EastShawDC

Latest Plans for the Wonder Bread Building

2012-03-20T22:58:00.001-04:00

The Left for LeDroit website has the latest news on Douglas Development's plans for the Wonder Bread building at 621 S Street, NW. Left for LeDroit reports: "[Douglas Development's] plan for the Wonderbread Factory includes a ground floor and basement floor for retail space, which they imagine may include restaurants or a microbrewery. The upper floors will include loft-like office space. They are setting an agressive timeline to have the project finished in the spring of 2013 and they say they have had numerous inquiries about the space, especially from restaurateurs."

Check out the Left for LeDroit post, with a full set of design drawings, here.

"Container" Store Proposed for 919 U Street, NW (No, Not that Container Store)

2012-03-19T12:10:00.000-04:00

The Hilton brothers restaurant development team — which has created The Gibson, Marvin, and American Ice Company — has proposed to open a restaurant built out of shipping containers at 919 U Street, NW. (The Georgetowner has reported that the restaurant will be a taqueria called El Ray.) The restaurant would have a takeout window on U Street and an outdoor seating area.

The proposal will be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) on March 22, 2012. The HPRB staff report describes the proposed development as follows:

The front elevation would consist of a combination of corrugated shipping containers flanking a recessed aluminum and glass storefront system with glass entry door, and open take-out window with an angled metal canopy. The design calls for the first floor to be topped by a shipping container with a centered internally illuminated sign. The remainder of the site would consist of an open summer garden enclosed by a 7-0’ wood fence and topped by a partially covered metal truss roof system.

Apparently (according the HPRB staff report) the "use of shipping containers for temporary retail and arts uses is an increasingly popular option for activating vacant urban sites." In fact, a Starbucks comprised of shipping containers recently opened in Washington State — check out the image below.

Recently opened Starbucks in Tukwila, Washington(image credit: Starbucks)

The shipping container structure would be temporary, pending future redevelopment of the site.

View the developer's submission (including a recent photo of the site, the developer's floor plans, the U Street facade elevation, and an axonometric view of the proposal), along with the HPRB staff report, after the jump.

Developer's Submission
[View the submission below or click here to open.]

HPRB Staff Report
[View the report below or click here to open.]

HPRB Staff Issues Report Supporting Conceptual Design of JBG Florida Avenue Project

2012-03-16T14:10:00.000-04:00

JBG Florida Avenue project site

The staff of the Historic Preservation Review Board issued a report today supporting the preliminary site organization, height, massing, and general architectural direction of the planned JBG project on Florida Avenue, NW, between 7th and 9th Streets. (Recent project renderings can be viewed here.) The Board will meet on March 22, 2012, to consider JBG's conceptual design proposal and the staff's recommendations. Even after the March 22 meeting, further HPRB review will continue, as the staff recommended that JBG "continue working on the designs, materials, and articulation of the proposal and return for further review when appropriate."

Excerpts from the staff report are after the jump, along with a copy of the full report.

Rendering of west building, at Florida Avenue and 8th Street, NW

Staff Report Excerpts
The HPRB staff report describes the project elements as follows:

The project calls for relocating the original main block of 1933-35 9th Street from the center of the 9th Street frontage approximately 50 feet to the southern end of the site, adjacent to a row of two- and three-story historic commercial buildings, where it would be restored for retail use. The north-south alley on the west site would be rerouted to exit on 9th Street (rather than on Florida Avenue), just north of the relocated historic building.

Each of the two new buildings would be organized with a central bar running parallel to Florida Avenue and a secondary wing extending south on 8th Street. The residential entrances would be located across from each other on 8th Street. The buildings would have tall (17’6") ground-level retail spaces, five stories of residential units, and one floor of below-grade parking, achieving a height of 70 feet.

The design of the primary Florida Avenue bar of each building would consist of a slightly recessed first floor to provide greater width to the narrow sidewalk on these blocks, and full-height glass storefronts with an undulating plan. The upper floors would project to the property line, with a slight overhang above the retail bases. The buildings would 3 th Street from the center of the 9th Street frontage approximately 50 feet to the southern end of the site, adjacent to a row of two- and three-story historic commercial buildings, where it would be restored for retail use. The north-south alley on the west site would be rerouted to exit on 9th Street (rather than on Florida Avenue), just north of the relocated historic building.

Each of the two new buildings would be organized with a central bar running parallel to Florida Avenue and a secondary wing extending south on 8th Street. The residential entrances would be located across from each other on 8th Street. The buildings would have tall (17’6") ground-level retail spaces, five stories of residential units, and one floor of below-grade parking, achieving a height of 70 feet.

The design of the primary Florida Avenue bar of each building would consist of a slightly recessed first floor to provide greater width to the narrow sidewalk on these blocks, and full-height glass storefronts with an undulating plan. The upper floors would project to the property line, with a slight overhang above the retail bases. The buildings would 3 th Street. The residential entrances would be located across from each other on 8th Street. The buildings would have tall (17’6") ground-level retail spaces, five stories of residential units, and one floor of below-grade parking, achieving a height of 70 feet.

The design of the primary Florida Avenue bar of each building would consist of a slightly recessed first floor to provide greater width to the narrow sidewalk on these blocks, and full-height glass storefronts with an undulating plan. The upper floors would project to the property line, with a slight overhang above the retail bases. The buildings would 3

include large-scale projections and insets to modulate the massing. The facades would be composed of a concrete frame in-filled with full-height windows and metal panels of varying sizes. The designs of the two primary bars are intended to be differentiated but complementary to each other.

The residential building entrances would be recessed from the street, accessed by monumental stairs (visible from the street through a glass curtain wall) opening to mid-block courtyards. The secondary bars of the buildings extending south on 9th and 8th Street would step down in size, with lower-scaled storefronts, projections that terminate at the fourth floor, and step downs in height as the building abuts smaller scale historic buildings.th and 8th Street would step down in size, with lower-scaled storefronts, projections that terminate at the fourth floor, and step downs in height as the building abuts smaller scale historic buildings.

The issue that received the most attention from the HPRB staff was the relocation of the existing buildings at 1933-35 9th Street, NW. The staff report notes that "relocating an historic building from its original site is not standard preservation practice and is generally discouraged by Federal preservation standards and practices." However, the staff supported the relcoation, stating the following:

HPO recommends support for relocation of 1933-35 9th Street as a compatible solution. The building currently occupies a central location in a large vacant site which offers few satisfying options for incorporating it into the project without it being overwhelmed or further severed from the row of similar historic commercial buildings. Relocation will retain the building on the same square and street within the historic district, and provide a more appropriate contextual setting adjacent to similarly scaled historic buildings. In this instance, relocation will facilitate both a better preservation and design solution, allowing more open space and separation between the existing building and the new construction, and a more compatible context for the historic building.

HPRB Staff Report (March 16, 2012)
[View the report below or click here to open.]

Stables Project on Naylor Court Approved by Board of Zoning Adjustment

2012-03-16T12:22:00.003-04:00

The Board of Zoning Adjustment has approved zoning variances for the Stables project, which will be located at 1321-25 Naylor Court, NW.

The project site currently consists of one lot, with approximately 4,940 square feet of land; the lot currently houses a dilapidated one-story garage. The developer will demolish the garage (an action previously approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board), subdivide the exsintg lot into three new lots, and build a rowhouse and rear carriage house on each new lot. All three lots will share a motor court that will be located between the rowhouses and carriage houses. View the project renderings after the jump.

The developer received a variance from the the lot width and area requirements and a variance from the lot occupancy requirements. The BZA approved the variances after a March 6, 2012, hearing. (The written BZA decision is not yet available.)

View the following after the jump:

A link to the project website
A map showing the site location
A larger image of the site plan and project renderings
The developer's list of exterior design features
The developer's application to the BZA
The Office of Planning report on the BZA application

Project Website
Check out the project website at http://www.opaldc.com/naylorcourt.html

Project Location

(from Office of Planning document)
[click image for larger-size image]

Exterior Design Features (from the developer's website)

Historic Equestrian Stable architecture with sliding barn & hay loft doors
Front and rear covered entries
Gated motor court
Detached Carriage House parking with rubbish and recycling area, plus overhead storage
Additional surface parking
Architecturally coordinated color package to include:

Wood-mold formed brick with heavily detailed brick cornice
Formed concrete window sills
Oversized, double hung, black framed windows
HardiePanel siding at rear and roof terraces

Professionally designed landscaping in motor court
Full light front and rear doors with Schlage hardware
Precast address blocks
Front, rear and terrace hose bibs and electrical outlets
Architecturally coordinated exterior lighting, all on photo cell to illuminate at dusk
Roof terrace with western exposure and optional retractable awning

Site Plan and Renderings

[Click the images to view a larger sizes.]

Site plan

Front Rendering

Rear Rendering

Overhead Rendering (interior motor court in center)

Project Elevations

Developer Application for Zoning Variances
[View the report below or click here to open.]

Office of Planning Report on Application for Zoning Variances
[View the report below or click here to open.]

Travel and Adventure Show at the Convention Center this Weekend (March 17-18, 2012)

2012-03-15T19:11:00.001-04:00

The Travel and Adventure Show will be at the convention center this weekend, March 17-18, 2012. The show includes approximately 150 exhibitors, speakers and seminars, and hands-on activities.

Exhibitors include national and international destinations (such as the Aruba Tourism Authority, Mexico Tourism Board, and Beaches of Fort Myer and Sanabel), tour organizations (including Planet Wildlife, Palace Tours, and Reality Tours-Global Exchange), adventure groups/companies (including the American Hiking Society and Adventure Scuba Company), and even Frommer's Budget Travel. Check out the exhibitor list here.

The featured speaking presentation is by Patricia Schultz, author of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die. Schultz will discuss some of her favorite destinations, take questions from the audience, and sign her books. (The presentation is managed by the District's own Politics and Prose.) Other speaking engagements include "Drivable Desintations: Vacations Within Reach" and "Best Budget Destinations in 2012". The full speaker/seminar schedule can be viewed here.

The show also includes hands-on activities, including free scuba lessons, rock climbing, and an aerial zip line. The full list of activities can be viewed here.

