Speaking of streetcars, yesterday's Express ran this article from the Associated Press , which reminded me of some of the debates we've had about the intrinsic value of putting light rail on a commercial strip like H St.
Is there any word about any more development on this block? Seems like it's been a while since anything new has gone in. Pap and Petey's seems be on a real slow track to opening, lots of vacant storefronts, it's a real dead-zone.
they are not putting light rail anywhere. Light rail is most often used for commuter-type projects, whereas streetcars are like buses on rails embedded within the road.
I have to disagree, Kricker. The 400-500 block is definitely coming along. Pap and Petey's put up "Coming Soon" signs within the past two weeks, the corner building that used to house a church is being converted to a smoothie bar / cafe by "Fitness & Food Used for Energy & Life", the yoga studio, British Ink, Dissident Display, Sidamo and the artist's studio above it all indicate that this is one of the more actively developing blocks on the western end of the corridor. I would be far more critical of the area from 5th Street to 7th Street - there's a lot less going on in the 500 block, and the 600 block is an absolute ghost town except for the Farmer's Market.
Semi related, Inked, but I thought you might want to post on Dissident Display's Friday night opening of a Wild Style exhibit. Their last opening was definitely a good time.
Thankss for the other point of view, Mike. I guess for me there are two problems-- not much going in that is attracting much business (other than the yoga studio and Sidamo). I never see anyone in any of the other buildings, and it looks practically abandoned. That brings me to my second point-- what is going in isn't doing much to improve the "abandoned" look it started out with. You can't tell driving or walking by that there is much there (again, exceptions being yoga and Sidamo). Perhaps these businesses could benefit by applying for some of the facade improvement grants, if they are still around.
As Mike pointed out: "I would be far more critical of the area from 5th Street to 7th Street - there's a lot less going on in the 500 block, and the 600 block is an absolute ghost town except for the Farmer's Market."
You said it. Thanks a lot for the fab dead zone, District government and H Street Self Storage.
Jeff Davis from DC Office of Planning came to the Rosedale Citizens Alliance meeting Monday night. He said that the new streetscaping will start in November at Starburst intersection, and work east and west from there (east along Benning, west along H). The process will take 2 years. So the 400-block end of H street likely won't see new streetscaping until the end of the process.
The plan for the street cars, he said, still has a number of unresolved issues. One is how to get the streetcars over hopscotch bridge, another is how to deal with the viaduct in kennilworth. Also, there is apparently friction between the NCPC and DDOT over wiring. When they do the new streetscaping, they will be layting tracks for streetcars, but don't hold your breath to see them any time soon.
Huh. That's the reverse of what DDOT had been saying previously (I think) which ws that they would start at the 300 end of H and that the Starburst was being done separately.
Some of the problem is that the Capitol Hill Restoration Society is opposed to the trolly. They are trying to slow the process down enough long enough to kill it.
On what basis do you claim CHRS is against the streetcar? I know they are against many things (big blocky buildings being one of them, about which I have mixed feelings, but what possibly can be the objection here?
17 comments:
Its going to be a HOT zone...especially with the Trolley System going in at the end of next year.
Speaking of streetcars, yesterday's Express ran this article from the Associated Press , which reminded me of some of the debates we've had about the intrinsic value of putting light rail on a commercial strip like H St.
Is there any word about any more development on this block? Seems like it's been a while since anything new has gone in. Pap and Petey's seems be on a real slow track to opening, lots of vacant storefronts, it's a real dead-zone.
no worries kenny g,
they are not putting light rail anywhere. Light rail is most often used for commuter-type projects, whereas streetcars are like buses on rails embedded within the road.
I have to disagree, Kricker. The 400-500 block is definitely coming along. Pap and Petey's put up "Coming Soon" signs within the past two weeks, the corner building that used to house a church is being converted to a smoothie bar / cafe by "Fitness & Food Used for Energy & Life", the yoga studio, British Ink, Dissident Display, Sidamo and the artist's studio above it all indicate that this is one of the more actively developing blocks on the western end of the corridor. I would be far more critical of the area from 5th Street to 7th Street - there's a lot less going on in the 500 block, and the 600 block is an absolute ghost town except for the Farmer's Market.
Semi related, Inked, but I thought you might want to post on Dissident Display's Friday night opening of a Wild Style exhibit. Their last opening was definitely a good time.
Thankss for the other point of view, Mike. I guess for me there are two problems-- not much going in that is attracting much business (other than the yoga studio and Sidamo). I never see anyone in any of the other buildings, and it looks practically abandoned. That brings me to my second point-- what is going in isn't doing much to improve the "abandoned" look it started out with. You can't tell driving or walking by that there is much there (again, exceptions being yoga and Sidamo). Perhaps these businesses could benefit by applying for some of the facade improvement grants, if they are still around.
Also, the other side of the street (the one with Sidamo in) looks in worse shape than this side, which looks quite good in this photo.
As Mike pointed out: "I would be far more critical of the area from 5th Street to 7th Street - there's a lot less going on in the 500 block, and the 600 block is an absolute ghost town except for the Farmer's Market."
You said it. Thanks a lot for the fab dead zone, District government and H Street Self Storage.
Jeff Davis from DC Office of Planning came to the Rosedale Citizens Alliance meeting Monday night. He said that the new streetscaping will start in November at Starburst intersection, and work east and west from there (east along Benning, west along H). The process will take 2 years. So the 400-block end of H street likely won't see new streetscaping until the end of the process.
The plan for the street cars, he said, still has a number of unresolved issues. One is how to get the streetcars over hopscotch bridge, another is how to deal with the viaduct in kennilworth. Also, there is apparently friction between the NCPC and DDOT over wiring. When they do the new streetscaping, they will be layting tracks for streetcars, but don't hold your breath to see them any time soon.
Huh. That's the reverse of what DDOT had been saying previously (I think) which ws that they would start at the 300 end of H and that the Starburst was being done separately.
they are being done separately-- as in by separate contractors. but they are planning on starting at the same spot
I believe DDOOt had been art bit wishy washy at times about where to begin work.
Some of the problem is that the Capitol Hill Restoration Society is opposed to the trolly. They are trying to slow the process down enough long enough to kill it.
On what basis do you claim CHRS is against the streetcar? I know they are against many things (big blocky buildings being one of them, about which I have mixed feelings, but what possibly can be the objection here?
re'" On what basis do you claim CHRS is against the streetcar? "
Check out the "Is there a street car in your life ? article by Dick Wolf in the August CHRS newsletter. Mr. Wolf is president of CHRS.
http://www.chrs.org/News/07-07_News.pdf
Thanks Mr/s Last Anonymous. I'm not exactly sure what to make of Mr. Wolf's ramble, but its not exactly complimentary.
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