Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 6A) met via Zoom on Dec. 12. Commissioners Paul Spires (6A01, Vice-Chair), Mike Velasquez (6A02), Roberta Shapiro (6A03, treasurer), Amber Gove (6A04, Vice Chair/Parliamentarian), Dave Wethington (6A05, Chair), Jeff Giertz (6A06, Secretary) and Steven Kolb (6A07) were in attendance. Commissioner Mike Velasquez (6A02) was absent. Single Member District (SMD) 6A01 is currently vacant.
Jen DeMayo from the Office of Councilmember Charles Allen (D) provided an update on economic activity on H Street NE in response to an audience request. In 2024, Allen established the H Street Alliance. The alliance engaged with property owners and developers of projects along the street, with the goal of developing a cohesive strategy and potentially, a future business organization.
DeMayo said that in 2024, many of the larger projects planned on H Street either stalled or were cancelled. These delays, she said, were often related to high interest rates which have increased the cost of borrowing nationwide.
For example, the Auto Zone project (1207 H St. NE) was to include a 200-unit apartment and 11,000 square feet of ground floor retail to the 1200 block. But work came to a halt in Spring, 2024 and it is unknown when or if it will continue.
There are for-sale signs on properties on the 1000 block of H Street NE, where District Growth had planned an 80-unit residential project. As late as last November, Holladay Corporation and Monarch Urban were looking at a 54-unit residential building with 6,000 square feet of retail at 11th Street and H Street NE, but have since stepped away from the project, DeMayo said.
However, DeMayo also emphasized the good news. There have been many openings on the street in recent months and more are planned.
On the 1300 block, a group including Jonathan Askarinam and Moe Pishvaeian purchased four buildings and alley lots, including the former Biergarten Haus (1355 H St. NE), planning to combine them into an urban market with roof patio “like Union Market, but on a smaller scale,” according to the application. The group presented plans to the ANC Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee in January as part of an application to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for special exception to parking and set back requirements. The proposed market would include 14 stalls, including food and beverage but also retail, event and lounge space. The committee ed the application ANC ed that application on consent.
In November, Irregardless reopened as Cynthia Bar and Bistro (502 H St. NE); Hiraya Chef Paolo Dungca expanded his offerings with tasting room Kayu (1250 H St. NE); and Taqueria Los Perez opened at 1344 H St. NE. The folks who run popular Indian restaurant Daru are opening Tapori at 600 H St. NE, the former Fancy Radish. Two more restaurants are set to open between Seventh and Eighth Street.
Election of Officers and Standing Committee Chairs
Officers for the new term were elected, with Commissioner Wetherington as Chair, Paul Spires and Amber Gove as Vice Chairs, Jeff Giertz as Secretary, and Commissioner Shapiro as Treasurer.
Committee and leaders for 2025 were approved, including: Joel Mendoza and Mike Cushman as co-chairs for Economic Development and Zoning; Patrick Blumstein for Transportation and Public Space; Mike Velasquez for Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee; and Commissioner Spires as Chair of Community Outreach Committee.
In Other Business
The Commission voted to protest the following applications to the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis istration (ABCA) in pursuit of a Settlement Agreement (SA):
- from Henceforth DC (1335 H St. NE) for a substantial change to a liquor license;
- from Ethio Vegan at 1362 H St. NE for a new Class C Tavern license;
- from Dreamy DC (1111 H St. NE) for a Medical Cannabis Retailer license.
The Commission also voted to approve:
- changes to the standard operating procedure language for the ANC’s Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL) Committee, changing its name to the Alcoholic Beverage Cannabis (ABC) Committee and to expand its purview to also include cannabis licensing, settlement agreements and issues as well as similar issues linked to liquor licenses.
- a 10 percent increase in compensation for services provided by the ANC 6A . The last increase was approved in October 2020.
ANC 6A generally meets on the second Thursday of every month except August. They will meet next virtually via Zoom at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13. Get details on committee meetings and how to online at anc6a.org.
