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April 2007 · CSNA General Membership Meeting Minutes

Thursday, 12 April 2007 · 7:00 – 8:30 PM

True Reformer Building · 1200 U Street, NW

www.csnadc.org

Welcome and Introductions

Community Report, Announcements Special Presentations

• March for DC Voting Rights – There will be a march for DC Voting Rights held on Monday, April 16, beginning at 2:30 pm at the Wilson Building.
• Update from Mayor Fenty’s Office - No representative present.
• Update from Councilmember Jim Graham’s Office – Councilmember Graham and Barry Weise, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Barry noted that the Council is working on the budget.
  • Barry stated that Councilmember Graham is focusing on Senior Citizens Driving Test Legislation.  Currently, seniors are required to take an annual road and written driver’s test.  The legislation would eliminate this annual test requirement, but t would continue requiring an annual medical test.  A hearing will be held on the legislation in the upcoming weeks.
  • Councilmember Graham stated that there will be a $250,000 subsidy in place for the Lincoln Theatre.
  • Councilmember Graham stated that the Yellow Line WMATA posters will be removed.
  • Councilmember Graham stated that there have been unsolicited proposals for the WMATA lot at 8^th St. and Florida Ave.
  • Councilmember Graham noted that there will soon be a sharette for new uses of the Reeves Center first floor retail space.  He also said that there may be an opportunity to have an indoor vendor mall operating in the first floor interior on the weekends.
  • Councilmember Graham said that the flea market at 9^th and U may be moved.
  • Councilmember Graham now oversees the Department of Transportation, Public Works, Motor Vehicles, Department of the Environment, WMATA, and DCWASA.
• Update from ANC 1B – Phil Spalding, ANC1B02,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Minutes from the last ANC meeting are posted at http://www.anc1b.org/
  • ANC1B is considering a CSNA grant application for the clean and green of the Vermont Ave. median.

• Q&A Session with David Jannarone and Greg O’Dell, representatives fro the DC office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , (202) 727-6365
  • Parcel 34 / Solea: There was the potential that the RFP for the property would be reissued, but the time period for the start of construction has recently been extended, and Jair Lynch / NCRC will continue to develop the site as planned.
  • Howard Theatre: DC Government has been in negotiation with Ellis Enterprises for a long term ground lease of the Howard Theatre, with subsidies provided to a non-profit entity setup by Ellis Development.  The theater will be tied to the Radio One development, and Ellis Development hoes to tie programming of the theatre with Radio One / TV One.  There will be community uses that will be required by the ground lease.
  • Broadcast Center One: NCRC, Ellis Development, and the West Group are in final stages of negotiations, and DC needs to finalize the subsidy for the development before construction begins.
  • Howard Town Center: The development was held up due to litigation, but the litigation has been resolved.  The city will be transferring the land to the developer through a land swap of land on Sherman Avenue.  The use of the land on Sherman Avenue has yet to be determined.  There is a possibility that the CVS on 7^th Street will be relocated to the Howard Town Center.
  • Florida and 7^th Street WMATA Lot: There will be an RFP issued for the vacant lot owned by WMATA at Florida Ave. and 7^th Street.  The pre-bidder’s conference will be held on April 30.  A lawsuit tied up the property after the RFP was issued on the lot last year, but the lawsuit has since been resolved. 
  • Lincoln Theatre RFI / RFP: There is a study being commissioned to see how development of the rear lot of the Lincoln Theater could be incorporated into improving the management and operations of the Lincoln Theatre.  Derek Woody is handling the process. There has been an RFI to see what potential uses there may be for the theatre.  A resident at the CSNA meeting noted that a parking garage would be useful at the site.  That same resident noted that the $500,000 subsidies that have been given to the Lincoln Theatre are minimal compared to the subsidies of the Arena Stage and the Verizon Center.
  • Housing Finance Agency: Jean Homza of the 9:30 Club recommended that the HFA parking garage be opened for public use during nighttime and weekend hours to relieve the parking needs of the community and activate that portion of the block at night.
  • Parking on Vacant Lots: Scott Pomeroy of the MidCity Business Association recommended that public parking be considered as interim uses for the WMATA lots, the lot on U Street between 9^th and Vermont Ave., and other vacant lots in the neighborhood.
  • NCRC / Anacostia Waterfront Corporation: The operation of NCRC and AWC is being managed by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development, and the final structure of the organizations will be determined within the next 60 days.
  • Angled Parking: An attendee of the CSNA meeting recommended that angled parking be considered to maximize the amount of parking spaces in the CSNA neighborhood.
  • Theatre Shuttle Route: Lydia Charles recommended that a shuttle be subsidized to run between the Howard Theatre and the Lincoln Theatre.
  • DC Circulator: Jon Kardon requested that a Circulator Bus be extended to the U Street corridor.
  • Green Team: Charlie Whitaker of the Green Team questioned the status of the Green Team grant application.

