A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Examiner: Ghost Town Coming Back to Life
Here's today's offering from the Examiner. I've got to say that I wouldn't consider Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill (4oo block of H Street) to be all that near to Stella Bleu (1200 block of H Street), but maybe that's just me.
16 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I think that this was discussed in a prior posting.
My opinion is that a bookstore is a tough business in any location in the City because of the competition from the large chain stores and Amazon. H Street is a tough sell because there isn't that much in the way of pedestrian traffic. Also, they had some really short hours.
Before things like Bookstores can open, we need restaurants and other things that draw people into the neighborhood and attract a good customer base.
I'm a friend of the owner (Stacey) of Stella Bleu, and from all accounts business is doing quite well, especially the boutique portion of the business.
On another note, I'm disheartened about the trash that I continue to see on H Street. This past weekend, I saw so much rubbish at along the corridor, esp. at the Footlocker location that my hopes for H St. almost subsided. What can be done? When will the mindset change? Trash isn't cute!!I know there is a process for getting a BID but can't these Business owners employ Mr. Englert's quasi-BID Model in the meantime?
BTW, I agree, Bikram and Stella Bleu are no where near each other. If you disagree, try walking it.
RE: Trash. I moved into Trinidad only 9 months ago, but one of the first things I noticed was the abundance of trash. Certainly a good portion can be attributed to non-residents, but I'd say the majority of trash is created by people who live in the area. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people throw their stuff on the ground.
Kids are the worst offenders, but I see all ages and certainly see residents of the neigborhood do it. It astounds me to no end. I honestly believe that many people do not think it's a problem because it's how their neighborhood has always been. Throwing their trash on the ground is just what they've always done because, well, there's already a lot there and they don't want to carry it around.
Trash cans and a service to empty them is the answer, but I don't know who'll pay for it.
I see long-time residents of the neighborhood, men in their 50s or 60s, throw trash on the ground even when they are standing a few feet from an empty trashcan. This is especially noticeable near the bus stops on the D6 line.
My block is terrible- and since I want to see it change I have spent a couple of HOURS each week since I moved in in Jan. goiing out and picking up trash. I talk to the kids who come out and ask what I'm doing- and try to encourage them to clean up after themselves.
So last week I asked one of the more offending parties- whose friends gather almost every evening to drink and throw things in the street if there was anyway she could ask them to use a can. Needless to say it got me NO cooperation, some serious name calling and made me stark raving mad.
Wondering if anyone has some Geurrilla methods for "encouraging" others to be 1/2 way responsible citizens
I think most of the offenders (and parents of juvenile offenders) do not care how the neighborhood looks because they don't own property in the neighborhood. In my block alone there is an amazing difference between the upkeep of owner occupied houses and the Section 8 rental houses. And before anyone says "Landlord responsibility" - I don't think it is the landlord's responsibility to pick up their tenant's personal trash. Some people just don't seem to have any self-respect, so how can we expect them to respect their surrounding environment. Its sad and frustrating.
I use to think it was an overt C-O-N-spiracy to get newcomers to leave but now I'm seriously thinking the that it's inbred. Although, I just cannot fathom how they take it looking that way.
Well, like others, homeowners on my block take all efforts to clean and maintain our premise and the surrounding area -- always with the hopes that others will follow. But to no avail. So now that I'm truly disgusted and can't even muster up the energy to be polite anymore, a fellow last night noticed that I didn't even say my usual Good evening or Good night, instead I looked at the trash then looked at him -- so he said "I'll have that trash cleaned up for you tonight." That's when he received a hearty THANK YOU. Now, he better believe I'm holding him to it.
I live with this, too...I see punks drop their trash on the sidewalk all the time. It definitely makes me angry, too, having been brought up differently. I was thinking there could be a "Don't Trash Trinidad" campaign. If someone respected would be in posters that said "Yo, throwing your trash on the ground ain't cool!" maybe it would change a few minds.
On my block, most of the trash is left by people in transit through the block, not people that live there. Sometimes it is a pain to clean the excess trash out but I think it sets a good example for others on the block
A couple of things: 1. the actual trash can & emptying thing is something the city can do, but some areas in Trinidad that once had trash cans had them removed (I believe at the request of residents) because people would drive by & dump tvs & boxes in/around the cans. 2. I think the key to changing behavior is doing neighborhood clean-ups/plantings/beautification projects & involving neighborhood kids. Not only do the kids have a great time & develop a sens of ownership in the neighborhoods, but it offers a chance for neighbors to meet/work with each other. Plus, I think it help if people see that people are keeping up the neighborhood.
I agree that the trash continues to be a problem, and is very discouraging--but we all must persevere! We walked to the Bank of America today, and I got some funny looks, but I was trying to pick up at least one piece of trash between each city trash can.
A BID is an excellent idea for H Street--though there is of course political wrangling between the group that would like the Capitol Hill BID to expand, and the group that would like for H Street to have its own BID. I'm open to listening to all arguments, but personally, I don't see the logic of starting a new BID--there's already a (very) well-working infrastructure and organization that runs/supports the Capitol Hill BID. Why duplicate these efforts AND start from scratch on what is clearly a steep learning curve (i.e., how to effectively run a BID)?
