HPRB Board Turns Down Design for 1921-23 14th

·         At its Dec. 19 HPRB hearing, the Board voted for the second time to ask the owner and architect to revise the design proposed for the properties located at 1921-23 14th Street NW.  They want to see the projections go as well as the cantilevered section over the historic bldg at the corner of Wallach Place.  The materials are also presenting a challenge to the staff and Board.  The facade of the historic building at the corner needs more refinement as well.  In general they think that the building design is "top-heavy" and is "not fully baked," according to Chair Gretchen Phaeler.

Reeves Center Property Swap Details Revealed by DGS

The head of the DC Dept. of General Services revealed on Tuesday, Dec. 17, the proposal for the swap of properties that includes the Reeves Center in order to facilitate the building of a new soccer stadium.  Residents and businesses weighed in to advocate for an office building rather than the proposed mixed use building.  CM Graham expressed his support for an office building that would retain the current Post Office and the DC Center.  Click here to see the slideshow presentation that was shared with the community.  It includes a timeline for the proposed project.  The proposal will be submitted to the DC Council by Dec. 31 along with some enabling legislation.

Zoning Commission Extends Deadline to March 3 to hear testimony about Zoning Re-Write

On December 9 the Zoning Commission announced its vote to extend the deadline to March 3 2014 to hear testimony from affected residents and community groups regarding the Zoning Re-Write.  It was a response to criticisms from the community that there had not been enough vetting of the new document by ANCs and civic associations.  So the ZC will hold hearings in January and February to reach out to the community at-large.  ANCs will be able to testify on January 30, 2014.  For us in the 14th and U neighborhood, a hearing will be scheduled in early February.

Look at what's coming to 14th and U

The Board of Zoning Adjustment has approved a 58 unit building to be erected at the corner of 14th and Wallach Place.  It will be built surrounding the historic structure that is currently located on the corner.  The developer plans to renovate the old building that currently houses a beauty shop and some apartments above. 

DC Center for LGBT Community set for Grand Opening

After months of fixing up the place, the DC Center is ready to celebrate the grand opening of their new home. Saturday November 23rd from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Their new facility is located in the Reeves Center at 2000 14th St NW Suite 105.

This celebration would not be possible without the help of countless supporters and volunteers. The DC Center thanks those who donated to their relocation efforts.

The Crew Club, sponsor of the Conference Room
Dupont Social Club, sponsor of the Lounge
Stonewall Kickball, sponsor of the Activity Room
Capital Pride, sponsor of the Reception Area

This event is free and open to the public. Stop by and see their new home.

Doi Moi, loulou, and Redeem Open

Several new businesses have opened their doors at the corner of 14th and S in the new District Apartments building.  loulou is also located in Dupont Circle.  Redeem is moving from the 1700 block to the 1800 block...so we are familiar with these two businesses.  Doi Moi is restauranteur Mark Kuller's latest venture featuring Asian fusion food.  He also owns Estadio and Proof.  We welcome all of them to our neighborhood.  It's great to see retail businesses in the 'hood after losing so many during the redevelopment of 14th Street!

Salvage Yard May Stop Reeves Center Swap for Stadium Plans

By now you may have heard that WAMU discovered that there is a salvage yard located right smack dab in the middle of the proposed soccer stadium.  The company has been there for decades and is owned by its employees.  There are 10-20-30 foot stacks of metal that would have to be moved...except that the owners do not want to move. 

The Council has til January 1 to review the proposal...stay tuned for more updates...

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!

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!

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!

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. 

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...

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!

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!

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.

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

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.

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

Lincoln Theatre Facing Funding Shortfall May Close

Yesterday evening it was reported in the news that the Lincoln Theatre may have to close because the Council cannot find funds to support it as it has in the past. Last night an emergency board meeting was held to discuss options going forward. The board is appealing to Mayor Vincent Gray to provide funding from the city's surplus tax revenue. They are also asking donors to help the theater stay open. Please contact your Council member (Jack Evans for SMD 2B09) and ask that funds be set aside to continue supporting the Lincoln Theatre, one of the anchors of our ARTS Overlay District.

The theatre opened in 1922 to serve Washington's black residents during segregation. It was restored and reopened in 1994 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The theater has a storied past on the strip once known as America's "Black Broadway."