DC Center Slated for Reeves Center

I am pleased to announce that the DC Center is moving into the Reeves Center at 14th and U after negotiations with a proposed restaurant have failed.  The ANC supported the intent of the DC Center to locate at the Reeves Center but then learned that a restaurant had been selected to occupy the available space.  The DC Center is celebrating its Tenth Anniversary and I am glad that they will be part of the municipal center serving the LGBT residents of the District.  Click here to review their 10 year timeline. 

Congratulations and Good Luck in your new location!

You're Invited to Annual Holiday Party

You're invited to attend the annual Holiday Party hosted by the U Street Neighborhood Association at Solly's on Thursday, Dec. 13. The festivities, including a silent auction, begin at 7 p.m. Bring a neighbor!

Matchbox Opens November 30 to Public

I am pleased to announce that the Matchbox restaurant at the corner of 14th and T is scheduled to open Friday, November 30, to the public.  Preview dinners are currently under way with invitations being sent to media, neighbors and community leaders.  The former Club Bali (where Cab Calloway, Erol Garner, Billie Holiday, Morgana King, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington once performed) and Arena Stage rehearsal space has been converted to a large 250 seat (inside) restaurant with outdoor patio seating for an additional 50 patrons.  The menu is similar to their other locations on Capital Hill and Chinatown.  I have linked one reviewer's comments.  See you at Matchbox!

Garrison Elementary Targeted to be Closed

On Tuesday, Chancellor Kaya Henderson proposed 20 school closings, including Garrison Elementary that serves our neighborhood,
the latest sign of a system facing budget pressures and increased competition from fast-growing charter schools.    “It’s like a kick in the teeth,” said Ann McLeod, president of the PTA at Garrison Elementary, which is slated to be closed under the plan and turned into a community arts center. Its students would be sent to nearby Seaton Elementary.  

McLeod said Garrison has been gathering momentum in recent years, drawing attention and buzz from the neighborhood’s growing number of young families. “I just don’t see that closing Garrison and moving us to Seaton is going to get any more students enrolled into DCPS,” McLeod said. “In fact, it might get fewer.”

The school system has planned four community meetings for late November and early December to hear community feedback, including on how vacant buildings should be used. In addition, the D.C. Council will hold public hearings on the plan Thursday and Monday.  Henderson said she will listen to public input before making final recommendations to Gray in mid-January.

Council member Jack Evans has stated publicly that he prefers that it not be closed and that Seaton students be reassigned to Garrison.  Please contact his office and voice your opinion! 

Zahra Jilani Elected as ANC 1B12 Commissioner

In a four-way election to determine who will represent the 14th and U neighborhood after redistricting, the voters in 1B12 elected Zahra Jilani as their ANC Commissioner.  She has been assisting ANC 1B for some months as an intern who is producing a newsletter for them and describes herself as a person who enjoys community service.  She will begin serving as Commissioner for the Single Member District beginning in Janaury 2013.  She will be succeeding Commissioner Alex Lewin-Swerdling who served out the term of Aaron Spencer after he moved out of the SMD.  Congratulations, Zahra, and best wishes on your election.  I look forward to working with you on issues of mutual concern in our neighborhood!

Leaf Collection Schedule for 2012

The District has scheduled our neighborhood for leaf collection from November 19 to December 1 . Please rake your leaves into the tree boxes by Sunday, November 18. Leaves ONLY! Tree limbs, bricks, dirt, rocks, etc. will damage the equipment and delay collections. 

Bagged leaves, placed in your alley trash collection site, will be collected along with the regular trash.

311 Updates

If you call 311 today, you wll hear that the DC Government is Closed as are DC Public Schools.  There will be no parking enforcement or trash collection.  Street sweeping is suspended through Wednesday.  Bulk trash appointments will be rescheduled. 

METRO is closed as well...stay tuned for more updates when you call 311.

Prepare for Hurricane Sandy

OPC Urges DC Resident to Prepare for the Potential Impact of Hurricane Sandy

The National Weather Service has stated that the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is likely to experience some severe weather between late afternoon on Sunday, October 28 and Wednesday, October 31, as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Forecasters are predicting the region could experience a combination of high winds, heavy rain and possible flooding in certain areas. The high winds and heavy rain could cause power outages. 
 
In anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, Pepco has announced it is scheduling extra distribution line crews and has contract crews scheduled for storm restoration work and Call Center personnel will work overnight as needed. The Company has also reached out to state and local emergency management agencies to share its weather forecast and plans. 

Keep the Following Numbers Handy:

•    For immediate medical emergencies call 911
•    D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Hotline - Consumers should first call 311 or to report ongoing or major heat related problems call (202) 727-6161. HSEMA may provide transportation to a cooling center or on site cooling buses for residents
•    Pepco Safety Emergency - (202) 872-3432 -- to report wires down
•    Pepco Claims Office - (202) 872-2455 -- to request a form for electric service related damages
•    OPC - (202) 727-3071 -- to obtain information or assistance  

Click here for helpful tips.

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...

ANC Approves "Pillar of Fire" Memorial for Whitman Walker Site at 14th and S

At the August meeting of the ANC, the Commissioners unanimously approved the proposed "Pillar of Fire" memorial for the Whitman Walker site at 14th and S Streets, now the District Apartments under construction.  It is a sculpture with 360 layers of cut and polished float glass post-tensioned into a steel base and then into a concrete footing.  The multi-faceted piece will catch the light from many directions and will be nocturnally illuminated to reveal slowly changing colors to represent an abstraction of the rainbow flag (see the illustration above).  The Historic Preservation Review Board and the ANC asked that a permanent memorial be placed at that corner to remember what was there before the JBG Companies purchased the property for redevelopment.

For those of us who have lived here a long time, we will always remember the Whitman Walker Clinic at this location.  And for our new residents, this memorial (along with the accompanying plaque) will help inform them of the history of this corner in our neighborhood.  We welcome this creative addition to our Arts District.

Ted's Bulletin Slated to go into District Apartments Building

Ted's Bulletin is coming to the District Apartments building at the corner of 14th and S Streets.  Its capacity is approximately 185 patrons and will feature comfort food and breakfast all day long.  It will not have a sidewalk cafe and will feature a bar inside.  This restaurant is also owned by the group that owns the Matchbox restaurants, one of which is coming to the next block at 14th and T.  Perry Smith, Managing Director, is excited to be investing in our neighborhood and looks forward to support from us...so get ready to enjoy their signature pop tarts!

Merlot's Masterpiece Opens in our Arts District

Merlot's Masterpiece has opened in the 1500 block of U Street in our Arts District.  Here you can sip on a glass of wine and snack on some cheese and crackers while you learn how to paint a masterpiece!  Owner Raiguel Brown met recently with residents from Caroline Street and me to discuss her business.  She has had a lot of interest shown by DC residents who want to take advantage of this opportunity to learn to paint.  She contracts with a local artist to instruct her customers 15 at a time for a nominal fee of approximately $50 per session.    At at the end of the session you can take home your new piece of art!  She is in the middle of applying for her liquor license.  You can visit her website to learn more.  We wish her best of luck in her new business in our neighborhood!

Dog Days are coming to our neighborhood this weekend.  Bring your shopping dollars and get some great values at our local merchants.  Support our vibrant neighborhood!

Visit the Dog Days website to find out more about the deals and freebies being offered this weekend.

Our Favorite Restaurants Close Until Next Year

Our favorite restaurants in the neighborhood...Utopia, Coppi's, and DC Noodles...have closed for the construction of the Louis apartments.  They will all reopen in a year.  For those who have lived here for a long time, Utopia was our first restaurant when all the buildings were boarded up at the corner of 14th and U.  Then came Coppi's and now we have DC Noodles.  We look forward to the renovation of the buildings that house them.  The required 55 foot setback from the U Street facades for the Louis apartments building will preserve the historic townhouses.  We look forward to a refurbished Utopia, Coppi's and DC Noodles!

Post Office Opens at Reeves Center

Today I am pleased to announce that the T Street Post Office is OPEN at the Reeves Center after several months of renovations to the vacant space.  Post Office Boxes are now available for customers to pick up their mail.  I look forward to supporting this Post Office location and I think the hundreds of new residents that are coming to all of our new buildings along 14th Street will also use this facility.  Thank you to the DC Postmaster for listening to us and keeping a Post Office in our neighborhood!