If you've been to the show in the past, please leave your comments in the comments section.

Hours and ticket prices are after the jump.

Hours
Saturday, March 17, 2012, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, March 18, 2012, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Tickets
Adults: Tickets purchased onsite are $15, but tickets can be purchased online for only $9.75.
Children (under 16): Free

JBG Submits Updated (March 5, 2012) Renderings for Its Florida Avenue Project

2012-03-12T17:23:00.000-04:00

JBG Florida Avenue project site

JBG has updated the renderings for its planned project on Florida Avenue, NW, between 7th and 9th Streets. Changes include the repositioning of certain building bays, an increase in the use of "warm" materials, the inclusion of raised curbs or seat walls where storefronts comes to grade, and the relocation of suspended lighting. The new renderings, dated March 5, 2012, can be viewed after the jump.

The changes are based on ongoing discussions between JBG and the District's Historic Preservation Office in preparation for a March 22, 2012, hearing before the Historic Preservation Review Board. The renderings are likely to be further updated before that hearing.

Rendering of west building, at Florida Avenue and 8th Street, NW

According to the JBG website,"the lots of the Florida Avenue Project are 15,956 square feet, 8,621 square feet and 3,799 square feet respectively, totaling 28,376 square feet." Also according to JBG, "preliminary feasibility studies for the project have included a mixed-use plan with residential units above a retail podium, conforming to the Duke [Framework] Plan that seeks to establish “a cultural destination district within in the greater Shaw/U Street neighborhood”."

The Duke Framework Plan, a product of the District's Office of Planning that establishes goals for the redevelopment of the 7th Street/Georgia Avenue and U Street/Florida Avenue commercial corridors in the vicinity of 7th and U Streets, NW, can be viewed at http://1.usa.gov/xjKwfZ.

March 5, 2012, Renderings
The renderings may be viewed below or by clicking here.

Last Chance to Comment on NPS Restoration Plan for Carter G. Woodson Home Historic Site at 1538 9th Street, NW

2012-03-09T09:35:00.000-05:00

The deadline for providing your comments on the National Park Service's draft general management plan for the restoration of the Carter G. Woodson House historic site is this Tuesday, March 13, 2012. The site currently includes Dr. Woodson's former house at 1538 9th Street, NW, and two adjacent row houses located at 1540 and 1542 9th Street, NW.

The general management plan describes "alternative directions for the development, visitor use, and management" of the site. The plan contains two alternatives. Under the so-called "no action alternative", "visitors would have the opportunity to tour Dr. Woodson's neighborhood, view the restored and/or stabilized historic structure facades, and understand how the neighborhood influenced his life or work." The interiors of the buildings would not be restored, and visitors would not be allowed inside the buildings.

Under the second alternative, the so-called "preferred alternative," the "emphasis ... would be to learn about Dr. Woodson's life and legacy. Visitors would learn about Dr. Woodson through tours of his restored home, and through innovative and interactive interpretive exhibits, materials, and programs in the adjacent buildings." The preferred alternative is comprised of two options — the first option includes only the buildings currently owned by NPS and the second option includes both those buildings and 1544 9th Street, NW, an adjacent building currently not owned by NPS. This additional building is located at the corner of 9th and Q Streets, NW; it is in the historic site boundary authorized by Congress, but is currently privately owned. The first option would be implemented upon approval of the plan; the second option would be implemented if the building at 1544 9th Street, NW, is acquired by NPS.

View the draft general management plan, read more about Carter G. Woodson, view information about the project timeline, and find out how to submit comments after the jump.

About Carter G. Woodson [from the NPS website]

Dr. Woodson was the son of former slaves, but earned his Ph.D. degree from Harvard University in 1912—only the second black American to do so (after W. E. B. DuBois). This achievement was even more extraordinary since he did not begin his formal education until he was 20 years old. He had been denied access to public education in Canton, Virginia, where he was born in 1875, and did not start school until he moved to Huntington, West Virginia. He received his high school diploma two years later, a bachelor's degree from Berea College in 1897, and went on to earn A.B. and M.A. degrees from the University of Chicago before attending Harvard.

Doctor Woodson, and other like-minded individuals founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (today it is known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History), leading him down the path to his life’s work: researching, writing, and disseminating the history and cultural experience of African American people in American life.

From 1922 on, Dr. Woodson dedicated his life to writing, publishing, and disseminating African American scholarly and popular works designed to explain and validate the African American experience. In 1926, he founded and promoted “Negro History Week,” as a way of focusing attention on the accomplishments of African Americans and promoting pride in the history and cultural achievements of African Americans in America. Black History Month has grown from Dr. Woodson’s founding of Negro History Week. It evidenced an evolving progression of increasing cultural and social appreciation of the diversity of race, ethnicity, and multiculturalism in the United States. The concept for the week was a celebration of
African American heritage, a time for all people of African descent to feel proud of their singular identity.

Prior to Dr. Woodson’s work, African American history was not considered a legitimate field of study.

About The Carter G. Woodson Home [from the NPS website]

The Carter G. Woodson Home at 1538 9th Street, NW, in Washington, DC, was Dr. Woodson's home from 1922 until his death in 1950. He directed the operations of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History and pursued his own studies of African-American history from there. After his death, the home continued to serve as the national headquarters of the Association until the early 1970s. It is now vacant, closed to the public, and in need of rehabilitation. The home was acquired by the National Park Service in 2005.

The Carter G. Woodson historic home is the red brick building to the left; the two center tan buildings are NPS-owned buildings that are part of the historic site; the building to the right is a potential addition to the historic site, currently privately owned (and restored since this picture was taken)

Submitting Comments on the General Management Plan
Comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on March 13, 2012. Comments may be submitted through the NPS comments page for the Carter G. Woodson site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=43548.

Project Timeline
At the March 7, 2012, meeting of ANC 2C, a representative from NPS (Joy Kinard, the manager of the Central District of National Capital Parks-East) stated that the site is not expected to be open to the public until 2016. Funding has not yet been secured, and the start date for construction work is currently unknown. A request for emergency funding has been made, however, to repair earthquake damage and stabilize the buildings.

Links
General management plan website: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=22223
Carter G. Woodson Home Historic Site website: http://www.nps.gov/cawo/index.htm
NPS video presentation (15 minutes) on the general management plan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbbxGe9Q2MU

General Management Plan Document
The general management plan may be viewed below or by clicking here. (Note: The link opens a PDF document.)

Carter G. Woodson Home - NPS Draft General Management Plan (January 2012)

Bistro Bohem to Open March 15, 2012

2012-03-08T09:33:00.001-05:00

Bistro Bohem has announced that it will be opening on March 15, 2012.

Located at 600 Florida Avenue, NW, Bistro Bohem is a full-service restaurant and bar "offering flavorful Eastern European cuisine."

Hours will be 5 p.m. to midnight 7 days a week. In addition, brunch will be served on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Check out their menus at http://bistrobohem.wordpress.com/menu/. Also check out their website at http://www.bistrobohem.com/.

Vote for Your Favorite New Shaw Business in Shaw Main Streets' Seventh Annual Best New Business Contest

2012-03-07T18:18:00.000-05:00

Shaw Main Streets has announced that voting is now open in its seventh annual Best New Shaw Business of the Year contest. The candidates for Best New Shaw Business are the following:

Capital Comfort Hostel, 1610 7th Street, NW
Merkato Ethiopian Restaurant, 1909 9th Street, NW
Mood Lounge, 1318 9th Street, NW
Pizza D’Oro, 717 T Street, NW (there isn't a website for Pizza D'Oro, but check out the Yelp page here)
Rogue 24, 922 N Street, NW, Rear (Blagden Alley)
Seasonal Pantry, 1314-1/2 9th Street, NW
SUNdeVICH, 1314 9th Street, NW, Rear (Naylor Court)

Find out how to vote, and when the winner will be announced, after the jump.

How to Vote
Email BestinShaw@gmail.com. The name of the business you're voting for should be in the subject line and your name should be in the body of the email. Votes must be received by noon on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 .

Eligible Businesses
You may be surprised that Mood Lounge is on the list. According to the Shaw Main Streets notice, "[n]ew businesses that opened in 2011 are eligible." Apparently the list of new businesses isn't whittled down for the vote.

Announcement of Winner
The winner will be announced at the Shaw Main Streets Annual Meeting on March 22, 2012.

What's Going On At ... O Street Market?

2012-03-06T18:34:00.000-05:00

You've probably noticed the construction activity at the former site of the Giant supermarket. So what exactly is being built there? The project is called CityMarket at O and is described by the developer as a "1 million-square foot adaptive reuse project that will include over 86,239 square feet of retail, 552,854 square feet of housing, a 181-room select service hotel, and 500 parking spaces."

As part of the project, 8th Street, NW, will be reopened through the center of the site and two large buildings will be built on each side of the reopened street.

The west building (along 9th Street) is expected to include 160 market-rate rental units, 145 condominium units, almost 13,000 square feet of retail space (fronting 8th Street), and an 181-unit hotel. (Who would have thought, a hotel in the heart of Shaw.) The hotel rooftop has been marketed as "featuring a pool, fitness center, and an outdoor patio with views of the U.S. Capitol and the National Monuments."

The east building (along 7th Street) will include a new Giant supermarket -- incorporating the former O Street Market space and including almost 60,000 square feet -- 240 market rate rental units, and 84 senior affordable housing units.

View the construction timeline, images of the buildings and site plans, along with a link to a construction webcam, after the jump.
Construction Timeline
According to the developer's website, the Giant supermarket will reopen in late 2013 and the hotel and rental housing will opening in spring 2013. The affordable senior housing building and condominium units will be delivered in fall 2014.

Construction Webcam
Check out the construction webcam at http://oxblue.com/pro/open/clarkconstruction/citymarket. A sample image from March 6, 2012, is below.

Project Sketches and Site Plans


View from 7th and P Streets, NW

Project elevation

Ground floor site plan

General site plan

Project views from O Street, NW, and 9th Street, NW

Project views from P Street, NW, and 7th Street, NW

Project views from 8th Street, NW

Developer's Project Marketing Book
Historic Photos from the Library of Congress
[Check out the Library of Congress images page for O Street Market at http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/item/dc0242/.]