• New Tenant at Former Kili’s Venue
  • Ed Bailey, John Guggenmos, and James spoke about conceptual plans for a boutique lounge and dance space at the site where Kili’s used to be located at 2009 8^th Street, NW.  The group is close to signing a lease agreement on the space.  They have met with ANC1B Commissioners Myla Moss and Dee Hunter, CSNA Business Development Chair Christine Holst, and other neighbors of the site, and will be meeting with Councilman Jim Graham to discuss the plan.  The group is seeking a voluntary agreement, and hopes to have the agreement vetted prior to the next CSNA meeting. Stuidos Architecture will be designing the interior of the space, and Miller, Beaem, and Paganelli will be the acoustical engineers for the site.  Dee Hunter advised that it is important to plackard before signing off on agreements with interested parties, so that other protestors do not get involved unexpectedly.  The group intends to open a space that is not antagonistic with the neighborhood, and believes that is fundamental to include all voices in the voluntary agreement.  The space will have lounge spaces, quiet zones, and dance spaces.  There will not be food service.  The capacity is 649.  They are seeking a C-N license.  Christine stated that if anyone would like to participate in the voluntary agreement, they can contact her at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

Committee Business and Regular Reports 

• Treasurer’s Report: Chuck Baxter, Treasurer
  • The balance in the CSNA account is $8,536.15.  There is $1,366.72 alotted for the Development Showcase, and $7,169.434 for general use.
• Membership & Communications: Lynn Coffin,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Lynn stated that CSNA’s goal is 100 paid members for the year.  There are currently 52 paid members, and 21 of those are new members.  Lynn encouraged all attendees to join CSNA – dues are only $15.
  • Lynn stated that a graphic designer has designed postcards to promote CSNA membership.  CSNA voted 14-0-1 in favor of printing color postcards rather than black/white postcards.
• Transportation & Parking: Cheryl Cort  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Chair was not present.
  • Councilmember Graham stated that the Circulator may be extended from downtown, to the U Street Corridor, up through Adams Morgan, to the Woodley Park Metro Station.  This route would replace the U Street / Adams Morgan Link.
• Clean & Green: No Committee Chair
  • Pete encouraged members to apply for the Clean and Green Chair position.
  • Pete said that the East-Enders have requested that CSNA join them in the Spring Cleanup on Vermont Ave., between U and V Streets, to clean, plant grasses and perennials, and mulch.  The northern section of the median will be subsidized by the Floridian, and the southern section will be subsidized by the Westminster Association.  CSNA would be responsible for subsidizing the mulching and planting of the middle section, on the 2000 block.  CSNA voted 15-2-0 to spend up to $500 to support the planting of the 2000 block.
  • Phil said that he would be responsible for getting mulch for cherry blossoms at the Garnett Patterson school.
• Historic Preservation and Development: Ernest Springs  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
  • Phil Spalding stated the HPRB accepted plans for a project in the 1900 block of 8^th Street, a 6-8 unit residential building.
  • The project adjacent to the Florida Avenue Grill has started construction.  The developer is not required to vet the project with the community as it is a by-right development.
• Business Development and ABC: Christine Holst  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
  • On the UStreetNews listserv, there have been complaints about CVS opening at the Mason’s building.  Phil stated that Steve Colcott has been working with the owners.  The planters in front of the building will remain, and the windows on the east side will be covered so that merchandise cannot be seen from the outside.  Frank Smith has approached CVS about the window displays.  Scott Pomeroy mentioned his concern with loading and unloading plans. Jay Raymond Murray is the Grand Master of the Masons lodge this year, and he would be the point of contact.  CSNA will request further information from CVS and the Masons about the development plans.
  • CSNA voted 13-0-0 in support of requesting that the Ward 1 Core Team engage more in the Hospitality Resource Partnership process and move forward on their action items.
  • Scott Pomeroy advised that the Farmers Market in front of the Reeves Center will begin on June 2, and it will be open regularly on Saturdays, possibly on Sundays as well.  The group operating the farmers market is the same as the one that operates the Mount Pleasant Farmer’s Market.
  • CSNA voted 15-0-0 in support of the Green Team Grant Application, and extending the operation period of the Green Team.
  • MidCity Dog Days will be held on August 4-5.
• Public Safety: David Corsen, Peter Patell -  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Join the Public Safety 305 listserv  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • David and Peter have been attending PSA 305 meetings, which are held on the first Tuesday of each monthe at the Housing Finance Agency, at 7 pm.
  • David and Peter would like to print posters which emphasize not leaving valuables in parked cars.  The posters would be distributed to neighborhood businesses to be posted.
  • The “Fight Back” has been eliminated, as some officials felt they were targeting specific businesses.
  • David and Peter discussed graffiti with CSNA attendees, and said that they would follow up to see if the graffiti suspects have been tracked down.
  • CSNA voted 10-3-0 in support of installing a safety camera at the intersection of 9^th and U Streets.
  • David and Peter noted that DC, VA, and MD governments have all been cracking down on jaywalking, and tickets are being issued to both pedestrians and drivers who do not respect pedestrian laws.
  • David and Peter will consider hosting “Orange Hat Patrols” on the third week of each month, beginning in May.  They will coordinate with Officer Delicey. 

Questions, Comments, Concerns

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