The NorThwesT CurreNT
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Vol. L, No. 11
Serving Communities in Northwest Washington Since 1967
Mayor backs longer lease of old Hardy
A PLACE FOR US
■ Education: Lab School
hopes to remain on Foxhall By MARK LIEBERMAN Current Staff Writer
The Lab School has earned support from Mayor Muriel Bowser to extend its long-term lease of the former Hardy School in Foxhall — though negotiations between the school and the city aren’t fin-
ished, and some D.C. Council members have rejected Bowser’s approach to the process. The special-needs program has occupied the old Hardy building at 1550 Foxhall Road NW since 2008. The council tried in 2013 to establish a longer-term lease with the Lab School, but the matter went unresolved until December 2016, when the council voted 11-2 to authorize the mayor to extend the lease by 20 to 25 years.
Supporters of the measure said the long-term certainty would allow the Lab School to commence $2.5 million in necessary repairs to the aging building. Opponents countered that it would close off a potential avenue toward alleviating overcrowded conditions in Ward 3’s public schools. Meanwhile, Bowser rejected the bill on procedural grounds, saying the council lacks the authority to See Lease/Page 5
Riders push for 14th Street express bus By MARK LIEBERMAN Current Staff Writer
Brian Kapur/The Current
This past weekend, Edmund Burke School wrapped up its spring musical, “West Side Story,” which combines music and dance in a story of innocent love amid deep rivalries.
Back in 2012, a study from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the D.C. Department of Transportation recommended a new limitedstop Metrobus route along the crowded 14th Street NW corridor, connecting upper Ward 4 to downtown’s Franklin Square. Community members at the time cheered the report and called for swift implementation. More than four years later, though, that limitedstop route hasn’t materialized, as Metro hasn’t secured the necessary $1.25 million in annual District funding to operate it. Six D.C. Council members — Ward 4’s Brandon Todd, Ward 1’s Brianne Nadeau, Ward 6’s Charles Allen and at-large members Robert White, Elissa Silverman and David Grosso — have spoken in favor See Buses/Page 5
Brian Kapur/Current file photo
Supporters of the 14th Street corridor’s envisioned 59 Metrobus route say it would relieve crowding both there and along 16th Street NW.
City hires consultant to review flight paths
District officials show divide over digital advertising signs
By KATHERINE SALTZMAN
■ Business: Opponents fear
Current Correspondent
Amid community concerns that changes to flight paths from Reagan National Airport have increased noise in areas of wards 2 and 3, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Energy & Environment recently announced funding for an airplane noise assessment. Recent changes to flight routes out of the airport are part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s NextGen initiative, a satellite-based navigation system that provides a more direct path from departure location to destination. The NextGen program also allows for more aircraft departures from airports, increases traffic flow while reducing aircraft congestion and fuel emissions, according to the aviation agency. But changes at Reagan National included
neighborhood degradation By MARK LIEBERMAN Brian Kapur/Current file photo
Various communities near the Potomac River have complained about noise resulting from new flight paths serving Reagan National Airport.
directing more flights over D.C. neighborhoods rather than the Potomac River. In light of various noise complaints, the District government designated $300,000 to fund an airplane noise assessment, according to Richard Jackson of the environment department. He discussed the plans See Aircraft/Page 7
Current Staff Writer
The fate of more than 50 outdoor digital advertising signs from Digi Outdoor Media remains in doubt as litigation continues — but, to the consternation of many residents, some city officials appear amenable to digital signs. In August, Digi had begun erecting the signs in central locations including Dupont Circle and Foggy Bottom, and as far north as
Van Ness and Friendship Heights. But city officials said the firm hadn’t secured the legally mandated permits from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs beforehand. Attorney General Karl Racine sued the company and secured an injunction in November against illuminating or further constructing the signs until a resolution is reached. Shortly after that, Ward 2 D.C. Council member Jack Evans proposed and quickly withdrew a bill that would allow Digi to illuminate its planned signs. Rumors swirled in recent weeks that Mayor See Signs/Page 3
PASSAGES
SPORTS
SHOPPING & DINING
INDEX
Film festival
All-Northwest slates
Appalachian autumn
Calendar/20 Classifieds/29 District Digest/4 In Your Neighborhood/16 Northwest Passages/17 Opinion/8
Annual environmentally themed event hits 25-year anniversary with varied lineup / Page 17
The Current honors local boys, girls basketball players who stand out on the hardwood / Page 11
Longtime seller of American-made crafts prepares to leave Georgetown / Page 19
Police Report/6 Real Estate/15 School Dispatches/10 Service Directory/27 Shopping & Dining/19 Sports/11
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