Home and Garden Showing Coming to Convention Center Next Weekend (March 9-11, 2012); Extra Discount on Tickets

2012-03-03T09:53:00.000-05:00

The Washington Home and Garden Show will take place at the convention center next weekend. The show runs from March 9 through March 11. Hours are after the jump, along with information on how to get tickets for only $7.

If you've gone to the show in the past, please leave your thoughts on the show in the comments section. (Based on the quality of the website and the lack of other information online, I don't have great expectations, but that's probably not the best way to judge the show.)

According to the website, this year's show highlights include:

Innovation Avenue: "See the newest products in home decor, kitchen & bath, outdoor living and more. Each product is uniquely displayed along Innovation Avenue."
Glorious Gardens: "Stroll through 16,000 square feet of gardens that will showcase the latest in landscaping and outdoor lifestyle trends."
Celebrity Guests: Including Ty Pennington from Extreme Makeover Home Edition and Sasha Andreev from Curb Appeal.
IKEA Furniture Fashion Show: "Watch models strut the runway presenting not haute couture, but the latest haute design from IKEA’s 2012 collection. Working the catwalk, models will present the latest IKEA pieces – furniture, accessories, and fixtures, gradually constructing a sleek, stylish room vignette, straight off an IKEA showroom floor. The models will work together to re-arrange the space to show off original ideas for everything from chic living rooms to elegant bedrooms."

Hours and ticket information are after the jump.
Hours

Friday, March 9, 2012,10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Saturday, March 10, 2012, 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sunday, March 11, 2012, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tickets
Adults: $12 at the door; $9 online; $7 by using the promo code "fcbk" at the online ticket site
Children: Ages 6-11: $3

Stage Schedule
Check out the stage schedule here.

Agenda Announced for ANC 2C Meeting to Be Held on March 7, 2012

2012-03-01T08:25:00.000-05:00

The agenda has been announced for the March 7, 2012, meeting of ANC 2C. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Shaw Library, 1630 7th Street, NW.

Agenda items include a presentation on the plans for the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, options for improving the availability of parking for residents during Howard Theatre events, a proposal to install a curb cut on the 1800 block of 6th Street, NW, and an introduction of Ward 6 planners from the Office of Planning and Department of Transportation.

The full agenda is after the jump.
Agenda
(per email from ANC2C chair, Alex Padro)

Call to Order and Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
PSA 308 Report: Metropolitan Police Department
Kennedy Recreation Center: Discussion of Security, Staffing and Maintenance Concerns (Department of Parks and Recreation)
Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, 1538-42 9th Street, NW: Presentation on Plans for Development of Site (National Park Service)
Introduction of Ward 6 Planners from Office of Planning and Department of Transportation
460 Ridge Street, NW: Request for Support for Historic Preservation Application for New Three Story plus Basement, Two Unit Building (Blue Sky Development)
1801 6th Street, NW: Request for Support for Zoning Relief to Construct an Addition and Install a Curb Cut (E. David Samuel)
1618 5th Street, NW: Request for Support for Zoning Relief for Renovation and Addition (John Hines)
Howard Theatre Area Residential Parking Proposal: Options for Improving Availability of Parking for Residents during Howard Theatre Events
Howard Theatre Streetscape Adopt-A-Brick Program: Request for Support for Replacement of Standard Bricks on Wiltberger Street Sidewalk with Engraved Pavers (Howard Theatre Restoration)
Voting Area for Precinct #21: Request for Comments from Commission on Relocation of Precinct Location from Vermont Avenue Baptist Church to Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library (Board of Elections & Ethics)
New York Avenue Beach Bar, 641 New York Avenue, NW: Request for Support for Stipulated and Permanent ABC Licenses and Approval of Voluntary Agreement
Stop the Silence 8K, April 29, 2012: Request for Support for Street Closures (Stop Child Sexual Abuse)
Bike DC, May 13, 2012: Request for Support for Street Closures (DC Community Cycling)
Rock and Roll Marathon, March 17, 2012: Request for Support for Street Closures (Greater Washington Sports Alliance)
Walk MS 2012, April 21, 2012: Request for Support for Street Closures (National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Capital Chapter)
Mayors’ Meeting with ANC Chairs, February 13, 2012: Highlights of Meeting (Chair Padro)
Other New Business
Old Business
Approval of Minutes of 02/01/12 Meeting
Approval of Treasurer’s Report
Approval of Expenses
Announcements
Next Meeting
Adjournment

BicycleSPACE Opening March 2 in Shaw

2012-02-29T09:18:00.000-05:00

BicycleSPACE announced that it is moving today (February 29, 2012) to its new location at 1019 7th Street, NW. According to its Facebook page, the store will be closed on March 1, 2012, to reassemble, so BicycleSPACE should reopen as a Shaw business on March 2.

BicycleSpace describes itself as "a refreshingly community oriented bicycle shop located in the heart of the city. Traditionally-styled bikes, friendly, knowledgeable service, and everything you need to make your ride the best part of your day." BicycleSpace not only sells and repairs bikes, but it also holds group bike rides, flat tire repair classes, and non-bike events like yoga and hula hoop classes.

Check out a street view of the new location after the jump.

New BicycleSPACE Location at 1019 7th Street, NW (right; Passenger bar to left)

Bundy Field Renovation Project is Complete

2012-02-27T18:52:00.000-05:00

The construction of the Bundy Field and the Bundy dog park are now complete, according to a post by the Friends of Bundy Park. (Pictures of the completed field and dog park are after the jump.)

As reported previously on this website, the project includes a total renovation of the existing field -- replacing the current field with a multipurpose turf field striped for soccer, lacrosse, and softball -- and creation of space for a dog park.

The project is a joint venture of the District government, KIPP DC (which runs the WILL Academy and Grow Academy across the street from the Bundy Field), and the U.S. Soccer Foundation. Use of the field will be shared between KIPP DC and the District; according to KIPP DC, "the District Department of General Services and a community-based organization ... will decide when/how the field is used."

In addition, the U.S. Soccer Foundation's Soccer for Success program is expected to begin at Bundy Field in the fall of 2012. (More information on the Soccer for Success program is after the jump.)

View pictures of the completed field and dog area, along with information on the Soccer for Success program, after the jump.

Click on the thumbnails for larger images:

Bundy Dog Area

Bundy Field

Soccer for Success Summary

New Restaurant Coming to 903 N Street, NW

2012-02-26T11:00:00.002-05:00

Chef Frederik De Pue has signed a lease to open a restaurant called Table at 903 N Street, NW, according to Dining Bisnow. The restaurant is scheduled to open this summer.

De Pue was formerly the executive chef at Smith Commons on H Street, NE, where he was credited with "boldly establishing fine dining along the H Street corridor." De Pue is currently the chef at 42˚ Catering, which describes itself as "a unique boutique catering firm that specializes in creating custom-designed culinary events."

Dining Bisnow reports that the restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week; will serve wine and beer, but no hard alcohol; and "will keep its 'rough' look with concrete floors and exposed walls and ceilings."

Read the full Dining Bisnow article here.

Read more about De Pue at this profile from the Washington Examiner.

Check Out the New Howard Theatre Website

2012-02-25T16:41:00.001-05:00

A new Howard Theatre website is up and running at http://thehowardtheatre.com/. The website provides a calendar of shows, but it's still a work in progress: tickets for the shows will not be available online until February 27, 2012, and many of the site features — including the restaurant menu — are listed as "Coming Soon".

54-Unit Condo Building Planned for 1250 9th Street, NW

2012-02-25T16:32:00.002-05:00

Urban Turf reports that a 5-story, 54-unit condo project is planned for 1250 9th Street, NW — the current location of Contemporary Wing. The Urban Turf article states that the plan is "to build the condo project up and around the existing structure [and] ... [a]pproximately 65 percent of the existing historic structure will be preserved." The project developer is CAS Riegler, whose projects include the redeveloped the Flatiron Building at 143 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, at the 11-unit Standard Eleven at 1109 M Street, NW, which is scheduled to deliver in the summer of 2012.

Read the Urban Turf article at http://bit.ly/wv8xbx. Renew Shaw also reports on the planned project, and includes additional project renderings, at http://bit.ly/xtFRRt.

Transcripts of Mood Lounge ABC Board Hearings

2012-02-24T22:30:00.000-05:00

Shaw Deserves Better has posted the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board hearing transcripts from the two January 13, 2012, hearings regarding Mood Lounge. The main hearing focused on the summary suspension of Mood Lounge's license following the stabbing that took place outside Mood Lounge on December 30, 2011. (That transcript is 770 pages long.) The second hearing was related to excessive noise from Mood Lounge that was alleged to violate the voluntary agreement. (That transcript is over 230 pages long.)

Read both transcripts at the Shaw Deserves Better post at http://bit.ly/ypIRGh.

Washington Post Highlights Opening of Howard Theatre

2012-02-22T11:14:00.001-05:00

The Washington Post today (February 22, 2012) published an article on the opening of the Howard Theatre. The article listed some of the scheduled performers and included this interesting piece of information: Each week beginning April 15, the Howard Theatre will host a Sunday gospel brunch featuring the Harlem Gospel Choir.

Check out the full article at http://wapo.st/zLNU8J.

Shaw's Tavern Reopens, But Without Liquor License; Prior Owner's Appeal Denied

2012-02-17T11:49:00.000-05:00

As reported by DC Eater, Shaw's Tavern reopened today, but without its alcoholic beverage license. It will operate only during daytime hours until the license is issued.

As reported earlier on this blog, the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board has scheduled a hearing on license application of Shaw's Tavern for March 12, 2012. (The notice is after the jump.) Under District law, the Board has 90 days after the hearing to issue a decision.

In the interim, Shaw's Tavern requested that the ABC Board issue a temporary liquor license (called a "stipulated license") before the hearing. (The stipulated license application is after the jump.) The request went before the ABC Board on January 25, 2012, at which time the Board scheduled a fact finding hearing for February 8, 2012. The February 8, 2012, hearing was held behind closed doors. The Board stated that it would issue a decision on the stipulated license request within 90 days.

