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UPDATE
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UPDATE
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The ANC6C05 blog is being updated fairly frequently on this issue, so you should check for updates from the SMD Commissioner on the issue there.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
More Studio 400
The ANC6C05 blog has another update on the H Street business. Apparently, though a cease and desist order was delivered on Friday, DCRA is allowing Studio 400 to operate within certain perimeters for which it is licensed. Check the blog for the full story.
The ANC6C05 blog is being updated fairly frequently on this issue, so you should check for updates from the SMD Commissioner on the issue there.
The ANC6C05 blog is being updated fairly frequently on this issue, so you should check for updates from the SMD Commissioner on the issue there.
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50 comments:
I urge people to go post comments/concerns on the ANC6C05. While comments are moderated by Mr. Richardson and he may choose not to post all the negative ones that I beleive he will recieve on this, at least he will be reading them and know where people stand.
For the record, I am NOT for his seaking any type of Community Agreement with these greedy, manipultive, thugs. (Inked, I hope you don't see those words as incendiary - I didn't use names).
-mad!
Has any one confirmed this with DCRA or are we just taking this guy's word for it?
This is terrible news! What is Mr. Richardson thinking!?! The only agreement I want to see is them agreeing to shut down.
Is this Mr. Rice aka DIZNEY?
BTW - I will no0t stand for any "community agreement" this group of business partners had EVERY oppertunity to set up Studio 400 in a legal manner. They had every opertunity to apply for a liquer license, go in front of the ANC, etc...
I am not for granting these law breaking business men anyother chances.
To start off, let me say that I'm someone that, personally, has really wanted to see 400 just gone permanently.
That said, I think we need to pull back from the attacks on Mr. Richardson. If I'm correct, it seems as if Mr. Richardson is trying to resolve this situation through the appropriate channels, while taking the neighborhood's concerns into account (see: his call for community members to attend the next meeting).
Also, if there's truly some disagreement between the current ownership of 400, it is possible that one element is pushing it in the negative direction we are concerned about, while the other is trying to do the opposite, and Mr. Richardson is trying to strike a middle ground by giving the positive element a chance to legitimize.
So, although an impotent Community Agreement may not be the utlimate solution, the fact that he's taking some action on this and looking for community support is to be commended. If you have a problem with his specific solution, just go to the meeting and voice your concern rather than just commenting about it on a blog.
-Eye St
I think Mr. Richardson is doing a great job hitting the ground running after his special election. This is not an easy situation--these people basically came into his SMD and set up an illegal club under the guise of a "mentoring facility."
It's important that we communicate with Mr. Richardson, so he knows our views, but I hope we can all do it in a respectful manner. He's obviously working really hard on this issue. So far, he seems to be getting results--he got the owners to attend the ANC meeting (accoridng to the PSA 102 blog, they didn't show up at the 102 meeting, depsite an invitation) and DCRA issues its C&D order two days later.
If you don't like his proposal, by all means, let him know. But you can't expect him to read your mind.
I think it's very important that we have solid turnout at the July 23 meeting.
Eye St.,
I think you need to go back and read everyone's comments. No one has attacked Mr. Richardson. People are merely stating their strong disagreement with his "community agreement" proposal -- as is their right as his constituents.
In my opinion, "getting this resolved through the appropriate channels" means that this place needs to be shut down b/c it violated the law and poses a clear and present safety risk to the community.
Ask yourself what kind of precedent this sets for the community if we just allow businesses like this to come in under the radar and start operating without licenses or community review.
Mr. Richardson ran on a platform of improving our community. I fail to see how an after the fact sanctioning of an illegal business does this.
You can talk all you want about so-called "good owners" vs. "bad owners" and the good owner's good intentions. The path to hell is paved with good intentions.
The fact is both the "good owners" and the "bad owners" went along with the decision to open a go-go club serving alcohol and giant t-shirt tent out front without getting proper permits or going through community review. Then, when the community called them on it, they told us they were operating a catering hall that mentors kids. They also told us that they couldn't be held responsible for anything "third parties" did on their property -- and by the way -- everybody is a "third party".
So no, after all that, I don't think we can trust any of the owners, regardless of their intentions. And I think trying to pursue a community agreement with people who clearly don't have a problem misleading the community is beyond gullible.