One good thing that we can do as neighbors is to sponsor neighborhood cleanups on our residential blocks (or even H Street?). The District still has a "Helping Hands" program--where they loan tools, provide trash bags and then schedule a special trash pickup the same day as the cleanup. Some of this is a problem of **still** not getting the city services that we deserve, but in the meantime...
I was thinking of making signs with Mr. T on them that say "I pity the fool who throws trash on THIS street" and then hire a Mr. T impersonator to some and do a trash pickup day. Another important thing that I would love to point out to my neighbors is that trash brings the Rats that they point out are so naaasssty.
I would love to do more street beautification bit I live on 6th where the sidewalks are super narrow and we have no trees or tree boxes. I am currently in the process of petitioning the city to add it to their weekly street sweeping list- as some surrounding streets have it.
Sooo any neighbors in the area- please, please, please write to ANC ond DPW and anyone else you can thing of to add 6th between K and Florida to the regular street sweeping agenda. Between the neighborhood kids, loiterers and thru traffic, we have way more trash than a few of us can keep up with.
I have also requested additional cans from the city over and over, but was told by a neighbor that both the bulk dumping and possibility for use as a drug dropoff made the city not too keen on the idea.
Anonymous, Street sweeping is a great idea--I've submitted a few requests about this to the city hotline (without response). I had suggested it for the area at least 2-3 blocks North of H Street, asking the question of if Eckington gets weekly street cleaning, why can't our area? (partial answer: nobody in any position of influence has shown any insterest in advocating it...)
I think the Mr. T idea is great--very funny, but also potentially effective.
Another idea about an anti-littering campaign is based on some billboards I saw driving through Tennessee--the main part was big, bold letters reading:
STOP LITTER
Not too creative, except for the fact that "STOP" and the "IT" in "LITTER" were in bright red, and the rest of the billboard was all black and white. Maybe a blunt, direct message about the issue would help. In fact, I would like to see it as a city-wide campaign.
I live in the 700 block of 10th st, NE (Lincoln Mews Townhouses) and we collectively pay an older gentleman $30/week to come by Mon-Friday to pick up trash in front of our homes. It's made a tremendous difference
Anon, that's great. We generally take care of weeds/trash in front of our house, but are willing to pay for locals to clear snow when we haven't had a chance.
It's great that you are using someone from the neighborhood.
To the person that lives in Lincoln Mews--I have seen that older gentleman, and boy does it look much better on your side of the street than my side--I would love to get his info!
16 comments:
I think that this was discussed in a prior posting.
My opinion is that a bookstore is a tough business in any location in the City because of the competition from the large chain stores and Amazon. H Street is a tough sell because there isn't that much in the way of pedestrian traffic. Also, they had some really short hours.
Before things like Bookstores can open, we need restaurants and other things that draw people into the neighborhood and attract a good customer base.
Does anyone know how Stella Bleu is doing?
I'm a friend of the owner (Stacey) of Stella Bleu, and from all accounts business is doing quite well, especially the boutique portion of the business.
On another note, I'm disheartened about the trash that I continue to see on H Street. This past weekend, I saw so much rubbish at along the corridor, esp. at the Footlocker location that my hopes for H St. almost subsided. What can be done? When will the mindset change? Trash isn't cute!!I know there is a process for getting a BID but can't these Business owners employ Mr. Englert's quasi-BID Model in the meantime?
BTW, I agree, Bikram and Stella Bleu are no where near each other. If you disagree, try walking it.
H St'er
RE: Trash. I moved into Trinidad only 9 months ago, but one of the first things I noticed was the abundance of trash. Certainly a good portion can be attributed to non-residents, but I'd say the majority of trash is created by people who live in the area. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people throw their stuff on the ground.
Kids are the worst offenders, but I see all ages and certainly see residents of the neigborhood do it. It astounds me to no end. I honestly believe that many people do not think it's a problem because it's how their neighborhood has always been. Throwing their trash on the ground is just what they've always done because, well, there's already a lot there and they don't want to carry it around.
Trash cans and a service to empty them is the answer, but I don't know who'll pay for it.
I see long-time residents of the neighborhood, men in their 50s or 60s, throw trash on the ground even when they are standing a few feet from an empty trashcan. This is especially noticeable near the bus stops on the D6 line.
Chris
My block is terrible- and since I want to see it change I have spent a couple of HOURS each week since I moved in in Jan. goiing out and picking up trash. I talk to the kids who come out and ask what I'm doing- and try to encourage them to clean up after themselves.
So last week I asked one of the more offending parties- whose friends gather almost every evening to drink and throw things in the street if there was anyway she could ask them to use a can. Needless to say it got me NO cooperation, some serious name calling and made me stark raving mad.
Wondering if anyone has some Geurrilla methods for "encouraging" others to be 1/2 way responsible citizens
I think most of the offenders (and parents of juvenile offenders) do not care how the neighborhood looks because they don't own property in the neighborhood. In my block alone there is an amazing difference between the upkeep of owner occupied houses and the Section 8 rental houses. And before anyone says "Landlord responsibility" - I don't think it is the landlord's responsibility to pick up their tenant's personal trash. Some people just don't seem to have any self-respect, so how can we expect them to respect their surrounding environment. Its sad and frustrating.
