Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Holiday Sing-Long @ the Atlas
Capital City Symphony - Holiday Sing-a-long
Join members of the commuity and the Capital City Symphony for a holiday community sing!
Tickets are free and reservations are encouraged!
Call 202 339 7993
When: 7:30pm December 22
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center (1300 block of H Street)
Also currently at/coming to the Atlas:
2 plays (Kingdom & Draft Day), a father/daughter drum duo & a dance performance.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
More History of the Uline Arena
I ran a Google search and located a link page for the history of the Uline arena on the HSMS site. One of the links no longer works (but surrounding info does give you what you need to locate the article for purchase). The other link is for an old Washington Business Journal article. Even though the article is old, it is not outdated because it is strictly historical info. The Uline Arena (located right over by the NY Ave metro) is set to become condos (with a grocery store likely occupying the actual arena space).
Also see the links below for more Uline links:
DC Preservation League
Cultural Tourism DC
Also see the links below for more Uline links:
DC Preservation League
Cultural Tourism DC
Monday, November 28, 2005
Beautification Day @ Webb Elementary
Here are couple of photos from the bulb planting on the 19th. The chill in the air meant that most volunteers spent the day inside painting, or cleaning.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Post Eyes District Spending
The Post is running a series of articles on wasteful spending by the District government. Here are the goods from day 1:
A brief explanation of how the Post researched the series.
An article on the use of vouchers to bypass the usual required accounting approvals.
A graphic on no-bid contracts awarded by the District.
A illustration of what went wrong with one contract.
A brief explanation of how the Post researched the series.
An article on the use of vouchers to bypass the usual required accounting approvals.
A graphic on no-bid contracts awarded by the District.
A illustration of what went wrong with one contract.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Quick Round-Up of Recent Developments
1. They have erected some strange metal structure on top of Jimmy's Tire (1220 block of Florida Ave, or 1215 K Street if you prefer). Does anyone know what this thing is? I can only imagine that it relates to the condos they plan to build next door.
2. Work continues in what used to be Da Place (400 block of H Street). I noticed that they have removed the metal cage off one of the windows & (when the curtain isn't closed) you can see inside. I was a little puzzled to see a bunch of chairs lined up waiting room style because I thought this was going to be a sort of health foodish place. Maybe I'm not getting the full picture, or the chairs were temporaray.
3. Change of plans for Cooley's building (1300 block of H). It was rumored that a couple of people were renovating this place to put in a tavern type spot. Aparaently they do longer intend to do this because a sign recently (a couple of weeks back) went up outside advertising the building (I forget if it was for rent, or for sale).
4. Progress continues upstairs at R&B Coffee (1359 H Street). They are putting in a small kitchen upstairs so that you will soon be able to enjoy a breakfast of eggs & pancakes with your coffee. I sneaked a peak upstairs recently, & they have done a lot of work.
5. No plans yet for 1240 H Street. You may have seen the new yellow paint (or the unfortunate new roll-down) & wondered what was happening. The answer is...nothing yet. The owner said he wanted to spruce up his building a bit, but that he did not yet have any business slated to fill the space.
6. More listserv focus on fast-food places mascarading as restaurants on H Street (in order to get matter of right certificates of occupancy from DCRA). I am disapointed by what I see through the window of the H Street Cafe. When I originally spoke to the owners they told me they were opening a "gourmet deli." What they've created looks like neither a cafe, nor a "gourmet deli." Don't cafes have seating? Aren't they the kind of place you might want to linger over coffee (served, of course, in actual glassware). When I think deli, I think more of the front cases at Cafe Mozart (offering a variety of meats, cheeses, breads, ect.). I have to wonder if "Cafe" is the newest buzz word on H Street because business owners want to throw DCRA off track. One listserv email worried that the Rib Tip (corther of 12th & H Street) would be a carry-out. The window calls the Rib Tip a "Restaurant & Cafe." Hopefully this representation is accurate. It can can be hard to know until it's too late.
