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The Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B November meeting focused on the $160 million project to expand train capacity in DC.
CSX officials updated commissioners and residents about their plan to expand the size of the Virginia Avenue train tunnel, which runs between Second and 11th streets SE. The tunnel, spanning 4,000 feet, was built in 1904.
Originally equipped with two tracks, subsequent renovations due to changing train size standards have resulted in a single track running through the tunnel. CSX’s planned changes to the tunnel, part of the $800 million “National Gateway” plan to increase train capacity on the Eastern seaboard, would reinstate double tracks in the tunnel. Those tracks would also be placed lower in the tunnel to allow for the use of double-stacked trains.
Because the tunnel is in the city and runs underneath a freeway, rebuilding it will be difficult and take two or three years, Stephen Flippin, director of federal affairs for CSX, told meeting attendees. Preliminary plans call for building an excavation tunnel alongside the existing tunnel. Train traffic would then be routed through the excavation tunnel as the permanent tunnel is expanded.
During construction, stretches of Virginia Avenue would be closed off, and some side streets would have reduced access, Flippin said.
The commission did not vote on the issue, but commissioners and residents seemed to have plenty of concerns about the disruptions the project could cause.
Several residents of Capitol Quarter, the townhome neighborhood nearly completed in the Capitol Riverfront area, said that the project would restrict their access to their garages. Others brought up the effect on Navy Yard-related traffic, and the owner of Dog-Ma Daycare, located on Virginia Avenue, said that the project as described would threaten the existence of her business.
One resident who lives near the tunnel said, “We’re going to be living through hell for two years,” when discussing the noise this expansion will cause.
Commissioners primarily asked questions about the project, declining to weigh in formally on the issue for now. Commissioner Kenan Jarboe urged CSX officials to keep the ANC updated, particularly on a traffic analysis that is underway.
Flippin said his company would continue to work with the community on the project, and said “this project is still some ways off.” He said that the project would start in 2011 at the earliest, if federal grant funding is approved; if not, then the project would likely start in 2013 or 2014.
For more information on the project, visit www.nationalgateway.org.
Progress but no Ending
The commission approved changes to the liquor license application for Dulce Café and Lounge, located at 1123 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, but disagreements between Dulce’s owners and the commission are still blocking the application.
Dulce owners Nyika and Clifton Humphries dropped their request for an entertainment endorsement for the establishment, which commissioners had resisted due to their experiences with other establishments at the site. Dulce’s owners also agreed to proposed limits on drink specials.
However, a riff on third-party promoters at the November meeting signaled more work is needed to be done before the ANC will sign off on the application.
Nyika Humphries said that restricting third-party promoters at the establishment would unfairly limit Dulce’s chance to stay in business. Commissioners disagreed, saying that they were just trying to ensure that Dulce’s owners would stay in control of their site at all times. They noted that third-party promoters sometimes rent bars for events that the building owners have no part in.
After removing the entertainment endorsement section, the commission voted 7-1 to approve the application, pending signature of the voluntary agreement. Commissioner Will Hill was the lone dissenting vote, and said that his vote was largely due to concerns about the unresolved third-party promoter issue and the problems this issue had caused at other businesses in the area.
“They had third-party endorsements, and it was a nightmare,” he said. “I don’t want to see anything like that again.”
Although the commission preliminarily approved the application, it was mostly a procedural move as it was unlikely that Dulce’s owners would sign the voluntary agreement as drafted. The application remained in a protest mode, and commissioners said they would continue working with Dulce to find a compromise.
Nyika Humprhies said that Dulce would close until the liquor license is approved by the city.
No Problems Here
While Dulce’s troubled application dragged on for another month, a new application got on the fast track for approval because of the owner’s flexibility and efforts to work with neighbors.
Xavier Cervera had originally requested a tavern license for the Chesapeake Room, to be located at 501 Eighth St. SE, but after hearing neighbor concerns about the license, he changed it to a restaurant application. The change would still allow alcohol sales, but it would set a mandatory level of profits to come from food sales.
Cervera, the owner of Lola’s and Molly Malone’s, is no stranger to Barrack’s Row. He said that he wants to “do it right” when opening Chesapeake Room, which will feature a menu emphasizing local seafood.
Area neighbors said that they were pleased with the way negotiations were going, but they still had concerns about noise for the new restaurant. They were especially concerned about the outdoor seating, which will be open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Commissioners unanimously voted to support the application pending signature of the voluntary agreement.
New Commissioner
With 69 votes, Norman Metzger won the special election for the vacant 6B03 seat. Challengers Randy Steer and Caitlin Fennessy received 46 and 29 votes, respectively.
The Nov. 10 special election for ANC6B/03 was terrific, not because I won, although that was certainly nice, but because the very large turnout (144 voted) and the palpable interest in the race affirmed the value placed in the ANC by the neighborhood. That we had a spirited and very civil race with a focus on very local issues owes to my splendid opponents, Caitlin Fennessy and Randy Steer. Good thing I ran because I would have had a hard time choosing between them!
That said, the hard work is ahead, as I try to deal with the many issues faced by the neighborhood – from the enlargement of the CSX tunnel along Virginia Avenue to reconciling the increase in the number of bars on Eighth Street with the realities of a residential neighborhood to upgrading the state of our alleys and many of our sidewalks to …. A common denominator for many of the issues that neighbors have brought to me since the election is better communication – from me and from our agencies and utilities.
While the challenges are many, so is the willingness of many neighbors who have reached out with offers to help. My work in helping launch Capitol Hill Village taught me many things, but one of the most moving lessons was how many people in this wonderful community will volunteer their time and expertise to help make it even better. I will be calling on that same spirit as I try to fulfill my new obligations. And please visit and contribute to my new blog site: www.ancnorm.org. - Norman Metzger |