- H St. area property owner
I use to think it was an overt C-O-N-spiracy to get newcomers to leave but now I'm seriously thinking the that it's inbred. Although, I just cannot fathom how they take it looking that way.
Well, like others, homeowners on my block take all efforts to clean and maintain our premise and the surrounding area -- always with the hopes that others will follow. But to no avail. So now that I'm truly disgusted and can't even muster up the energy to be polite anymore, a fellow last night noticed that I didn't even say my usual Good evening or Good night, instead I looked at the trash then looked at him -- so he said "I'll have that trash cleaned up for you tonight." That's when he received a hearty THANK YOU. Now, he better believe I'm holding him to it.
H St'er
I live with this, too...I see punks drop their trash on the sidewalk all the time. It definitely makes me angry, too, having been brought up differently. I was thinking there could be a "Don't Trash Trinidad" campaign. If someone respected would be in posters that said "Yo, throwing your trash on the ground ain't cool!" maybe it would change a few minds.
On my block, most of the trash is left by people in transit through the block, not people that live there. Sometimes it is a pain to clean the excess trash out but I think it sets a good example for others on the block
A couple of things:
1. the actual trash can & emptying thing is something the city can do, but some areas in Trinidad that once had trash cans had them removed (I believe at the request of residents) because people would drive by & dump tvs & boxes in/around the cans.
2. I think the key to changing behavior is doing neighborhood clean-ups/plantings/beautification projects & involving neighborhood kids. Not only do the kids have a great time & develop a sens of ownership in the neighborhoods, but it offers a chance for neighbors to meet/work with each other. Plus, I think it help if people see that people are keeping up the neighborhood.
I agree that the trash continues to be a problem, and is very discouraging--but we all must persevere! We walked to the Bank of America today, and I got some funny looks, but I was trying to pick up at least one piece of trash between each city trash can.
A BID is an excellent idea for H Street--though there is of course political wrangling between the group that would like the Capitol Hill BID to expand, and the group that would like for H Street to have its own BID. I'm open to listening to all arguments, but personally, I don't see the logic of starting a new BID--there's already a (very) well-working infrastructure and organization that runs/supports the Capitol Hill BID. Why duplicate these efforts AND start from scratch on what is clearly a steep learning curve (i.e., how to effectively run a BID)?
One good thing that we can do as neighbors is to sponsor neighborhood cleanups on our residential blocks (or even H Street?). The District still has a "Helping Hands" program--where they loan tools, provide trash bags and then schedule a special trash pickup the same day as the cleanup. Some of this is a problem of **still** not getting the city services that we deserve, but in the meantime...
Best,
Alan Kimber
Candidate for ANC 6c05
I was thinking of making signs with Mr. T on them that say "I pity the fool who throws trash on THIS street" and then hire a Mr. T impersonator to some and do a trash pickup day. Another important thing that I would love to point out to my neighbors is that trash brings the Rats that they point out are so naaasssty.
I would love to do more street beautification bit I live on 6th where the sidewalks are super narrow and we have no trees or tree boxes. I am currently in the process of petitioning the city to add it to their weekly street sweeping list- as some surrounding streets have it.
Sooo any neighbors in the area- please, please, please write to ANC ond DPW and anyone else you can thing of to add 6th between K and Florida to the regular street sweeping agenda. Between the neighborhood kids, loiterers and thru traffic, we have way more trash than a few of us can keep up with.
I have also requested additional cans from the city over and over, but was told by a neighbor that both the bulk dumping and possibility for use as a drug dropoff made the city not too keen on the idea.
Anonymous, Street sweeping is a great idea--I've submitted a few requests about this to the city hotline (without response). I had suggested it for the area at least 2-3 blocks North of H Street, asking the question of if Eckington gets weekly street cleaning, why can't our area? (partial answer: nobody in any position of influence has shown any insterest in advocating it...)
I think the Mr. T idea is great--very funny, but also potentially effective.
Another idea about an anti-littering campaign is based on some billboards I saw driving through Tennessee--the main part was big, bold letters reading:
STOP LITTER
Not too creative, except for the fact that "STOP" and the "IT" in "LITTER" were in bright red, and the rest of the billboard was all black and white. Maybe a blunt, direct message about the issue would help. In fact, I would like to see it as a city-wide campaign.
Alan Kimber
I live in the 700 block of 10th st, NE (Lincoln Mews Townhouses) and we collectively pay an older gentleman $30/week to come by Mon-Friday to pick up trash in front of our homes. It's made a tremendous difference
Anon, that's great. We generally take care of weeds/trash in front of our house, but are willing to pay for locals to clear snow when we haven't had a chance.
It's great that you are using someone from the neighborhood.
Best,
Alan Kimber
Candidate for ANC 6c05
To the person that lives in Lincoln Mews--I have seen that older gentleman, and boy does it look much better on your side of the street than my side--I would love to get his info!
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