1815 Riggs Place: "Adding More Ugly Isn't a Nice Thing to Do"

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2B/Dupont Circle voted to endorse a one-story pop-up on a two-story apartment building at 1815 Riggs Place NW. The vote took place at ANC2B's regular monthly meeting of March 12.

 At present (Google Street View)

ANC2B Commissioner Leo Dwyer (district 07), introducing the matter to the ANC, called the building "fairly nondescript". However, the building is located within the Dupont Circle Historic District, so changes to the exterior must get the blessing of D.C.'s Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB). Dwyer said the building is "non-contributing" to the historic district, meaning, it has no particular architectural merit.

Dwyer said he had solicited comments about the project from its neighbors.

Schneck presents an image of the addition

"The majority of the comments is that this building is ugly," he said.

Dwyer is also chair of ANC2B's Zoning, Preservation and Development (ZPD) Committee.

Architect Ronald Schneck, principal of Square 134 Architects, presented to ANC2B. This project is on the HPRB's agenda for its next meeting, and Schneck sought ANC2B's endorsement.

"Everyone can agree this is a non-contributing building," Schneck said.

At the same time, Schneck was also hoping to get endorsement for zoning variances before an April hearing with D.C.'s Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). The building as it stands now is not zoning compliant because it occupies too much of the lot it stands on, and because the rear yard setback is not big enough. The architect's proposal does not add additional non-compliant elements.

The developer's HPRB proposal had been considered by the ZPD Committee, but its BZA proposal had not. The ANC voted to approve its HPRB application, but asked the architect to return to the ZPD Committee for a separate presentation on its BZA proposal.

Commissioner Stephanie Meltz (district 03) also reminded Schneck of her request, made the previous week, to reach out to her constituents who lived across the street from the building and have concerns about the effects of the addition on both light and parking.

Tom Bauer of the Dupont Circle Conservancy (DCC) told the committee his organization will support the massing of the building before the HPRB but will oppose certain aspects of the design. Specifically, it objects to the use of metal seams on the exterior, and would prefer to see brick and limestone.

"We think it's ugly but adding more ugly isn't a nice thing to do," Bauer said about the building.

Read another article about this project from the blog District Source here.

Chief Lanier at ANC2F about Logan Circle Shootings

The community turned out to see Cathy Lanier, Chief of DC's Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) talk about local crime at regularly-scheduled October monthly meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2F/Logan Circle on October 2 at the Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle NW). 

Chief Lanier listens to her introduction

About recent shootings

Lanier announced there had been two arrests the previous evening in a stun gun robbery in Petworth. There have recently been a series of stun gun robberies in DC, including one in Logan Circle. Chief Lanier told the Washington Post the MPD did not know if the Petworth incident is tied to the other stun gun robberies.

Lanier reminded the audience that crime was down dramatically in the area, which was why the stun gun robberies got police attention.

There was little indication of progress on two other recent shooting incidents in the Logan Circle area. This was in spite of reported email assurances from the MPD more than ten days ago that the police "know who did this" and "were looking to make an arrest".

Lanier said the person shot during the September 12 incident on 14th Street was not cooperating with the police, which was making the investigation difficult. She also said there was a lot of misinformation "out there" about the shootings and there was "nothing to support these theories".

Community Q-and-A

During a question-and-answer session, a pastor of the Asbury Methodist Church (11th and K Streets) asked about prostitution and human trafficking in the neighborhood. In the subsequent discussion, it was said that prostitution seemed based on Internet advertising was now more common, as opposed to solicitation on the streets. Potential johns made appointments online and then met on street corners. The intersections of 5th and K, 12th and I, and 12th and M Streets were noted as frequently-used meeting spots.

An attendee from the 1400 block of R Street reported there was a lot of drug dealing and drinking on his block, and his car had been broken into twice this year. This is thought to be the work of a small group of juveniles. Some of these don't live in the neighborhood, but have friends who do. Others live in the neighborhood, so the police cannot use a "stay away order".

Another attendee from 13th and R complained that "follow through is lacking" in the case of the Logan Circle shootings. One witness saw the car and the shooter but was never interviewed by the MPD. Another woman, whose car windshield had been shattered by gunfire in the incident, had been asked three questions by the police, after which she had heard nothing.

Over 80 community members came to hear Lanier speak and listen to questions for about 40 minutes. All the seats were filled and people had to stand.

Lanier was introduced at the meeting by DC City Councilmember for Ward Two Jack Evans. Remarks by Evans to the meeting are the subject of a separate blog post.

Carlyle Suites Roof Terrace: Thin End of the Wedge?

Carlyle Suites Hotel (1731 New Hampshire Avenue NW) management tells Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2B/Dupont Circle there is no rooftop bar or restaurant in the works. But neighbors are skeptical.

The proposed deck (credit below)

At the October 1 meeting of the ANC2B's Zoning, Preservation and Development (ZPD) Committee, Carlyle Suites Manager Scott Dawson said the planned roof deck will be primarily for yoga, sunbathing, and the occasional special event.

"There are no plans for bars or nightclubs," Dawson said.

"But you're paving the way," a neighbor replied.

