The CurrenT
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
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Early-morning fire destroys Glenbrook Road house By ELI OKUN
Current Correspondent
Bill Petros/The Current
It took more than an hour for about 60 firefighters to put out the blaze.
A two-alarm fire ravaged a large Spring Valley home early Friday morning, inflicting complete internal damage but no reported injuries or deaths. According to Oscar Mendez, a spokesperson for the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, roughly 60 firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 4869 Glenbrook
Council hearing airs debate over Verizon Center signs By ALLY MUTNICK Current Correspondent
The D.C. Council is considering a controversial bill that would allow installation of nine electronic display signs on the exterior of the Verizon Center. Ward 7 member Yvette Alexander heard primarily opposition during a hearing on the bill last month, but will urge the council to support it in a July 10 vote. Ted Leonsis, owner of the Verizon Center and the Washington Wizards, Mystics and Capitals, submitted the idea for the signs late last year, but he needs the council’s support to apply for a permit to exempt the arena from the city’s ban on billboards. “We believe these signs are good for the city, the neighborhood, the Verizon Center, our teams and our fans,� Leonsis said in testimony at the June 20 hearing. He cited increased tax revenue for the District and increased profit for the teams as selling points. The signs would show messages from advertisers, as well as news from the teams that play at the Verizon Center. More than 20 witnesses testified at the hearing, most of them advising the council not to pass the Verizon Center Graphics and Entertainment Act of 2012. The hearing was originally scheduled for January of this year, but it was delayed to give
Leonsis’ company, Monumental Sports, time to address citizens concerns with the original bill. The company made many changes to the proposed signs in an effort to appease residents. The revised bill specifies the size and luminosity of the signs, says no sound will be allowed and creates “closing times� at night when the screens will be turned off. In addition, Monumental Sports agreed that the signs could be used to advertise community events and convey emergency warnings, and promised not to place signs on the 6th Street side of the Verizon Center, the only side that faces residences. Council member Alexander, who introduced the measure, said the signs will contribute to the neighborhood. “I believe that the new, modern digital displays and static signage will add to the vibrancy of the Chinatown/Penn Quarter neighborhood,� she wrote in an email to The Current. “The new signs would add to the liveliness and character of the area.� Alexander also cited the $8 million to $10 million in tax revenue the Verizon Center is expected to generate for the city over the next four to five years through selling advertisements for the signs. But many oppose the idea. Tom See Signs/Page 12
The week ahead Tuesday, July 10
The D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission will hold a public forum with D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge Lee F. Satterfield, who is seeking another four-year term as chief judge. The meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in Room 3100, Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Ave. NW.
Thursday, July 12
The D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board will meet at 10 a.m. in Room 220 South, One Judiciary Square, 441 4th St. NW. The agenda will include consideration of a draft master plan and design guidelines for the McMillan Park Reservoir site.
Friday, July 13
The D.C. Office on Aging will hold a meeting on Senior Needs Assessment Initial Data Collection. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center, 324 Kennedy St. NW.
Tuesday, July 17
D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson will hold a “State of the Schools 2012� meeting for Ward 1 residents. The meeting will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Columbia Heights Educational Campus, 3101 16th St. NW.
Road. Typically, 34 firefighters are sent out on each alarm, he said. Since the investigation is still ongoing and a report has not yet been prepared, fire department officials would not comment on how the fire started or on other specifics of the incident. Mendez said the department received a call about the fire at 5:29 a.m. and arrived at the house at 5:34, putting out the fire by about 6:45. Video of the blaze posted on statter911.com
shows flames consuming all floors of the house, which sits slightly above the street on a small hill. “It’s my understanding that the fire had a good head start upon their arrival,� said Edward Smith, president of the District of Columbia Firefighters Association, Local 36. By Friday afternoon, with a corner of the structure still smoldering, the house’s windows, roof and interior walls were gone. Only See Fire/Page 5
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