NewsletterJANUARY 2017 VOLUME XLII | ISSUE 1 | WWW.CAGTOWN.ORG CROSSING THE POTOMAC TUESDAY, JANUARY 24 RECEPTION AT 7PM, PROGRAM AT 7:30PM MALMAISON – 3401 WATER STREET ith so few access points to George- town, we have to make the most of Wwhat we have. Come to Malmai- son, at the foot of Key Bridge, on January 24th to hear what is going on with the bridge renovations, the gondola project, the Metro and even bus lanes. Joe Sternlieb from the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) will present the thinks. If there is consensus to move forward, it is being renovated. We will get an update findings from a recent exploratory study on an environmental impact study would take a from the Key Bridge Renovation team – Sean a gondola that would take riders from the few years to complete, and then construction Moore and Joyce Tsepas will tell us where the Rosslyn Metro to Georgetown. The experts would probably take another few years, putting construction stands and how it will impact determined in their report that the gondola the completion of the gondola in the Georgetowners’ daily lives (both on land and was "feasible." The gondola "would provide early to mid-2020’s. water) and what we have to look forward to. improved transit for workers, residents, the Joe will also tell us the latest on plans for Metro – The Popal family has graciously agreed to university and tourists." It anticipates the the current 2040 plan shows a possible crossing minimum daily ridership to be 6,500. The host us at the swank Malmaison locat- under the Potomac and a Georgetown Metro ed right next to Key Bridge at 3401 cost would be about $80 to $90 million to station at the cost of about $2 billion. And since construct. Water Street. There will be a reception at we are talking transportation and the bridge, 7pm followed by the presentation from What's next? Officials will be meeting with var- is it possible to put bus lanes on Key Bridge? 7:30pm – 8:30pm. ious regional stakeholders to see what everyone The iconic Key Bridge is the pivotal link and POLICE CHIEFS HEAR GEORGETOWNERS’ FEARS eorgetowners shared their crime statistics,” said Chief Newsham, calling for of affordable, easy-to-install home security encounters and growing safety fears continued awareness and participation by res- cameras. Co-chairs John Rentzepis and Rich- Gat a packed Public Safety CAG com- idents. He shared detailed crime statistics and ard Hinds provided updates on CAG’s paid munity meeting attended by DC’s Interim trends in a PowerPoint presentation that CAG security patrol program, introduced CAG’s Police Chief Peter Newsham and local MPD has posted at www.cagtown.org/publicsafety. new Securitas patrol officer Jerry Miles, and 2D Commander Melvin Gresham. Councilmember Jack Evans pointed out that emphasized the importance of our lighting and “Crime, especially theft and burglaries, is actu- despite statistics and cold facts, it’s a problem home security camera initiatives – including ally down by almost half according to our when “the perception among residents now the simple but highly effective tip for home- seems to be that they do not feel as safe as they owners to “Keep Your Outside Lights On” used to”. Georgetown has also experienced during overnight hours. a small number of highly publicized sexual Sprinkles provided cupcakes and Potomac assaults this year. Wine and Spirits contributed wine for the Commander Gresham encouraged citizens pre-meeting reception, where many members to follow advice from CAG Public Safety stocked up on CAG public safety factsheets, on how to keep themselves and their homes flyers, and donation forms (all available for safer. CAG Public Safety committee member download at cagtown.org/publicsafety). The Chip Dent described the latest generation meeting was held December 7 at Georgetown Presbyterian Church. “GOODNESS IS THE ONLY INVESTMENT THAT NEVER FAILS.” - Henry David Thoreau As a leader in Georgetown’s real estate community, our firm proudly supports the Georgetown community. We are proud to sponsor the following events and organizations: Citizens Association of Georgetown Friends of Volta Park Concerts in the Park Georgetown House Tour (St. John’s) Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy Georgetown Jingle Friends of Book Hill Park Reception (Georgetown University Hospital) Friends of Montrose Park Hyde-Addison Elementary School Gala Friends of Rose Park Tudor Place Georgetown Brokerage 1206 30th Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 I +202 333 1212 I ttrsir.com Sotheby's GTC AD 2015.indd 1 2/2/15 11:58 AM Page 2 | January 2017 | HAPPY NEW YEAR Getting off to a strong start The fall season was busy with programs and stairs. Nevertheless, residents and visitors to attorneys, the printing of the legal briefs and issues that have been challenging and informa- Georgetown and Rosslyn may find the gondola the extensive record, and the oral argument tive, and that will continue into the New Year. to be an appealing ride. before the Court. Donations can be sent by On January 