Also, in an interesting endnote to the previous owner's quest for a license, the ABC Board in a 10-page order issued on January 25, 2012, rejected Abbas Fathi's request that the Board reconsider its prior decision denying a license. In its decision, the Board noted that the Mr. Fathi held two events at Shaw's Tavern before the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs had even issued a certificate of occupancy. (The Board's order is after the jump.)

View the March 12 hearing notice, the stipulated license application, and the Board's order on reconsideration after the jump.

Shaw's Tavern -- ABC Board Hearing Notice

Shaw's Tavern -- ABC Board Hearing Notice

Shaw's Tavern Stipulated License Request
[If you're using Internet Explorer, view the document at http://scr.bi/zPfELN.]
Shaw's Tavern Stipulated License Request

ABC Board Denial of Prior Owner's Request for Reconsideration of License Denial
[If you're using Internet Explorer, view the document at http://scr.bi/zKFWLr.]
Shaw's Tavern Reconsideration Denial.

Owner of Mood Lounge Building in Bankruptcy, Seeks Authority to Sell Property

2012-02-15T22:56:00.000-05:00

In an aspect of the Mood Lounge saga that appears to have received little attention, the owners of the building in which Mood Lounge is located filed for bankruptcy in August of 2011, after having been served with a notice of foreclosure in July 2011. The bankruptcy proceeding is ongoing. On January 19, 2012, the bankruptcy judge granted the building owner the authority to employ Charles Papadopoulos and Papadopoulos Properties as real estate agent and broker. (If there are any bankruptcy lawyers who happen to read this post, it would be interesting to know if a buyer purchasing a property in a bankruptcy proceeding can terminate an existing lease; please post any information to the comments section.)

More information from the filings is after the jump.

And many thanks to a commenter who pointed out the existence of the foreclosure filing, which led to the information on the bankruptcy filing.

Some interesting facts from the bankruptcy filing:

In December 2011, the property owner sought approval form the bankruptcy judge to sell the property to Abeba Beyene, the owner of Mood Lounge, for $1.8 million. In late January 2012, the owner withdrew the request, stating that "the proposed purchaser has been unable to secure financing."
The value of the property (1318 9th Street, NW) is listed as $1.8 million.
The United States Small Business Administration appears to have provided the owner of the property with a $500,000 second mortgage.
Although the owner filed for bankruptcy, its court filings indicate that its assets exceed its liabilities by over $300,000, and it reported positive cash flow in the most recent monthly operating report.
As of November 10, 2011, the owner listed assets of $1.843 million and liabilities of $1.499 million.
The owner reported monthly income in December 2011 of approximately $20,000. It is not clear if the Mood Lounge lease is the source of all of the income.

New ABC Board Hearings Scheduled on Mood Lounge

2012-02-14T21:47:00.001-05:00

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has scheduled two hearings to review five charges of unlawful conduct by Mood Lounge. The first hearing, scheduled for March 28, 2012, at 9:30 a.m., is a status hearing. The status hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the Board will ask whether Mood Lounge is contesting the charges against it. (Mood Lounge will also have the opportunity to present any settlement it may have reached with the Office of the Attorney General, which is the legal representative of the Board.) If Mood Lounge contests the charges, a show cause hearing will be held on May 2, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. At the show cause hearing, Mood Lounge will be required to show cuase why it should not be fined or have its licensed suspsended or revoked.

The charges against Mood Lounge are the following:

Mood Lounge interfered with an investigation of the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration
Mood Lounge failed to follow its security plan
Mood Lounge permitted the use of a controlled substance (marijuana) on its premises
Mood Lounge violated its voluntary agreement by playing excessively loud music (two charges)

The charges are described in more detail in the Board's notice of status and show cause hearings, which is after the jump.
Mood Lounge ABC Board Notice

Second Proposal for a Medical Marijuana Dispensary on the 1500 Block of 7th Street, NW

2012-02-14T11:17:00.002-05:00

As previously reported on this website, an organization named Compassion Centers of America, LLC, filed an application with the Department of Health (DOH) to locate a medical marijuana dispensary at 1539 7th Street, NW.

That wasn't the only application DOH received for the 1500 block of 7th Street, NW. A group called The Green House, LLC, filed an application to open a medical marijuana dispensary at 1537 7th Street, NW.

The Green House's application (heavily redacted by DOH), biographies of The Green House's key personnel, and an organizational narrative are after the jump. (The biographies and organizational narrative were distributed by ANC Commissioner Kevin Chapple. Commissioner Chapple has scheduled a public meeting on both applications for Friday, January 17, 2012; more information is after the jump.)

The District's medical marijuana law allows only 5 dispensaries, and 17 applications have been filed with the Department of Health. The Department of Health plans to announce the list of approved applications in the first week of May.

The location of a dispensary on 7th Street, NW, is not assured, but the fact that two applications were filed for 7th Street seems to increase the odds of a dispensary locating there. Do you think the 1500 block of 7th Street is a good location for a medical marijuana dispensary? Will it hurt the neighborhood's revitalization? Is it an important asset for those in need? Please post your comments.

A list of organizations that filed medical marijuana dispensary applications, DOH's review timeline, information on the upcoming ANC meeting, the application of The Green House, biographies of key personnel of The Green House, and The Green House's organizational narrative are all available after the jump.
List of Dispensary Applications
For a list of all of the proposed dispensary locations, visit the DOH website at http://bit.ly/wLtr5. (Note that The Green House's application is incorrectly listed as 1539 7th Street, SE, instead of 1539 7th Street, NW.)

Application Review Timeline
For a timeline of DOH's application review and approval process, visit http://bit.ly/zwQFNS.

ANC Meeting
ANC Commissioner Kevin Chapple has scheduled a public meeting to discuss the two proposals in advance of a full ANC meeting, where the Commission will vote on whether to support either of the applications. Commissioner Chapple's meeting will take place on Friday, February 17, 2012, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Kennedy Recreation Center.

Application of The Green House, LLC
[Note: This version of the application has been heavily redacted by the District government. Items that were required to be included the application but that were redacted by the District include a description of the nature of the planned operations, including hours; facility suitability information; a description of the dispensary's security plan; the business plan; and a list of sources of funds. (The application requirements can be viewed at http://bit.ly/zX6HcZ.)]

The Green House, LLC, Medical Marijuana Dispensary Application

Green House Key Personnel Bios and Organizational Narrative
[If you're using Internet Explorer, click here to open this document.]
The Green House, LLC, Key Personnel Bios and Organizational Narrative

Wanda Sykes is Howard Theatre's Opening Act

2012-02-13T17:48:00.003-05:00

An interesting tidbit of information ... Wanda Sykes is scheduled to perform at the Howard Theatre from April 13 through April 15, 2012 (see http://bit.ly/x0ZQQK). That's right after the theater's grand opening gala, scheduled for April 12 (http://www.howardtheatre.org/gala-tribute-concert.html). So it looks like Wanda Sykes will be the opening act for the reborn Howard Theatre. Tickets for the Wanda Sykes shows are now available.

Update: An apparent soft opening, featuring Wale, will take place on April 9. Tickets are available here.

Historic Preservation Hearing on Proposal to Demolish 1232-1236 New Jersey Avenue, NW, to be Held on February 16, 2012

2012-02-13T14:34:00.000-05:00

1232-1236 New Jersey Avenue, NW

A hearing will be held this week by the Mayor's Agent for Historic Preservation on the proposal to demolish the three buildings located at 1232-1236 New Jersey Avenue, NW, and owned by the Third Street Church of God. The church wants to demolish the buildings, which are located in the Mount Vernon Square Historic District, as part of a project to expand its parking lot.

Both the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) and Historic Preservation Office (a division of the Office of Planning) oppose demolition of the structures, although they support partial demolition of the rear of the structures.

However, the final decision (barring a lawsuit) will be made by the Mayor's Agent.

According to the Mayor's Agent notice, the church claims that failure to issue a permit to demolish the entire structures will result in unreasonable economic hardship to the church.

The Mayor's Agent hearing is scheduled for Thursday, February 16, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., at the Office of Planning, 1100 4th Street, SW, Suite E650.

A history of the raze permit request, along with links to prior HPRB documents are after the jump.

History of the Raze Permit Request

Parking lot adjacent to 1232-1236 New Jersey Avenue, NW

The church, as part of a June 2011 HPRB decision, originally agreed to retain the front portions of the buildings and only raze the rear portions of the buildings. After partial demolition began, however, the church, based on the condition of the structures, revised its request to seek permission to completely raze the structures.In November 2011, the HPRB staff recommended that the proposal to completely raze the structures be rejected, stating that the "rowhouses retain their historic integrity" and indicating that the deterioration of two of the rowhouses was due to the church's neglect of maintenance. The HPRB approved the staff recommendation at its November 2011 meeting.

Links to Documents

Third Street Church of God
(small portion of existing parking lot visible to right)

The notice of the Mayor's Agent hearing may be viewed at http://1.usa.gov/w1R6jK

The November 2011 HPRB staff report is available at http://1.usa.gov/zK8xzN (the HPRB's approval of the staff report is noted in the HPRB actions report available at http://1.usa.gov/xoNS9i).

The June 2011 HPRB staff report is available at http://1.usa.gov/yBpB2V

The June 2011 HPRB decision is available at http://1.usa.gov/AltgQ4

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Applicant for 1539 7th Street, NW, Provides Additional Information; Questions Raised Regarding Staff Bios

2012-02-10T17:46:00.001-05:00

Compassion Centers of America, LLC (CCA) — the applicant for a medical marijuana dispensary at 1539 7th Street, NW — provided ANC Commissioner Kevin Chapple with documents summarizing its proposed operations and describing the backgrounds of its key personnel.

Both documents appear after the jump, along with questions I have raised regarding the biographical information provided for two of the three key personnel of CCA.

Some interesting pieces of information from the summary document include the following:

Outside Appearance
Regarding the outside appearance of the dispensary, the summary document states that "[t]he appearance of our secure dispensary will be unremarkable and will feature minimal signage, none of which will include the word 'marijuana' or any visual depictions of marijuana. Only a green cross logo, a known symbol of a medical marijuana dispensary, will be visible on the front of the dispensary along with a small sign identifying the site as that of the Compassion Centers of America, LLC. No exterior signage will be illuminated."

