A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Indicted Former ANC Comm. to Represent Self
Campaign Headquarters to Open @ 1405 H Street
-Linda Cropp recently made a surprise appearance at R&B Coffee accompanied by local activist Lorree Murray ( founder of Near Northeast Citizens Against Crime & Drugs).
-Vincent Orange (Ward five Councilmember [i.e. just north of Florida Ave]) has set up shop in Chinatown.
Opening of Campaign HQ at 1405 H St. NE |
2006-01-31 |
MARIE JOHNS FOR MAYOR CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF HER CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS ON Saturday Feb. 4, 2006 at 1405 H Street NE noon to 2 Please Join Us for the HQ Opening Party Stop by and meet DC’s next Mayor (202) 725-8945 www.johnsformayor.com |
Rock & Hotel Update
Monday, January 30, 2006
Cohen Demolition on K Street
I heard this weekend that demolition has begun in preparation for Ronald Cohen's controversial project on K Street. I heard the buildings shown above were still standing as of Saturday night, but they may have come down by now. Mr. Cohen, who has encountered opposition from plenty of local neighbors, is planning to build a $250 million, 875000-square-foot, mixed-use project on the site. Here are some photos of the site that I took last spring.
Work @ the Former Cooley's Site
Hill Rag: Birdland Serves Up Family
You will also want to check out the piece on the proprietors of Birdland & the food that they serve up.
Hill Rag: City Hops Aboard H Street Streetcar
Saturday, January 28, 2006
I Should Read More
The Happening @ R&B Coffee
Friday, January 27, 2006
DDOT Meeting on Bus Shelter Agreement
Bus Shelter Citywide Community Meeting
(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announces a citywide meeting to solicit public comment on implementing the new bus shelter agreement:
Saturday, February 4, 2006
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM,
One Judiciary Square
Citywide Conference Center
441 4th Street, NW, room 1114
Judiciary Square, Red Line Metro
The agreement calls for replacing and expanding the number of existing shelters as well as bus maps and real-time bus arrival information. Representatives from DDOT and Clear Channel Adshel, the recently selected contractor, will be present to describe the program and respond to
questions.
This is the ninth in a series of community meetings (one in each ward) organized by DDOT and Clear Channel Adshel to discuss the new bus shelter program.
Bill Rice
Spokesperson, Dist. Department of Transportation
202/671-2004
202/437-7787/cell
202/671-0127/f
An Answer to the Double Parking Streetcar Issue
Post on the Futrue of DC Libraries
Thursday, January 26, 2006
The Story at the Atlas
Inspired by the Janet Cooke/"Jimmy's World" scandal at the Washington Post, The Story follows an ambitious black newspaper reporter as she investigates a murder and manipulates information to further her own career. Wilson explores the elusive nature of truth as the boundaries between reality and fiction, morality and ambition become dangerously blurred.
The African Continuum Theatre Company is the resident theatre of the Atlas Performing Arts Center located in the newly revitalized H Street Corridor. The mission of the African Continuum Theatre is to produce and present theatre in the nation's capital from an African-American perspective and experience. All performances are at the
Atlas Performing Arts Center located at 1333 H Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. Tickets can be purchased through the Atlas Box Office at 202-399-7993.
VOH: Streetcars Coming to H Street
VOH: ANC Must Redo Voluntary Agreements
Condos in 900 Block of 12th Street
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Roll Call: Streetcars on H Street
Gallery O/H Coming Soon!
We've all seen the three buildings in the 1300 block of H that sit next to the alley & face almost directly at R&B Coffee & Sanctuary (the one closest to the alley has fish in the window). I spoke with the owner the other day while he moved in some more art. He hopes to have the Gallery O/H (pronounced "oh") open some time in March. The gallery, which will occupy both floors of the building featured above, will focus on outsider art, and will include some pieces by the artist who was displaying rocket art at the H Street Festival.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Examiner: The Return of Streetcars
Monday, January 23, 2006
Progress on the Corner of Montello & Morse
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Community Day @ Joseph Cole Fitness Center
Joseph H Cole Fitness Center
1200 Morse Street NE
202.724.4876
Interstate Connections sponsors this program
For more information, contact the staff or Odell Montgomery at 202.724.4876
Madonna Statue Vandalized Again
The Madonna at Holy Name Catholic Church (900 block of 11th Street) has been vandalized for the second time in just a few months (in October somone smashed her face & crushed her right hand).
This time, her face was untouched, but her right hand was crushed again & her left hand is completely gone.
This is what her face looks like after the repair job following the first incident of vandalism.
Here's what the statue looked like prior to the two attacks.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Streetcar Tracks Coming to H Street!
