This was my first anc6a01 meeting (I don't live in anc6a01, but I do live right across the street from it). It was their regularly scheduled monthly meeting, but I can't help but think that anytime you circulate a flyer with a title that inflammatory you ask for others to come out and respond to an issue that will have an effect upon us all. There was a large crowd, and the bar issue was obviously the main draw.
Primarily, the discussion of the proposed establishments focused on parking issues. Personally, I think parking issues are inevitable in this neighborhood. Residents simply have more cars than the streets (having been laid out quite a long time ago) can accommodate for parking. In addition, we have many condos and denser developments planned for the area. Plus, as was pointed out at the meeting, any businesses that go into vacant spaces on H Street are hopefully going to draw patrons, and some of them will probably drive their cars. What we can do is come up with the best possible parking, and public transportation options for those who patronize H Street businesses. And certainly people are hard at work coming up with plans to deal with the issue.
One attendee objected to the fact that none of Joe Englert's establishments explicitly targeted an African American audience. Joe Englert responded by saying (something along the lines of) that the bars and restaurants (many of his applications are now for alcohol serving restaurants, rather than for taverns) reflect his own personality (he compared his bars to his home), and that are meant to be inclusive places that would welcome everyone. The resident responded by saying that he is not going into Joe's home, but rather Joe is going into his. Essentially, the resident seemed displeased by what he perceived as a large number of establishments targeted to a primarily white clientele (and the lack of new taverns/restaurants specifically targeted to African Americans). To be honest, at this point things did become a bit tense (not between Mr. Englert & the resident, but rather within the audience).
Clifton Humphries, the man opening a martini bar at 1236 H Street also spoke. He said (when questioned) that he planned for his bar to be a mixed race establishment catering to a primarily over 30 crowd. He was asked by a resident if it was really necessary for all these new licenses to be for the maximum (this does not mean the businesses will actually operate all of these hours, only that they will be allowed to do so) number of days and hours (7 days a week until 2am).
Another issue that came up towards the end was safety. As part of the discussion one attendee characterized typical patrons at Joe Englert's bars as safe individuals (by offering up the example of a law student as a typical patron). He asked if people would be afraid of a law student (as opposed to some of the shady characters who currently frequent H Street). Some voices answered "yes," and said that anyone with a little alcohol in them could be dangerous. But we're not talking about banning alcohol here, and virtually any restaurant that opens up on H Street will likely seek to serve alcohol. The meeting was called to a closing (amid multiple voiced frustrations regarding the bar issue), and attendees were asked to take their concerns before the ABL Committee on May 24th.
So overall, frustrating to some, but I think it was a good meeting if only because it will (hopefully) galvanize people to go to the May 24th meeting. In addition, it is always a good thing when residents get actively involved in the decision making process.
5 comments:
Thanks for the report. I wonder how the meeting would have gone had its existence not been "publicized." Like you said, the way the meeting was promoted, "Do you want"... ends up shaping the agenda of a meeting. Having a broader audience, and having proprietors speak (were they originally even invited) makes a difference, if the proposals are valid.
Richard,
Some would say that you did the ambushing. This was a commissioner's meeting for her constituents. She was trying to get feedback. How many meetings has your commissioner had? You made it into something else.
I hope you are pleased with yourself. Don't let the door hit your butt when you leave dude.
The District does not issue Class Bar Liquor Licenses
I too had the opportunity to attend Commissioner Holden’s single member district meeting last night. I thought it was a very good meeting. Commissioner Holden is working very hard with her constituents to inform them of what is proposed for H Street. While none of the proposed establishments fall within by single member district, many of them are across the street from the folks I represent in the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC).
What I leaned last night was that the proposed establishments will not be bars. Nightclubs, taverns and restaurants that want to serve alcohol, must file an application and post a placard on the outside of the establishment for 60 days. That fact that someone is applying for a liquor license should not be equated to opening a bar. Mr. Englert has already applied for two liquor licenses with the Alcohol Beverage Control Board:
Olympic, 1206 H Street, Class Tavern license
Show Bar, 1210 H Street, Class Tavern license
It is important to note, that Englert originally filed applications for these establishments as nightclubs. When the ANC’s Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee reviewed these applications, they asked that Englert downgrade both to taverns. Englert agreed to that stipulation as well as a very lengthy voluntary agreement that outlines requirements for sound, trash, and liquor operations (no pub crawls for example). Those agreements can be found on the ANC 6A website – www.anc6a.org, look under other documents on the far left sidebar and then select voluntary agreements under Alcohol Beverage Licensing Correspondence.
