Dog Days are Here!

Dog Days are here again, so please take advantage of all the promotions and sales that can be had just by walking down 14th or U Streets.  So many venues, so little time!  Bring your friends and money to purchase sale items and enjoy a drink and a meal along the way...

BOOM Changes 14th Street

I get a lot of questions about the development along 14th Street from Logan to Cardozo-Shaw and I tell observers that the planning for this development occurred 10-15 years ago and what they are seeing is the result of a lot of money being directed and invested in our neighborhood. 

Don't forget that the Great Recession delayed some of these investments because construction funds dried up for a few years.

If you haven’t taken a stroll lately, check out this interactive guide to the recent development.

I welcome the changes and am pleased to have been part of the planning and development process, shaping the various projects to fit into our historic neighborhood.  Many community meetings were held during those 10-15 years and now visitors and new residents are witnessing the results. 

Long-timers are anxious for the construction phase to end and to have our neighborhood back!  In particular, the 1400 blocks of S, Swann and T have had to shoulder the burden and inconvenience of   the various construction projects but we can see that completion is near!

And the RAMMY goes to...

Bar Pilar, Nellie's Sports Bar, and Estadio.

These three local businesses have won RAMMYs, an award created by the Restaurant Association of Metro Washington to acknowledge the best and brightest restaurants and bars in the District.  Bar Pilar won for the "hottest bar scene;" while Nellie's Sports Bar won for "neighborhood gathering place;" and Estadio won for "upscale casual restaurant."

Congratulations to all of our local winners.  For a complete list of the winners in 17 categories, please visit the RAMMYs web site.  Please support our neighborhood businesses!

Ted's Bulletin Restaurant Putting on Final Touches

The owners of Ted's Bulletin are putting the final touches on their new restaurant at the corner of 14th and Swann Street.  The Art Deco themed "breakfast all day" restaurant is larger than their original location on Capitol Hill.  We are looking forward to the opening soon. Visit their website to learn more about menus and offerings.  See you at breakfast...

JBG Wants to Sell LOUIS and PUD Projects

The word on the street is that JBG has put the LOUIS and their 13th and U Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the market FOR SALE.  Various real estate blogs have posted stories about this news.  A number of us spent several years reviewing, approving and monitoring the LOUIS project with assurances that JBG staff were going to remain as managers of the leased building.  Now we don't know who will be accountable to our community.  Neighbors are concerned about noise emanating from the proposed rooftop activities, like showing movies, and providing an outdoor bar and lounge area.

The PUD project located at the corner of 13th and U was recently approved by the Zoning Commission giving JBG the variances they were seeking and new zoning to allow the construction of an eight story apartment building in our historic district.  Stay tuned while we try to get more information about the sale.

And lest we forget, JBG sold the District Apartments at the corner of 14th and S after telling the community and the ANC that they had to change their plans from building condos to apartments because the numbers didn't support condos.  Bozzuto is leasing and managing the apartments.

So was it their plan all along to simply serve as the developer, despite representations to all of us that they were here for the "long haul" and cared about our neighborhood?  One wonders!

BakeHouse Opens on T Street

The long wait is over and BakeHouse has finally opened next door to the Taqueria Nacional at the former location of the U.S. Post Office on T Street near 14th.  It is on the street floor of a two story addition (where the postal trucks would load and unload mail to the post office.

The staff is congenial and has been busy working out the kinks of starting a new locally owned business.  Some days they run out of food and reviews have been mixed at yelp.com, but one thing is sure...it's a great addition to our neighborhood!  They have added premade sandwiches for those seeking some lunch.  So give them a try.  Get some coffee and a muffin to start your day...

Gay Pride Parade Comes to 14th and S

Our neighborhood has grown so much in recent years and now the organizers of the annual Gay Pride Parade have deemed us worthy of being incorporated into the parade route.  LGBT residents have lived here for many years and so it will be a celebration of their pioneer efforts to settle and thrive in this neighborhood.  We are PROUD of our neighborhood's diversity!