The Foggy BoTTom CurrenT
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Panel adopts proposed D.C. constitution
Rock Creek slated for roadway, trail updates
FARRAGuT FRIDAyS
■ Transportation: Cycling
advocates applaud proposal
By CuNEyT DIL
Current Correspondent
The D.C. Statehood Commission signed off on an amended constitution for the prospective state of New Columbia last week, but more changes can be expected when the document moves to the D.C. Council in the fall. The five-member statehood panel approved a constitution that creates a 21-member legislative body, an amendment Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced following popular demand after early drafts stuck to the D.C. Council’s current 13 seats. After much public discussion, the commission settled on the name New Columbia, as approved by voters in 1982. The document includes the U.S. Bill of Rights and largely retains most institutions from D.C.’s Home Rule Act. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, who serves on the Statehood Commission, said afterward that the council will treat the constitution as any other piece of legislation, with hearings planned See Statehood/Page 5
By MARK LIEBERMAN Current Staff Writer
Lovers of the outdoors have long called for major improvements to a four-mile stretch of the Rock Creek Trail that extends from Broad Branch Road NW near Chevy Chase to P Street NW in Georgetown. But the project, which also includes rebuilding a section of Beach Drive, has been delayed numerous times, due to the complex array of stakeholders who weighed in. But now the project is almost
ready to proceed, with National Park Service hoping to begin later this summer or soon after, spokesperson Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles told The Current Friday. The goal of the project is a “complete rehabilitation” of the trail and roadway, the latter of which was built in the late 1800s to promote access to Rock Creek Park, according to Anzelmo-Sarles. More than 12 million commuters utilize Beach Drive yearly, and the road hasn’t been reconstructed since the early 1990s, meaning its 20-year lifespan has long since expired, she said. The Park Service declined to comment further on project See Trail/Page 7
P Street redevelopment worries nearby residents
Brian Kapur/The Current
The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District’s “Farragut Fridays” activities last week featured pingpong tables, community painting, food trucks and an origami demonstration. The all-day summertime event will continue weekly at Farragut Square Park through September.
■ Dupont Circle: Mixed-use
project needs zoning relief By MARK LIEBERMAN Current Staff Writer
Georgetown wary of tall sculpture concept By BRADy HOLT Current Staff Writer
Whenever the New York-based Ark Restaurants firm significantly renovates one of its eateries, its CEO Mark Weinstein ensures that the new design is inspired by modern art. Due up next is one of the company’s two D.C. restaurants — Sequoia, in Georgetown’s Washington Harbour complex, 3000 K St. NW. “As opposed to having a restaurant and just putting a painting on a wall, we really now look at it the other way: Here’s the art; we’re going to build a restaurant around it,” Weinstein said in an interview. “Sequoia gave us an opportunity, because of the out-
Vol. X, No. 31
Serving Foggy Bottom & the West End
Brian Kapur/The Current
The modern sculpture would be part of a broader reinvention of Sequoia’s riverside seating area.
door space, to find a significant piece to put outside.” Specifically, Weinstein plans a colorful, 41-foot-tall, abstract sculpture by prominent Belgian conceptual artist Arne Quinze, which would dominate the restau-
rant’s riverfront outdoor seating. But Sequoia falls within the federally protected Georgetown Historic District, which subjects even the slightest outdoor changes to rigorous federal review. The Old Georgetown Board, part of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, will consider the plans tomorrow after offering some preliminary feedback last month. Meanwhile, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E (Georgetown, Burleith) and some nearby residents have voiced strong objections. “It was too bold, too big — it made no sense for the area,” ANC 2E member Bill Starrels said in an interview. “It’s too large in every respect of the word, and the waterSee Sculpture/Page 5
The building that houses the controversial Marrakech tavern is slated for redevelopment, but the surrounding community isn’t yet satisfied with the plans that have been laid out. Valor Development purchased Marrakech’s three-story building at 2147 P St. NW last year and plans to convert it to a five-story mixed-use building with retail on the ground floor and eight apartment units above, according to the zoning application for the project. Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2B (Dupont Circle) will consider the project’s zoning and historic preservation applications tonight. Felipe Serpa of Valor declined to comment on the specifics of his company’s plans, but he told The Current that the project is still in the early stages and subject to change based on community feed-
Brian Kapur/The Current
Residents at 22nd and P streets NW are wary of plans to expand the building and add apartments.
back. “It’s open-ended. Everything’s open-ended. There’s no real start or end time,” Serpa said. “We’re working through it with the neighborhood’s involvement.” The developer has been in talks with Marrakech about the project but hasn’t yet discussed whether the restaurant would stay after the redevelopment. Critics in the neighborhood contend that MarSee Addition/Page 2
NEWS
NORTHWEST PASSAGES
SHERWOOD
INDEX
Presidential Scholars
Palisades Parade
Imperfect Fourth
Calendar/16 Classifieds/22 District Digest/4 Exhibits/17 Foggy Bottom News/11 In Your Neighborhood/14
Pair of students at Wilson, GDS among this year’s recipients of national award / Page 3
Annual Independence Day event celebrates another rain-free year on MacArthur Boulevard / Page 10
Independence Day reminds us of shameful lack of full rights for Washingtonians / Page 8
Northwest Passages/10 Opinion/8 Police Report/6 Real Estate/13 Service Directory/20 Week Ahead/3
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