Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B held a hybrid meeting via Zoom and in-person at 700 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Attending were Frank Avery (6B01, treasurer); Jerry Sroufe (6B02); David Sobelsohn (6B03, secretary); Frank D’Andrea (6B04); Kasie Durkit (Parliamentairan, 6B05); Chander Jayaraman (6B06); Vince Mareino (6B07, vice chair); Edward Ryder (6B08, chair); and Matt LaFortune (6B09).
Commissioners were updated on planned improvements at the DC Jail (1901 D St. SE). Department of Corrections (DOC) representative Michelle Wilson presented on the DC Correctional Treatment Facility Annex Project, appearing at the meeting with representatives from the Department of General Services (DGS) and others on a team planning to build a new jail and renovate existing buildings on the site.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has committed $463 million over six years from 2025-2030 just to plan the annex project.
DOC operates and maintains the 450,000 square foot Central Detention Facility (CDF) usually called DC Jail, which opened in 1976. The adjacent Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) opened in 1992.
Costly repairs are needed at the aging and outdating CDF, Wilson said. The population is changing and requires more mental and behavioral health as well as programming spaces. Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in those incarcerated due to serious felony offenses and a decrease in misdemeanors, the latter of whom would typically stay longer in the jail.
The project is intended to modernize the facility so it can better prepare the inmates for reentry. Wilson said the DOC plans to exceed current industry standards in the project.
DGS Executive Program Manager of the Public Safety and Justice Portfolio Agyei Hargrobe said the new annex will be constructed in two phases. The first building will be built in the parking lot just north of CTF along an extended Massachusetts Avenue. It will house most of the istrative functions, such as intake and release, re-entry planning, medical services and treatment and spaces as well as facility parking.
A portion of CTF will then be demolished and building two will be constructed in its place, containing housing and spaces. The remaining CTF buildings will be renovated to include kitchens, a laundry, an outpatient clinic and a women’s center as part of a separate but simultaneous renovation project.
The project must undergo review from the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), National Capital Planning Commission (NC) and the DC Zoning Commission (ZC).
The team is currently moving into the design phase, which is estimated to last about two years. Construction on building 1 could begin in late 2027 and is expected to take about three years. After a transition and activation process 2030-31 construction of building 2 will begin with demolition of a portion of CDF.
There was no vote on the matter.
You can follow the project at https://newcorrectionalfacility.dc.gov/
1333 M Street
Tax Abatement
The ANC voted 6-3-0 to send a letter in of tax abatement legislation for a mixed-use development project at 1333 M St. SE as long as certain conditions are met. Chair Ryder said the Navy Yard project from Felice Development Group (FDG) has stalled due to higher interest rates, supply chain issues and inflation.
The project went through the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process in 2021. The PUD included $250,000 benefits to the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL), mostly earmarked to help Capitol Hill Village (CHV) find space for adult day services, and the balance towards DPR programming for seniors.
The legislation is intended to move the project forward, which would incentivize growth in the area, currently underutilized. It is expected to provide 900 residential units and 45,000 square feet of plazas and improvements to bicycle trails in the area.
“Without that project we don’t get any of those things,” Ryder said.
The proposed abatement would forgive taxes in excess of $150,000 annually for a 15-year period beginning in 2028. The land is assessed at $13 million without development, Jayaraman noted, meaning the property taxes already exceed the cap.
Many commissioners ed the move, noting that construction costs and interests rates are making some development prohibitive. However, Jayaraman argued that the developer has already asked for and received exceptions for significant density and height in exchange for a $250,000 consideration. “What more are they offering in order for the compensation we are handing them?” he asked, pointing out there is no estimate of the loss to government revenue.
To meet the conditions, developers would have to designate 12 percent of residential space as affordable at 60 percent Area Mean Income (AMI) or less and begin work on amenities for the neighborhood. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) introduced the bill July 8; it was referred to the DC Council Committee on Business and Economic Development on Sept. 17, the first day of fall session.
In Other Business:
The ANC voted: 8-1-0 to an application from Bud Love (1221 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) for a medical cannabis retailer license and a safe-use treatment facility. The latter is a space connected to the establishment where qualifying patients can use cannabis. Both retail and safe use space will close at 9 p.m. The applicant also requested a delivery endorsement. In the signed Settlement Agreement (SA) the applicant has agreed that they will not apply for a summer garden and included language around ensuring patrons and delivery do not block the bus lanes.
ANC 6B generally meets the second Tuesday of each month except August. The next regular meeting of the full ANC is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8. See calendar and get information on how to at anc6b.org
