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.

1438 U SOLD to Indian Embassy for Cultural Center

After several years of lying dormant, 1438 U Street has been sold to the Indian Embassy for development as a cultural center.  Rock Creek Property Group, which acquired the building for $2 million in late 2010 through a bankruptcy auction, sold the 12,300-square-foot-property to the Indian Embassy on August 12 for $5.75 million, or $467 per square foot.  The property was listed for $6.5 million, but it is assessed by the city to be $2.5 million.

The building, formerly home to the Station Nine restaurant that neighbors complained had morphed into a nightclub, was gutted shorty after Rock Creek bought it.  Within six months, it was back on the market.  Rock Creek had proposed two scenarios for its redevelopment:  residential condos or commercial office space with retail.  Neither option generated any results.  

We wish the Indian Embassy good luck in redeveloping this stunning building into a cultural center!  It will fit in just fine with our community's diversity.

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!

Bye Bye Borderstan.com

After five years of publishing information about our neighborhood known to some as Borderstan, the blog co-founders of borderstan.com have decided to end its online run.  Many of us who live in the target areas of Logan North, Dupont East, and Cardozo-Shaw have enjoyed the information sharing and cross-pollination that took place during those five years.

The neighborhoods surrounding 14th Street have certainly come into their own during that time and perhaps we don't need this kind of blog any more.  With all of the money and development that has come into our neighborhoods, the need for sharing information about "future projects" is no longer there.  We are fully developed...except for a few parcels that remain unbuilt (but there are plans on file!).  As I tell newbies who stop me on the street, they should have been here 10 years or 15 years ago to buy the properties that are now being redeveloped, including our rowhouses!

As for covering the 3 ANCs that represent the target area, I often found Borderstan.com's coverage instigated unnecessary controversy and nasty comments, so I won't miss their coverage.  I tell residents and business owners to attend the monthly ANC meetings to see for themselves what happens and to not believe what they read on the blogs.  The information in blog write-ups is often inaccurate or misleading or designed to instigate.

BTW Borderstan.com joins seven other local blogs that have stopped publishing online.  You are welcome to visit my website and blog for continuing coverage of  "our neck of the woods."  I always argue for more facts and verbatim quotes.  In that spirit, I have provided a link to the co-founders' parting words...good-bye Borderstan!

Ted's Bulletin Restaurant NOW Open

At long last, the owners of Ted's Bulletin (pictured at left) have completed the installation of a tin ceiling, a deco-inspired interior, and a wonderful fountain-like lobby (with a marble floor) and a bakery.  I joined them last night to help open the new restaurant in the District Apartments building located at the corner of 14th and Swann Streets.

This is billed as a "Family Restaurant" according to the large print on the front windows.  I had a very good dinner last night, from soup to dessert.  Their menu features breakfast all day long.  They serve burgers, soups, salads, sandwiches and a choice of items for dinner. 

They also feature "adult milkshakes" and their famous flavored "pop tarts."  The bakery promises to make fresh donuts and bagels every day.  It is twice the size of their Capital Hill location...so enjoy!

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...

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...