Monday, July 7, 2025
The July Georgetown-Burleith-Hillandale Advisory Neighborhood Commission meeting held on June 30 was —as it often is — a treasury of information, much of it deep-dive original sources. There was a sharing of inside information with at-Large Council member Christine Henderson, a long update about the “almost ready to begin” two-years of preparations for a comprehensive plan for D.C. from the Office of Comprehensive Planning, and updates on Hyde-Addison Safe Streets and proposed language changes for zoning, as well as proposed changes to west side traffic patterns during some utility construction at Georgetown University during the summer. Other issues included the sudden defunding in the 2026 D.C. Budget for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington.
Boys & Girls Club
The Boys & Girls Club at the Jelleff Recreation Center is the largest in Washington, D.C. It was allotted $610,000 of the $1 million normal annual allotment. At the ANC meeting, representatives of Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto discussed the total defunding. They promised to talk to top leadership. Rallies and community actions are being planned.
D.C. Budget Cuts
Many concerns brought up by Henderson centered around the 2026 D.C. budget as well as the current budget that Bowser and the D.C. Council were forced to reshape when it became clear that Congress was not going to restore some $500 million of original funding that had “accidentally” been taken away by Congress. The Council’s struggle is over which programs to cut or even eliminate, even as Bowser promised that no D.C. government employee will lose their jobs. “The discussions are very lively,” Henderson said. “Especially over city-provided health services (often Medicaid-supported) and insurance.” Most at risk are the various health alliances for adults and funds for HIV. “Although the HIV funds are a victim of success in a way,” Henderson said. “Cases have fallen below 200, and that is good. But the trouble with good results is that the full support money that is still needed is reduced.”
D.C. Curfews and School Truancy
Public safety is always an issue brought up at the ANC meetings as well. Henderson talked about high levels of school truancy and youth curfews being set at various public places, such as the Wharf. The curfews starting as early as 5 p.m. — even 3 p.m. is being considered — are focused on large groups of unruly youth. “These are groups without adults,” Henderson emphasized. “But the city public safety and law enforcement agencies can only do so much. Henderson’s bottom line: “Call the parents.” In the end, she said, to solve both the truancy and youth group behavior problems, we need to get to the parents and the kids families first — before city agencies become involved. Especially with truancy. “It should be made clear to parents that their kids need to be in school every day,” Henderson said. “It starts as early as middle school. We’ve been kind of willy nilly about that.”
Jurisdiction Problems
As for the perennial problems with trash and leaf pickup — especially in the city’s many parks and pools — city officials at the meeting admitted there was a problem of jurisdiction between the Department of Public Works and the Department of Public Recreation. There is need for better oversight. At which point several commissioners sighed audibly and were heard on mic saying, “Really? All we want is a functioning government.”
M.P.D.: Call the Cops
But government – including the ANCs – can’t function without good information. The lack of transparency and good information was brought up several times at the ANC2E meeting. Even Lt. Danielle Vitatoe of the Metropolitan Police Department scolded Georgetowners about it. This concerned some person lighting fires near the the First Baptist Church, next to Rose Park. (Barring notices can be obtained from MPD.) “We can’t investigate crime if we don’t know about it,” Vitatoe said. Please call the police at 9-1-1, she stressed, “if you have experienced a crime and keep any evidence you have.” The main crime in Georgetown continues to be theft from auto. “It’s mainly because out-of-towners and visitors who aren’t aware they must hide or clear objects from their cars and lock their vehicles.”
D.C. Comprehensive Plan
The need for more clarity and transparency was also the focus of ANC2E Chairperson Gwen Lohse comments and questions to two staff members of the Office of Planning on the D.C. Comprehensive Plan. They said they are about ready to start the process of developing the plan. There will be surveys and town hall meetings and a chance for everyone to tell them what they want before developing a plan that will determine building’s size, density, usage and image in the next 25 years. It all is about to begin.
DDOT: Hyde-Addison Safe Streets, Flex Posts
A D.C. Department of Transportation official spoke of changes to signage and the addition of flex posts at certain intersections as the part of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. (In 2022, the D.C. Council passed the Safe Streets for Students Amendment Act with the goal to improve transportation safety infrastructure around schools, giving the SRTS team additional funding and direction towards improving school areas in the District.) The DDOT showed how flex posts need to placed along O Street near school, also removing some residential parking. Commissioner Daniel Chao asked about the possibility of using planters instead of flex posts in certain spots. A notice of intent (NOI) is forthcoming.
Zoning Changes
A link for the “Update on Potential Proposed Zoning Language Changes with TBD Timing” was posted on line on the ANC’s July agenda. It includes new regulations regarding rear additions to houses. Commissioners were adamant that it be known that Georgetown is different when it comes to affordable housing because of its historic district designation and oversight by the Old Georgetown Board. Concern was expressed about allowing large non-profits to provide large buildings for affordable housing. Email 2E@anc.dc.gov with ideas or comment.
Ellington Field
There were no comments (yet) about the just-received, long-requested letter from DPR regarding confirmation of changes now being constructed at Ellington Field. Neighbors had particularly requested written confirmation about lights – timing and range, bus parking, sponsored events and upgrading of the field houses.
G.U. Boathouse
The last discussion of the evening was about the long-anticipated Georgetown University Boathouse to be located along the Potomac River, next to Key Bridge and near the Potomac Boat Club — the happiest item on the agenda. The commission said it is “excited and supports” the project, adding that the building “is beautiful.” Concerns include the dock for public access, parking spaces for staff, traffic management, bike parking and greenery. The G.U. official told the commission that she estimates the groundbreaking for the boathouse at 3500 Water St. NW would be in January 2028.