White Door

Near the wholesale food district.

More Info on Those 5th Street Condos

I received another email about these condos, and this time there was a website mentioned. Apparently, the development is called Union-5. These are actually going to be decent size condos (1900 sqft). They are only building 4 of them, and (in the ridiculous DC housing market) $500k might even sound like a good deal for 1900 sqft (particularly when Abdo is rumored to be starting its 750sqft studios at $450k). The site's map is a bit odd. It includes both metro stations, Union-5, and...the GSA headquarters (because I ALWAYS look for government agencies nearby when I pick a neighborhood). The final location on the map is the "Historic H Street Corridor" (which is apparently located at 3rd & H). So I'm glad that these developers haven't been distracted by all those flashy new businesses moving in further down on H Street (say in the arts & entertainment area). No, these guys have kept their eyes on the ball. They are sticking to their guns and saluting those historic vacant lots on the 300 block. Oh, and on a completely unrelated note, Abdo is building some condos at 3rd & H. Plus, you would really think that for half a million they could do better for neighborhood info than a REALLY outdated Main Street info sheet (that refers readers to an old HSMS website).

Morning School & Metrobus Collision in Trinidad

Thanks to DCist, I discovered that there was a minor accident involving a school bus and a metrobus at the intersection of Oates & Trinidad. Luckily both buses were nearly empty, and no one was seriously injured.

Condos on 5th Between L & M?

It sounds like the condo project at 3rd & L may soon have company. I received an email this morning saying a sign went up yesterday on an empty 5th Street lot announcing the coming of...more condos. Apparently, an abandoned house on the lot was torn down in December and replaced, earlier this year, by the beginnings of a foundation.

The Fishing School

From the wall of The Fishing School. On Wylie Street.

A9 Delivers "Block View" of H Street

Wow, I just saw on DCist that Amazon's search engine A9 has introduced its "Block View" for DC. This is a really cool service that actually allows you to look at a photo of the street where a particular business is located when you look up the business's yellow pages info (we might search for chicken places). You can "walk down the street" and see the images change as you progress. They, obviously, haven't mapped every street, but H Street is in there. Very cool.

Apartments to Top The Black Supermarket

I inquired about the new windows in the second and third floors floors of this building (located at 13th & Florida), and was told that the owner (and manager of the store located below) was renovating 4 one bedroom apartments (or actually, I forget how many apartments, but he definitely did say four bedrooms). The top floors have apparently been boarded-up since 1990. I also learned that this building is quite old. The owner showed me a photo hanging on the wall of the structure (and Florida Avenue -was it Boundary Street at that time?) as it appeared in 1909, or 1910 (both dates were scribbled on the shot). Apparently there has been a store on that site (perhaps pre-dating the current structure) since the mid to late 19th century. At any rate, the upper floors will soon offer someone a home with a little history.

Washingtonian Features H Street in "Great Places to Live"

I missed it on the newsstand, but apparently The Washingtonian talked H Street up in its March "Great Place to Live Issue." The H Street discussion showed up in a section called "Buzz City: Neighborhoods for singles on the move." Here's the article. And here's a sneak peak (they're talking about the Abdo condos):

Planned amenities include a DVD-projection theater and a rooftop pool.
Construction and sales begin in late spring: Abdo expects units to go for $600 per square foot; the smallest, a 750-square-foot condo, would fetch $450,000.

All Boarded-Up at 2nd and K

I was walking down 2nd Street the other day when I came to the block between K and L Streets. Almost the entire block was boarded-up.


I have seen entire blocks of boarded-up houses, but I feel like it's a pretty rare occurance around here. I was curious to see these places from the back (often places that appear boarded-up from the front are much less so in the back). Here's what I found:




Talk about an illegal dumping problem. So looking at this block, the abandoned trash truck (pictured below), & the junkies down the street, I'm thinking the developers (at 3rd & L) should consider changing their condos' tag line.

Abandoned Truck

2nd & L Streets. Abandoned North Beach Trash Truck.

Family Liquor

8th & H Streets. This is a morning shot, but 6 afternoons and evenings a week the sidewalk in front of Family Liquor is clogged with patrons who congregate out front with their beverages.