What is it going to take for you to get the picture that these owners are bad news? How many more people need to get beat up out in front of the place? Does someone need to get shot before you get the picture?
I agree with JJ. If Mr. Richardson is going to do right by his constituents, he will help us shut this place down. Then, if he still feels compelled to do something for Mr. Dizney then he can walk him through the process of opening up a legitimate business AND getting a Community Agreement prior to opening.
I say shut down Studio 400! This place is bad news. And please, go post on Mr. Richardson's ANC6C05 blog. It's important that he hears what we have to say about this.
Area resident
I tried calling DCRA, but got passed from one person to the next with no real answer. I was told to call back, but I really do not have time to play DC government phone games.
maybe Assistant Chief Groomes at MPD should be contacted regarding this as she has always seemed to find out what is really going on and solve the issues.
OOps my previous post was as annon..sorry
What’s the priority here? Mr. Richardson doesn't have any problem trying to drum up votes for the next election yet has failed to see the concerns of his constituents. I can’t vote for him after this. He knows about Frozen Tropics and therefore knows our views. This isn't acceptable.
5th st views expressed by commenters here may, or may not represent the views of the majority of his constituents. I really don't know, but I wouldn't make the assumption [on any issue discussed here]. I have heard that the majority who voiced opinions at the recent ANC meeting were unhappy about issues either directly related, or apparently related, to Studio 400.
This is from Tony's website:
"With the surge of development, the time is ripe for us to seize the opportunity to assist and support the city’s efforts to enhance our community. We cannot expect the government to always know what our needs and concerns are, and thus, it is imperative that we make our demands known collectively and persistently to pave the way for quality improvements. Neighborhoods are the building blocks of the community. Therefore, it is essential that we eliminate public nuisances that affect our quality of life.
If elected as your ANC commissioner my goal is to enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods. This will be achieved by a collective effort of residents, business owners, community organizations and various government agencies.
Our ultimate goal should be to transform our community to a community of choice. As your ANC commissioner, I will work tirelessly with other layers of government to help provide a safe, clean and well-managed community. Change does not happen over night but together we can make change happen."
Did he forget his own objective of a 'safe, clean and well-managed community'?
Tony is working within the system. If S400 in not doing anything illegal as according to DC's stupid, loophole filled laws, then S400 is here to stay. Even if we don't like it.
Don't blame Tony....blame the system....better yet, try and change it yourself.
dizney's last name is not rice. that's presumptively one of the other partners. he's also not picking up his phone, but he was never easy to reach.
i want to hear some specific allegations. "mad" (anon @ 12:03) called the owners of studio 400 "greedy manipulative thugs". why? based on what? thugs how?
Anon 9:21 PM
When you say "If S400 in not doing anything illegal.." are you serious? The government doesn't hand out c&o orders for nothing.
So this is the result of all those "secret" meetings Tony had with studio 400. I'm tired of elected officials making promises to get elected and then not holding up to their end of the deal. Studio 400 can't be trusted because they've disregarded the law and proper procedures to run their business and aren't good neighbors. A "community agreement" would be a total waste of time and sets a bad precedent like JJ said.
Will, I think you may be confused. DCRA "handed out" a "cease and desist" order because S400 was operating outside the restrictions of their C of O (Certificate of Operation). This cease and desist order only lasted one day because S400 reopened the next day by adhering more to their C of O. S400 is playing the DC game of words that very well may work out for them.
You cannot shut down a business just because you don't like them and they are bad neighbors. You have to go through a process which is what Tony is trying to do. Instead of complaining about Tony you may want to aid him in his research of DC laws and DCRA rules to ensure that S400 is really complying to all that it says it is.
I have been following this because of issues in our ANC, among other things. I couldn't urge people strongly enough to take heed of what anon 5:13 just posted. ANC commissioners do this job without pay and as a public service. Many of the issues that they are called upon to deal with are complicated. I would urge the neighbors to work together and support the ANC, you'll get more done.
Believe me, getting regulations enforced in this city is not an easy job.
Anon 5:13 PM: I meant to say C&D. It has already been established that Studio 400 is NOT “really complying to all that it says it is”.