The hotel today (credit below)

The supporting presentation on behalf of the Carlyle Suites was made by Dawson and Michael Lee Beidler of Trout Design Studio. Beidler is also a member of the ZPD Committee. 

How aware are the neighbors?

Beginning their talk, the presenters made an assertion that there were no objections from abutting properties. One attendee spoke up to claim this was not accurate.

Later, another local resident said most of the people in the area were unaware of the intended construction.

"Some of these folks are going to be really surprised," he said. "The neighbors need some time to figure it out."

Proposal details

The proposal will create deck space on the rear of the Carlyle Suites property, away from New Hampshire Avenue. The proposed addition would not be visible from New Hampshire Avenue, but it would be visible from 17th Street and Riggs Place. Beidler said the view from 17th Street would only be in winter -- trees would cover it the rest of the year.

The deck will be set back ten feet from the roof edge, but will still be larger than the roof decks of neighboring buildings. There will be no setbacks at certain interior parts of the building, which might cause noise problems.

"It's going to be echo alley," one neighbor said.

While repeating that there were no plans for a bar, restaurant, or nightclub, Dawson refused repeatedly to categorically state the hotel would never seek to have one there in the future. Dawson also refused to rule out the possibility of outside seating on the roof deck. Similarly, the presenters could not say exactly what the capacity of the deck would be.

Dawson said nothing could prevent people from consuming food and drink on the roof deck. But the roof deck space was not shaped and sized correctly for on-site food preparation, he said. Everyone agreed it would be possible to set up a bar on the deck.

Dawson said the security arrangements necessary to get non-guests through the hotel lobby and up to the roof was an issue. This was a reason why the hotel was not considering regular food or drink service on the roof deck at this time.

Still, the neighbors were suspicious.

"Couldn't it easily be converted?" one asked.

"No, there isn't the infrastructure, there isn't the space," Dawson said.

The paperwork

The planned roof deck expansion requires approval from DC's Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) because it lies within the boundaries of the Dupont Circle Historic District. The Carlyle Suites Hotel is seeking ANC2B endorsement on its petition to the HPRB.

It does not require a zoning variance or any other type of approval at this time. In addition, if the hotel decided to serve food and/or drink on the roof deck, it would require one or more new rounds of public space permits and liquor license amendments, all of which would normally be subject to citizen comment through the ANC before a decision was taken by the DC government. There are no such permit requests pending at this time.

Members of the committee pronounced themselves comfortable with the historic preservation aspects of the renovation, but urged the Carlyle Suites Hotel management to further consult residents of nearby apartment buildings before moving forward on the project.

"Continue to reach out to the neighboring properties," said ANC2B Commissioner Leo Dwyer (district 07). Dwyer is chair of the ZPD committee.

(Photo credit: from documents prepared by Trout Design Studio and presented to the ZPD committee)

Police Tell ANC2F about Logan Circle Shootings

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2F/Logan was briefed last night (Wednesday, September 18) by the police about the recent shootings in the Logan Circle area. Detective Scott Guthrie of the Third District and other members of the DC's Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) gave an account of their publicly-releasable information to ANC2F's Crime and Public Safety Committee. They also handled questions from ANC commissioners and members of the public.

Attendance up at public safety committee

First incident: 9/12, 14th and Riggs

Guthrie told the committee the first shooting occurred on September 12 at 8:53pm, near the corner of 14th Street and Riggs Place NW. Police are classifying it as an assault with a deadly weapon. There were multiple gunshots, and two vehicles were struck. A 45-year-old man was shot in the buttocks. The man has been interviewed but police cannot release details. There are no suspects or known motives. Police are seeking cooperative witnesses.

See a Washington Post report on this first incident here.

Second incident: 9/17, 13th and R

The second incident occurred at 7:22pm on September 17 on the 1700 block of 13th Street, at the corner of R Street. There were multiple gunshots but no victims. Two parked cars were hit by gunfire. One car had a windshield destroyed. The shooter, the intended target, and the motive are all unknown. Contrary to online rumors, it is not certain if the shooting was drive-by or by a pedestrian.

A revolver was recovered near the crime scene under a parked car. It is being sent for analysis to recover fingerprints and/or DNA.

This same revolver was being examined to see if this incident and the September 12th incident were connected. It will take about two weeks to get ballistics results.

There is no evidence that the second incident is gang-related, but it cannot be completely ruled out.

There is a nearby on-street video camera on 13th Street which may provide some useful information. A request to view video from the time of the incident has been made. The camera reportedly points away from area where the incident took place.

At the meeting, two members of the public reported their parked car had received dents and scrapes during the second incident. They believed the damage took place when the shooter stood behind the vehicle. It was unclear whether their vehicle had been photographed by the police already.

A resident of the 1400 block of P Street reported he had been in email contact with Third District Commander Jacob Kishter about the second incident. Kishter reportedly said "they had an idea who did this". Kishter also said the motive was a "neighborhood beef" and the police "were looking to make an arrest".

The MPD representatives at the meeting said they could not confirm this, but sometimes senior management has better information than lower-level police.

After the report, the meeting continued with a long discussion on community involvement to reduce gun crimes.

Attendance at the committee meeting was much higher than average due to the shootings.

ANC2F Commissioners leading the meeting were Peter Lallas (district 01) and Chris Linn (district 03).