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

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.

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

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.

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Community Meeting Rescheduled to February 17, 2012

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

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.

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

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.

Tour the Convention Center Art Collection on February 8

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.

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

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.

Washington Auto Show Starts at the Convention Center this Friday

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.

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

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.

BicycleSpace Moving to 7th Street in Shaw!

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.

Shaw's Tavern License Application

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.

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

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 aspect of its business.
• Licensee shall undertake security training for security personnel and managers, and alcohol awareness training for all employees. New employees will be trained within 30 days of their hire, and refresher courses will be offered annually to all employees. The owner shall receive both security and alcohol awareness training.
• Licensee shall submit within 30 days, an updated Security Plan that meets the Board’s satisfaction to include the following items:  (a) How the establishment will handle assaults, fights or verbal altercations that occur on or near the premises; (b) The establishment’s process for notifying MPD; (c) A detailed description of the establishment’s newly installed camera security system, regarding operability, coverage and location of cameras. This includes a requirement that video footage be recorded for 30 days and is made available within 48 hours to law enforcement and ABRA investigators; (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 Summary Suspension 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.