Hours of Operation
Regarding hours of operations, the summary document states: "The dispensary business hours for patients and caregivers are Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Deliveries will only be accepted at the dispensary Monday – Saturday, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m."

Starting Date of Operations
The summary document states that CCA "plans to initiate permit applications for buildout immediately after receiving the approval for a medical marijuana dispensary permit on March 30, 2012 and after we have secured our license." It adds that "[t]he dispensary will be fully operational within five (5) months from issuance of a license, which will likely be in August 2012." Since the Department of Health does not plan to announce which applicants have been selected for licenses until May 4, 2012 (see http://bit.ly/zwQFNS), the starting date information in the summary document appears to be incorrect or outdated.

Shuttle and Valet Service
Interestingly, both shuttle bus and valet service will be provided. The summary document states, "In order to ensure the safety of our patients and to prevent the theft of medical marijuana from them, CCA will provide shuttle service to the Shaw-Howard University Metro stop, as well as valet service in front of the building for patients who drove to the dispensary."

More Information...
The complete summary document and the staff bios appear after the jump. Also appearing after the jump are questions I have raised regarding the staff bios.

CCA Summary DocumentCCA Dispensary Summary of Operations

Questions Regarding CCA Staff Bios
(view the key personnel bio document at http://www.scribd.com/doc/81233813/CCA-Staff-Bios)

Chris Gard
Chris Gard's bio states that he is the director of Allied Gardens Patients Collective a "premier medical marijuana dispensary in San Diego". A Google search revealed no hits for "Allied Gardens Patients Collective" and, based on a Google search, no medical marijuana dispensary with the name "Allied Gardens" appears to exist in San Diego. In addition, a Google search for the terms "Chris Gard" and "medical marijuana" appearing together revealed no relevant hits.

Justin Jarin
Justin Jarin's bio states that he is the director of "Compassionate Care Patients Collective in San Francisco, a premiere medical marijuana dispensary in San Francisco." A Google search revealed three hits for "Compassionate Care Patients Collective", none of which indicated that "Compassionate Care Patients Collective" was a medical marijuana dispensary. It does appear that "Compassionate Care Patients Collective" is a California corporation, however, so it could operate a dispensary under a different name. If that is the case, however, it is odd that the bio would not simply list the buisness name of the dispensary. In addition, a Google search for the terms "Justin Jarin" and "medical marijuana" appearing together revealed no relevant hits.

Who Owns 1539 7th Street, NW (the Site of the Proposed Medical Marijuana Dispensary)?

2012-02-08T19:13:00.001-05:00

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to engage with the owners of 1539 7th Street, NW, who appear to be willing to lease space in that building for a medical marijuana dispensary? Well, although it appears that the owners of the Shaw business Blue Skye Development and Construction are also the owners of 1539 7th Street, NW, Blue Skye has failed to respond to my requests for comment on the proposed medical marijuana dispensary. I am hopeful that by bringing this information to the attention of Shaw residents, the owners will engage in a discussion with the community.

More information on my search for the owners is after the jump.

If you have any additional information about who owns the building, or how to contact them, please email me or post your information in the comments section.

Who Owns 1539 7th Street, NW?
As community discussion of the proposal to locate a medical marijuana dispensary at 1539 7th Street, NW, has continued, one question that I haven't seen answered is who owns that location -- and why the owner is (presumably) willing to lease the site to a medical marijuana dispensary and what the owner's reaction is to community opposition to the proposal.

I believe I've determined the answer to the first question—who the owner is—but because my emails and phone call to the likely owner have gone without responses, I have had no success in getting answers to the remaining questions.

According to the real property tax database maintained by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), the 1539 7th Street, NW, is owned by "1539 7th Street NW LLC". But who actually owns "1539 7th Street NW LLC"—a limited liability company (LLC) structure often used in real estate transactions—is not information provided by the OCFO database. Moreover, no information on the LLC was readily apparent on the corporations information section of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.

A search of the Recorder of Deeds records, however, provided much more useful information. A December 2010 filing indicates (as shown in the image below) that George Mavrikes is the general manager of 1539 7th Street NW LLC:

In addition, a 2006 filing in the Recorder of Deeds indicates (as shown below) that Bryan Irving, George Mavrikes, and Scott Whittier own 1539 7th Street NW LLC:

So who are Bryan Irving, George Mavrikes, and Scott Whittier? They're apparently the founders and partners of Blue Skye Development and Construction, as shown in the following website image:

Blue Skye "About Us" webpage

Blue Skye also appears to be located at 1539 7th Street, NW, according to its website (and as indicated by a sign on the building).

Based on this information, I sent multiple emails to the company (to the email of the one owner whose email address I could locate) and left a voice message at the phone number listed on Blue Skye's website. To date, I have had no response. If I receive any response from the owners of Blue Skye/1539 7th Street LLC, I will post them to this site.

JBG Florida Avenue Project: New Renderings

2012-02-06T18:15:00.000-05:00

UrbanTurf has posted updated renderings of the JBG project planned for Florida Avenue, NW, between 7th and 9th Streets. Check out the renderings at http://bit.ly/wG0wiS.

According to the JBG website,"the lots of the Florida Avenue Project are 15,956 square feet, 8,621 square feet and 3,799 square feet respectively, totaling 28,376 square feet." Also according to JBG, "preliminary feasibility studies for the project have included a mixed-use plan with residential units above a retail podium, conforming to the Duke [Framework] Plan that seeks to establish “a cultural destination district within in the greater Shaw/U Street neighborhood”."

The Duke Framework Plan, a product of the District's Office of Planning that establishes goals for the redevelopment of the 7th Street/Georgia Avenue and U Street/Florida Avenue commercial corridors in the vicinity of 7th and U Streets, NW, can be viewed at http://1.usa.gov/xjKwfZ.

Interactive Map of Vacant and Blighted Buildings in Shaw

2012-02-03T17:23:00.001-05:00

After attending the ANC2C meeting this past Wednesday (February 1, 2012) — at which one of the topics of discussion was the vacant buildings on 9th Street, NW, owned by Shiloh Baptist Church — it occurred to me that it might be helpful to have a map showing all of the buildings in the Shaw area that have been designated as vacant or blighted by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). So, based on data available online from DCRA, I've created an interactive blighted/vacant buildings map, which is available after the jump.

Under District law, vacant buildings are taxed at a rate that is about 6 times higher than the rate for occupied residential buildings and blighted buildings are taxed at a rate that is over 11 times higher than the rate for occupied residential buildings. Therefore, designation of a building as vacant or blighted creates a significant incentive for the owner to redevelop, rehabilitate, or sell the property, ultimately improving quality of life in the neighborhood.

The map allows residents to see which buildings in the Shaw area have been designated as blighted, which have been designated as vacant only, and which have been designated as exempt.

The map will also help residents ensure that all buildings that should be designated as vacant or blighted are actually designated, by reporting any vacant buildings that are not included on the map. If you know of any blighted or vacant building that are missing from the map, please add a comment to the post (and please also consider contacting DCRA at vacantproperty@dc.gov to report the property). Please note that vacant land (that is, empty lots) is not covered by the vacant/blighted property law and therefore are not included on the map.

I will also be adding any relevant notes to each property, if I receive notes from readers or from DCRA. Please leave a comment, or email me directly, with any information that should be added as notes (such as historical information regarding the property, links to stories about the property, etc.).

The map is after the jump. The DCRA standards for designating vacant and blighted buildings, and the exemptions from the vacant and blighted building law, are also after the jump.

Map of Blighted, Vacant, and Exempt Properties in the Shaw Area
Click on a marker in the map below to view the property status (vacant, blighted, or exempt), the property address, the square and lot, and any relevant notes.

Blighted building (DCRA August 2011 list)	Vacant building (DCRA August 2011 list)
Exempt building (DCRA August 2011 list)	Under rehabilitation/rehabilitated (based on personal or reader observation)
Vacant or blighted building (not on DCRA August 2011 list)

p.s. If anyone has experience with creating interactive Google maps and would be willing to provide technical advice to improve the features of this and other maps, please contact me at eastshawdc@gmail.com.

Please note the following:

The area covered by the map is between 10th Street, NW, and 3rd Street, NW (from west to east) and roughly between New York Avenue, NW, and Florida Avenue, NW (from south to north).
The information shown for each building includes the address, square and lot, and status (blighted, vacant, exempt). The DCRA data does not include ownership information nor does it include the reason for a property's exemption.
Vacant lots are not covered by the law, so they are not included on the map.
The latest data available on the DCRA website is from August 2011. I have requested more recent data from DCRA and will update the map if/when more recent data is received.
The “Note for Blighted Properties” field provides information from the DCRA dataset. If there is no DCRA note for a blighted property, I have filled the field with “None”; if the property is vacant or exempt, I have filled the field with “Not applicable”.
"Under rehabilitation" indicates that the building is on the August 2011 vacant/blighted building list, but appears to be currently under active rehabilitation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The questions and answers below are based largely on information from the DCRA website. The words and sentences in quotation marks are direct quotes from District law or the DCRA website.

What is a Vacant Building?
Generally, a vacant building is a building that is not “occupied continuously”. [D.C. Code § 42-3131.05(5)]

“In determining whether a building is vacant, DCRA must consider whether the building has:

low or no utilities usage;
an accumulation of mail;
a lack of furniture or window coverings;
open accessibility;
deferred maintenance, including loose or falling gutters, severe paint chipping, or overgrown grass;
been the subject of neighbor complaints about the property; and
been boarded up.”

Note: To be designated as a vacant building, the entire building must be vacant. In addition, vacant lots are not subject to registration.

What is a Blighted Building?
A blighted building is a vacant building that has been determined by DCRA to be “unsafe, insanitary, or which is otherwise determined to threaten the health, safety, or general welfare of the community.”

