Hey, it’s almost the end of the week but let’s recap a few things going on, shall we?
Pacci’s Trattoria, as you may remember, opened a little over a year ago after being behind schedule due to many snags in permitting courtesy of the DC government. From having to redo the basement to making sure it had ADA-compliant bathrooms, the retrofitting of the place took additional work and set the construction back months. Now, the owners are asking for a variance on the residentially-zoned building so they can seat patrons in the second floor of the building, but the office of planning denied their request. After much support and protests, the Board of Zoning Adjustment has asked for additional materials by March 27. There will be a decision in by April 10. Let’s hope that they are able to get their variance. You can read additional background over at the Hill Rag. The Capitol Hill Restoration Society‘s president issued a statement recently that added context to the zoning committee’s earlier decision not to support the variance: “This matter needs to be weighed carefully because if a zoning variance is granted to this property, the variance stays with the property, regardless of what type of business might be a future resident.”
Remember that fire a couple of weeks ago at Eastern Market Metro? An investigation still hasn’t yielded a full answer. Although it appears that a “collector shoe assembly” that was dislodged was what caused the fire and smoke, Metro officials still have not been able to ascertain how or why it happened. WJLA-7
An Asian-Latin cocktail bar coming to Linden Court–– that one adorable alley off H Street that you probably know? Yes! This opening and more over on Eater.
Nats Park needs maintenance and the Council is on it with a maintenance fund bill in the works. But who is dragging their heels in this piece of legislation? The answer may shock you. Axios
Eleanor Holmes Norton wants to open up the United States Capitol Grounds for commercial filming. It’s good for America and for the bottom line. EHN press release
And there is a new sportsbook in the neighborhood: Grand Central opened late last week in the 600 block of H Street NE, in the former Rice Bar space across from Whole Foods. Tissy’s Sweets Bakery is on hand to sugar up gamblers, so they’ve got that going for them. Alas, they don’t seem to use the DC Lottery’s Gambet technology. Oh well? Washington Business Journal
ANC 7D looked with some concern at Pepco’s sale of some of their unused land to ProLogis, a company that does logistics for real estate and supply chains. Hill Rag. Interestingly, ProLogis also recently acquired land intended to become an industrial park in Upper Marlboro, MD. Yahoo! finance
The National Review takes a look (and some aim) at the recall and at the internal fighting among Democrats on the subject.
If you followed the hair-raising story of the man hoarding dogs at his home on Hanna Place SE who got into an altercation with police earlier this month, you may want to know that the dogs are now available for adoption. FOX-5
Hey! Starting April 1, you can get a rebate of up to $2000 for an e-bike if you qualify. Just make sure you wear your helmet. WTOP
After suddenly closing, it appears Family Dollar is open again on H Street NE. PoPville
23-year old Keith Williams of DC has been charged with first-degree murder for killing 17-year old Brendan Ofori aboard a Green Line train in May of 2023. USAO-DC