1425 T Street Cooperative Celebrates 15th Anniversary with Block Party

On Saturday the cooperative at 1425 T Street celebrated its 15th anniversary. The directors of the coop board hosted a block party that was attended by residents of the building and the 1400 block. CM Jack Evans and I kicked off the party noting the building's contribution to the neighborhood. Pictured above with us are the coop board President, Clara Balbuena, and Past Presidents Tanya Barbour and Dominga Cruz. The banquet of food was terrific with plenty to go around (including an anniversay cake); the moonbouncers were very popular with the kids; and the music was enjoyed by all who attended. The weather cooperated and everyone had a GREAT time at the party!

Also pictured above is the original invitation to the GRAND OPENING ceremonies held on August 3, 1996. I was a speaker on the agenda representing the T Street Block Association. Best wishes for the next 15 years!

Design Revised for 14th and Wallach Place

Level 2 Development has revised its design for the new residential building at 1905-1917 14th Street where the U.S. Post Office is located based on community meetings and the HPRB review of their initial design. They have reduced overall massing, increased more setbacks to reduce impacts on Wallach Place, and have incorporated characteristics of the neighborhood. They met with Wallach Place residents last week to review the design.

The new design is still 7 stories tall, however the massing has been shifted to the southern end, where the entrance was repositioned, and the overall density has been decreased, allowing for a more significant stepback at the back of the building (to an adjacent commercial rowhouse and Wallach Place residents across an alley).

Level 2's plan for 154 units has been shaved down to 144, with a loss of approximately 4,000 s.f. overall - a net loss of ten, cozy 400-s.f. studio units - the same floor plan that makes up the majority (approximately 85%) of the building. Most of the units will be efficiencies, although there will be some one bedroom units.

A decorative cornice has been added around the 4-story (northern) section of the building and the two 4-story projecting bays on 14th Street. The new design has an exterior that is less glassy (i.e. windows have been broken down into smaller sizes), in an attempt to make the building look "less commercial."

The building's footprint remains unchanged, at nearly 16,000 s.f., and includes ground floor retail. The developers have stated that 50% of commercial tenants will have to meet criteria of the Arts District Overlay.

They will appear before ANC 1B and HPRB in September to obtain approval of this revised design.

Working Group Proposes New SMD Boundaries

At last night's meeting of the 2B Redistricting Task Force, a proposal was developed by the group to redraw the SMD boundaries to more closely meet the 2000 resident criterion that redistricting requires every ten years. My SMD needs 400 more residents to meet the minimum of 2000 residents, so the working group expanded 2B09 to pick up the 1600 blocks of S and Swann Streets. Your ANC is seeking comments and feedback on the proposed boundary changes so please visit our site.

Dog Days Are Here Again

Dog Days are here again...along with some great specials.

Click here to see a list of specials from our local businesses:

See you in the neighborhood this weekend!

Consignment Chic Comes to 14th

Current Boutique has opened another location at 1809 14th Street. It joins other locations in Alexandria and Arlington to bring women's clothing and accessories to our neighborhood. We wish them good luck and urge our neighbors to shop there...frequently!