Bottles, or Bars?

No Bars for H Street?

So, I'm curious, if you oppose bars on H Street (or even if you just think that 6 is too many for two blocks) what do you want to see there? The rule for responding is that you can't just make a wishlist (mine would be something like: garden center, cooking store, Asian grocery, sushi place, authentic Mexican place, & Kosher Deli). You have to have something sustainable. Do have plans you think are sustainable? If so, what are they? What would you put on H Street, and who would go there (neighborhood residents, DC residents from other neighborhoods)? Also, how do people feel about bars versus liquor stores versus restaurants with liquor licenses? Why? And what about this proposed singles ban?

5th & H Streets

The Northwest corner.

Thoughts on the Proposed H Street Bars

This is a follow-up to the earlier posting of Commissioner Marc Borbely's question to a couple of neighborhood listservs about recent applications for liquor licenses on the 1200 & 1300 blocks of H Street.

Wow, Marc's question has really generated a lot of interest. By my count so far I have received emails (listserv only) from 17 individuals explicitly supporting, or opposing Joe Englert's plan for H Street (I'm calling it that because 5 of the establishments in question are either his, or associated with him). Of those 17, 13 have written in support of the bars, and 4 have strongly objected, or expressed reservations. Seeing a larger, more concrete (we're seeing actual bar descriptions here, not just zoning overlays), plan seems to have really gotten people thinking (and talking) about their visions for H Street. I think this is great getting to really see what people are envisioning.
Personally, I am going to come down strongly in favor of Joe Englert's plan. I've been to a number of his bars, and I really like them. It looks like he has plans to cater to different groups on H Street, which is certainly a good thing. I support Joe Englert's plan because I know he has the experience, funding, and connections to do something, and do it right. I think we have all seen plenty of developers around here who just seem to run out of steam halfway through a job (leaving empty, or worse half deconstructed buildings that just sit there). Joe Englert has a strong reputation for working with communities. If you are concerned (and I know we all are) about irresponsible/unresponsive bar owners coming to H Street, then the best possible thing we can do is have a guy like Joe Englert come in as an owner. Some people don't want any bars on H Street, but I don't think this is realistic. If we want a thriving arts & entertainment district we need bars. People want, particularly if they have to go a bit out of there way, an area where they can spend the whole evening. You need restaurants, shows, coffee shops, & bars (at minimum). It will mean more foot traffic for H Street, which will be good news for businesses (at least those with evening hours). Plus, I like to go out, and bars are a big part of going out. I think a lot of people from the neighborhood would be happy to frequent bars on H Street, as opposed to having to go to some other entertainment district. I know I hate it when friends come to my house and I have to tell them there just isn't much close-by once the conversation turns to going out. I've heard the trash argument before, but do you really think that having these bars on H would make the problem worse? If so, go stand outside Joe Englert's bars in other parts of the city. Think about other areas similar to H Street, but that currently do have thriving entertainment scenes. 14th Street is hardly pristine, but I don't think you can blame that on the Black Cat. We need these bars. H Street can't support just restaurants (especially if we refuse to give them liquor licenses) because we don't have the foot traffic right now. Besides, restaurants operate on notoriously thin margins anyway, and alcohol sales make it lot easier for them to survive. We need the full entertainment package, both to bring us to H Street (be honest), as well as to bring others here. That's how you make an area successful, by giving people everything they want.

240 Parker Street

Post Praises Horace & Dickie's

The Washington Post has included Horace & Dickie's (of 12th & H Street) in a list of restaurant recommendations for the "Ultimate Washington Experience." Horace & Dickies, a local carryout that serves fried fish & fried chicken sandwiches, made the news last year when Southern Living magazine (was the writer lost?) gave the place an honorable mention for fried chicken in the south. According to the Post you should get dark meat if you opt for the chicken. However, anyone who's been there can tell you everyone gets the fish (with hot sauce), not the chicken.

4th & H Streets

Looking Northeast.