24, CAG will host a "Crossing CAG is also engaged in the aircraft noise check to the Aircraft Noise Fund, c/o the Cit- the Potomac" program at Malmaison cov- issue in Georgetown, along with Georgetown izens Association of Georgetown, or online at: ering reconstruction plans for Key Bridge University and civic associations representing cagtown.org/dcfairskies. and the concept plan for the gondola linking neighborhoods in DC to the north and east As we heard at CAG's December Public Safety Rosslyn and Georgetown. There are obstacles of the Potomac River. The noise began with meeting, crime remains a concern for many that may delay or prevent construction of the intensity during the spring of 2015, and the members. Our Public Safety Program needs gondola. The Georgetown BID projects that DC Fair Skies Coalition initiated litigation your support to continue providing external it would take up to four years to obtain regu- in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District security cameras, the private security officer latory approvals from Arlington, D.C. and the of Columbia Circuit in the summer of 2015 patrol, block captains, safety campaigns, National Park Service. Historic preservation against the Federal Aviation Administration technical factsheets on external lighting and of Key Bridge, which is listed in the National (FAA). The DC Fair Skies Coalition was suc- security cameras, and much more. While this Register of Historic Places, may be an obstacle cessful in defeating a motion to dismiss filed by program benefits all Georgetowners, donors for construction. The Exxon gas station just the FAA, and the pleadings before the Court receive some special privileges, along with our west of Key Bridge that had been identified of Appeals are due to be filed in January 2017. gratitude. Please contribute using the Public as a potential location for the gondola ter- CAG’s General Counsel, Richard Hinds, and Safety donation form that was mailed to you minal has been acquired for construction of Don Crockett have worked without compen- in December, or go online to www.cagtown. a condominium building, and it is not clear sation on preparing draft pleadings, but we org/publicsafety. that the DC government would exercise its need donations from all of the DC Fair Skies eminent domain powers to accommodate the Coalition communities, including members of Bob vom Eigen, PRESIDENT terminal at that site, or for an alternative site CAG, to fund the final work by our consulting on Prospect Street near the top of the Exorcist UPCOMING CAG MEETINGS Crossing the Potomac THANKS FOR 13 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED Tuesday, January 24 SERVICE BY BETSY COOLEY, AND WELCOME TO Reception at 7pm, program at 7:30pm OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LESLIE MAYSAK! Malmaison – 3401 Water Street Town Hall Meeting: West Heating etsy Cooley has displayed all the best CAG’s new Executive Director, Leslie Maysak, Plant Update instincts on how to persuade staff, vol- most recently served as the Executive Director Bunteers, officers, and members of the supporting the eight elected Advisory Neighbor- House of Sweden – 2900 K Street CAG board to come to solutions that work hood Commissioners in Georgetown/Burleith. Date to be determined – watch for for CAG, and that do not offend those who ANC2E’s Chair, Ron Lewis, highly recom- announcements on www.cagtown.org disagree. We have been blessed by having mended Leslie for the CAG Executive Director and www.facebook.org/georgetowncitizens Betsy support and lead us for 13 years of position. We selected Leslie based in part upon dedicated service. Congratulations Betsy! her familiarity and knowledge of Georgetown, its community organizations, schools, parks, businesses and residents. She considers problem solving and idea generation to be two of her strongest attributes, and we agree. Leslie is originally from Massachusetts and moved to Georgetown in 1999 with her hus- band Paul, a mortgage banker at PNC. Their sons Jack, age 13 and Liam age 10, born in DC, are Hyde-Addison alumni and currently attend Holy Trinity School in Georgetown. Leslie has been a CAG member and volunteer for all those 17 years. Welcome Leslie! Betsy Cooley, left, is retiring after 13 years at CAG. Leslie Maysak will be taking on the role of Cheers! Executive Director. Bob vom Eigen, PRESIDENT | January 2017 | Page 3 FLIGHT OR FIGHT Fair Skies Needs Donations as Legal Costs Take Off Louise Jacob, CAG Communications Manager communities and without the required envi- The primary objective of the appeal is to require ronmental review,” says CAG legal counsel the FAA to do a full “environmental assess- any Georgetowners have been bom- Richard Hinds. ment” before making any flight path changes barded by the dramatic increase in Not only does the increase in aircraft noise and, in the case of the most recent change, Maircraft noise since the FAA flight interrupt residents’ sleep and conversation, require the FAA to return to the former flight path changed 18 months ago.