2. Work continues in what used to be Da Place (400 block of H Street). I noticed that they have removed the metal cage off one of the windows & (when the curtain isn't closed) you can see inside. I was a little puzzled to see a bunch of chairs lined up waiting room style because I thought this was going to be a sort of health foodish place. Maybe I'm not getting the full picture, or the chairs were temporaray.
3. Change of plans for Cooley's building (1300 block of H). It was rumored that a couple of people were renovating this place to put in a tavern type spot. Aparaently they do longer intend to do this because a sign recently (a couple of weeks back) went up outside advertising the building (I forget if it was for rent, or for sale).
4. Progress continues upstairs at R&B Coffee (1359 H Street). They are putting in a small kitchen upstairs so that you will soon be able to enjoy a breakfast of eggs & pancakes with your coffee. I sneaked a peak upstairs recently, & they have done a lot of work.
5. No plans yet for 1240 H Street. You may have seen the new yellow paint (or the unfortunate new roll-down) & wondered what was happening. The answer is...nothing yet. The owner said he wanted to spruce up his building a bit, but that he did not yet have any business slated to fill the space.
6. More listserv focus on fast-food places mascarading as restaurants on H Street (in order to get matter of right certificates of occupancy from DCRA). I am disapointed by what I see through the window of the H Street Cafe. When I originally spoke to the owners they told me they were opening a "gourmet deli." What they've created looks like neither a cafe, nor a "gourmet deli." Don't cafes have seating? Aren't they the kind of place you might want to linger over coffee (served, of course, in actual glassware). When I think deli, I think more of the front cases at Cafe Mozart (offering a variety of meats, cheeses, breads, ect.). I have to wonder if "Cafe" is the newest buzz word on H Street because business owners want to throw DCRA off track. One listserv email worried that the Rib Tip (corther of 12th & H Street) would be a carry-out. The window calls the Rib Tip a "Restaurant & Cafe." Hopefully this representation is accurate. It can can be hard to know until it's too late.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Post: Revival on H Street Corridor
A comment left on this blog brought my attention to this article from today's Post. The overall tone of the piece is upbeat, but it seems a little short on facts (at least on background facts that put many of the things in mentions in perspective). Here are a few comments:
*The article begins with a brief discussion of the Christian coffeehouse (I think it's called Ebenezer's) going in at 2nd & F. Here's a link if you want to know more about the Evangelical church that is going to run it.
*The corridor was already in decline before the 1968 riot (the riots basically just sealed the deal).
*I would be interested to see a list of the 30 new shops that have opened on H Street in the past 3-4 years. Does "shops" include establishments serving food? Are businesses that opened & closed within that period (e.g. Quimby's Shoe Emporium) included in the numbers?
*The H Street CDC is pretty controversial. There have been alllegations of financial mismanagement.
*The CDC project at 8th & H remains controversial. A decrepit, but old building was demolished (not redone as the article states) to make room for the new development. Some local preservationists were not amused. Many residents felt & still feel that the building does not blend well with its surroundings. The building has a more modern feeling that many of H Street's structures & its fake 2nd floor is often the target of criticism.
*The CDC project at 8th & H is controversial not just because of the building, but also because of the businesses it contains. The article touches on the footlocker discontent when it mentions that "some residents complain that there are now four shoe stores within a few blocks." The other issue with Foot Locker is that it is a national chain. This brings up two related concerns: some residents dislike the idea of chain stores & would rather see funky one-of-a kind places, & chain stores can afford to pay higher rent, thus potentially contributing to rising rents all along the corridor. I'm not saying that the neighborhood as a whole objects to the Foot Locker, just that some people have done so rather vocally & the article ignores this fact. The 8th & H building is also home to Blimpies (pretty much ground zero for the ANC's fight against fast food places improperly being given matter-of-right restaurant licenses by DCRA).
*The issues with the Cohen development are not that "some longtime residents opposed new development." He has since added fences & removed the debris, but here are some photos that I took of the site from last spring.
*Loree Murray is more than just a longtime resident. She is also the founder of the well known community group Near Northeast Citizens (aka Near Northeast Citizens Against Crime & Drugs).
*Plenty of area rowhouses are selling for way more than $400k.
*I would also disagree with a couple other of Anwar Saleem's comments, but those are opinions, not factual issues.