Amkindc: You can support the ANC overall without having to agree with everything the ANC Commiss does, especially if it’s clearly detrimental to the entire neighborhood. I do not and will not support this community agreement idea.
Anon 5:13,
Good point. Thank you.
will, you missed the point...anon @ 515 was saying that you should support the anc by ***helping him*** research relevant law and regs so that he can help you deal with a business you suspect of wrongdoing. you complaining on a blog isn't helping your cause (other than venting).
i learned from tony's blog that studio 400 lacked a license to serve liquor. that was the type of specific allegation i was looking for and that looks bad.
I'm not saying you have to agree....but make sure you know what you are disagreeing with and that you have a better process or solution to the problem. It seems to me that everyone's goal is to get 400 to operate properly. But they probably have some "by right" status for some sort of business. This is a blog.....people say all kinds of things....make sure you have ALL the facts.
I can't believe I didn't think of this before... When I was a kid, right up until high school, I went to the Harlem School of The Arts. Check out the website for details. They had plenty of fundraisers there, which also served alcohol, and to which I was present, mostly to perform with the resident jazz band. Now, I know it's not the same thing at all from Studio 400, but if they can change their concept to a non-profit, and hold less "grown and sexy" events on the weekend, they could have something here.
Other than the government officials that read this blog, none of you are the slightest bit omniscient about (a) what sort of Certificate of Occupancy the venue has/had; (b) what sort of permits it did/did not procure during construction; (c) what sort of regulations are/are not relevant to its Certificant of Occupancy; and (d) the status of the organization other than what you read on the 6C05 blog.
Likewise, not one of you can cite specific ways Studio 400 has impacted the community other than increased illegal parking/garbage (big fucking deal), increased riff-raff in a nearby alley, and an assault which was committed by a patron of the venue. Has there been an increase in stolen vehicles? Robberies? Burglaries? Graffiti? Fights between patrons? Drug dealing?
How can Tony Richardson ascertain his constituents when he doesn't know who you are? Or where you live? I sure wouldn't consider a forum full of anonymous armchair quarterbacks an effective means to establish the pulse of the community...
Parker's response to Studio 400 and its "increased illegal parking/garbage (big fucking deal)". Enough said.
Clearly Parker has as much concern for our community as those associated with Studio 400. Anybody that stands up for these Anything-to-Make-a-Buck "mentors" and lack of concern about the extra trash isn't the least bit concerned about improving our 'hood.
ANC6C05
Don't even think about trying to character assassinate me with that "doesn't care about the community" type nonsense. I organized a neighborhood cleanup only a few months ago...and spend probably an hour each week picking up garbage in the neighborhood.
By "increased illegal parking/garbage (big fucking deal)", I meant that there are FAR worse things that could happen to our community. And that there are plenty of organizations in our neighborhood that generate plenty of trash and illegal parking yet don't have blog readers demanding closure.
In regards to your comment about Anything-to-Make-a-Buck "mentors", why aren't you protesting outside United House of Prayer (whose preacher drives a Hummer) or Shiloh Baptist (whose preacher drives a Maybach)...
"Don't even think about trying to character assassinate me"...
I'm afraid you did that yourself. Even if you didn't "assassinate" yourself, you certainly shot yourself in the foot!
How are we supposed to know you pick up trash in your neighborhood, especially after comments like "big fuckin' deal" concerning new trash generated by Studio 400. You might be a little more careful with what you say in the future.
-Trash Talker (and Picker Upper)
While I don't claim to be omniscient,
a) I do know that the C of O says music recording studio and hall, not nightclub
b) I do know the unapproved building permits were recently publically displayed
c) I've communicated with numerous public officals rather than just posting on this blog, and I know many others in the community have done the same thing
d) the current status is that the operators of Studio 400 have been served with a revocation order of their C of O. They will have to re-apply for another C of O and the proper business license.
Furthermore, you said: "not one of you can cite specific ways Studio 400 has impacted the community other than increased illegal parking/garbage (big fucking deal), increased riff-raff in a nearby alley, and an assault which was committed by a patron of the venue."
I'd say that's a pretty big list of new community concerns for a place that's just opened. Do you really think patrons assaulting residents is no big deal? What would it take for you to consider the place as having a negative impact on the community?
