Re-election Campaign Kicks Off at ANC Meeting

My constituents have been contacting me to encourage me to run again...so I have decided to run for another term. I presented my accomplishments to the community at the ANC meeting on Wednesday, October 13, and again at the U Street Neighborhood Association on Thursday evening. It has been a privilege to serve as Commissioner of SMD 2B09 for the past eight years. During that time I have worked to improve our neighborhood and I have listed some of the improvements below:

1. moving the Center for Community Change from Georgetown to 16th and U
2. encouraging restaurants like JoJo's, Policy, Chidogo, Local 14 and DC Noodles
3. supporting first class retail like Room and Board
4. shaping residential developments like Utopia and Whitman Walker projects with over 400 apartments
5. downzoning our neighborhood to protect our historic townhouses
6. paving streets, replacing sidewalks, putting in bike lanes, and planting trees
7. arranging for foot patrols to protect our residents, businesses and visitors
8. making sure that DC government built the dog park and updated the park at 17th and T
9. saving the Source Theatre
10. preserving the historic house at the corner of 16th and T

I have served as the Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chair of the Commission for two terms. My colleagues have honored me with the title of Chairman Emeritus.

We have a 14th Streetscape and a U Streetscape on the books and so I ask you for your vote to monitor these projects to make sure that the community gets what has been promised...and of course, to continue improving our quality of life.

14th Streetscape Plans Unveiled

The DDOT staff and project team revealed the streetscape designs to the community on Wednesday, Sept. 29. I have displayed the furniture and lamp post designs in the graphic above. The designers are asking for community feedback so please visit the DDOT website to view the designs and email your comments to muhammed.khalid@dc.gov. Final design presentations will be made in November based on comments that are submitted. The project will begin in Spring of 2011 provided that funding is finalized by the District Government. We look forward to this exciting improvement in our neighborhood.

Celebrations Enliven Our Neighborhood

Two celebrations took place in our neighborhood this month enlivening our community...the Labor Day Pig Roast at Cafe Saint Ex and the 17th Street Festival. We live in the heart of the City and these events give us an opportunity to celebrate our diverse neighborhoods.

I hope you took advantage and participated in them!

Good food, good music and good friends and neighbors...

JBG to Begin Construction of Whitman Walker Condos

Later this month the JBG Companies will begin demolition of the buildings along 14th Street at the site of the former Whitman Walker Clinic at the corner of 14th and S Streets, according to James Nozar, Project Manager. The original anchor building, the former Hudson apartments, will remain and will be renovated (seen at the lower left in the drawing above). The plans for the JBG project were approved about two years ago that include spaces for a major restaurant and retail shops on the ground floor which will span the entire block up to Swann Street. The 125 units will be smaller in size than conventional condominiums, offering purchasers an opportunity to buy a condo in the neighborhood at a slightly lower price. There will be underground parking on two levels for residents and shops.

When the Historic Preservation Review Board approved the project, they asked that a memorial be created and placed in the lobby of the anchor building to commemorate the former Whitman Walker Clinic at this location.

New Experimental Design for 16th and U Bike Lanes

The intersection of 16th ST, U ST, and New Hampshire Ave is a challenge to navigate safely by bike, so DDOT has designed an innovative treatment involving new bike lanes, bicycle signals, and a "bike box." During this experiment, bicyclists will be able to travel legally in both directions on NH Ave through the intersection.

The diagram above depicts the experimental design for the intersection. Click onto the picture to get a close up look at the proposed changes.

If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please contact DDOT at 202.671.0681.

Dog Days are coming August 7-8

It's that time again...the dog days of August are coming the weekend of the 7th and 8th. Get ready to explore fabulous shopping and culture during this year's sidewalk sale. Sizzling savings are waiting for you.

Join your neighbors and visitors to our neighborhood and have some fun!

Chidogo hot dogs to open in August

Chicago-style hot dogs and au jus dipped Italian beef sandwiches are coming to our neighborhood in August, replacing the former seafood place two doors down from McDonald's at the corner of 14th and U Streets on the Southwest corner. We welcome this new business and wish them much success. They will offer draft beer to accompany their hot dogs and sandwiches.