Also see a post on the same topic on Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space.
*The article begins with a brief discussion of the Christian coffeehouse (I think it's called Ebenezer's) going in at 2nd & F. Here's a link if you want to know more about the Evangelical church that is going to run it.
*The corridor was already in decline before the 1968 riot (the riots basically just sealed the deal).
*I would be interested to see a list of the 30 new shops that have opened on H Street in the past 3-4 years. Does "shops" include establishments serving food? Are businesses that opened & closed within that period (e.g. Quimby's Shoe Emporium) included in the numbers?
*The H Street CDC is pretty controversial. There have been alllegations of financial mismanagement.
*The CDC project at 8th & H remains controversial. A decrepit, but old building was demolished (not redone as the article states) to make room for the new development. Some local preservationists were not amused. Many residents felt & still feel that the building does not blend well with its surroundings. The building has a more modern feeling that many of H Street's structures & its fake 2nd floor is often the target of criticism.
*The CDC project at 8th & H is controversial not just because of the building, but also because of the businesses it contains. The article touches on the footlocker discontent when it mentions that "some residents complain that there are now four shoe stores within a few blocks." The other issue with Foot Locker is that it is a national chain. This brings up two related concerns: some residents dislike the idea of chain stores & would rather see funky one-of-a kind places, & chain stores can afford to pay higher rent, thus potentially contributing to rising rents all along the corridor. I'm not saying that the neighborhood as a whole objects to the Foot Locker, just that some people have done so rather vocally & the article ignores this fact. The 8th & H building is also home to Blimpies (pretty much ground zero for the ANC's fight against fast food places improperly being given matter-of-right restaurant licenses by DCRA).
*The issues with the Cohen development are not that "some longtime residents opposed new development." He has since added fences & removed the debris, but here are some photos that I took of the site from last spring.
*Loree Murray is more than just a longtime resident. She is also the founder of the well known community group Near Northeast Citizens (aka Near Northeast Citizens Against Crime & Drugs).
*Plenty of area rowhouses are selling for way more than $400k.
*I would also disagree with a couple other of Anwar Saleem's comments, but those are opinions, not factual issues.
Also see a post on the same topic on Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space.
Business Journal on Possible Harris Teeter
I missed this in the Business Journal, but it was up on Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space. According to the article, HT has talked to Jemal about the Uline Arena site (but they are not negotiating regarding the site), & they have also talked to Steuart about the site in the 300 block of H Street.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Don't Forget Tomorrow's Webb School Project
Join us for beautification day at Webb Elementary this Saturday. We will be planting bulbs, doing general cleaning & a little painting to spruce up the school. This event is sponsored by Webb Elementary, the Trinidad-Ivy City Community Garden Club, & the Lillian S. Jones Youth Foundation (which has adopted Webb). This is a great chance to get out and do some good while meeting your neighbors. To find out about other TIC Garden Club events join the listserv.
Where: 1375 Mount Olivet Rd NE
When: 8:30am Saturday November 19th (this Saturday)
What to bring: Yourself (wear old clothes) & plenty of energy
Where: 1375 Mount Olivet Rd NE
When: 8:30am Saturday November 19th (this Saturday)
What to bring: Yourself (wear old clothes) & plenty of energy
Gentrification & Community Preservation
You should check out this post on community preservation & gentrification from Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space
Thursday, November 17, 2005
The Post had this piece on the guilty verdict for the man who shot and killed 15 year old Myesha Lowe at 14th & F last summer. The convicted man, who I believe used to be a Trinidad resident, was involved with a neighborhood crew here. He still faces charges related to at least one other area murder.