“In determining whether a vacant building is blighted, DCRA inspectors may consider:

Whether the building is the subject of a condemnation proceeding before the Board for the Condemnation of Insanitary Buildings;
Whether the building is boarded up; and
Whether the building violates several of the building maintenance standards, such as:

Doors, windows and other openings are secured against unauthorized entry;
The exterior walls are free of holes, graffiti, and loose or rotting materials, and any exposed metal or wood surfaces are protected against decay or rust; and
Any balconies, metal awnings, stairways, fire escapes, exhaust ducts, and chimneys are anchored, structurally safe, in good condition, and protected against decay or rust.”

Note: According to DCRA, vacant lots cannot be designated as vacant or blighted.

What Vacant and Blighted Buildings are Exemption from the Law?
The exemptions from the vacant/blighted property law are the following:

Active construction: “[A]ny building that is “under active construction or undergoing active rehabilitation, renovation, or repair” with a valid building permit that was issued or renewed within a year of the required registration date may claim an exemption … DCRA will grant a building permit exemption only if the property owner has obtained the permits required to “make the building fit for occupancy.” … Additionally, to grant the exemption, DCRA will require that construction be conducted on a regular, ongoing basis.”

Actively being offered for rent or sale: “[A]n exemption may be granted if a vacant building’s owner or agent has been “actively seeking in good faith” to rent or sell the building.”

Undue economic hardship: “[A]n exemption may be granted in extraordinary circumstances for substantial undue economic hardship. Such an exemption is issued only on a case-by-case basis….”

Probate: “[A] vacant building may qualify for an exemption if it is the subject of a probate proceeding or its title is in litigation.”

Development approval pending: “[An] exemption may be granted if the vacant building is the subject of a pending application for development approval before the Board of Zoning Adjustment, the Zoning Commission, the Commission on Fine Arts, the Historic Preservation Review Board, the Mayor’s Agent for Historic Preservation, or the National Capital Planning Commission.”

Note: For all of the exemptions, there is a generally a time limit on how long the exemption can last.

The following exemptions exist for government-owned property:

Federal government buildings: “[A] vacant building has a permanent exemption if it is owned by the federal government, a foreign government, or their instrumentalities. These vacant buildings neither need to be registered with DCRA, nor have to pay the registration fee.”

District government buildings: “[V]acant buildings owned by the District government or its instrumentalities must be registered, but are exempt from paying the registration fee. No federal, foreign, or District government-owned vacant building is subject to the higher property tax rates.”

What are the Vacant and Blighted Building Tax Rates?
• Vacant buildings are taxed at a rate of $5 per every $100 of assessed value.
• Blighted buildings are taxed at a rate of $10 per every $100 of assessed value.

Note: The tax rate for non-vacant/blighted residential property is $0.85 per every $100 of assessed value.

What's Going on at ... 8th and P Streets, NW?

2012-01-31T17:27:00.001-05:00

Here's what's going on ... The project planned for the northeast corner of 8th and P Streets, NW, looks like it will be a great addition to the Shaw neighborhood. For now called simply "751 P Street Condominium", the development will consist of 12 condominiums in a structure designed to look like a row of 6 townhouses. The condominiums will be 2-bedroom units, each with 2 or 2.5 bathrooms and over 1150 square feet.

As of January 31, 2012, the developer was "hoping to have all of our construction permits any day and plan[ning] to break ground and start construction as soon as they are obtained." Once construction starts, the developer expects the project to take about 5 months to complete.

Check out a larger project image, the site plan, floor plans, and a link to the project website (providing many more details about the units) after the jump.
751 P Street Condominium Project website: http://www.capcityre.com/751-p-street-nw.

751 P Street, NW, Project Plan

751 P Street, NW, Site Plan

751 P Street, NW, Floor Plans

Discover the Arts in Shaw: Shaw Art Walk to be Held on Februrary 8, 2012

2012-01-29T17:56:00.003-05:00

Shaw Art Walk

Shaw Main Streets has announced that a new event, the Shaw Art Walk, will be held on February 8, 2012. (See http://www.shawmainstreets.org/events/shaw_art_walk.) The Shaw Art Walk will include a guided tour of the Washington Convention Center's $4 million art collection and extended hours at six Shaw art galleries, all adjacent to or within a block of the convention center.

For information on the convention center tour, which begins at 6:30 p.m. (suggested arrival time is 6:15 p.m.), see the previous EastShawDC post at http://eastshawdc.blogspot.com/2012/01/tour-convention-center-art-collection.html.

The list of the art galleries participating in the Shaw Art Walk, all of which will extend their hours until 9:00 p.m., are after the jump.

Galleries participating in the 2012 Shaw Art Walk:

Civilian Art Projects, 1019 7th Street, NW,
http://civilianartprojects.com/

Contemporary Wing, 1250 9th Street, NW, http://contemporarywing.com/

Lamont Bishop Gallery, 1314 9th Street, NW,
http://lamontbishop.com/

Long View Gallery, 1234 9th Street, NW, http://www.longviewgallerydc.com/

Maruka Gallery and Boutique, 1300 9th Street, NW,
http://marukadc.com/

Touchstone Gallery, 901 New York Avenue, NW, http://touchstonegallery.com/

Shaw Main Streets' Shaw Art Walk Press Release

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Community Meeting Rescheduled to February 17, 2012

2012-01-28T12:10:00.002-05:00

The community meeting on the proposed medical marijuana dispensary on the 1500 block of 7th Street, NW, originally scheduled for Friday, January 27, 2012, has been rescheduled to Friday, February 17, 2012. The meeting will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will take place at the Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th Street, NW.

Please view my earlier post on this issue at http://eastshawdc.blogspot.com/2012/01/medical-marijuana-dispensary-proposed.html for further information.

Bundy Field Renovations Underway; Completion Expected at End of February

2012-01-27T17:19:00.000-05:00

The renovations to the District-owned Bundy Field, on the 400 block of P Street, NW, are underway. The project includes a total renovation of the existing field -- replacing the current field with a multipurpose turf field striped for soccer, lacrosse, and softball -- and creation of space for a dog park.

The project is a joint venture of the District government, KIPP DC (which runs the WILL Academy and Grow Academy across the street from the Bundy Field), and the U.S. Soccer Foundation. According to KIPP DC, the renovations have been funded primarily by KIPP DC and the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the project should be completed by late February.

As to the field's future use, "the field will have shared usage between KIPP DC and the greater Shaw community. The District Department of General Services and a community-based organization that is currently forming will decide when/how the field is used. Scheduling of field time will not go through KIPP DC, but will instead go through the Department of General Services."

In addition, according to KIPP DC's Winter 2011 newsletter, "the U.S. Soccer Foundation will be leading soccer coaching lessons for both KIPP DC students and neighborhood children."

View images of the project plans, along with an existing view of the site, after the jump.
According to the Winter 2011 newsletter of KIPP DC (which occupies the former Scott Montgomery School)

Existing site (view from Google Maps):

View Larger Map


Site plan

Site plan schematic

Agenda Announced for ANC2C Meeting to be Held on February 1, 2012

2012-01-25T22:06:00.000-05:00

The agenda has been set for the February 1, 2012, meeting of ANC 2C. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Shaw Library, 1630 7th Street, NW.

Agenda items include the vacant property tax issue regarding the properties on the 1500 block of 9th Street, NW, owned by Shiloh Baptist Church; the application for a medical marijuana dispensary on the 1500 block of 7th Street, NW (see my earlier post at); and recommendations regarding the planned sale of the District-owned parcel at the northeast corner of 7th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW.

The full agenda is after the jump.

Agenda
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
2. Approval of Agenda
3. PSA 308 Report: Metropolitan Police Department
4. Shiloh Baptist Church 2010 Vacant Property Taxes (1500 Block of 9th Street, NW): Presentation on Changes to Classification, Assessments and Collection of Back Taxes (Office of Tax and Revenue and Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs)
5. Medical Marijuana Dispensary Applications (1537 and 1539 7th Street, NW): Consideration of Commission Position on Applications from Greenhouse and Compassion Care Centers (Department of Health)
6. Parcel 42 (Northeast corner of 7th and R Streets, NW): Request for Commission Recommendations re: RFP (Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development)
7. Parcel 26 (Vacant Lot between 1730 and 1748 7th Street, NW): Request for Support for Support of Interim Use of Lot for Playground (Lincoln Westmoreland Housing)
8. 1135 6th Street, NW: Request for Support for Zoning Relief and Historic Preservation Review (S2 Development)
9. Termination of Participation Agreement between New Jersey and H Limited Partnership and Joshua Group: Request for Commission Support as Signatory to 1990 Agreement
10. New Verizon Center Signage (601 F Street, NW): Request for Support for Revised Proposal (Monumental Sports)
11. Walk for Lupus Now, April 21, 2012: Request for Support for Street Closures (Lupus Foundation of America, DC/ MD/VA Chapter)
12. National Police Week 5K Race, May 12, 2012: Request for Support for Street Closures
13. Scope-It-Out 5K Race, March 25, 2012: Request for Support for Street Closures (Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation)
14. Cassidy Turley Race for Hope 5K, May 6, 2012: Request for Support for Street Closures (National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure)
15. Marion Street Intergenerational Garden (1519 Marion Street, NW): Presentation on Events and Volunteer Opportunities (City Blossoms)
16. Other New Business
17. Old Business
18. Approval of Minutes of 01/04/12 Meeting
19. Approval of Treasurer’s Report
20. Approval of Quarterly Report for First Quarter FY2012
21. Approval of Expenses
22. Announcements
23. Next Meeting
24. Adjournment

Tour the Convention Center Art Collection on February 8

2012-01-25T18:35:00.000-05:00

Update: The convention center art tour will be part of the Shaw Art Walk. For more information on the Shaw Art Walk, view the EastShaw DC post at http://eastshawdc.blogspot.com/2012/01/discover-arts-in-shaw-shaw-art-walk-to.html.

Did you know that the convention center has an art collection valued at over $4 million? The convention center periodically offer curator-led tours of the collection, and the next tour is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. The tour is expected to last 1 to 1.5 hours.

Information on how to register, and a link to images from the collection, are after the jump.

Space is limited. You may pre-register by calling 202-249-3200.

View images of a small portion of the collection at http://www.dcconvention.com/PressRoom/VideoAndImageGallery/Art.aspx.

