Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Thanks to All Who Helped Charlie's Place and Happy Thanksgiving!


Hello Everyone,

Last Saturday's Help the Homeless Walkathon was a resounding success, with the preliminary results showing $ 40,000. raised for Charlie's Place.
If you weren't able to walk to help raise money and awareness for Charlie's Place, there are still plenty of opportunities to donate or volunteer.
Check out Charlie's Place website or email Tom Goss (tgoss@stmargaretsdc.org) or Susan Dunn (sed@kestrelgroupllc.com).

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.

Ramon

Friday, November 21, 2008

IF YOU CAN WALK, YOU CAN HELP !



Dear Neighbors,


Please sign up to participate in the November 22nd, Annual Help the Homeless Walkathon on the National Mall. Dupont Circle Citizens Association will meet to walk for Charlie's Place, our local service provider for the homeless. We need only 35 more people to sign up to receive an additional $10,000!! I hope you will also join Dupont Circle Citizens Association, (or renew your membership). DCCA brings neighbors together to enjoy and improve the quality of life in our diverse, urban neighborhood. Click on the flier for more information.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Another Opportunity to Help




Dear Neighbors,

Please sign up to participate in the November 22nd, Annual Help the Homeless Walkathon on the National Mall. Dupont Circle Citizens Association will meet to walk for Charlie's Place, our local service provider for the homeless. We need only 35 more people to sign up to receive an additional $10,000!! I hope you will also join Dupont Circle Citizens Association, (or renew your membership). DCCA brings neighbors together to enjoy and improve the quality of life in our diverse, urban neighborhood. Click on the flier for more information.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

I've served as ANC Commissioner for Single Member District 2B09 for three terms and was recently re-elected for another two-year term, which will begin in January 2009. I moved to this neighborhood thirty years ago. My foray into neighborhood organizing began when it became evident that solving problems here required a unified effort. Since then, I've learned from and owe much to my constituents and colleagues on the Commission, where I’ve served as Secretary, Vice Chair and now, for the past two years, Chair. I appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to improve our quality of life.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

New Development Proposal

Dear Neighbors,

Tomorrow's ANC 2B meeting will include a presentation by JGB Associates regarding their proposed redevelopment of the structures located at 1407 S Street NW and 1802, 1804, 1810, 1816, and 1818 14th Street NW and their BZA Application #17850 for one variance and three special exceptions. A rendering of the project appears below:


The full agenda for tomorrow's meeting is also listed below in my post from 11-10-08.

Monday, November 10, 2008

This Month's ANC 2B Meeting Agenda (November 12th, 2008)

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 2B REGULAR MEETING AGENDA


Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 7:00 p.m.

DC Jewish Community Center, 16th at Q Streets NW

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2B meets the second Wednesday of each month.

There is an open forum at each meeting for discussion of issues not on the regular agenda.

For further information send a message to email@DupontCircleANC.net.

You can also sign up to receive ANC2B Agendas.

Go to: http://dupontcircleanc.net/index.htm


General

• Update on Hilton Hotel issues

• Presentation by DDOT (Chris Ziemann) on 14th/15th Street projects & T Street resurfacing

• Consideration of resolution re: 18th Street DDOT & WASA projects

• Consideration of resolution re: green taxi initiatives

• Consideration of resolution supporting use of Dupont Circle underground trolley station as art exhibition

space

• Presentation by Sam Williams (DCRA), New Vending Regulations

• Consideration of grant request by Dupont Village

• Introduction of Ross School Principal, Amanda Alexander

• Consideration of a resolution requesting that the Council hold a hearing on Councilmember Barry’s license, New restaurant with bakery. (2B02)


ABRA Renewals

-Application by 1807 Corporation for renewal of Class B Retailer License #ABRA-021578 for the

-Dupont Market located at 1807 18th Street NW. (2B01).

-Application by 2130 P Incorporated for a Class B Retailer License #ABRA-074057 for the Metro

-Supermarket at 2130 P Street NW. (2B02)

-Application by H. S. Lee Corporation for a Class B Retailer License #ABRA-060741 for Prego Again at

1617 17th Street NW, (2B04)

-Application by Moon Run Inc for renewal of a Class B Retain License #ABRA-060717 for the 1500

-Market at 1500 Massachusetts Avenue NW, (2B05)

-Application by Hyk, Inc. for renewal of a Class B Retailer License #ABRA-071148 for Marbi’s

-Newstand at 1730 Rhode Island Avenue NW. (2B05)

-Application by Oasis, Inc. for renewal of a Class B Retailer License #ABRA-014153 for the Oasis at

2024 P Street NW. (2B06)

-Application by Freedom Market, Inc. for renewal of a Class B Retailer License for Freedom Market, Inc

at 1901 New Hampshire Avenue NW. (2B09)