Englert is in the process of filing four additional liquor license applications on H Street. Last night he explained his applications:
Red and Black, 1212 H Street, Class Tavern license. This will be a New Orleans style bar with live music on the 2nd Floor.
Bee Hive, 1224 H Street, Class Restaurant License. This will be a Mexican restaurant with a jukebox (no live music) with plans for a summer garden. The second floor will be used for retail, office or residential space.
The Pug, 1234 H Street, Class Tavern License. This will be a tavern with a sports/boxing theme, one pool table and with a juke box (no live music).
Rock and Roll Hotel, Class Restaurant License. This will be restaurant with two levels. The ground floor will be modeled after a forties or fifties style grand hotel. The second floor will have twelve separate rooms done by 12 local artists to rent out for parties or events (5 to 15 people). In short, these rooms will allow people to dine in groups.
To date, Englert is in process of applying for six liquor licenses – two restaurants and four taverns. Even though Englert has already filed for Olympic and Show Bar, he is willing to downgrade the application for the Olympic from a class tavern to a class restaurant application. That means that Englert would be opening three restaurants and three taverns.
Englert also shared that he is in the process of acquiring four other properties. As he is in the middle of negotiations, he was unable to provide exact addresses. However, he did say he is attempting to acquire existing restaurants on H Street. For those that are existing Class Restaurants, Englert would assume the conditions of the existing liquor licenses. Meaning, that he will not be required to apply for a license he already owns. Here is what I know about his next four projects.
Unnamed, 1300 Block of H Street, Class Restaurant license.
Wylie’s, 1200 Block of H Street, Class Restaurant license.
Argonaut, 1400 Block H Street, Class Restaurant license.
Unnamed Irish-themed, 800 Block, Class Restaurant license.
So, when you examine the entire scope of Englert’s approach, if his entire plan is successful, he will be involved in operating seven restaurants and three taverns on H Street. As I mentioned in the opening, applying for liquor license does not equate to a bar. In fact, there is no Class Bar license in the District of Columbia. Based on what I know, bars are not invading H Street, professionally managed themed restaurants and taverns are coming.
I think it was a very good thing that so many people showed up. The vast majority of the attendees appeared to be residents of the single member district. Maybe this was the first meeting some have attended (how could it be a bad thing for these people to go to their own neighborhood meeting?). Others that attened were likely either business owners, or residents who live nearby, but not within Commissioner Holden's single member district. I think people wanted to hear what would be said (particularly considering the wording on the flyer). It is good that Ms. Holdun want to keep her constituents informed, but it was also a good thing that Mr. Humphries and Mr. Englert (who were not originally scheduled to speak) went to the meeting. These two men got up and talked about their respective businesses (clearing up some misconceptions, and updating the group on changes to their plans). If the overall goal of the meeting was to hear constinuent concerns and inform residents about these new businesses, I would call the meeting a resounding success (largely because the excitement brought out people who really needed to be there).
Commissioner Fengler,
You are right, I have fallen into that trap of using the catch-all term "bar," even though it doesn't seem to mean much in DC legal terms (and it is now particularly inaccurate since so manyof these places will now be CRs -i.e. restaurants).
Whatever. I've been to more meetings than can be counted (but yep, my various Commissioners haven't held meetings...). I also have been ambushed at similar meetings, in that particular SMD, which seemingly has a history of misrepresentation (on historic preservation, on demolition of historic properties, and on liquor licenses, in particular Family Liquor). Had there not been greater awareness of the existence of that meeting, it likely could have been much much worse. Odd that the proprietor "targeted" wasn't invited to the meeting, etc. (There is another account of the meeting on the hstreetdc list.) And yeah, I'll watch my way out the door. Thanks.
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