July 4: No Trash Pick-up or Parking Enforcement

The DC Department of Public Works will observe Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4, and most DC city services will be suspended, including parking regulations and trash pick-up However, the Nationals will play home games at Nationals Park July 3-8, and parking regulations in that neighborhood will be enforced daily, including July 4. Vehicles violating these restrictions will be ticketed and towed.

Other parking regulations, including expired meters, residential parking and street sweeping, will be suspended for the holiday.

Sanitation services will be suspended for the holiday and will resume Thursday, July 5:

• In once-a-week trash and recycling collection neighborhoods collections will “slide” to the next day, so Wednesday’s collections will be made Thursday, Thursday’s collections will be made Friday and so on.
• In twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, normal collections will be made Monday and Tuesday; however, Thursday’s collections will be made Friday and Friday’s collections will be made Saturday.
• Street sweeping will be suspended Wednesday, July 4 so motorists will not need to move their cars that day.

Dupont ANC Hosts MPD To Discuss Crime

On Wednesday, June 20, the Dupont Circle ANC will host a community meeting to discuss crime in our neighborhood. The Police will be there to discuss initiatives that may be helpful to reporting and preventing criminal activities such as crimes of opportunity. This is an opportunity to have your voices heard on concerns, issues, and ideas from neighborhood crime to pedestrian and bicycle safety — and for you to help inform and guide the city’s public safety agenda.  Plan to attend this important community discussion from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center at the corner of 16th and Q Streets NW.

U Street Streetscape Starts NOW

After waiting many years, the U Street Streetscape will begin next week.  It will start at 9th Street and continue to 14th Street.  At last month's U Street Neighborhood Association meeting DDOT officials presented drawings that detailed the improvements.  The project will resurface the street and widen sidewalks in the 1300 block of U Street at the location of Desperadoes Restaurant where passage by pedestrians is very narrow.  Transportation officials say the road will be reconstructed one block at a time. At least one lane of traffic will be kept open in each direction during construction. But curbside parking will be restricted.

Shaw-Dupont Citizens Alliance Hosts Inaugural Membership Meeting

Last night I attended the inaugural membership meeting of the newly formed Shaw-Dupont Citizens Alliance which was held at its new meeting place, the Thurgood Marshall Center on 12th Street NW. Council Member Jim Graham was represented by staff person John Detaeye and the meeting room was full of members and interested neighbors.  The board members, headed by Joan Sterling (President), discussed a variety of community issues and concerns, including the proposed moratorium, parking, arts overlay district, and development in the neighborhood.  Refreshments were provided and everyone had a chance to mingle at the end of the evening.  Also attending was Christina Parascandola, President of the Meridian Hill Residents Association.  If you are interested in joining SDCA, please visit their website to learn more about their mission and boundaries.

DC Council Approves Budget with Limited Extended Alcohol Sales Hours

On Tuesday, May 14, the Council members discussed the Budget Supplement Act which contains a number of amendments to the Budget Request Act. The budget request includes a proposal by Council Chair Brown that extends hours of alcohol sales for 19 days (11 Federal holidays that also include 4 three-day-long-weekends). This is a compromise proposal to close a funding/revenue gap of $1.5 million in the District's budget. This was the first reading of the BSA after the Council approved the BRA. Council Member Cheh introduced an amendment that would require reporting on the effectiveness of the extended hours on raising the funds and any impacts on MPD and neighborhoods after a year of operation.

Currently VA's limit operating hours for approximately 25% of licensees in the District and many licensees that will be eligible to be open late will elect to close at their regular closing time. So it is not clear how much revenue will actually be raised by implementing this proposal.

The next Legislative Meeting of the Council is scheduled for June 5. Council Member Graham commented that he hopes the Council can find the $1.5 million to fill the gap without having to extend alcohol sales hours.

