NEWS · 6

SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY STUDY

A resolution was passed for DDOT to kick off a study in the next six weeks that will reduce traffic, promote greenspace, promote safety, design commuter friendly routes and allow both commercial and residential areas to thrive.

GEORGETOWN METRORAIL UPDATE

On Oct. 1, funds were released for a transportation study to identify a range of alternatives to offer rapid transit through Georgetown, including a gondola system, additional bus lines and other connections.

PROPOSED EXTENSION TO WIDENED SIDEWALKS:

The commission looked favorably on some of the platforms that accommodate outdoor dining throughout Georgetown but couldn’t support the plan as a whole. Comments on the plan from the commission will be passed onto DDOT’s Public Space Committee.

ANC 2E PROTESTS CLASS C RESTAURANT LICENSE FOR WE THE PIZZA

The commission protested the application on the grounds of peace, order and quiet. It agreed to drop the protest whenever the applicants, who were not present at the meeting, could reach a settlement agreement. The establishment is located at 3237 M St. NW.

SUPPORT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF 12 REMOVED BRICKS

A representative for a project that is underway at 2903 P St. NW requested the commission’s support for an application to remove and replace 12 sidewalk bricks in order to repair rotting boards. The commission supported the Public Space Application.

NEXT ANC 2E MEETING

Meeting will be held on Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, including upcoming agenda items and a link to access the meeting via Zoom, visit www.anc2e.com.

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Time to Remove Some Sidewalk Extensions

After years of covering debates about sidewalk platforms that extend into parking areas and bus stops along Georgetown’s main commercial streets on an experimental basis, we recommend the following: 1. Keep some of the platforms, known as streateries, that extend dining space safely and agreeably onto commercial areas on

M and particularly on Wisconsin Avenue. 2. Eliminate all but the most used widened sidewalk platforms along M St. and

Wisconsin Avenue. We agree that dining streateries have lit up and livened up the nighttime’s usual darkened and empty sidewalks in front of cafes and restaurants of Georgetown. The street buttressing obstacles have improved over the months, with stability and decoration. Restaurateurs have gained space they didn’t have before. Some stores have benefitted from space to offer customer conveniences like outdoor cart deals. Expanded sidewalks were particularly appreciated during the retail fall street festivals like Art All Night and the French Market.

However, the loss of more thn 100 street parking places has not been worth the long stretches of empty expanded sidewalks, particularly on M Street as well as Wisconsin Avenue where retail construction and closures give little reason for extended sidewalks. Winter will bring other challenges to weather protection, although we look forward to some of the creative suggestions of last year with large heated tents, separate garden shelters and the like. We expect the Georgetown Business Improvement District – which did an outstanding job developing the model platforms – is prepared to remove them quickly in case of weather emergencies and water flow events.

We all expect the BID to be transparent and judicious about which and why certain streateries and widened sidewalks will remain and or be dismantled. We look forward to discussions and decisions in the next month.

Letters to the Editor

FORMER COMMISSIONERS ON SIDEWALK EXTENSIONS

To the editor:

In June, historic Georgetown began seeing decking installed on both M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. This decking is part of a temporary pilot project intended to provide support during the COVID pandemic for businesses in the Georgetown neighborhood. The concept proposed by the Georgetown Business Improvement District involved installation of platforms in the curb lanes of the two streets that would, among other things, allow for social distancing by widening the sidewalks.

The pilot project has been permitted until the end of 2021 after which the BID is required to obtain an extension.

As former ANC Commissioners for Georgetown, and many of us longtime residents of the community, we do not support the extension of this permit.

Georgetown is a unique historic village in Washington, D.C., and in the country. Our neighbors want to live in this special community for its charm, adherence to historic preservation law, and close monitoring of the “look and feel” of the commercial district. This decking surrounded by cement barriers and the negative impacts that come along with them including traffic congestion, parking issues on the residential streets and a dramatic change to the historic landscape are not what residents in this area are looking for in Georgetown.

In keeping with the current ANC’s position, we do support an extension of platforms in front of restaurants.

