WARD 7 NEWS

Chef’s Table Back in the Mix
Site and several others sold to City Power Player
Ward 7 landmark, Chef’s Table, and the adjoining child care center on Benning Road, NE have been purchased by business and political powerhouse, Ben Soto, for over $6 million. Soto is long-time friend of Mayor Fenty and founder, president and CEO of Paramount Title & Escrow. The fate of the vacant Chef’s Table has been talked about for years. Neighbors were disappointed that the owner, Albert Westbrook, was holding out for the highest dollar, while the property became increasingly dilapidated..

Purchased by Benning Station LLC, the acquisition also includes the KFC and the liquor/convenience store across the street and efforts are being made to acquire adjacent lots.

In an interview, Soto said, “I was attracted to the site because I know the neighborhood was substantially underserved. I want to be a part of the renaissance of the area and the District.” Soto’s connection to the site is interesting. His grandparents took him to the restaurant during its heyday as a political hotspot. Soto and partner David Tolson, president, DBT Development, are planning to bring a Class A, environmentally sound and friendly development with office, retail and a sit-down restaurant to the Chef’s Table and child care center site. Zoned as C-3-A, development is matter-of-right, which does not require plans to be presented to the city’s Board of Zoning and Adjustment. However, as a native Washingtonian, Soto is sensitive to not “throwing the plans down anyone’s throat.” Many remember the uproar caused by the plans for the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) to relocate to the Benning Road Metro Station.

So far, Soto’s presentations to the community have been met with support. Ward 7 Council Member Yvette Alexander (D) has been a strong proponent of Benning Station LLC. Soto noted that she met with him just two days after her win in the Ward 7 special election. Just a few weeks ago, Alexander hosted a meet and greet at one of Tolson’s new condos on behalf of the developers.

The timeline for the project, which includes razing the buildings, obtaining permits, and luring tenants, is 18 months to two years. Soto and Tolson want community input on their vision for the KFC and liquor store site. According to Soto, “we want to put in there what the community wants.”

Ward 7 Gets Overview of Capital Projects
‘Commitment, Cost and Completion’ are Goals
In an October Ward 7 Leadership Council meeting, Ward 7 Council Member Yvette Alexander brought key city agency heads to her ward to give an account and status of the many projects underway and planned that will impact current and future constituents.

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, civic association presidents, and leaders of several community service groups gathered over breakfast and questions at the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization’s Lloyd D. Smith Center.

In organizing the meeting Alexander said she “wanted to make sure there was full disclosure of what is happening in the Ward.” During her campaign to fill the unexpired Ward 7 Council Member term, Alexander focused on making Ward 7 one. This meeting was a stop on the road to that goal. Alexander expects to provide an update on the activities, including the Great Streets Initiative, construction and renovation of the Benning, Anacostia, Deanwood, and Francis Gregory libraries, and constructing a new H.D. Woodson High School, in the spring.

Councilmember Alexander can be reached at 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004, 202.724.8068, and www.yvettealexander.org.

WARD 8 NEWS

Ward 8 Resident Nominated to be First Ombudsman of DC Public Education
Tonya V. Kinlow, formerly a DC Public Schools board of education member, was nominated by Mayor Fenty to become the city’s first ombudsman. The Office of Ombudsman for Public Education was created in the Public Education Reform Amendment Act of 2007 (L17-0009).

Kinlow’s nomination was slated for consideration by the City Council at the end of November. If confirmed, Kinlow will be parents’, students’, and school personnel’s first line in customer service and in getting resolutions and answers from the school system, long derided for being unresponsive and unfriendly.

School districts in surrounding jurisdictions have an office of the ombudsman and the office seems to be useful. According to the Howard County (MD) Public School System’s website, its first ombudsman was initiated in the last school year and received 130 cases, thirty-six percent of which dealt with school administration and seventy-seven percent of which were parent initiated.

The District’s ombudsman is established in the Department of Education, which is headed by Victor Reinoso, Deputy Mayor for Education. In response to a question about duplication with the Deputy Mayor, Chancellor, and Superintendent, Kinlow notes that as a part of the Mayor’s education team, she is working to ensure there is a coordinated approach to handling the frustrations that have plagued the dialogue between DCPS and the public. The nominee comments, “It is important for people to recognize the role the ombudsman will play in the reform effort and there is a commitment to be responsive to the people who will call us for help.” She is planning an aggressive public education plan and wants to have written communication early with a brochure to explain the position, role, and expectations.

Ward 7 Council Member Yvette Alexander (D) commented that she is pleased the Mayor appointed an East of the River resident to a cabinet-level position. At the same time Alexander did note that she has some concerns that Kinlow may not have the all the tools to handle the number of calls coming in. “The ombudsman effectiveness depends on her ability to respond to inquiries and a staff of five may be limited,” said Alexander.  

With the 2008 election, the board of education reverts from being a hybrid, elected and mayorally-appointed body to a nine-member all-elected board. Kinlow commented that the election provides an “exciting opportunity for some new leadership.” She plans for the ombudsman to be “a resource and support for the state board of education and to help [them] with constituent issues that they’d like shepherded through.”

At this time the Office of Ombudsman for Public Education is budgeted at $500,000. The office will be located at 441 4th St. NW (One Judiciary Square).

Ward 8’s First Full-Scale Grocery Store Set to Open
The twenty-five acre Camp Simms, which consists of a shopping center at Alabama Avenue SE and Stanton Road SE and single-family housing fronting Mississippi Avenue SE, will host an enthusiastic celebration on Friday, December 7 when the Super Giant officially opens.

According to Giant spokesman, Jamie Miller, the 60,000-plus square foot store will “offer the customer the ultimate in one-stop shopping.” The store will not only offer food items, including natural and organic foods and a seafood and deli section, but also Staples home and office supplies and home goods. The Landover, MD-based Giant started the Super Giant prototype around eighteen months ago and there are nearly eight in the chain. The store’s hours will be Monday-Saturday 6:00 a.m.—11:00 p.m., Sunday 6:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. The pharmacy hours will be Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.—9:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m.—7:00 p.m., and Sunday 9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

Camp Simms’ development is a joint venture between the East of the River Community Development Corporation and William C. Smith & Co. The retail portion of the site, called Shops at Park Village, includes the Giant, a remodeled and redesigned strip center, and an International House of Pancakes. Four businesses from the old center renewed their leases, including long-time tenant H & M Hardware, and stayed open during the façade and interior upgrades. Three of the new businesses—the IHOP, Edy’s Ice Cream, and a sandwich and salad eatery—are franchises that will be owned and operated by Ward 8 residents.

Working with the Ward 8 Business Council, East of the River CDC and the construction company also conducted job preparedness and training sessions through the District’s Department of Employment Services. The sessions included general job interview skills and conflict resolution and assisted individuals with completing Giant’s online application. According to project manager, Matt Ritz, “We wanted to hold Giant accountable for the promise they made to hire Ward 8 residents.” The grocery chain will employ 160 Ward 8 residents throughout the store’s departments and in part-time and full-time positions. Generally, the store has 150-175 employees. Giant spokesman was unable to provide a breakdown of full-time and part-time status.