Hello, and welcome to your June Northwest Georgetown ANC update!

This month I wanted to focus on a single issue that will likely affect us in the near future: dramatic changes to the Metrobus.

WMATA is in the process of completely restructuring the entire Metrobus network. Literally ever single bus line is being revamp, replanned and renamed. The end result, dubbed the “Better Bus Network”, will completely alter how people in our city and region get around by bus.

Here is a video put out by WMATA explaining the project:

These changes would substantially impact Georgetown’s bus service. Each of the bus routes that travel through Georgetown is being redesigned (and renamed). These changes, if they got through, would start taking effect as soon as next year. So get ready!

WMATA has released the details for the proposed changes. The changes may be hard to grasp at first, since the network is so complicated. So the best way to analyze them is to consider each existing line and compare it with the line WMATA is suggesting will replace it.

There are six Metrobus routes that service Georgetown (not including the Circulator, which I’ll get to later). They include: the D2, D6, G2, 31, 33, and the 38B. Each of these routes would be replaced with new routes. I’ll discuss each below with a map:

The D2 would be replaced with the D96:

The first thing you will notice with this proposed route is that it doesn’t particularly resemble the D2. But the parts of it that traverse between Burleith and Dupont, it is basically identical to the D2 (its eastbound route through Dupont appears to be slightly different). It’s just that north of Burleith it takes a long journey through Wesley Heights all the way to Bethesda. And after Dupont it goes down through Foggy Bottom. That is because this route is expected to replace more than the D2. It’s also replacing parts of the N2, N4, N6, 42, and the 43.

Next, the D6 replacement, the D94:

Unlike the D96, the D94 is not an amalgam of multiple routes. It’s just the D6, shortened and renamed. It will still travel the same route from Sibley, through Georgetown to downtown. But rather than continuing on to RFK, it will stop and turn around at Chinatown. (The proposed D24 would provide service on the former D6’s eastern half).

Next up, the G2 replacement, the D92:

When the first sketches of the Better Bus Network were released last year, the route to replace the G2 did not include service directly to Georgetown University. So it is progress that this new route would go all the way to 37th St.

However, it would not travel the G2’s current east-west routes through Georgetown, which look like this now:

Continue reading →

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Georgetown would be most hit by proposed mansion tax.
• Might Foxtrot return for another dance?

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Georgetown’s existence as a separate municipality came to an end 153 years ago, Saturday.
• How Georgetown is especially lucky in the public pool department.

The Friends of Rose Park issued this call to action on behalf of a huge stalwart of our community, Christi Cline. Please consider contributing to help her out!

To the Rose Park Community

One of our quiet but stalwart supporters needs our help. Most of you have met Christi and Andy Cline at market events, during a visit from Santa Claus, or just walking your dog through the park. Christi suffered a stroke a month ago, which came out of nowhere, especially given her relatively young age.  She ended up partially (and hopefully temporarily) paralyzed on one side.  A lack of sufficient insurance meant finding a rehab facility was extremely difficult, but Andy finally managed to get her admitted last week.  She’s already making progress, which is great news.  However, their insurance will not cover this essential rehabilitation.  Combined with the initial hospital charges, which insurance is also not covering, their medical costs will be catastrophic.
 
Christi and Andy have graced us with their kindness and in return many people have expressed a wish to help.  One of their friends/clients, put together a Go Fund Me fundraiser to help Andy & Christi weather this challenge.  We are helping by sharing this information with people from the Rose Park community.
Thank you for any support you’re able to offer. All funds will go directly to payment of Christi’s medical expenses.  The site creator included a breakdown of actual and projected medical costs to date in the Go Fund Me document. The report from a visit with Christi Sunday is that she looks great and is working hard to get out of rehab by June 7th so she can continue her recovery at home.   Please keep Christi and Andy in your thoughts and prayers!

Here is a link to the Go Fund Me page for Christi and Andy

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Correction to yesterday’s article: the ANC meeting will be at Georgetown Village at 1801 35th St., not Georgetown Visitation.
• Speaking of Georgetown Village, they recently honored Sachiko Kuno.

The ANC will meet for its June session next Monday night. The meeting will kick off at its usual time of 6:30 pm at Visitation Georgetown Village at 1801 35th St. (zoom link here).

The full agenda is below, but I wanted to highlight one particularly notable item.

And that is the new zoning relief application that was recently filed by Call Your Mother. The shop was operating under a zoning order that was issued in 2020. But some of the nearby neighbors objected to the order and appealed to the courts. The court rejected a chunk of their arguments but remanded the case back to the Board of Zoning Adjustment to reconsider two particular issues.

When the BZA finally met earlier this year to reconsider the case it concluded that the original zoning relief that was sought was fundamentally in error. (It gets rather legalistic, so I won’t bore you with the details). They dismissed the original zoning application that was first applied for in 2019. So the store is back to the drawing board. Theoretically, since the case was dismissed the store has been operating outside of compliance with the zoning code. The city, however, allowed the store to continue operating in recognition that, while incorrect on the law, the original zoning order was nonetheless legally issued and the store has relied on that ever since.

The store, however, can’t rely on this forbearance forever. It needs to reapply for the correct zoning relief. And the ANC will decide next week what position it will take on the application. The nub of the matter is whether the store can receive a special exception to operate as a prepared food store. It’s not really an exaggeration to state that the store’s continued existence at 35th and O is very much at risk. So, if you’re excited at that prospect or livid, come out Tuesday to see how it goes down!

Here’s the full agenda:

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Celebrate Juneteenth at Mt. Zion Cemetery.
• Business ins and outs.

With a spa dedicated to stretching out your ligaments already up the block, I guess it’s only natural that we are now getting a spa dedicated to another para-medical procedure. In this case, the services promised involve “an IV vitamin drip experience”. The purveyor, called the Dripbar, is opening at 1720 Wisconsin Ave.

Contrary to the photos splashed on the door of the location, the procedure does not involve (as far as I can tell) pouring pureed fruits directly into you arteries. I imagine that would be counterproductive to your health. Rather the spa’s services are as follow:

At The DRIPBaR D.C. we offer a convenient way to receive IV vitamin therapy. A licensed medical professional, typically a Registered Nurse, administers a customized blend of fluids, vitamins, and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream through an IV drip. This method offers flexibility, allowing clients to receive IV drips at their preferred location without the need to visit a physical clinic. The treatment ensures a direct and efficient delivery of essential nutrients to support overall well-being.

The company has previously offered its services in a mobile capacity. The Georgetown location will be its first physical location.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Tree forum informs about trees.
• Did you know that the new M.M LaFleur is also a bookstore?

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington are fighting to keep funding for the critical afterschool program at Jelleff Rec Center in this year’s DC budget. The funding, which totals $600k, is being cut on the premise that the construction will be moving forward at Jelleff next year and thus the program cannot be offered. This premise is possibly doubly flawed. For one, there is no gaurantee that the construction will move forward next year. We’ve seen time and again projects like this get delayed, years at a time. Second, even if the construction moves forward, the after school program is nonetheless critically needed. Organizers are currently searching for a replacement location for the year (possibly at Hardy School itself) and that funding would be the difference between that happening or not.

Please see the plea below sent out by the Boys and Girls Club and reach out to your councilmembers to ensure this funding is restored!: