JBG Unveils Revised Plans for 13th and U Project

On Monday, October 22, the JBG Companies unveiled a revised plan and drawings for their 13th and U project.  I have displayed above the front and rear elevations of the proposed building for your review.  The building is 8 stories tall with 134 apartments.  Twelve of the units will be marketed as "affordable housing units."  There will be no rooftop pool area in the revised plans.  And last but not least, the building has been set back about 5-6 feet on the 7th and 8th floors.

JBG representatives announced that the PUD application was filed recently and that the review process has begun at HPRB and the Zoning Commission (which has jurisdiction on Planned Unit Developments).  Stay tuned for more details as they become available.  Read More

Artist "JR" Comes to 14th and T

TED prize winner JR comes to my corner with a huge installation covering the building at 14th and T.  The installation is underway today.  Who is JR?  JR is a semi-anonymous French street artist who uses his camera to show the world its true face, by pasting photos of the human face across massive canvases. At TED2011, he makes his audacious TED Prize wish: to use art to turn the world inside out. Learn more about his work and learn how you can join in at insideoutproject.net.

Who or what is TED?  TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with two annual conferences -- the TED Conference in Long Beach and Palm Springs each spring, and the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh UK each summer -- TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Project and TED Conversations, the inspiring TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize.

Below is the original Richard Copley photo that is the subject of the photo mural.  It was taken in March 1968 when the Memphis sanitation workers went on strike for civil rights.

Monday Columbus Day: No Trash Collection, No Parking Enforcement

The DC Department of Public Works is observing Columbus Day on  Monday, October 8. As a result, there will be no trash and recycling collections. Parking regulations will not be enforced either. (Officially, Columbus Day is actually October 12.)

In once-a-week collection neighborhoods, collections will “slide” to the next day. In twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, Monday and Thursday collections will be made Tuesday and Friday, and Tuesday and Friday collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday.

Enhanced Residential Parking Comes to West Side of 14th

I am pleased to announce that the Enhanced Residential Permit Parking has come to the west side of 14th Street.  Last Spring the Logan Circle ANC asked to be included in this program so that residents who live within their ANC boundaries could have designated "resident only" parking in their neighborhood.  Visitor passes have been mailed to these residents so that they can use them when their guests visit them.  As you may know, Ward One has already instituted this parking program to protect their resident parking as a result of an initiative started by Council Member Jim Graham.

Over the years, the #1 item that I have heard about from my constituents and neighbors is parking concerns.  I have worked diligently with the Logan Circle ANC, ANC 1B, and CM Jack Evans' staff to bring this same program to my Single Member District neighborhood.  Last week the signs were installed by DDOT and neighbors have already begun to reap the benefits.  At the end of the work day and on weekends, they are able to find parking in the neighborhood.  I have received many "thank you's" from my constituents.  Happy Parking!

ANC Candidates Discuss Issues at Neighborhood Forums

The candidates for ANC Commissioner in the 14th and U neighborhood were introduced to the community at the recent U Street Neighborhood Association (USNA) and Shaw-Dupont Citizens Alliance (SDCA) forums.  The SDCA forum (pictured here) was held at the Thurgood Marshall Center and was well attended. 

The newly created ANC1B12 and the existing ANC2B09 represent residents and businesses in the 14th and U neighborhood.  Subject areas discussed included the proposed moratorium, increased crime, appropriate real estate development, promotion of diversity in businesses, and timely constituent services. 

Four candidates are vying for the newly created ANC 1B12 position and they are:  Erling Bailey, John Carlos Green, Zahra Jilani, and Dan Wittels.  Noah Smith is unopposed and was invited by SDCA to participate in the discussion to learn more about our neighborhood's concerns since he will be representing the southwestern corner of 14th and U next year. 

ANCs Sponsor Bicycle Safety Session

The Dupont Circle and Logan Circle ANCs are sponsoring a bicycle safety community listening and education session on Thursday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. at the Chastleton Ballroom located at 1701 16th Street (corner of 16th and R Streets NW).

This is a public meeting for residents, business owners and organizations to discuss bicycle safety issues in our neighborhood.  At this meeting, District transportation and police officials will be in attendance.  The ANCs are joined by the Urban Neighborhood Alliance and the Dupont Circle Citizens Association in sponsoring this important safety discussion.  See you there!

For a link to the information resources shown here, please click here to read more about these safety recommendations.

TROPICALIA Opens at 14th and U Corner

A new nightclub has opened in our neighborhood featuring Brazilian-inspired drinks and music in a psychedelic artspace.  A 5 piece Brazilian band, Rebolisso, will be performing on Sunday nights, along with DJ Roberto Berimbau...no cover...so check it out!  Be sure to wear your dancing shoes...for the samba and salsa numbers...