Hive Hotel Gets ANC Buzzing

ANC 2A
November 19 2015

ANC 2A and Neighbors Have Reservations

Developer Jim Abdo, the name behind such as Wooster-Mercer Lofts, Landmark at Senate Square, Monroe Street Market and Bryan Street Lofts, is launching Abdo Hospitality with the renovation and restoration of the former Allen Lee Hotel in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of the District.

Located at 2224 F Street NW in Foggy Bottom at the corner of F Street and Virginia Avenue, the Allen Lee previously offered low-cost rooms to travelers and locals with minimal accommodation needs.

Abdo's Hive Hotel will be DC's first pod hotel, offering rooms of approximately 250 square feet in size. Restoration of much of the original exterior, along with incorporation of architectural elements such as 115 year-old exposed brick on the interior, is well underway, The interior design is hip, urban and smart, utilizing tech and small space storage solutions to offer guests a compact-but-stylish, plugged-in experience. Hive Hotel will also offer a summer garden and sidewalk cafe. Located very near Foggy Bottom Metro Station (orange, silver & blue lines), the hotel will also be convenient to Foggy Bottom's Whole Foods market, various eateries and shops, Georgetown and West End.

So why did ANC 2A commissioners and some local residents issue a stinging protest against Hotel Hive;s liquor license application at Wednesday night's ANC 2A meeting?

In short, parking, traffic congestion and noise. Residents worry that there is not enough space in front of or behind the building to allow for deliveries, loading and unloading of passengers and luggage, or taxi service.

From one resident:"You have no loading dock..." and "The width between the wall and the sidewalk is about the length of a car. I think you've exaggerated your space availability." 


VIDEO

Abdo responded that a 100' no parking zone in front of the hotel will be designated for loading and unloading:


VIDEO

Noise, roofdeck, summer garden and sidewalk cafe operation hours were primarily at issue, with some residents complaining that noise in the area has an amphitheater effect throughout the neighborhood:


VIDEO

Abdoi Hospitality seeks approval for:

1. Application by “Abdo F St., LLC” (dba Abdotel) for a substantial change to their Retailer’s Class “C” Hotel liquor license (2224 F Street NW, ABRA-090189) 
   

Commissioners unanimously voted to protest on the basis of parking, noise and diminution of property value.

Aldo and his team stated their intention to work with the commission to reach solutions agreeable to neighbors.

Parishoners vs Zip Car - The 3 Space Battle

ANC 2F
11-4-2015

A lengthy discussion wore on at Wednesday night's ANC 2F meeting over the allocation of three parking spaces on the north side of Corcoran east of 14th Street.

Parishioners of John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church faced off against Zip Car representative Scott Holland and commissioners, parishioners making the case that they need the parking for services, Zip Car bemoaning the recent loss of their 14th Street lot at 1617 14th Street, and commissioners trying to sort out the DDOT details.


 Le Diplomate restaurant General Manager William Washington turned up in support of the parishioners.



In the end, the commission voted to allot two of the three requested spaces to Zip Car.

Is This Thing On? 1001 O Street

ANC 2F
11-4-2015

At tonight's ANC 2F meeting commissioner Kevin Sylvester (SMD 2F07) wanted to make sure we were recording when he brought up an off-agenda item regarding 1001 O Street. Sylvester says the owner of the single family rowhouse, architect Suzane Reatig, wants to convert the residence to a two unit condo. Permits are pending and Sylvester says the commission and the residents it represents were not consulted, or allowed to provide input:
[video]


On June 25 2015, the Shaw Historic District's Historic Preservation Board found the project to be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.

ANC 1B COMMUNITY HEROES AWARD

Ben’s Chili Bowl Heroes Honored

ANC 2B 10/1/15

On June 8, 2015 a man walking through the alley behind Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street NW was assaulted. Two employees outside on a break put their own safety in jeopardy by coming to his aid.

Juan Roman Carrosco and Pedro Contreras are seen in surveillance video running to the victim's rescue.

On October 1st, ANC 1B's Public Safety Committee chair John C Green presented the two courageous men with the ANC’s first Community Hero Award:

We caught up with Pedro and Juan outside the ANC meeting room for a quick comment on their actions that night.

Following the award ceremony, the two men headed back to work at Ben's. Take a moment the next time you're on U Street to stop by and congratulate them.

ANC 2B Meet the Candidates!

Two candidates for ANC2B07 Vacant Seat

ANC 2B 9/9/15

At Wednesday night’s ANC 2B meeting, Chair Noah Smith introduced the candidates for 2B07 Commissioner election taking place October 14th to fill the seat vacated by Former Commissioner Justine Underhill, who relocated to New York.

Holly Billow made reference to the St. Thomas Church project, a hot-button issue for 2B07, while John Kupcinski gave an overview of his background:

Video Clip:

The election will be held during the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of ANC 2B on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 from 7:15 pm to 9:00 pm at the Brookings Institution at 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW.

Who’s eligible to vote? Registered voters of ANC2B07 only.  Potential voters must present themselves at the polling place and must have either a BOEE voter identification card showing that they are registered to vote in SMD 2B07 or be listed as a voter in SMD 2B07 on the voter registration list provided by the Board of Elections and Ethics (BOEE).

Huzzah!

Perfect Pitch From Owners of 1315 22nd Street

A primer on how to get your renovation project enthusiastically approved by the ANC.

Wednesday September 9 2015 ANC 2B

The homeowners of 1315 22nd Street NW presented their renovation project with such detail, clarity and charm that the Commission not only approved 6-0-0, Chair Noah Smith complimented the couple on their writing and presentation skills. Watch and Learn:

[Video Clip]

Planning to present your own renovation project to the ANC? Take notes!

Naylor Stables LLC: “…the Community is going to freak out when they hear about this.”

That was the statement by Charlie Bengel (District 06) at ANC 2F's September 2nd meeting when a discussion about Naylor Stables LLC’s proposal for a new Class-C Tavern revealed its seating capacity.

Kate Gordon ANC 2F District 01 Video Clip:

Though representatives for Naylor Stables LLC were not present and may not have been aware of their spot on the night’s agenda, Gordon made a motion to protest Naylor Stables LLC’s request on the basis of “the effect of the establishment on peace order and quiet, including the noise and litter provisions, the effect of the establishment on real property values, and the effect of the establishment upon residential parking needs and vehicular pedestrian safety.”

All were in favor, none opposed. 

A hearing on the project with Naylor Stables LLC will take place at 5 Thomas Circle NW on September 16th at 7PM.