Proposals for New Bars/Entertainment Venues

The following bolded list comes directly from an email sent out on the ANC6A & H Street listservs:

- 1206 H St. The Olympic. Application already submitted. Old
school neighborhood sports bar with full bar menu. An Englert establishment.

- 1210 H St. The Showbar. Application already submitted. Occasional
live entertainment. An Englert establishment.*

*- 1212 H St. The Red and the Black. Live music on 2nd floor. Bar on first floor. New Orleans style place. Capacity 120. An Englert establishment.

*- 1224 H St. The Beehive. Mexan food and grilled
burritos. Summer garden inback. Capacity about 69. Some residential or office on second floor. Jukebox. An Englert establishment.

*- 1234 H St. name? Would sell chips and snack items. Capacity 79 or 89. Few booths. Pool table. Jukebox or prerecorded music. Beer with classic drinks. Mostly bottled beers and drinks like martinis. Applicant is actually a partner or friend of Mr. Englert's.

- 1236 H St. The Martini Lounge, at Martinis and other drinks. Two floors,with lounge downstairs and dance floor upstairs. Bar and lounge, serving American cuisine, with dance floor, live jazz band, DJ, for R&B Music, Hand Dancing, Salsa and Karaoke. Not a Joe Englert establishment, but this is also in the pipeline.

*- 1353 H St. The Rock and Roll Hotel. 7,000 square foot area. Capacity 349.Two levels. First level: 40s and 50s style grand hotel with big chandeliers. Bar would be like in a Hollywood movie. Upstairs: 12 separate rooms people could rent out for evening parties. Would feature heavy appetizers served as room service (with tray and cover). Would feature a lot of draft beers/microbreweries. An Englert establishment.

Stars indicate new applications. Votes have already been held regarding the applications of the other businesses. I had heard rumors about Joe Englert buying up lots of H Street properties and making big plans, but this is pretty intense. So do people welcome the hip new development and point to Joe Englert's good rep, or do they worry about Adams Morgan type noise/activity troubles?

Doing It God's Way Church

From the corner of 9th (I think) & I Streets.

H Street Food Co-op

For anyone interested the food Co-op is starting up again soon. Last year they purchased food from the farmers at the H Street Farm Fresh Market, but closed down for the season when the market closed (the end of October). I know that they have had opening a physical store as a goal for quite a while now, and it sounds as if this may soon (18 months or so) come to fruition. I did not attend the meeting, but the following comes directly from an email sent out by the co-op:


Our Principles:

Ð To support local, organic, family-owned and sustainable agriculture.

Ð To make available healthy, fresh, delicious, diverse, and affordable natural
foods.

Ð To increase consumer control of our local economies and sources of
sustenance.

Ð To educate the community on important environmental, health, economic, and
agricultural issues.

Ð To be open to all, bringing neighbors together in a common and spirited
effort to achieve these goals.

Our Mission:
To operate a consumer food cooperative, providing high quality natural products
at a fair and reasonable price.

Our Vision:
The H Street Community Market is dedicated to helping people live in ways that
are ecologically and socially sustainable and that promote both personal and
community health and well-being.

If you are interested, here is the co-op's contact info:
hstreetfoodcoop@yahoo.com or call (202) 257-6392

The Black Super Market at 13th & Florida

I noticed recently that the building (13th & Florida) where The Black Supermarket occupies the first floor is having its upper floors renovated (or at least someone is replacing the windows). Formerly this building was boarded up on the upper floors, but I am happy to see that the empty floors may soon be put to use. I know that store, having been there for decades, is pretty much an institution (every summer the owner throws a bar-b-que and invites the whole neighborhood), but I don't really know the history of the rest of the building. I also spoke, on Saturday, with some workmen busy clearing renovation debris from a commercial space on the corner of Florida and Trinidad (across from the not 24 hour laundry mat).

Wig Shop at 12th & H Streets

ANC6A Concerned About Proposed Cluck-U Chicken Location

The following is a comment (on a post about the Cluck-U Chicken that is slated to come to H Street) left by a local ANC Commissioner. I'm turning it into a post because I want to make sure people see it:

Joseph Fengler said...