UPDATED: Residential Project Proposed for 7th and P Streets, NW (northeast corner)

2012-01-24T23:10:00.000-05:00

Updated: View historical information on this site, including its prior uses as a hotel and as a "colored men's club" of the Salvation Army, along with historic photos from 1925 and 1968 (post-riot), after the jump.

[Original post from January 12, 2012] Housing Complex reports that Valor Development is proposing at 66-unit residential development at the northeast corner of 7th and P Streets, NW. The project would rise to 50 feet along 7th Street and would include ground-floor retail. It would be built partly on privately owned land and partly on land that the developer wants to purchase from the District government.

Read the article at : http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2012/01/03/valor-developments-on-a-roll-plans-66-units-in-shaw/
Also see the project plans at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/77087179/Valor-Development-631-P-Street-Lot-RLA-Parcel-Plans

View historical information on this site, including historic photos, after the jump.

From the Historic Survey of Shaw East (Kelsey & Associates, 2001-2): "The impressive house that once stood on [the] northeast corner of 7th and P Street[s, NW,] was built before 1874 for William F. Thyson. He owned the majority of Square 445 at the time, and he and his extended family began to subdivide it and sell of portions of it in April and May of 1878...." See the full text below or at http://scr.bi/Ae4Dd4.

History of 7th and P Parcel (2 Pages)

Washington Auto Show Starts at the Convention Center this Friday

2012-01-24T18:17:00.002-05:00

The Washington Auto Show (http://www.washingtonautoshow.com) returns to Shaw's backyard at the convention center, offering the opportunity to view hundreds of makes and models of cars from over 35 manufacturers.

The show also includes a 65,000 square foot exhibit called “Advanced Technology SuperHighway”, which displays innovations in automotive safety and green technology. According to the Auto Show website, this exhibit "tells the story of the range of solutions revolutionizing the automotive industry, showcasing developments in electric, hybrid, hydrogen, clean diesel, natural gas, ethanol, biofuel and advanced petroleum technologies— and the very latest thinking in automotive safety."

The show lasts for 10 days, from Friday, January 27, to Sunday, February 5.

Hours and ticket information are after the jump.

If you know of any discount ticket options, please post them in the comments section.

Hours
Friday, January 27, 2012, noon - 10:00 pm
Saturday, January 28, 2012, 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sunday, January 29, 2012, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Monday, January 30, 2012, noon - 9:00 pm
Tuesday, January 31, 2012, noon - 9:00 pm
Wednesday, February 1, 2012, noon - 9:00 pm
Thursday, February 2, 2012, noon - 9:00 pm
Friday, February 3, 2012, noon - 10:00 pm
Saturday, February 4, 2012, 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sunday, February 5, 2012, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

(Note: There is no entry one hour prior to show closing)

Tickets
Adults: $12
Children: Ages 6-11: $5; Under 6: free
Discounts: Senior citizens, $2 off adult ticket with ID; Military personnel: $2 off adult ticket with ID
Tickets may be purchased at the convention center during the show hours or online at http://www.washingtonautoshow.com/public/show-info/tickets.

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Proposed for 1500 Block of 7th Street; Public Meeting Scheduled

2012-01-23T18:50:00.000-05:00

An application to locate a medical marijuana dispensary at 1539 7th Street, NW (Google Maps Street View: http://bit.ly/yekfIu), has been filed by Compassion Centers of America, LLC, with the District's Department of Health (DOH). A dispensary is a location where patients and caregivers can pick up prescriptions of marijuana for qualifying medical conditions under the District's recently enacted medical marijuana law.

ANC Commissioner Kevin Chapple has scheduled a public meeting to discuss the proposal in advance of a full ANC meeting, where the Commission will vote on whether to support the application. Commissioner Chapple's meeting will take place on Friday, February 17, 2012 ~~January 27, 2012~~. [The meeting date was changed after this post was originally published.] (More information on the meeting is after the jump.)

The District's medical marijuana law allows only 5 dispensaries, and 17 applications have been filed with the Department of Health, so the location of a dispensary on 7th Street is not assured. (A list of all of the proposed dispensary locations is after the jump.)

Do you think this is a good location for a dispensary? Will it hurt the neighborhood's revitalization? Is it an important asset for those in need? Please post your comments!

More information, including a copy of the application (redacted by the District government) is after the jump.

List of Dispensary Applications
For a list of all of the proposed dispensary locations, visit the DOH website at http://bit.ly/wLtr5.

Application Review Timeline
For a timeline of DOH's application review and approval process, visit http://bit.ly/zwQFNS.

Text of Commissioner Chapple's Meeting Notice [Note: The community meeting has been rescheduled to Friday, February 17, 2012.]
During the February 1, 2012 ANC 2C meeting, ANC 2C will be ask[ed] to support the application of one of two entities vying to open a legal Medical Marijuana Dispensary which would be located in the 1500 block of 7th Street NW. Because of the limited time afforded for questions during ANC meetings, I will be hosting a community meeting so concerned residents will have more time to have their concerns and questions addressed. The only day I was able to secure a meeting space after business hours is on Friday, January 27, 2011 at the Kennedy Recreation Center 7 - 9pm. Officials from the DC Dept. of Health will be present to inform and address any questions regarding the DC laws regulating Medical Marijuana Dispensaries as well as representatives of the two entities submitting their applications to the DC Dept of Health. All are invited and encouraged to attend so your concerns and questions may be addressed and you will have an opportunity to voice your opinion regarding this issue. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me
Kevin L Chapple
Commissioner, ANC 2C02
Vice-Chair and Treasurer of ANC 2C
P.O. Box 26064
Washington, DC 20001
202-449-5072

Application of Compassion Centers of America
[Note: This version of the application has been heavily redacted by the District government. Items that were required to be included the application but that were redacted by the District include a description of the nature of the planned operations, including hours; facility suitability information; a description of the dispensary's security plan; the business plan; and a list of sources of funds. (The application requirements can be viewed at http://bit.ly/zX6HcZ.) I have requested the complete application from the applicant and will provide updated information if it is received.]

CCA Medical Marijuana Dispensary Application Redacted)

BicycleSpace Moving to 7th Street in Shaw!

2012-01-23T17:00:00.002-05:00

BicycleSpace (http://bicyclespacewdc.com/) has announced that it will be moving to 1019 7th Street, NW, next to the Passenger bar. BicycleSpace is currently located at 459 I Street, NW, and describes itself as "a refreshingly community oriented bicycle shop located in the heart of the city. Traditionally-styled bikes, friendly, knowledgeable service, and everything you need to make your ride the best part of your day."

BicycleSpace not only sells and repairs bikes, but it also holds group bike rides, flat tire repair classes, and non-bike events like yoga and hula hoop classes.

Check out BicycleSpace's announcement (and view a picture of the new location) after the jump.

BicycleSpace announcement (http://bit.ly/zTejvE):

BicycleSPACE is Moving! New Location Announced

One year and a half ago, BicycleSPACE opened in the dynamic neighborhood of Mount Vernon Triangle with the mission of growing bike culture in the District's urban core. We set our sights on transforming a run-down truck repair depot, which had incredible potential to service bicycle riders due to its industrial character and large open space. Abruptly, fast changing economic realities caught up to us, and soon after settling into the area our building was sold and slated for demolition to make room for additional residents. Disappointing, sure--but in the face of this foreboding omen, we remained resolute to make our mark on the city and we began searching for a new location that could enable a continuous connection with the incredibly supportive downtown community.

Having swiftly become "the most liked bike shop in DC," we were offered numerous intriguing options. Though smaller than our original space and some of the places we looked at, our new location at 1019 7th Street NW, will allow us to build on what we had started on I Street. Situated just north of New York Avenue and within a few short blocks of our original space, it has exciting possibilities.

Formerly having been both an art gallery and hardware store, and anchoring a traditional retail corridor, it now occupies a lively spot next to the Passenger bar and the coming Living Social headquarters. The most apparent feature from the sidewalk is the large bay window, which will challenge us to enrich the streetscape with interesting displays. Upon entry, there is a sense of lived-in charm and a warm, comfortable feel which will complement our selection of bicycles and accessories. In the back, there is a connection to the Warehouse Theatre, a venue with ample space to accommodate community events like those for which we have become known. We will continue to host the most group rides of any bicycle shop in the city as well as other free activities.

Our service area will retain its ample capacity and enable our knowledgeable mechanics to continue to provide swift, high-quality repair work. We will also have plenty of space to continue to stock and display the most useful and desirable bicycles and accessories for the local market.

Lastly, our choice allows us to be clear of the construction that is scheduled to be taking place in almost every corner of the Mount Vernon Triangle. As the dust settles and the streetscape improves, we will select a permanent home--back in the Triangle. Our neighborhood is changing rapidly and we are committed to grow with it and be a driving force for a positive culture shift as more and more people choose to get around with the utility and style of a stately bicycle.

Shaw's Tavern License Application

2012-01-21T10:37:00.000-05:00

If you're interested in viewing the liquor license application for Shaw's Tavern, I've posted it after the jump.

The application describes the establishment as "Gastro pub style American food, huge selection of craft beers and wine. Gourmet coffee and desserts. ... Jazz and classical music as live entertainment." The application lists the maximum number of seats as 245, which is more than I would have expected.

View the application after the jump and please post your thoughts in the comments section.

View the application below or at http://scr.bi/wtwhhP.

Mood Lounge Order Imposes Conditions, Requires Status Hearing within 45 Days

2012-01-20T18:28:00.001-05:00

The Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board issued its official order on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, regarding the reinstatement of Mood Lounge's alcoholic beverage license. The order requires that the following conditions be met:

Licensee may not use any outside promoters in any aspectof its business.
Licensee shall undertake security training for securitypersonnel and managers, and alcohol awareness training for all employees. Newemployees will be trained within 30 days of their hire, and refresher courseswill be offered annually to all employees. The owner shall receive bothsecurity and alcohol awareness training.
Licensee shall submit within 30 days, an updated SecurityPlan that meets the Board’s satisfaction to include the following items: (a) How the establishment will handle assaults, fights orverbal altercations that occur on or near the premises; (b) The establishment’s process for notifying MPD; (c) A detailed description of the establishment’s newlyinstalled camera security system, regarding operability, coverage and locationof cameras. This includes a requirement that video footage be recorded for 30days and is made available within 48 hours to law enforcement and ABRAinvestigators; (d) Outside security procedures; (e) Patron ejection protocol; (f) Policy prohibiting patrons under the age of 21; (g) Procedures for preserving a known crime scene; and (h) Creation and maintenance of a security log.