Thought everyone should know that there is evidence out in the My Space world that Studio 400 had every intention of running as a night club. If you dig deep enough on the internet, you will find that invites to this "club" are being placed on various My Space web pages. One example is at this link - http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:oA8sgw3CE8AJ:profile.myspace.com/index.cfm%3Ffuseaction%3Duser.viewprofile%26friendid%3D379152504+%22studio+400%22+h+street&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=12&gl=us&ie=UTF-8
___________________________
Jun 6 2008 8:49 AM
Studio 400 presents.....
ITS A DC THING featuring
MTM aka Studio 400 Boyz (will be playing 2 sets)
High Quality
N2l
KOB
2morrow June 6, 2008
6-12am Everybody Free All Night
leave da beef @ home!
@Studio 400
400 H street
Washington DC 20002
u can also get ur tickets 4 Gee's on sale 2morrow $15 @ da show!
_______________________________
Other sites have the same type of invite, but with different dates and different bands.
When I catch kids smokin' blunts in parked cars in our neighborhood...or start hearing about increased destruction of public property...or fights breaking out near the club...then I will consider Studio 400 (and not just the idea of it) a significant threat.
The assault that occurred could very well have been a patron of Good Dannys or Popeyes just as much a patron of Studio 400...correlating the two would be flimsy, at best.
Parker, you are in denial or haven't lived in DC long enough. But everyone is welcome to their own opinion.
Regardless of what the situation is no one should be able to do whatever they want sans legitimate processes to open any public venue that will impact a neighborhood...no one. And that is the real issue, if you want to have a civil, vibrant community.
If they go through the proper processes and get what they need then no one can complain....but they didn't.
8:49 AM
Looks like they are mentoring kids.
BTW what is that broken english mean?
"u can also get ur tickets 4 Gee's on sale 2morrow $15 @ da show!"
"leave da beef @ home!"
"A Go Go Near U In, Washington DC
United States"
Looks like they have an identity crisis, mentoring kids or a go-go. What a crock of shit. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Thank god the city finally shut them down.
Soul Searcher - how did DIZNEY take the newz?
Has anyone read this shit?
"WE NOT TRYNA SOUND LIKE ANYONE ELSE OUT IN GOGO RITE NOW....WE HAVE OUR OWN UNIQUE SOUND....OUR STYLE IS A COMBINATION OF POCKETS/SOCKETS/AND BOUNCES BEATS....WE LISTEN 2 EVERYONE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT DOIN WAT SOMEONE ELSE IS DOIN....WE TRY 2 B AS UNIQUE AS POSSIBLE"
Regardless of what the situation is no one should be able to do whatever they want sans legitimate processes to open any public venue that will impact a neighborhood...no one. And that is the real issue, if you want to have a civil, vibrant community.
Oh please. People aren't up in arms about Studio 400's failure to procure building permits or even deviation from its CO. This is about NIMBY, and nothing more.
We get the point.
Parker,
If you're really that adamant about it, and you really can't stand the fact that the neighborhood is demanding a higher standard from its businesses...then please, feel free to move somewhere else were ghetto, crime-inducing establishments are welcome.
I've read your comments and they are flat out silly -- you either clearly haven't read Tony Rich's blog or you're operating with a hidden agenda. I wouldn't be surprised if you had an ownership interest in Studio 400.
If you're going to play devil's advocate to everyone's comments, why don't you show me one "mentoring" activity this place has actually sponsored???
yeah, didn't think so...
People, can't you all see that "Not On Parker" is CLEARLY affiliated with Studio 400? I mean his arguments are completely irrational and 100% in support of giving Studio 400 a chance.
Has this Not On Parker nut ever even posted on this blog before this topic came up?
-BYOB
I have no affiliation with Studio 400 other than being one of the first persons to notice its renovation activity and bring it to the attention of Commissioner Richardson. I also had the opportunity to meet the owners and tour the place, which I suspect very few of you bothered doing.
I continue to be amazed at the number of people who consider public outcry an almost axiomatic means of combatting the urban condition. It's really a silly notion -- it never has worked and never will work. Seedy establishments (up until a few months ago, the yuppified section of U Street had a swingers club), illegitimately owned/operated businesses (the large majority of bars/restaurants are subverting all sorts of laws), crowds of punkass kids, etc. are all part of urban living. Perhaps moving back to South Riding or Old Town would be best?