At last night's ANC 6A meeting, we approved sending a letter to DCRA reminding them that fast food is not a matter of right development for a C2A zone.

Dear Dr. Canavan,

ANC 6A is writing regarding a new establishment (“Cluck-U Chicken”) at 1123 H Street NE. We are concerned that DCRA will issue a certificate of occupancy to this establishment without determining whether a special exception for a fast food restaurant is required from the Board of Zoning Adjustment. The special exception process allows the ANC and residents living near the property to provide input on potentially objectionable aspects of fast food restaurants such as noise, odors, lights, hours, traffic safety, and litter.

ANC 6A is particularly sensitive to this issue because of past mistakes by DCRA on H Street NE. On November 2, 2004, BZA determined that the Zoning Administrator erred by issuing a certificate of occupancy for a “deli/restaurant” in the C-2-A zoned premises at 721 H Street, NE currently occupied by Blimpie/Noble Roman Pizza. BZA found the premises are actually a “fast food restaurant” as defined at 11 DCMR 199.1 and require a special exception from BZA per 11 DCMR 733.1.

The Eleanor Apartments

I was walking on Florida recently when I noticed a sign for an apartment building (18 units) called The Eleanor. The sign features a likeness of Eleanor Roosevelt. Although I've seen many buildings with names like The Washington, or The Lincoln, I don't think I have ever come across a building named for Eleanor Roosevelt. A very unusual choice I think. Anyway, here are some photos:


And ready for her close-up.

I had no luck reaching their website, but perhaps you will be more fortunate. At any rate, I have no doubt this would be an ideal location for entertaining visiting dignitaries and favored reporters alike.

It looks like they still have their domain, so the website problem may be on my end. Here is more info on the developer Evolve LLC. I did not know this was the same team that brought us the Pierce School Lofts.

Don't Miss the Atlas Festivities this Weekend

Ok, this shot was taken a month, or two ago. At any rate, things look a bit different today. Don't miss out on the festivities at the Atlas this weekend (and all of next week). There will be theatrical and musical performances galore. There will also be some free dance classes at Joy of Motion, and numerous other performances of all kinds. Be sure to show up for the sign lighting tomorrow night from 8-8:30pm. Please be aware that even though the events surrounding the opening of the Atlas are free, some do require tickets that must be obtained from the box office in advance. See their website for details.

PSA 504 Meeting Tomorrow -Confirmed

It's still not on the 5th district calendar, & no reminder has gone out on the 5th district listserv, but I did get a postcard (because I signed up for the mailing list) reminder for it yesterday. So, I think we could do a better job of getting the word out there. But for now:

PSA 504
10am
Saturday April 16th

Joseph Cole Recreaction Center
1200 Morse Street NE
(where Morse & Montello intersect).
Free pastries & juice.

PSA 504 Meeting Saturday

I don't see it on the calendar, but I'm pretty sure there is PSA 504 meeting scheduled for Saturday 4/16 at 10am. The meeting, should it occur, will be held at the Joseph H. Cole Center (located at the corner of Morse & Montello).

Broken Window Theory & Resident Health

How is does a neighborhood's enviroment affect the health of its residents? Is it about poverty, or about connection to people and place? Here is an interesting summary of some findings of RAND researchers.

Photos of the Abdo Children's Museum Condos

Here are a few shots I took this weekend.

And a little closer up you have...



...these.

Even More Chicken

I neglected to count two other places right at 12th & H Streets. So that is makes 6 wing places (7 if you assume that the Olympic will serve wings) within slightly over a block of each other. But hey, Cluck U Chicken is decent business. It's fast food, and perhaps it is more of what we already have, but at least it's not a check cashing place.

Cluck U Chicken on H Street?

According to a message sent out on the HSMS listserv a Cluck U Chicken franchise is opening up at 1123 H St. NE. I noticed renovation work at this address (right next to Family dollar) this weekend, I had not yet heard what was going on. It seems a bit strange to stick a fried chicken chain into this spot when you already have Horace & Dickie's, Popeye's & Danny's right down the street. In fact, I'm pretty sure you couldn't go more than two blocks without finding a a place to get wings if you started at 14th and walked west on H all the way to the Abdo condo site.