Post on Approaching Neighborhood Issues
I saw this short article in this morning's Post. The piece focuses on different approaches residents take towards crime in gentrifying neighborhoods. Soprry, that sentence almost sounds like I'm talking about what's distinctive about crime in gentrifying neighborhoods. What I mean is that when you have transitional/gentrifying neighborhoods you have neighborhoods where a lot of people are moving in who didn't live there before. So suddenly you have people who had different experiences wherever they lived before & they bring those with them to their new home. Sometimes this can play out in slightly tense moments at community meetings, or on local listservs. I think, however, that the most important things is that we all do get involved (by attending community meetings, by helping with neighborhood clean-ups/projects, & by making an effort to get to know our neighbors). As the article points out, we all have common goals. We all want to live in a clean, safe, friendly neighborhood where we can feel at home.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
TIC Garden Club Project @ Webb Elementary Saturday
Join us for beautification day at Webb Elementary this Saturday. We will be planting bulbs, doing general cleaning & a little painting to spruce up the school. This event is sponsored by Webb Elementary, the Trinidad-Ivy City Community Garden Club, & the Lillian S. Jones Youth Foundation (which has adopted Webb). This is a great chance to get out and do some good while meeting your neighbors. To find out about other TIC Garden Club events join the listserv.
Where: 1375 Mount Olivet Rd NE
When: 8:30am Saturday November 19th (this Saturday)
What to bring: Yourself (wear old clothes) & plenty of energy
VOH on Noisy Preachers at 8th & H
The Voice of the Hill features this coverstory on the conflict between area residents and the street preachers who set up on the southeast corner of the intersection at 8th & H. The residents object to the preachers unpermitted & persistent use of an amplifier while preaching. Though the preachers have been fined for this violation in the past, the issue is getting more attention recently. Not long ago the ANC sent a letter asking that the city take increased measures to enforce noice ordinances at this intersection since the fines seem ineffective.
Monday, November 14, 2005
My Visit to the Wholesale Food District (Part I)
I joined forces with Richard from Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space for bit of a wholesale food extravaganza on Saturday. We started out with breakfast at Young's Deli and carryout. Cheap Korean food starting at either 4:30, or 5am (sorry, I'm not sure which).
Here's my bi bim bap.
Check out the steam rising off Richard's soup.
Sufficiently nourished, we headed over to scope out Sam Wang's Produce. This place is great, not only for your basic staples (at unbelievably low prices), but also if you need lemongrass, or some kind of fruit or veggie you can't get at Safeway.
That's the lemongrass on the bottom left. Please excuse my dark photos.
More apples & citrus that you can shake a cassava root at!
The retail hours are 6am-3pm Mon-Friday & Saturdays.
Next we decided to scope out some meats. We walked down a few doors to U.S. Beef (I'm going to have to check the name on this one, it was my first time there).
A whole room filled with different cuts of meat. Don't let the name fool you, they also sell fish.
They also stock large quantities of spices.
Across the lot is Kang's Farm.
This place has everything from produce to fish, to a large amount of canned & preprepared foods.
Plenty of bamboo shoots here.
I think we're looking at green onions, cilantro, parsley & Italian flat-leaf parsley.
The room is small, but they pack a lot in. Prices generally aren't labeled, but are always very low.
Kang's has a nice selection chilies.
The salmon is cheap & looks fresh (no separation).
Look, salmon heads!
Not only were these guy low priced, but they were also still looking lively in their barrel.
The best part of Kang's is the fish room.
Here's my bi bim bap.
Check out the steam rising off Richard's soup.
Sufficiently nourished, we headed over to scope out Sam Wang's Produce. This place is great, not only for your basic staples (at unbelievably low prices), but also if you need lemongrass, or some kind of fruit or veggie you can't get at Safeway.
That's the lemongrass on the bottom left. Please excuse my dark photos.
More apples & citrus that you can shake a cassava root at!
The retail hours are 6am-3pm Mon-Friday & Saturdays.
Next we decided to scope out some meats. We walked down a few doors to U.S. Beef (I'm going to have to check the name on this one, it was my first time there).
A whole room filled with different cuts of meat. Don't let the name fool you, they also sell fish.
They also stock large quantities of spices.
Across the lot is Kang's Farm.
This place has everything from produce to fish, to a large amount of canned & preprepared foods.
Plenty of bamboo shoots here.
I think we're looking at green onions, cilantro, parsley & Italian flat-leaf parsley.
The room is small, but they pack a lot in. Prices generally aren't labeled, but are always very low.
Kang's has a nice selection chilies.