Not On Parker said, "Perhaps moving back to South Riding or Old Town would be best?"
Nah, your views wouldn't be any more welcome there than they are here. There standards are already higher.
Why is it that often on here when people disagree with someone who's legitimately pushing to make community improvements, sees gentrification as generally a positive thing, and is unsupportive of maintaining the ghetto status quo they get told to go back to Alexanria, or Kansans, or Ohio or some other stuffy whitebread community (that is the inference isn't it)? And yet no one screams "racisim". That seems just as cruel, incensitive, and unlikely in my mind as someone telling another person to go back to Africa. Often just seems like double standard of tolerance around here of what's acceptable communication and respect for neighbors and what isn't.
- The Colored Cracker
My earlier statement about Old Town or South Riding has nothing to do with race.
Old Town is a pretty little place with very little crime and a fascist historic preservation board. South Riding is a planned development in Virginia that has a giant white estate at its entrance that at one point donned a frightening "Welcome To Your New Home Town" sign.
These types of municipalities are perfect for the NIMBYists on Frozen Tropics.
Not on Parker has yet to put one fact out there that would support the siting of Studio 400. I guess in the absence of facts to prove compliance with the regulations that one can only resort to name calling and skirting the issue.
I would be happy to here the facts the support the presence of 400. But no one who is in sympathy with the business has made any compelling argument. Yet the people who have issues with it have put forth some pretty strong facts against the way they are operating. Parker, can you make a compelling argument with facts that they are in compliance?
amkindc, this argument has nothing to do with regulations. Gripe was expressed long before any of the regulatory issues surfaced. And will continue once Studio 400 restores its standing before DCRA (presuming the organization remains impartial and the owners haven't commited any mortal sins). I am interested in seeing how the District makes a distinction (if any ) between the property owner and the property operators...who are not one in the same.
not on parker
You still have not put together an arguement for Studio 400. All you have said is a bunch of useless nonsense
Parker said, "Old Town is a pretty little place with very little crime ....... South Riding is a planned development....."
And you'd rather have the crime ridden, ghetto status quo of the H St. of yester-year. Please you're full of it.... And I still say must be affiliated with this sham somehow.
If Parker was involved in Studio 400 he would be speaking in the cryptic language they use on their promotions and using the letter z instead of s like Dizney
"WE NOT TRYNA SOUND LIKE ANYONE ELSE OUT IN GOGO RITE NOW....WE HAVE OUR OWN UNIQUE SOUND....OUR STYLE IS A COMBINATION OF POCKETS/SOCKETS/AND BOUNCES BEATS....WE LISTEN 2 EVERYONE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT DOIN WAT SOMEONE ELSE IS DOIN....WE TRY 2 B AS UNIQUE AS POSSIBLE"
Parker likes the ghetto, loves crime, hates laws, likes shady businesses in the hood.
He is probably part of that ridiculous class action law suit against the MPD for trying to clean up the thugs/murderers/criminals that live in and come into Trinidad and the surrounding areas
Check out this link. Have you ever heard of mentoring kids through VIP table service? Teaching them about the world, life, love, work, etc while pouring yourself drinks? Dizney, please respond if you are reading this. We would love to hear from you
http://bp2.blogger.com/_id2DepT5Bs4/SHSsb6gpERI/AAAAAAAAACA/Lif2FgHEDsM/s1600-h/Studio+400+Event+A.jpg
I would have to disagree that this is not about regulations. The message has been pretty clear for a number of years now as to what the goals are for H Street. The ANCs have been very active. Yet, 400 has chosen not to follow any of the proper procedures for opening of their business. I think you would agree that all of the new businesses that have opened have gone through the proper processes, one of which is going to the ANC, introducing yourself and getting the community behind you. 400 laid their own bed and they have no one to blame but themselves. They have left the door wide open.
I have to ask you Parker, do you believe they should be allowed to operate and not be in compliance with the regulations? Yes or no.
I am also interested in the people who own the building. Their offices are in the same block and their website has alot of do-good affiliations on it. I'm interested why they want to rent to an organization that seems to be interested in operating outside of the law.
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