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

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.

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

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.

Bistro Bohem to Open March 15, 2012

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.