The H Street Streetscape Project is one of three pending projects (the other two are the Starburst Plaza & The Benning Road Refurbishment) that will cost around $42 million & begin next year. Get more info on the H Street NE Transportation Study here (especially check out the public realm section). Also check out this link.
If you are interested in serving on a Transportation Committee, contact the rep listed below for your ANC:
William Shelton, ANC 5B, Chair
1355 New York Ave, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Mark Dixon, ANC 6C, Chair
P.O. Box 77876
Washington, DC 20013-7787
Angela Murphy, ANC 7A, Chair
4310 Texas Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20019
Dea Varsovczky, ANC 6A Chair
(I'm not sure about the contact info, but check the website www.anc6a.org, or your Commissioner)
*Most of this info came from an informational email sent out by ANC6A Commissioner Joe Fengler
Meeting Re: the Future of R.L. Christian Library
Neighbors and Friends of R.L. Christian Library, Please consider attending a meeting this coming Wednesday (January 25), to hear the latest from the National Capital Revitalization Corporation, about the R.L. Christian Library, the kiosk library at 1300-1302 H St. NE. NCRC, the owner of the site, is planning to build a 5-story, 33,000-square-foot mixed-use development on the site, including a modern, fully equipped, 4,000-square-foot library at street level; 1,000 square feet of neighborhood-serving retail; 360 square feet of community meeting space; and 24 affordable residential rental units above the library. NCRC has applied for a $200,000 EPA Brownfields grant to clean up high levels of volatile chlorinated organic compounds (perchloroethylene) and petroleum compounds that appear to be contaminating the groundwater and soil under the library and under the adjacent vacant lot. NCRC Senior Development Director Don Pross and Senior Project Manager Sangay Grover will be attending the meeting, to make a brief presentation and answer questions. The ANC 6A Schools & Libraries Committee will be hosting this meeting, at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St. NE, from 7-9 pm on Wednesday. Please let your neighbors know about the meeting, especially if you live close to the library. Let me know if you might be able to help distribute flyers this weekend.
best regards
- Marc
-------------------------------------------
Marc Borbely Co-Chair, ANC 6A Schools & Libraries Committee
536 13th St. NE Washington, DC 20002
Don't Forget Tomorrow's PSA 504 Meeting
Where: Joseph Cole Fitness Center (intersection of Morse & Montello)
When: 10:00am Saturday January 21st
Thursday, January 19, 2006
A Review of the Great Streets Conference
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
W**USA9: Redevelopment of H Street
Library Overhaul?
Possible Parking Changes for DC
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
WBJ: Development at Former BP Site
Article highlights:
-pricetag of $75-80 million (subject to increases because of rising construction costs)
-papers filed with zoning commission January 6th
-375 parking spaces included
-plans for a cafe/restaurant included
-would neither confirm, nor deny that Harris Teeter is the grocer with whom they've been negotiating.
WP on Former BP Site
-230 market rate apartments
-72,000 square feet retail space (including a grocery store)
VOH on Indicted ANC Commissioner Rivera
Saturday, January 14, 2006
PSA 504 Meeting Jan 21st
When: 10am Saturday January 21st
Where: Joe Cole Fitness Center (Intersection of Morse & Montello)
Friday, January 13, 2006
Thursday, January 12, 2006
DDOT Great Streets Framework Meeting
The District Department of Transportation, in partnership with the DC Economic Partnership, has requested the services of ULI: The Urban Land Institute in assembling a National Blue Ribbon Panel to provide review of and expert recommendations for the Great Streets Transportation Framework Plan. This body of nationally recognized experts will spend a week in Washington DC to share their knowledge and experience in creating great, sustainable streets, superb public spaces, and thriving retail corridors.
I invite and encourage you to attend a day of technical case studies outlining the experience of other successful corridors across the nation and an evening of innovative approaches to design on Wednesday, January 18 in the Columbus Room of Union Station. Consult www.greatstreetsdc.com for the latest information.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Case Study and Innovative Practices Day
Location : UNION STATION COLUMBUS ROOM
10:00 AM Charge to Panel
Mayor Anthony A. Williams
10:30-3:30 PM National Case Studies and Lessons Learned
10:30-11:30 Washington Street, Boston MA
11:45-12:45 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis IN
1:00-1:45 Lunch Break
2:00-3:00 Pearl District, Portland OR
3:15-4:15 High Street, Columbus OH
6:00-8:30 PM Innovative Ideas for Great Streets
Moderator - Robert Bobb, City Administrator
Retail Streets - Kiku Obata
High Cost of Parking - Donald Shoup, UC-Berkeley
Green Streets - Margie Ruddick, WRT
Room to Move - Jeff Tumlin, Nelson Nygaard
Great Streets Symposium
Blue Ribbon Panel
Michael Banner, Los Angeles LDC, Inc. (Chair)
Michael Banner is President and CEO of the Los
Angeles LDC, Inc. (LDC), a nonprofit community development financial institution that provides innovative financial advisory services to achieve the target investment goals of its private and public sector clients. The LDC has an extensive track record of improving the flow of capital into
community and economic activities in emerging markets and in under-served. Communities. Mr. Banner is the Urban Land Institute Inner City Advisor and has extensive background in commercial banking and real estate finance.
