A local governing body engaged in discussion with The Potomac Electric Power Company about renovating the F Street energy substation in a meeting Wednesday.

The Foggy Bottom and West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission and representatives from Pepco discussed proposed architectural plans for a renovated substation on F Street that would decrease the size of Anniversary Park with construction on the building proposed to start in 2026. The ANC also approved several alcoholic beverage licenses for local businesses and a restaurant license for a new plant-based restaurant opening on New Hampshire Avenue called Planta Queen.

Pepco introduces plans for renovation on F Street substation
Linda Greenan, the external affairs manager for Pepco, said the F Street substation still holds functioning equipment, but the equipment needs updating because an I Street substation is set to retire in 2030. She said retiring the I Street substation means all the power that once ran through that station will now run through the F Street substation, highlighting the need for a bigger substation.

“We’re here to talk about what we’re doing and get good initial feedback,” Greenan said. “We’ve got a slide about what we’re going to be doing now, which was just to know that this is really the first of many conversations.”

The plans for the new building show Anniversary Park decreasing by about 2,000 square feet and a significant decrease in the amount of trees in the space to make room for the substation’s transmission lines.

ANC Chair Joel Causey urged Pepco to incorporate community involvement while designing the new building. He said while Anniversary Park is owned by Pepco, the community has used it for many years and continued use of the park would benefit the community.

“I know Pepco doesn’t owe us community involvement but we’d love to have some community involvement,” Commissioner Causey said.

Commissioners approve alcohol license renewals
The commissioners unanimously approved an application for a new restaurant license for the plant-based restaurant Plant Queen. The restaurant will open on New Hampshire Avenue next to Tatte Bakery and Cafe.

The commissioners also approved several alcoholic beverage licenses for restaurants, hotels and venues including Flower Child, GW Smith Center, North Italia, Rasika, The Ritz Carlton, Nobu and more.

Commissioner Trupti Patel objected to renewing the alcohol license for Rasika because of a class-action lawsuit against the restaurant from former employees for wage theft. The renewal of the license passed with five commissioners approval and one opposition from Patel.

“I cannot exactly grant them support,” Patel said.