont Circle. The most brazen crime is surely the holding up of an armored truck employee delivering money to the BB&T Bank on Wisconsin. Four men in an unmarked black van intercepted the deliverer on his way into the bank, took the case of money, and fled. They abandoned the van a few blocks down the road, attempting to set it on fire, and made off in a separate getaway vehicle.

No one has been caught or identified.

The other crimes appear unrelated, but no less than ten robberies have occurred on the numbered
and lettered streets of Georgetown over the past two weeks. Some criminals seem to be after iPhones and electronic equipment, devices, their attention compromised.

What is particularly alarming is that these crimes are happening at odd and unpredictable hours of the day: mid-afternoon, late at night, and early in the morning. They are happening in broad daylight. In response, Lieutenant Hedgecock has, “Increased efforts, reorganized strategies, and upped street coverage to respond to recent and frequent reports,” he said. He warned particularly that the police have had numerous arrests on the 3500 block alone and cautions people to be careful and aware in that area.

In lighter news, the new left-bound turn signal at M St. and Wisconsin is reported to be working
beautifully during its hours of operation.

With Bill Skelsey and Aaron Golds retiring from the ANC board (SMD 03 and SMD 04 respectively),
and no other board members facing much in the way of competition for their seats, the new member-elects spoke, presenting their stance on community issues.

Jake Sekka, a Sophomore at Georgetown University pursuing a major in Government and a concentration in philosophy, will be running on behalf of SMD 04, the University District, pledging to represent the student voice on the commission and “ensure safety and economic prosperity in our community.”

Georgetown resident Jeff Jones, who has been living at 3500 and P St., will be running for Bill Skelsey’s seat.

Tudor Place Executive Director Leslie Buhler outlined a $10 million expansion and renovation plan for Tudor Place, the historic estate between 31st and 32nd Street.

As made clear by an opinion column in this issue of the Georgetowner (page 8, “From the Neighbors of Tudor Place”), the surrounding residents are hesitant about a number of the proposed renovation aspects and thoroughly distraught with the dismissive attitude Tudor Place has shown toward them. Granted, on the whole, they’re on board with its preservation, recognizing Tudor Place as a landmark of community and historical significance.

The renovation proposals include a new gatehouse, storage and archive space, and an education and visitors center. One of the main concerns among Georgetown residents was, of course, the potential increase in traffic congestion and visitors that would be brought about by the new facility.

81st Georgetown House Tour 2012 is Underway
•

And now a few words from Frida Burling: Good news for our Georgetown! The 2012 House Tour is getting under way for the 81st year.
 
It had been started by John Gill’s mother, a parishioner of St. John’s Church, way back in 1931, as Washington felt the start of the Great Depression. There are rumors that people paid a small amount of money and rode a bus around Georgetown, while a knowledgeable resident pointed out where the important people lived.
 
Over the next 80 years, as the New Deal, World War II and other wars brought more and more to D.C., our little village grew and grew—but still kept its charm. Was it the Kennedy years that brought so many young couples?

Now in the houses where old couples gave lavish dinner parties, young women push strollers to day care centers and then go on their way to their law offices. But still Georgetown has kept its aura.

So, again on the last Saturday in April, the 28th, curious throngs, as well as many of us residents, will take the Georgetown House Tour to see who lives where, and to admire our structures both old and remodeled.

Stephanie Bothwell and Frank Babb Randolph are the co-chairs, planning to show the architecture and the designs that continue to be admired. Their team of volunteers can show residents and guests around and inside some of our beloved Georgetown homes.
 
Watch for more news about this once-a-year special treat. The charge for the house tour goes to a very good cause: to help the needy through the outreach program of St. John’s Church.

For more information visit GeorgetownHouseTour.com