ANC Set to Tackle 'The Space' and 'Cafe Salsa' on Wednesday Night

There are a couple of interesting items for tomorrow evening's ANC2f meeting. In addition to the usual transportation and crime and safety reports, two ABRA matters might get the community's attention.

The ANC will hear complaints regarding newly opened 14th street restaurant La Cafe Salsa's vent fan, which according to nearby residents is exceptionally loud. Attempts to work with the restaurant to come an agreement without involving the NC were unsuccessful, so Chairman Reed et al will discuss the issue tomorrow evening.

The second matter deals with an issue that we have written about previously; that is, upscale Shaw nightclub The Space. When we last heard from The Space, owner Mitchell Cox was cursing at Chairman Charles Reed and angrily dismissing complaints from neighbors regarding noise, sanitation and violations of the voluntary agreement signed with the building next door. The tense meeting ended with Reed requesting a "show cause" hearing with ABRA, the first step towards a potential revocation of the club's license.

According to a neighbor of The Space familiar with the proceedings, Cox subsequently sold the club to a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, which now operates it. The sale of the club resulted in no findings against the club being presented at the "show cause" hearing before ABRA. Whether this is satisfactory to residents and neighbors remains to be seen, but the issue will be discussed tomorrow evening.

The full agenda for the meeting can be found at the ANC's website. The meeting will take place Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Washington Plaza Hotel on Thomas Circle.