Greg Baldwin, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership - Portland, OR
Much of Greg Baldwin's career has been influenced by his commitment to integrate urban design and architecture through cooperative public and private partnerships. Several of his projects,
perhaps most notably Portland's MAX Light Rail, have become models for other
cities nationally. He has designed complex building projects across the country-- office and mixed-use developments, historic and adaptive reuse, academic and performance facilities, and transit systems-- with clients who have been aggressive in their efforts to enhance the livability of their communities.
Allan Jacobs, University of California Berkeley
Allan Jacobs has observed and measured scores of famous urban streets and boulevards, in order to explore what makes great public streets. A professor at the University of California at Berkeley, Jacobs keenly observes and researches successful design of public places - streets, spaces, and parks. Prior to his tenure at Berkeley, Jacobs served as Director of Planning for the City of San Francisco from 1967-1975. As Director of Planning, Jacobs developed a new comprehensive plan for the city, emphasizing public access to the San Francisco waterfront, design guidelines for downtown development, and revitalization of neighborhood design throughout San Francisco.
Kiku Obata, Kiku Obata & Company
Kiku Obata launched her retail design firm in 1977 applying innovative design to large, multidisciplinary projects to create memorable identities and places. Kiku Obata provides design solutions that distinguish retail clients in their marketplace and help them redefine their
industries. Ms. Obata has worked on projects nationally and internationally in both downtown and neighborhood settings. She advises clients and communities on the interface of the public street environment and interior retail environment to maximize the customer experience and retail success.
Margie Ruddick, Wallace Roberts Todd - Philadelphia
Through nearly 20 years of practice, authorship and teaching, Margie has pioneered an approach to landscape design that blends a distinct aesthetic expression with ecological purpose. Each of her projects arises from its particular context, addressing clients' objectives hand-in-hand with a site's natural systems and its social, architectural, historical, cultural and economic frameworks. A principal of the firm, Margie works with clients to create memorable places that tread lightly on the earth
Donald Shoup, University of California - Los Angeles
With a background in economics, engineering, and planning, Donald Shoup has focused his research on public finance, transportation and the land market. He has extensively studied the issue of parking as a key link between transportation and land use, with important consequences for cities, the economy and the environment. Mr. Shoup brings tremendous experience in innovative tools for finance of neighborhood public investments.
Jeffrey Tumlin, Nelson/Nygaard - San Francisco
Jeffrey Tumlin is an expert in multimodal transportation planning, with an emphasis in minimizing the impacts of growth. As a Partner in Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates Jeff has been responsible for a range of projects including university and city strategic transportation plans; National Park strategic transportation plans; Transportation Management Plans for major development projects; and Transit Oriented Development plans for major urban infill projects addressing parking policies, management and impacts, bus/shuttle/rail coordination,
bicycle and pedestrian circulation, and the functional and aesthetic considerations of street design. Mr. Tumlin has previously served as Director of Urban Ecology, Inc., was a Founding Board Member of the Bay Area Transportation and Land Use Coalition and Former Chair of the San Francisco Joint Open Space Committee.
Chester Chellman, TND Engineering - New Hampshire (invited)
Chester E. "Rick" Chellman has more than thirty years experience in zoning, civil engineering, land surveying, engineering consulting, traffic engineering and development planning. Mr. Chellman has extensive site planning, civil and forensic engineering, and land use experience. Mr. Chellman has worked extensively on the engineering and traffic engineering aspects in connection with matters of street design, vehicular and human-powered traffic control and external transportation connections. TND Engineering is a specialty firm addressing engineering
consulting and Traditional Neighborhood Development with a primary focus on street design and transportation planning, with an associated understanding of urban design.
