Ted's Bulletin Restaurant Putting on Final Touches

The owners of Ted's Bulletin are putting the final touches on their new restaurant at the corner of 14th and Swann Street.  The Art Deco themed "breakfast all day" restaurant is larger than their original location on Capitol Hill.  We are looking forward to the opening soon. Visit their website to learn more about menus and offerings.  See you at breakfast...

JBG Wants to Sell LOUIS and PUD Projects

The word on the street is that JBG has put the LOUIS and their 13th and U Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the market FOR SALE.  Various real estate blogs have posted stories about this news.  A number of us spent several years reviewing, approving and monitoring the LOUIS project with assurances that JBG staff were going to remain as managers of the leased building.  Now we don't know who will be accountable to our community.  Neighbors are concerned about noise emanating from the proposed rooftop activities, like showing movies, and providing an outdoor bar and lounge area.

The PUD project located at the corner of 13th and U was recently approved by the Zoning Commission giving JBG the variances they were seeking and new zoning to allow the construction of an eight story apartment building in our historic district.  Stay tuned while we try to get more information about the sale.

And lest we forget, JBG sold the District Apartments at the corner of 14th and S after telling the community and the ANC that they had to change their plans from building condos to apartments because the numbers didn't support condos.  Bozzuto is leasing and managing the apartments.

So was it their plan all along to simply serve as the developer, despite representations to all of us that they were here for the "long haul" and cared about our neighborhood?  One wonders!

BakeHouse Opens on T Street

The long wait is over and BakeHouse has finally opened next door to the Taqueria Nacional at the former location of the U.S. Post Office on T Street near 14th.  It is on the street floor of a two story addition (where the postal trucks would load and unload mail to the post office.

The staff is congenial and has been busy working out the kinks of starting a new locally owned business.  Some days they run out of food and reviews have been mixed at yelp.com, but one thing is sure...it's a great addition to our neighborhood!  They have added premade sandwiches for those seeking some lunch.  So give them a try.  Get some coffee and a muffin to start your day...

Gay Pride Parade Comes to 14th and S

Our neighborhood has grown so much in recent years and now the organizers of the annual Gay Pride Parade have deemed us worthy of being incorporated into the parade route.  LGBT residents have lived here for many years and so it will be a celebration of their pioneer efforts to settle and thrive in this neighborhood.  We are PROUD of our neighborhood's diversity!

ABC Board Listens to Neighbors

On May 22 the ABC Board listened to neighbors regarding the proposed moratorium at 14th and U Street. They heard 18 witnesses (largely affected neighbors) who were in favor of the moratorium and a handful of witnesses who were opposed (largely the affected ANCs--1B, 2B, and 2F).  The one ANC that is largely affected is 1B, while only 5% of ANC2B and less than 1% of ANC2F are affected by the proposed 1800 foot radius.

Neighbors argued that late night noise and parking issues were affecting them as well as the cumulative effects of having over 120 licensees in their neighborhood.  They also argued that many businesses had left the neighborhood and had been replaced by alcohol serving establishments.  Moreover, they presented petitions signed by over 450 neighbors who live within the proposed zone.

The ABC Board will deliberate and issue a ruling within 90 days.  They can accept the 1800 foot radius or modify it by downsizing it to 1200 feet or 600 feet as allowed by the ABRA regulations.  They can also reject the petition submitted by the Shaw-Dupont Citizens Alliance. 

Other community organizations that represent affected residents have expressed their support for the moratorium and they include the Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association and the Dupont Circle Citizens Association.

Taqueria Nacional Opens on T Street

Taqueria Nacional has officially opened and the neighborhood is excited to have a reasonably priced eatery specializing in Mexican-inspired food. Owners John Fulchino and Ann Cashon are hopeful that their new venture will be supported by their new neighbors. The menu features tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, yucca fries, guacamole, several flavors of agua fresca, and huevos rancheros and cornmeal pancakes for the weekend breakfast crowd. Did I mention that they also serve margaritas and beer? Enjoy! We wish them BUENA SUERTE!

DCCA Elects New Officers and Directors

DCCA Elects New Board of Directors

Former ANC2B Commissioner and Chair Ramon Estrada Elected President of DCCA

Washington, DC, May 7, 2013 – The Dupont Circle Citizens Association announced the election of nine members to its Board of Directors for the 2013-2014 term. The election took place during its annual membership meeting on May 6 at the Hillyer Art Space.

Ramon Estrada will serve as President for a one-year term. Mr. Estrada has been a resident of the Dupont Circle neighborhood for over three decades. During this time, he has served the Dupont Circle community in a number of different capacities, including ANC2B Commissioner, a role which he held for 10 years. He served as Chairman of the ANC and its ABRA Policy Committee. He was acknowledged for his leadership by his fellow Commissioners who appointed him Chairman Emeritus. He continues his efforts as an activist by working with the District Government, businesses, his neighbors and several citizen organizations to improve the quality of life in his neighborhood. Professionally, Ramon has an MBA Degree and has been a CEO of several non-profit trade associations and a community economic development think tank.

Mr. Estrada stated, "I look forward to sharing my private and public sector expertise with the Board of Directors. I want to lead this very important organization into the future with all of the challenges facing us in order to enhance and support Dupont Circle's vibrancy and diversity."

Mr. Estrada succeeds Charlie Ellis, who served as DCCA’s President since September 2012. Mr. Ellis will continue his Board service as Second Vice-President. Other elected Officers include: Nelson Marban, First Vice-President; Susan Volman, Secretary; and Ruth Horn, Treasurer. Re-elected members include Nancy Desmond and Jim Dudney. They join continuing members, Robin Diener and Mary Lord, and newly elected members Marcy Logan and Stephanie Sheridan. Greg Milman and Matt Webster concluded their Board service in May.

Membership in DCCA is open to residents, businesses and supporters of the Dupont Circle neighborhood. To join, please go to www.Dupont-Circle.org/Membership.

About the Dupont Circle Citizens Association

Founded in 1922 in a townhouse at 1767 P Street, to promote and protect the interests of the residents, the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) is the premier civic and residential organization in the Dupont Circle area. DCCA brings neighbors, including residents, businesses and non-profit organizations, together to improve the quality of life in an active and diverse urban neighborhood.

DCCA’s major fundraising event, the Dupont Circle House Tour & Tea, will be held on Sunday, October 20 from 12 pm to 5 pm.

Pictured above: (L to R) Stephanie Sheridan, Jim Dudney, Ramon Estrada, Nancy Desmond, Robin Diener, Ruth Horn, Mary Lord, Susan Volman, Nelson Marban, Marcy Logan, and Charlie Ellis