Taqueria Nacional and BakeHouse Coming to Old Post Office

As many of you know, there are two new businesses that are coming to our Old Post Office.  I recently met with Johnny Fulchino and his partner Ann at Johnny's Half Shell at 400 North Capitol Street to discuss his plans.  He indicated that he wants to serve lunch and dinner and he will also sell takeout meals.  The new eatery is based on his current operation, Taqueria Nacional, which I toured, located behind his Half Shell restaurant.  He would like the neighbors to support the business by purchasing their homemade tacos and agua frescas as a convenience food in addition to dining in the former post office space.  He hopes to have a moderately-priced menu.  Also coming to our neighborhood is BakeHouse which will be located in the new building that will be constructed in the small lot next door that used to serve as the driveway for the postal delivery trucks.  Owner Niall Cooper tells us that "our menu will consist of house-made baked goods and high quality coffees and teas. We’ll serve updated classics with modern flavor profiles."  We welcome both new businesses!

CM Graham's Committee Rejects Mayor's Proposal to Extend Alcohol Sales Hours

Today CM Graham's Committee on Human Services which oversees ABRA voted 2-3-0 to reject the Mayor's Proposal to Extend Alcohol Sales Hours til 3 and 4 a.m.  Voting in favor were Councilmembers Barry and Alexander.  Joining Graham and Wells in opposition was Councilmember Brown.  The Committee proposed a six cent increase in the excise tax on alcohol which would generate approximately $20 million.  The Mayor's proposal would have raised $3.2 million in revenue.  To view the news media coverage click here.

Bikeshare Rack Moved to T Street Park

This past week we saw the Capital Bikeshare station moved from its current location at the point of the 16th and New Hampshire intersection (on the sidewalk) to the north side of the T Street Park (on the pavement).  When DDOT recently asked us about expanding the rack because it has become the 8th busiest in the region, I recommended and the ANC concurred that this move would reduce the possibility of accidents and  make the station more accessible to subscribers who live mostly to the south of U Street.  And we thought that the park could use more activity, too!

JBG Unveils Plans for Residences at Former Hotel Site

Last week the JBG design and management team unveiled plans for a residential building at the former 13th

and U hotel site. They cited community opposition to the height and massing of the proposed hotel as one reason for switching to a residential building that will contain 135 one and two bedroom apartments with 72 parking spaces for residents. Loading and unloading for the building and Rite-Aid will be inside an enclosed docking area off of the 13th Street side of the building. Trash will be kept inside the building and there will be a roofdeck for residents to enjoy.

The project is slated to be a Planned Unit Development (PUD) since the building will need special zoning treatment to allow the 90 foot height (with an 18 foot mechanical override) that JBG is seeking. The DC Zoning Commission defines a PUD as “a planning tool which allows a developer greater flexibility in site planning and building design. This flexibility permits the developer to incorporate amenities in the project that exceed those that could have been achieved under the general provisions of the Zoning Regulations.” There will be some Inclusionary Zoning units required by law for this size project in order to provide some affordable housing to the community.

Community leaders will have to learn the details of what a PUD entails  and decide what community benefits they will seek from JBG for approval of their proposed project. Stay tuned for more upcoming information about this project. JBG will design and launch a website dedicated to this project soon...the project manager is Brook Katzen and he can be reached at bkatzen@jbg.com.

To learn more about the PUD process go to: http://tinyurl.com/PUD-Process-Fall-2011-ANC-1C

DDOT Discusses Tools to Address Parking Issues

Below are notes from the meeting held last night at the Hotel Dupont.

"The purpose of the meeting was for DDOT to describe what types of parking systems have and have not worked elsewhere in the city, and for Ward 2 residents to explain the parking challenges they face and ask questions about the parking regulation system and what the options are.

Damon Harvey with DDOT (damon.harvey@dc.gov, 202.671.350) described the various ways in which neighborhoods can perfect their residential parking permit (RPP) system. He urged us to think about a comprehensive approach, so that non-resident parkers don’t simply shift from one block to the next in search of laxer rules. Attendees described the types of parking problems they encounter, such as spaces being taken by patrons and employees of nearby commercial establishments, and inability of the elderly and handicapped to find parking.

The default RPP option is a 2-hour grace period for non-permit holders 7:30am-8:30pm Monday-Friday. That can be changed in certain ways by regulation upon the recommendation of the ANC, but other changes would require enactment of a new law by the City Council. Examples of changes that can be made by regulation include changing the hours of the RPP system, imposition of resident-only parking (that is, no grace period at all) on one side of the street during certain hours/days, and changing the hours and costs of meters. We should also carefully consider side effects – for example, if resident-only parking is instituted, the city will supply each household with a visitor parking pass, but there is danger that those passes can be counterfeited and sold. DDOT works hard to prevent that, by monitoring Craigslist and EBay and using water marks on the permits, but it could be an issue. Could be less of an issue if DDOT is successful in development and rollout of an internet-
based system for visitor passes.

One option that was discussed would be to have RPP in place during the day, say from 8:00am to 4:00pm, then resident-only from 4:00pm to midnight. This would allow guests, tradesmen and deliverymen to park for up to two hours during the day, then give residents priority by the time they come home from work.

There are more nuances than many of us realized. For example, an RPP system that operates until 6:00pm, after which anyone can park for any length of time, really only limits parking until 4:00pm, because a non-resident can park at 4:00pm, stay for the 2-hour grace period until 6:00pm and stay further overnight until the RPP kicks in again the following morning.

Mike Feldstein, Chair of the ANC Zoning Committee, will organize a second meeting in a month or so, which will be devoted to discussion of issues specific to Ward 2, and suggestions by DDOT as to how to address them."

Thanks to those of you who attended last night. We look forward to developing some recommendations for our ANC to consider to address parking issues in our neighborhoods.

Construction Begins All Around the Neighborhood

During the past month you may have noticed that construction is all around us...the Old Post Office on T Street, LOUIS at 14th and U (formerly UTOPIA) and the Granada apartments at 1433 T. These projects were all approved years ago but are now finally under construction. The District Apartments at 14th & S are moving right along and slated to be completed for occupancy later this Fall.

Post Office Lease at Reeves Center Finalized

A message from CM Graham about the Post Office on 14th Street:

Dear Friends,

Good news! The US Post Office—once feared to be closing at its 14th and Wallach Place location—is now definitely staying in the neighborhood.

We have known that USPS decided to attempt to keep the post office in the area. But its new location was subject to site and lease negotiations.

The lease with the DC government and USPS is fully executed.

The Post Office will occupy a large space on the ground floor with direct street access. The build out is currently being planned. And we should be able to announce an opening timeline very soon.

It should also be added that the Kalorama post Office in Adams Morgan was also taken from the closure list as a result of this successful process.

We worked effectively with Mayor Gray and his team, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Gerald Roane, the DC postmaster and his staff, to save this vital service for DC residents. Thanks for all their great work!

This is very reassuring for all the people who live and work in the 14th and U Street corridor, numbers that are about to increase dramatically with new development in the next 18-24 months.

Bests
Councilmember Jim Graham

ANC Parking Discussion Moved to April 3

The Dupont Circle ANC will host a discussion about parking in our neighborhood on Tuesday, April 3, at the Dupont Hotel at 7 p.m. It was originally scheduled for March 29 but was moved recently. As you may know, the Logan Circle ANC has approved a pilot project--Enhanced Residential Permit Parking--within their boundaries. We will have a DDOT representative at the meeting to discuss various tools for our consideration, including ERPP. We look forward to this discussion and your participation. See you there!

JBG Reviews Projects at U Street Assn Meeting

At the March meeting of the U Street Neighborhood Association, representatives from JBG provided an overview of three projects: 14th and S District apartments, LOUIS--formerly known as UTOPIA--at the corner of 14th and U and a proposed hotel for 13th and U Streets. JBG is reincarnating the hotel project that was not supported by USNA members several years ago when it was first proposed. Wallach Place residents attended the briefing and asked questions about height and massing and impacts on their adjacent homes.

For more information, please contact Bryan Moll, project manager for LOUIS at bmoll@jbg.com or 240.333.3705, and James Nozar, project manager for 14th and S, at jnozar@jbg.com or 240.333.3774. If you have any complaints about the projects during construction, please feel free to contact these project managers.

Policy Restaurant and Lounge Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

Streetsweeping Begins March 12

Enforcement of streetsweeping signage will begin next Monday, March 12. Please take a look at your Street Sweeping Signs. As you may know, some changes were made by DDOT last year on some blocks and streets in the neighborhood as to time of day and/or day of the week.

ANC Sponsors Parking Discussion

Our Dupont Circle ANC 2B will be hosting a discussion on parking-related issues. Representatives from DDOT will be present to outline options for residential parking in our neighborhood. I have asked them to describe the pilot project at Columbia Heights with resident only parking on one side of the street. Ward 1 is implementing this program ward-wide and I would like our ANC to consider it for us in Ward 2. I believe that this will relieve some of the pressure placed on our residential parking by visitors to the 14th and U nightlife venues.

The session will take place on Thursday, March 29, at the Dupont Circle Hotel at 7 p.m.

Two Successful Restauranteurs Are Coming to the West Side

I am pleased to inform my constituents and neighbors that two well-known restauranteurs are coming to the west side of 14th Street. They are Med Lahlou and Mark Kuller. Med owns Shoney's on P Street, Ulah Bistro on U Street, and several others in the city. Mark is planning to open his third restaurant. He owns Proof and Estadio. Med will be opening Stub's Kitchen (a working name to be finalized later) at the corner of 14th and T in the former Paradise Liquors building that has been meticulously restored under the watchful eye of HPRB. Mark will be opening his new venture at the corner of 14th and S in the former Whitman-Walker Clinic/JBG project. Med's is an Italian-inspired bistro and Mark will be serving Southeast Asian cuisine in a nature-inspired environment (he was influenced by Brushstroke Restaurant in NYC--see photo). They are currently finalizing their interior design plans and we look forward to dining at these new restaurants in our neighborhood.

ANC Supports Rauzia Ally for HPRB Post

On Wednesday, February 8, the Dupont Circle ANC supported the nomination of Rauzia Ally for an appointment to the Historic Preservation Review Board. She is a resident of Swann Street and President of the Dupont Circle Conservancy. She is a trained architect, a teacher and a business owner. She is knowledgeable about the District's building and zoning codes. And most importantly, she is supportive of Dupont Circle historic preservation priorities.

We wish her good luck in the nomination process and look forward to her participation on the board.


Photo courtesy of Rauzia's Facebook page

UTOPIA Project Schedule Announced by JBG

JBG Project Manager Bryan Moll announced the construction schedule this week for the Utopia Project at the corner of 14th and U Streets. Representatives from the 14th and U Street community were invited to a presentation of the timeline and final drawings for the project. At long last, the project will have its groundbreaking on February 21. Good luck, JBG!

You're Invited to VIP Opening of Black and Orange

Please click on to the graphic on the left to see the invitation details. Join us to meet and welcome Raynold and his wife, Caroline, who own and manage Black and Orange. Visit their website at www.blackandorangeburger.com to see and order from the menu which I have posted on the right.

See you at the opening!

Matchbox Coming to 14th and T

I attended the U Street Neighborhood Association meeting on Thursday evening and listened to a presentation by Perry Smith of the Matchbox restaurant management team. The Arena Stage building is being renovated as an open concept restaurant that will seat 250 people with an outdoor sidewalk cafe that will seat 50 people.

The restaurant chain has several other locations in Capitol Hill and Chinatown. You can visit their website to view their menus.

Questions from nearby residents centered on parking issues and hours of operation. Perry assured residents that the restaurant will seat its last customers at 10:30 p.m. on weeknights and 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The outdoor cafe will close at 11 and 12 midnight, consistent with others in the neighborhood.

We look forward to the grand opening later this summer.

PSA 208 becomes PSA 301 with New Boundaries

Effective immediately the Police Chief has assigned new Police Service Area boundaries for our neighborhood. We are now in PSA 301...we used to be PSA 208. We have been returned to the jurisdiction of the Third District (after being under the Second District since 2004 when the Police Chief moved us). Our ANC offered alternative boundaries that would have kept us in the Second District but the Chief proceeded with her plans to revise the boundaries. To read more about the changes please click here.

Third District Station
1620 V Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 673-6815
Fax: (202) 673-2154