The salmon is cheap & looks fresh (no separation).
Look, salmon heads!
Not only were these guy low priced, but they were also still looking lively in their barrel.
The best part of Kang's is the fish room.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
The Clothing Cafe
A new sign recently appeared at 1244 H Street. The sign advertises "The Clothing Cafe." According to a neighboring merchant, the business (as the name suggests) will sell clothing & also serve food.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Transformers at the Market
Omega Supreme greets shoppers at the flea market in the wholesale food district. The market is located at 6th & Morse (just north of Florida Ave).
Friday, November 11, 2005
Abdo Elsewhere in Northeast
Here's an article from the Washington Post on the activities of Abdo north of Mt. Olivet Cemetary.
The piece also references Vincent Orange's plans to redevelop the DC Farmers Market & the larger wholesale food district. My only hope is that the vendors and wholesalers will stick around. I think there is money to be made by more of the dealers selling retail, as well as wholesale. I just worry about a redevelopment effort that seeks to replace the market rather than embrace it. If more of the wholesalers sold to the public, the signage were clearer about which places do sell to the public, you had a coffee shop & a place to buy bread you'd be set. Right now you can get all kinds of fruits & veggies, fresh fish, fresh meats, gourmet sausages, wine, Italian cheeses & some damn good sandwhiches and Korean food. I see possibility.
The piece also references Vincent Orange's plans to redevelop the DC Farmers Market & the larger wholesale food district. My only hope is that the vendors and wholesalers will stick around. I think there is money to be made by more of the dealers selling retail, as well as wholesale. I just worry about a redevelopment effort that seeks to replace the market rather than embrace it. If more of the wholesalers sold to the public, the signage were clearer about which places do sell to the public, you had a coffee shop & a place to buy bread you'd be set. Right now you can get all kinds of fruits & veggies, fresh fish, fresh meats, gourmet sausages, wine, Italian cheeses & some damn good sandwhiches and Korean food. I see possibility.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Rib Tip
As I was riding by on the X2 I noticed that someone has stenciled something new on the window of a building on the (northwest) corner of 12th & H. It read (I think, I just caught a glimpse out the bus window) "Rib Tip Restaurant and Cafe." This is the first I've heard of this place (though I had seen the newspaper on the windows). It sounds like that if this place opens, you won't have to wait until Saturday & hit up the guys next to Mason's to get your rib fix.
Roll Call on Uline
Somebody sent me an article (subscription only) from Roll Call on the Douglas Development condos being built at the Uline Arena. It looks like the Harris Teeter logo on the drawing is just for image. Although the developer is talking to Harris Teeter, there is no agreement. Douglas Development says it would like to put a grocery store into the arena.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Community Center on Montello
Okay, this is the place someone asked about last week. I posted info on the project, but I didn't have a current photo...until now. This used to be a liquor store, but it is turning into some kind of community center/youth activity center. I don't know the full story. I do know that this is a pet project for ANC Commissioner Wilhelmina Lawson & that she is working with the new group DC-Fix-It to transform the structure.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Anybody Go to the Meeting Last Night?
Does anyone have more info on the Douglas Project at the Uline?
TIC Garden Club Planting Last Weekend
I wanted to post these shots of a small planting that the Trinidad-Ivy City Community Garden Club held last weekend. Gardeners planted bulbs inhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif some treeboxes along the 1200 block of Montello, as well as in a long treebox in front of the Joesph Cole Fitness Center.
The group planted a variety of bulbs including crocus & daffodil. The TIC Garden Club secured the bulbs through a grant from GrowDC.
Outside the rec.
Over on Montello.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
More on the Uline Arena
Check out Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space for more on the Uline Arena referenced immediately below.
I got this email from the H Street listserv this morning (I'm posting it without hesitation because it isn't croversial, it's a public listserv & the author is generally pretty public with his ideas):
I am not going to be able to attend tonight's meeting, but Douglas Development will be presenting their initial proposal for the Uline Arena site, which calls for building on top of the arena, as well as high density residential on 3rd St. NE. Interestingly enough their concept plan calls for a supermarket, they depict Harris-Teeter, in the arena building. They are likely to land Harris-Teeter, given that H-T is locating a store in the Kalorama district of DC in a building complex owned by Douglas Development. (Given this relationship, I could even see H-T ending up in the Wonder Bread warehouse that Douglas Development owns by the Shaw-7th Street subway station.)