Philip Hart, Hart Realty Advisors - Boston
Karina Ricks
Great Streets Project Coordinator
District Department of Transportation
2000 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
p. 202-671-2542
karina.ricks@dc.gov
WP on AppleTree Institute
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Progress on Former Site of Da Place
More on Indicted ANC Commissioner Rivera
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Police Activity off 12th Street Last Night
ANC Commissioner Rivera Indicted By DOJ
************************************
UPDATE (hence the post title change)
***********************************
I have confirmation that the indicted Anthony Rivera is indeed the ANC Commissioner for ANC6C SMD05. For a photo of (and additional info on) Mr. Rivera, check out ANC6C's website
Monday, January 09, 2006
A Few Changes in the 1400 block of H Street
(Sorry if the orange looks a little neon, but the overcast skys really amplifies the colors)
The cold weather months seem to have a way of slowing down visible changes (fewer people out painting/replacing windows/doing yard work). So, I was a little surprised to see some new coats of paint on a couple of buildings on the 1400 block. Maybe by the time spring rolls around we'll have some nice surprises developing down there. I may have noticed a few more changes as I walked down the 1300 & 1400 blocks of H because I was comparing what I saw with the the HSMS business directory (which I think was last updated in 2004). Definite differences (mostly in the 1300 block).
Sunday, January 08, 2006
News From Quest For Quiet
Photo by David Klavitter (used with permission).
More news from the local blog Quest For Quiet that covers the noise issues at 8th & H. This time there are pictures of the loud street preachers using the amplifier that they commonly employ during their extended sermons. Follow the Quest For Quiet link above for more info & photos.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Urban Legends Closes Doors
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Homeowners Center for DCRA Permits
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Linda Argo
January 5, 2006
Phone: (202) 442-8947
linda.argo@dc.gov
BUILDING PERMITS MADE EASY FOR DC HOMEOWNERS
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Launches Center that will Ease Residents through Home Permit Process
WASHINGTON, DC
The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs has developed an exciting new resource to help homeowners get building permits more easily in Washington, DC. The Homeowners Center will provide prompt and expert assistance to DC homeowners who are seeking building permits for home improvement projects.
The expert staff is ready to provide clear information about permitting regulations and the permitting process, inform homeowners about permit requirements for their specific projects, conduct plan reviews, and issue permits. All this is designed to make getting a permit as convenient as possible. On-site kiosks will help make the permit process easier for homeowners.
Our new Homeowners Center is a great new addition to our city, said DC Mayor Anthony A. Williams. It's a one-stop shop for residents who need help simplifying the permit process. The center is yet another example of making city government work better and more efficiently for District residents.
The Homeowners Center will serve District residents by appointment and by walk-in. In addition, the Homeowners Center offers the Permit Wizard, a user-friendly computer program that will make paperwork a snap.
DCRA has put a great deal of thought and care into developing the new Homeowners Center, said DCRA Director Patrick Canavan. We are committed to making the building permit process of District homeowners both smoother and easier. We have created a resource that will set the standard for helping homeowners.
All home renovations, whether done by contractors or by the homeowner, must follow strict building codes to assure that the work is safe and that there are no fines for illegal construction. DCRA is dedicated to helping District homeowners who are seeking permits for their home improvement projects. The Homeowners Center is a one-stop-shop for owners to learn about the laws related to renovations.
DCRA's Homeowners Center is located in Suite 2102 at 941 North Capitol Street Northeast. It is open to the public 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Homeowners Center will serve homeowners by appointment and by walk-in.
The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs opened the Homeowners Center on January 5, 2006. Mayor Anthony Williams was on hand for the launch, and was joined by representatives from Citibank, the DC Building Industry Association, the International Code Council, the Fannie Mae Foundation, and other community partners and supporters.
The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs protects the health, safety, economic interests, and quality of life of residents, businesses, and visitors in the District of Columbia by issuing licenses and permits, conducting inspections, enforcing building, housing, and safety codes, regulating land use and development, and providing consumer education and advocacy services.
Day Care Coming to Corner of Florida & Montello
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
New Website for The Argonaut
Correction Re: Family Liquor
Tae-Bo, or What in the 500 Block of H?
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
January Hill Rag Available Online
ANC 6A Report:
-A mention of the February election to replace Commissioner Robyn Holden who resigned recently.
-An announcement that DDOT will be holding January meetings re: the Starburst Plaza & H Street Streetscape changes.
ANC 6C Report:
-HSMS is trying to get funds from amenities package for Uptown Bakery site. Anwar Saleem produced a report explaining how the $20k received from the Abdo project was spent & asked for the $25k from the Bakery site. He said the funds would go to pay for the contract with a group that helps the homeless on H as part of the Clean & Safe program.
-Continued wrangling over Ronald Cohen's disaster of a development project at 2nd & K.
New Gym Opening on H Street:
-A short piece on the new Willpower Health & Fitness Studio (1005 H Street).
A Visit to Cluck U:
-Jim Myers of Hill East fame talks checks out Cluck U Chicken & considers ANC 6A's appeal of the business's C of O.
UPDATE************************
I hadn't yet read the Last Word (scroll down to the bottom of the page) section, but in addition to Richard's letter about the economics of baseball (and the othe other baseball letters), you might also want to look at the letter from the Capitol Hill Restoration Society.