The order also requires Mood Lounge to "return in 45 days for a SummarySuspension Status Hearing to demonstrate progress or completion" of the conditions. This should provide an opportunity for the community to provide input on whether conditions related to noise and public order have improved.

View the order ABC Board below or at http://scr.bi/A46tu7.

Mood Lounge Reinstatement Order

UPDATED: Shaw's Tavern Alcoholic Beverage License Hearing Scheduled for March 12, 2012; License Could Be Issued Earlier

2012-01-18T23:23:00.003-05:00

It ~~looks like it will~~ could be at least two more months before Shaw's Tavern can open. The District's Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) issued a notice setting March 12, 2012, as the date for the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board's hearing on the Shaw's Tavern alcoholic beverage license application. And the wait may be even longer than two months -- it appears that under District law, the ABC Board has 90 days after the hearing to issue a decision.

Update: District law allows a temporary liquor license (called a "stipulated license") to be issued before the hearing if the license application has the support of the ANC, so there's a chance Shaw's Tavern can open before the hearing date. ANC 2C voted to support a stipulated license in December. The letter of support can be viewed at http://scr.bi/yElbzu. According to a contact at ABRA, Shaw's Tavern has not yet filed for a stipulated license; if it does, the earliest the application could be reviewed by the Board is likely to be at the Board's February 1 meeting.

View the hearing notice below or on the ABRA website at http://bit.ly/xj4uWr.

Shaws Tavern ABRA Hrg Notice

Progression Place for Sale

2012-01-17T21:49:00.000-05:00

The Washington Business Journal and CityBiz report that Progression Place has been placed on the market and is expected to sell for more than $130 million. Progression Place is the mixed-use project adjacent to the Shaw/Howard University Metrorail station at 7th and S Streets, NW, which most notably will house the headquarters of the United Negro College Fund.

At this point, it doesn't seem like the sale will have a practical impact on the development itself, but this is an interesting bit of news nonetheless.

To read the CityBiz article, which includes a description of the project and the condominium arrangement for the property, go to http://bit.ly/xFZrBA.

To read the Washington Business Journal article, which indicates (via Jones Lang Lasalle, which is marketing the property) that the current owner (Four Points LLC) had not planned to be a long-term owner of the project and wants to sell the property to raise capital for other of its projects, go to http://bit.ly/z69ryg.

East Shaw Crime Report for Monday, January 9, 2012, through Sunday, January 15, 2012

2012-01-17T19:09:00.001-05:00

Below is a compilation of crimes reported in the East Shaw area from Monday, January 9, 2012, through Sunday, January 15, 2012. The data is organized by Patrol Service Areas (PSAs). For a map of the Third District PSAs, go to http://www.scribd.com/doc/78578773.

MVSNA Meeting Scheduled for January 17; Includes Discussion of Hoagie House, 1232-1236 New Jersey Avenue Properties, 460 New York Avenue, NW

2012-01-16T10:27:00.000-05:00

The Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association (MVSNA) announced on its blog today that it will be holding a meeting tomorrow, January 17, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the lobby of the Yale Condominiums at 437 New York Avenue, NW. Items on the agenda include three projects of particular interest:

Hoagie House, at 4th and N Streets, NW: "What would we like to see or not see open there?"
1232-1236 New Jersey Avenue, NW: "Despite community, ANC and Historic Preservation opposition, the 3rd Street Church of God is appealing to the Mayor's Agent to allow them to knock 3 houses down for parking. The hearing will be in February."
460 New York Avenue, NW: "Presentation - Jeff Utz of Goulston & Storrs. The big brick box across from Safeway. How will they park? Come find out!"

For the complete agenda, visit the MVSNA blog at http://lifein.mvsna.org/index.cfm/2012/1/16/Next-MVSNA-Meeting-117

For more information on the MVSNA itself, visit their website at http://mvsna.org.

Mood Lounge License Reinstated

2012-01-15T16:18:00.001-05:00

Update: See the reinstatement order, including the conditions it imposes, at http://eastshawdc.blogspot.com/2012/01/mood-lounge-order-imposes-conditions.html.

NBC4 is reporting that Mood Lounge's license was reinstated after Friday's Alcoholic Beverage Control Board hearing. NBC4 reports that the ABC Board "made the decision to restore the Mood Lounge's liquor license Friday night after an all-day meeting. The move clears the way for the club to re-open its doors."

Read the full NBC4 story at http://bit.ly/A5i4mr.

WJLA has a similar report at http://wj.la/x57tr3

New PSA Boundaries for East Shaw; Neighborhood-Specific MPD and Crime Information

2012-01-14T17:38:00.002-05:00

On January 1, 2012, MPD revised the boundaries of the District's police districts and also updated the boundaries of each police service area (PSA). The East Shaw area is located in the Third District (3D) and most of the East Shaw neighborhood is located in PSA 308. Each PSA generally has its own lieutenant, captain, and police officers assigned to it and can be helpful in responding to your concerns, answering questions, and meeting with community groups.

View the PSA 308 boundaries and contact information for the PSA 308 lietenant and captain (and general 3D contact information) at http://bit.ly/yO3KCW. View all of the 3D PSA boundaries and PSA contact information at http://1.usa.gov/xmorki .

Other ways to get involved and get information include the following:

PSA Meetings: Each PSA holds monthly meetings on neighborhood crime and public safety issues. According to the MPD website, the PSA 308 meeting is held every second Thursday of the month, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Third District Headquarters at 1620 V Street, NW.

MPD 3D Listserve: The MPD 3D Listserve provides daily crime reports (listing each reported crime and its time, location, and type). daily arrest reports (listing each arrest and arrestee's name, time and location of arrest, and type of crime), and other news and information related to public safety. Join the listserve at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MPD-3D/. View a sample daily crime report at http://bit.ly/yOV7ow; view a sample daily arrest report at http://bit.ly/zmhPNz.

Hoagie House at 4th and N Streets, NW, Sold for Development

2012-01-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

The CityPaper's Housing Complex blog is reporting that the Hoagie House property at 4th and N Streets, NW, has been sold and will be devloped into apartments with a cafe on the ground floor. The property was sold to Abbas Fahti, the former owner of Shaw's Tavern (who was denied a liquor license by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board).

Housing Complex also reports that the property was sold by ONE Ministries LLC, which had previously planned to convert the property into a facility for after-school youth programs.

View the Housing Complex post at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2012/01/12/hoagie-house-owners-throw-in-the-towel-sell-building-for-apartments-and-a-cafe/.

For a little more history on the previously planned project, view an older Housing Complex post at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2011/07/15/hoagie-house-owner-gets-a-pass/.

Study Released on Development Around Green Line Stations, Including Shaw

2012-01-12T23:44:00.002-05:00

The Capitol Riverfront BID released a study on development along the Green Line between the Georgia Avenue/Petworth and Navy Yard stations. The goal of the study was to "examine the changes that have occurred in communities along Metro’s Green Line Corridor study area ... since the opening of Metro’s Green Line service." The report states that its findings "reveal that the Green Line corridor plays a central and critical role in the District’s and the region’s population growth, job creation, and investment, and will likely be an engine of future economic growth." The report includes a good amount of Shaw-specific data, including income, jobs, housing prices, residential development forecasts, and retail and office demand.

Check out the report below or at http://www.capitolriverfront.org/_files/docs/fullreportgreenprintgrowth.pdf and please post any thoughts or interesting information in the comments section.

Fitness Expo at the Convention Center this Weekend

2012-01-12T23:14:00.000-05:00

The 19th NBC4 Fitness Expo will be held at the convention center this weekend. Admission is free. The Expo is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Expo bills itself as "the largest free consumer health event in the country, with close to 200 exhibitors and 87,000+ attendees."

The Expo includes:
Free health tests and screenings (including asthma, blood pressure, HIV, cholesterol, and glacoma; )
Free Zumba classes (pre-registration required; click here to pre-register)
This past season’s Biggest Loser first and second place runners up
Activities and demos (including cooking and dancing)
Forums (including autism, obesity, and women's health)

Check out the website at http://www.nbcwashington.com/on-air/community/NBC4-Health-And-Fitness-Expo-2011.html for more information.
You also might want to check out their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/NBC4-Health-Fitness-Expo/261819440526025?sk=info#!/pages/NBC4-Health-Fitness-Expo/261819440526025?sk=info

Mood Lounge Hearing to Be Held Friday, January 13

2012-01-11T23:37:00.004-05:00

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board's hearing on whether to suspend the license of Mood Lounge (1318 9th Street, NW) is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 13. The hearing will be held in Room 400S of the District's Reeves Building, located at 2000 14th Street, NW.

The hearing stems from a double stabbing that occurred outside of the club in the early morning of Friday, December 30, 2011. After the stabbing, the Chief of Police ordered Mood Lounge closed for a 96-hour period, and the ABC Board summarily suspended Mood Lounge's license on January 3. In its notice of suspension, the ABC Board stated that there were 61 police calls related to Mood Lounge in the past year, and 31 of those calls were classified as disorderly conduct.

View the summary suspension notice on the ANC2F website here: http://www.anc2f.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/S2nd-floor-12010317000.pdf

The hearing notice from the ABRA website is here: http://abra.dc.gov/DC/ABRA/About+ABRA/News+Room/Press+Releases/Calendar+Before+the+ABC+Board,+January+13,+2012+-+Summary+Suspension+of+Mood+Lounge

Planned DDOT Street Tree Plantings in East Shaw

2012-01-11T21:43:00.000-05:00

DDOT has posted an interactive map showing where it will be planting street trees through May 2012. Although DDOT states that it will be planting 3,200 trees throughout the District, there seem to be a disappointingly small number of tree plantings planned for the East Shaw area.

View the map at http://bit.ly/zkJLm0

Are there locations where you think a street tree should be planted in East Shaw? Post your thoughts in the comments section.