Photo by JasonPier.
Tonight ANC 2E will meet for the last time this year. On the agenda are complaints about special events, a few liquor license renewals, the usual OGB projects, and (most interesting to GM) the possibility of more Capital Bikeshare stations in Georgetown.
Special Events
The ANC has been making noise for sometime about the perceived increase in the number of events shutting down streets in Georgetown. (GM says “perceived” because he hasn’t had the chance to verify whether in fact there has been an increase). There has been some talk about the ANC taking a more proactive step to limit the number of events. It’s not clear whether that has been achieved. Specifically on the agenda for tonight is the Nation’s Triathlon, scheduled for September 2011. We’ll see if there’s a new approach from the ANC on how to handle events like this.
Liquor Licenses
A couple liquor licenses are up for renewal. Nothing particularly interesting there, except that one of those licenses happens to be the old Nathans license. It was taken from Carol Joynt last year during her dispute with the Heon family. The license will now be used by Serendipity 3. That is, when that restaurant finally actually opens, which already has been delayed quite a lot. GM occasionally hears rumors about major problems with the project, but has not ever heard anything firm. Hopefully we’ll get an answer tonight. While GM thinks Serendipity 3 will be a tourist/suburban trap, something is better than nothing at that corner.
Also on the agenda, we will hear updates on Lapis and Malmaison, two promising projects from the same family behind Cafe Bonaparte.
Capital Bikeshare
GM has been waging a quiet behind the scenes effort to get DDOT to place some more Capital Bikeshare stations in Georgetown, specifically in the heart of the East Village residential section. Two places that many people (besides just GM) have identified as promising locations are Rose Park and Montrose Park. GM had been hoping to get a resolution passed in favor of these two locations, but some more legwork is necessary (particularly with regards to Rose Park, where the Friends of Rose Park are likely to be staunch opponents to a station.) Nonetheless, the ANC is moving ahead with an agenda item to raise the issue with the community. So if you want to see more stations in Georgetown, come by tonight and have your voice heard.
It should of course be said that even if the ANC endorses one or more locations for a station, there’s no guarantee the DDOT will listen. They are supposedly planning on installing 20 more stations in the spring, but have not indicated where they’ll go. Nonetheless, it would be good to get the ANC on record as wanting more stations in the neighborhood at locations more convenient to residents.
Final Note
This will be the last ANC meeting for Commissioners Golds and Skelsey. GM joins will all of Georgetown is thanking them for their years of service to the community.
The Georgetown Metropolitan 
Is that true? The Friends of Rose Park would be against a bikeshare station? Sad if true, maybe they like all the cars parked by park users in the neighborhood parking spots?
Good to know.
I think the small park areas at the intersection of Pennsylvania, 28th, and M Streets are a better location than Rose Park anyway, as they are closer to the main arteries and more convenient. Or, you could put the stations at the very south end of Rose Park, in that area between the bridge and the commercial buildings that then start on M Street — nobody ever uses that space anyway, so it would not impinge on usable park space or anybody’s park experience,and also put the bikes closer to the main streets for easier access. Why not suggest this?
PS You noted that at last night’s ANC they suggested some other locations in Georgetown, but nothing on the east side close to downtown. That is where the hole in the coverage currently is. But then again, I live on the east side of the village 🙂 Seriously, we should be pushing for some bikes on this side for commuters to downtown.
One I forgot to mention is on the sidewalk along the south end of Rose Park. That would be along the lines you mention. I think having one close to M and one higher up would be ideal.