The presentation will be at the monthly meeting of Near Northeast Citizens, from 6-8 pm, at 660 K Street NE (7th and K Streets NE).
RL
The thing is that this site is right down the street from the former BP site. Everyone's been buzzing for months about a Harris Teeter store going in there. In addition, Harris Teeter actually submitted a letter of interest re: the site. I've heard that on sales tours of the Abdo condos the propsed Harris Teeter store is treated like a done deal. Now I hear that they are showing up in another major developer's sketches just down a block or so. What gives? It looks like Harris Teeter is shopping the area hardcore (unless, of course, Douglas just slapped the H-T logo on their drawing). Either location would be a good site for a grocery store. What will land on the BP site if it doesn't become a Harris Teeter?
I am not going to be able to attend tonight's meeting, but Douglas Development will be presenting their initial proposal for the Uline Arena site, which calls for building on top of the arena, as well as high density residential on 3rd St. NE. Interestingly enough their concept plan calls for a supermarket, they depict Harris-Teeter, in the arena building. They are likely to land Harris-Teeter, given that H-T is locating a store in the Kalorama district of DC in a building complex owned by Douglas Development. (Given this relationship, I could even see H-T ending up in the Wonder Bread warehouse that Douglas Development owns by the Shaw-7th Street subway station.)
The presentation will be at the monthly meeting of Near Northeast Citizens, from 6-8 pm, at 660 K Street NE (7th and K Streets NE).
RL
The thing is that this site is right down the street from the former BP site. Everyone's been buzzing for months about a Harris Teeter store going in there. In addition, Harris Teeter actually submitted a letter of interest re: the site. I've heard that on sales tours of the Abdo condos the propsed Harris Teeter store is treated like a done deal. Now I hear that they are showing up in another major developer's sketches just down a block or so. What gives? It looks like Harris Teeter is shopping the area hardcore (unless, of course, Douglas just slapped the H-T logo on their drawing). Either location would be a good site for a grocery store. What will land on the BP site if it doesn't become a Harris Teeter?
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Activity at Montello & Florida
The property on the northeast corner of Montello & Florida, which recently boasted a "for sale" sign, had its windows removed. It appears that this site is going to join the growing number of renovated commercial spaces in the area. The real question is whether a particular business is already slated to fill the space, or if this is a general renovation without a given tenant in mind. Anyone hear anything?
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Vandalized!
I was walking up 11th Street after class tonight when I noticed that something looked a little off about the Madonna statue in front of Holy Name. Upon closer inspection I could see that someone had clearly smashed at the hands and face of the figure. her nose & much of her right hand are completely gone. Did this just happen in the past 48 hours, or have I been walking by it oblivious?
Glass Barriers & Shopping on H Street
Over the weekend I had the chance to enjoy the Washington City Paper's coverstory on on the bullet-resistant glass barriers that adorn the insides of so many of DC's businesses. We see plenty of these things on H Street & they range from the partial barrier to the complete enclosure (like at Sun & Moon). People tend to have a pretty viseral reaction to the enclosures. When Taste of Jamaica first opened a resident complained on the listserv about the newly installed protective glass. The owner, he said, claimed not to understand the objection (the owner also claimed that he had seating & tables on the way, but months later the place is still standing room only). Once you start talking about the barriers you can't help but think about the overall vibe you get when you walk into any given H Street establishment. As an example, compare the experience of buying bread at Me & My Supermarket versus making the same purchase at 1101 Conveniance Mart. Neither store features the glass, but the narrowness & the layout of the first option can make you feel trapped (particulary since you have to squeeze past both the customer lines & anyone buying singles to depart). The second store is larger, the beverages are away from the register & you actually have space to breath. Thankfully we're getting more places on H Street where you feel welcome when you walk in (as opposed to feeling trapped). I don't know when all the glass will come down, but I think we'll get there.
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