-Application by Bella Investments, Inc. for renewal of a Class B Retailer License for the New Hampshire

Market at 1900 16th Street NW. (2B09)


Administrative Matters, Commissioner and Committee Reports, and Unfinished/New Business

• Approval of Minutes/Financial Matters

• Religious land use bill & consideration of Commission action in appeal and District Court case (Third

Church)

• Presentation by Center for Strategic and International Studies, 1616 Rhode Island Ave, N.W. to propose

a Second Stage PUD (2B05)


Regulatory

- 1666 Connecticut Avenue, NW, HPA #09-036, concept/alterations to sidewalk café (2B02)

- BZA Application #17850 for one variance and three special exceptions to permit the redevelopment of

the structures located at 1407 S Street NW and 1802, 1804, 1810, 1816, and 1818 14th Street NW. (2B09)

-Public Space Application #40570 for six parking spaces at 1926 16th Street NW (2B09)

-ABRA Application #080149, JPA Hospitality, Inc t/a Aioli, 2153-2155 P Street NW, for “C” Restaurant

license. New restaurant with sidewalk café (34 seats). (2B02)

-ABRA Application #080501, PQ Blaine Mansion, Inc. t/a Le Pain Quotidien, for “C” Restaurant

Thursday, November 6, 2008

More Good News



Yesterday, I testified on behalf of the ANC2B and my constituents in 2B09 at the Board of Zoning Adjustment for the Utopia project at 14th & U Streets, NW (see elevation plan, right). The good news is that at the proceeding, the BZA voted unanimously to approve the variance requests. Developer, Robert Moore, and his team have worked with the community to mesh the project with our  unique historic  block at the southwest corner.   I look forward to continuing to work with the developer and seeing this  project take shape.  The project is a mixed-use retail and apartment complex that will bring approximately 20,000 SF of new retail and 230 apartments.  Artist Alex, a resident of the block, has created a 3-D model of the project, which I'd be happy to show you if you're interested.

Now that the campaign and the BZA hearing for Utopia is past, I'll be able to catch up with all of  you!

I want to  send warm wishes to Michele Molotsky in her new role with the DC Government as a specialist with the Department of Parks and Recreation.  Thanks, Michele, for all your efforts on our behalf over these nine years of service at the Council!
And, congrats on the completion of the first Ward Two dog park!  


Wednesday, November 5, 2008

A Reason to Celebrate


Jubilant cheers, fireworks, dancing in the streets! The scene is 14th & U. The occasion is our NEW PRESIDENT!



I'm also celebrating your support for my fourth term as your ANC representative!

Monday, November 3, 2008

The BIG Day is here! VOTE!

Wow!  Election Day is finally here!  I'm counting on your vote!

I just want to thank everyone for helping with my campaign and pledging a vote for me tomorrow.  The list is far too long for me to type tonight!  

So, I'll share pictures instead.  See you tomorrow!  ANC 2B09:  Precinct 141, The Reeves Center, northwest corner of 14th & U Streets, NW.  

Photographs kindness of Joel Lawson.  Thanks, Joel!



"I hope you'll consider voting for Ramon.  Because of his experience and his

service as both chair of the ANC and our SMD commissioner, he's able to really make a

difference on our behalf.  He understands what the job entails, how to

navigate the government matrix, and how to be a bridge between constituents

and business + government.  The regulatory boards that require ANC input &

testimony recognize and respect him, which helps our voices to be

considered.  He's highly regarded at 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, too.

And, he knows how to achieve results that benefit our everyday lives." 






Dan Gamber, Caroline Street Residents Association: “Ramon has strived to balance the interests of the business (particularly locally owned) AND residential communities. He does not oppose liquor licenses but does try to ensure that the result is not a night club that destroys our sleep .... He does not oppose major construction projects like now proposed for the Hilton and the 14 & U corner, but works to ensure that they will be good neighbors. I fully support Ramon's reelection. Not only is his approach to development balanced, he knows a lot about working with DC departments and about the history of our area.”

Kay Eckles, long time resident of T Street, community activist and President of the Residential Action Coalition and recent recipient of a DC Council honor, endorsed me as one who has served as an “ally working for balanced growth, historic preservation, licensing, planning and zoning. These are the fundamentals that guarantee and sustain the quality of community life. Mr. Estrada offers us the gift of historical memory and years of community involvement.”

The Nolando Condominiums on T Street issued a notice of support for my re-election.

Ellen Mercer, former director of the Dupont Circle Citizens Association 
(DCCA) and resident of 16th Street, also expresses her support of our campaign by saying that “Mr. Estrada has served our neighborhood incredibly well. Anyone who is paying attention (to the issues) would vote for Mr. Estrada."

The Campaign would also like to thank local business owner 
Carlos Buruca, El Paraiso Restaurant on 14th Street, for hosting a delicious fundraiser!