ANC 2F-04 Candidate John Fanning on the Issues Facing Logan Circle

From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.

There are 21 Single Member District (SMD) seats up for grabs on the November 6 ballot in three different local ANCs: 2B/Dupont, 2F/Logan and 1B, which includes most of the U Street corridor. Recently we introduced you to the candidates, including John Fanning (see Know the Candidates in Contested ANC Races). He faces Joel Heisey for the ANC 2F-04 seat.

Now, it’s Question and Answer Time on the issues.

Borderstan: What will be your first priority/new initiative if you are elected to ANC 2F and why?

Fanning: My first priority and new initiative will be the creation and expansion of the Business Improvement District (BID). I’ll work with JBG Co. and Councilmember Jack Evans to make sure that the expansion of the BID includes the entire 14th Street business corridor from U Street, south to Thomas Circle. The creation of the BID will allow us to improve and increase vital public and private city services, so we can have street-scape improvements, beautification and environmental education projects, increase rodent abatements and more frequent street cleaning and trash collections for our business district and the surrounding blocks.

Borderstan: How will you engage your constituents on issues so that your decisions reflect that of the majority of your Single Member District?

Fanning: I will engage my constituents by hosting a quarterly “Meet Your Commissioner Meeting,” and if finances allow, I’ll include a mailing of a quarterly “ANC 2F-04 Newsletter -Neighborhood Business Matters.”

Borderstan: Becoming “the next Adams Morgan” is a consistent fear expressed in ANC 2F meetings. Would you support a liquor license moratorium for the 14th and U corridor? If so, why? If not, why?

Fanning: I think we all should remain mindful of what our neighborhood once was like and what it has become today. If it wasn’t for the financial investment from our neighborhood small business owners, we wouldn’t be where we are today with the wonderful progress that has been made in our neighborhood. A liquor moratorium would just complicate and hamper the continued progress which we have made in our vibrant business district. So at this time, no, I would not support a liquor moratorium.

Borderstan: Do you believe the voluntary agreement process for liquor license applicants needs to be changed? If so, how?

Fanning: Yes, there needs to be several changes with the voluntary agreement process. There’s been problem’s in the past with the protest process with individuals living outside the boundaries of the establishment being protested. This has caused a burden on many business owners. The ANC should be the primary stakeholders in the voluntary agreement process and take the lead and support the 400 foot radius being proposed in the ABC reform bill. We can always amend and revise a voluntary agreement to address and include the concerns of the different community organizations regarding problem establishments.

Borderstan: Logan Circle and the 14th and U corridor area is now a destination spot for people throughout the DC Metro area, especially on weekends. Do you believe that the police presence, particularly on the 14th Street corridor, is adequate, especially on weekends?

Fanning: I don’t believe the police presence is adequate and we are really in need of a complete new comprehensive policing strategy due to the significant population growth and new business development in our neighborhood. Metropolitan Police should increase and improve more police visibility by deploying more police bicycle and foot patrols which would assist with better crime prevention for a safer neighborhood.

Borderstan: The pace of development is rapid in the area, especially along 14th Street NW. Do you think more commercial buildings would be good for the area, as opposed to more residential buildings?

Fanning: Most of the development has been residential on 14th Street, so I believe there’s room for some commercial building development. I do support the mixed use development for the 14th Street corridor.

Borderstan: Do you support the new restricted Residential Park Permit pilot program implemented through ANC 2F in late summer/early fall 2012? Tell us why or why not.

Fanning: Yes, I’m very much in support of this parking program. As we all are aware, parking has been very limited. The new parking program has freed up parking spaces for the resident’s that reside in the neighborhood. Previously you couldn’t find a parking space without driving around the neighborhood for hours due to all the non-residents taking up all the parking spaces.

Borderstan: Of the many possibilities being discussed to alleviate parking constraints in ANC 2F is the construction of parking garages along or near the 14th Street corridor. Do you support these efforts?

Fanning: Absolutely, I do. And I also support the possible construction of a Municipal Parking Garage.

Borderstan: Are there types of business in our neighborhood that stand out as something we need more of in the area? If so, can you name three?

Fanning: Yes, there are several, Buffalo Exchange, Miss Pixie’s Furnishings & Whatnot and gallery plan b.

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.