The D.C.-based AppleTree Institute is not backing away from plans to open a 54-student preschool on a residential street in the Capitol Hill neighborhood despite the successful efforts of a group of neighbors to block the project.
And as Margaret Holwill, a spokeswoman for Northeast Neighbors for Responsible Growth, and her group continue “passing the tin cup” to pay fees for their ongoing legal battle, AppleTree’s war chest is poised to reap the benefits of what might have been one of the most lavish fundraising dinners in Washington history.
A few dozen guests — some of whom flew in from as far as Denmark — each shelled out a minimum of $30,000 to be wined and dined Friday night at the residence of the French ambassador. The dinner, sponsored by wine critic Robert Parker’s philanthropy fund, was advertised as a benefit for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and AppleTree. And several of the wines slated to be served during the night’s festivities — including an 1834 Madeira Barbeito — had a $9,000-per-bottle price tag.
About 150 people unable to attend the sold-out Friday event converged Saturday night in Georgetown at The Halcyon House for a minimum $5,000-a-plate dinner benefiting both groups. AppleTree officials had no comment on the events, which are said to have raised $1.3 million, officials said.
Holwill and her group picketed both events in hopes of continuing to block AppleTree’s plans to turn a two-story brick building on 12th Street NE into a school. AppleTree, a nonprofit that runs a similar school in Southwest, purchased the building last year for $1.5 million and had planned to spend another $2.3 million on renovations, officials have said. The Northeast Neighbors were able to convince the D.C. Zoning Commission to pass “emergency” regulations in March that block the project. AppleTree officials called the decision “arbitrary and capricious” and plan to appeal.
Unneighborly reception
» Yard signs reading “No Apple Tree on 12th” have dotted the Capitol Hill neighborhood since the school announced its plans late last year.
» Before emergency rules passed in March, any public school had the right to move into residential areas without a special zoning exemption.
» Neighbors say increased noise, traffic and congestion will have an irreparable and harmful effect on the neighborhood and its residents.