We appreciate the BID’s effort and creativity during the pandemic which impacted those running businesses in Georgetown. But continuing the widened sidewalk effort beyond December is not in the best interest of our village. Sincerely, Tom Birch, former Chair ANC2E Joe Gibbons, former Chair ANC2E Ron Lewis, former Chair ANC2E Ed Solomon, former Chair ANC2E Bill Starrels, former Vice Chair ANC2E Bill Skelsey, former Commissioner ANC2E03 Pamla H. Moore, former Commissioner ANC2E06 Monica Roache, former Commissioner ANC2E07 Ellen Steury, former Commissioner ANC2E07

67 Reasons to Love Georgetown

BY SUSAN BODIKER & KATE OCZYPOK

We are celebrating 67 years of the Georgetowner and wanted to celebrate with 67 reasons why we love the wonderful neighborhood we’re proud to call home. 1. Hidden one-block streets filled with architectural treasures. 2. Georgetown Waterfront Park and the spectacular views across the river at any time of day. 3. Neighborhoods within neighborhoods (Book Hill, Herring Hill, Grace Street). 4. Gardens, parks and greenery. And, all the wonderful volunteer friends of Volta and

Rose Parks. 5. The Capital Crescent and C&O Canal

Trails. 6. The streateries (yes, we’re a fan!) 7. Several of our favorite retailers are here and just steps apart (J. Crew, cb2 and coming soon, Everlane). 8. Walkability and visual stimulation (hoping for more filled-in storefronts soon). 9. Georgetown University’s mini-medical school (online or in person). 10. Baked & Wired and their delicious cupcakes. 11. All of the movies filmed in Georgetown. 12. Speaking of movies, those spooky Exorcist

Steps are pretty fun and a great place for grueling crew workouts. 13. The convenience of walking to everything from your doctor’s office, to the grocery store, to the veterinarian. 14. Halloween in Georgetown is unlike any other. Booing, but not booing. 15. If we’re thinking of holidays, Christmas and

Hanukkah are wonderful in Georgetown. 16. The Georgetown BID is always working to make our neighborhoods and marketplaces more vibrant. 17. The Citizens Association of Georgetown also works tirelessly for us. 18. The Georgetown waterfront is a great place for a seasonal stroll, nabbing a seafood meal or just the joys of boat spotting. 19. Kayaking on the C&O Canal or along the Potomac with Georgetown in the background. 20. Knowing all the small business owners in town, like our friends David Berkebile of

Georgetown Tobacco and Krista Johnson of Ella-Rue. 21. The oldest house plant is North America is in Georgetown — it’s located inside the

Dumbarton Oaks orangery. Glad we don’t have to water it! 22. The cobblestones and Old Europe feel of

Cady’s Alley. 23. The soothing meditation labyrinth at

Georgetown Waterfront Park. 24. Hailing a water taxi from the waterfront. 25. The meowing cats of Crumbs & Whiskers

Cat Café. 26. Bacchus Wine Cellar keeping us up-todate on all the latest wine trends. 27. Dr. Thornell Page, the volunteer restoring a historic Black cemetery. 28. The students of Georgetown University, keeping us all young (and young at heart!) 29. Our own neighborhood “Cheers” aka

Martin’s Tavern. 30. Being the neighborhood where Nancy

Pelosi (and other politicos) get their hair done. 31. Call Your Mother Deli -- in its very pink location. Grab a sesame bagel a la president

Biden! 32. The delicious en terrace meals at the

Peacock Café. 33. The canal boat’s triumphant return on the refurbished waterway! And, waiting on those mules… 34. The grandness of Tudor Place. 35. The lights and creativity of Georgetown

Glow, especially around the holidays. 36. All of the neighborhood’s historic churches. 37. The Old Stone House — history with a garden off busy M Street. 38. The tireless work of Dog Tag Bakery on behalf of veterans and those with serviceconnected injuries. 39. Having happy hour outdoors along the canal at Rosewood Hotel. 40. The rooftops with spectacular views. 41. Foxtrot, our modern corner store. 42. The spotlight on Black-owned restaurants and Black chefs and caterers at Sandlot

Georgetown. 43. Twinning with your son or daughter at

Mini Me Little Boutique. 44. The gigantic, dense and yummy cookies at

Levain Bakery. 45. Fine dining at 1789 and Bourbon Steak. 46. Enjoying French bakeries like Patisserie

Poupon and Boulangerie Christophe. 47. All the opportunities to become a master at antiquing (we’re looking at you Cote Jardin

Antiques, David Bell Antiques and more!) 48. Some of the best bridal boutiques in the city — Carine’s Bridal Atelier, Lovely

Bride DC, Diana’s Couture and Bridal and others. 49. The classic, retro feel and irresistible goodies of Thomas Sweet. 50. Searching for the perfect book at The

Lantern. 51. Speaking of books, we love the Georgetown

Neighborhood Library and the Peobody

Room’s partnership with Mapping

Georgetown to preserve our local history. 52. The Clean Teams that work so hard to spruce up Georgetown’s public spaces.