Church at 11th & H Streets

R&B Coffee Reopened

R&B Coffee officially reopened (really this time) on Saturday. The owner, Alphonso, is continuing to work on expanding into the building next door (upstairs only), but will remain open during the work. Alphonso did make some changes during his recent closing. R&B now boasts various desserts and sandwiches (including paninis). R&B sandwiches will feature Atwater Bakers' breads once the Farm Fresh H Street Market returns on May 7th.

Alley Between Florida & Morse

This is from an alley between Florida & Morse (between Trinidad & Montello). I took this photo a while back when some neighbors decided to clean out their garage. They dragged all this stuff out before having it hauled away.

Horse on Holbrook Terrace

More Info on the Wholesale Food District Coming

I had planned to spend last Saturday morning taking pictures and recording info for the various businesses that occupy the wholesale food district (address & retail/whole only status). Unfortunately, my plans were thwarted by the rain. So I only have a very partial list of businesses, and almost no photos. I'm going to try to go back this weekend and see what else I can put together. One problem I encountered, as I has mentioned before, is that many (most) of these places don't bother to post signs telling you whether or not they are open to the public. For such businesses I am recording phone numbers so that the wholesale/retail status can eventually be ascertained by calling. But even the few places that are clearly open to the public (and I am not talking about the DC Farmers' Market, where every vendor sells to the public) offer so much interesting stuff you just can't get at the grocery store. For example, two stores on Morse, A Litteri's & the African wholesaler two doors down, sell items as diverse as fresh sandwiches, gourmet cheeses & sausages, goat & berber.

DDOT on Kojo Namdi Show

This was on Monday, but you can listen to the archived version of the show if you want to know more about the light rail/street cars mentioned before.

Vacant Lot on the 1200 Block of H Street

Just down the street from where Joe Englert plans to put in those two bars.

Celebration for 20th Anniversary of Near Northeast Citizens Against Crime & Drugs

The well known community group started by local activist Loree Murray (anyone catch her interview on WPFW last week?) is celebrating 20 years of hard work and success. The celebration is open to the community, and the bigger the crowd the better. Here is the info from their flier:
Come and Congratulate with Mrs. Loree Murray at the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Near Northeast Citizens Against Crime & Drugs

Guest Speaker
The Honorable Congresswoman
Eleanor Holmes Norton

Thursday, April 7, 2005

J. O. Wilson Elementary School
660 K Street NE
6:00–9:00 p.m.

History & Accomplishments
Recognition of Outstanding Partners & Supporters
Refreshments

One Month Until Farmer's Market Returns

May 7th is the return date for the H Street Farmfresh Market (600 block of H Street). Check their website for details.

Upcoming Opening Events at the Atlas

The Atlas is having a week long series of events (starting April 16th) to celebrate its opening. The celebration will feature plays, and a wide variety of musical and dance performances.

H Street Main Street Website Updated

Hey, they finally got around to updating the site. Check it out.

1600 Block of Montello

the SE corner of the 1600 block of Montello.

DC's Proposed Light Rail/ Street Car Lines

A quick morning perusal of DCist convinced me to include a quick post link to information on DC's proposed transit corridors (for light rail/street cars). Corridor 4 runs the length of H Street from North Capitol to Benning Road.

DC Parents Worried About Children

Here is a Washington Post article on the everyday struggles of parents with teens in the District's violence plagued neighborhoods. The article talks about one family that moved from SE to 8th & H Streets NE to escape trouble. There is mention of the Murder Inc. gang that once plagued that area of Near Northeast.

A Post re: the Sun & Moon Photo

The blog Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space has some interesting thoughts about a building I posted a photo of yesterday.

One Stop Shopping

The 1300 block of H Street.

Updates on Various Properties on H Street

I noticed a crew doing something at the future home of Subterranean last night. They have covered the windows with brown paper. Since the space has looked pretty finished for a while now, I wonder if the brown paper and crew means they are getting ready to install things like counters. Just down the street another crew continues to actively work on the former home of Dragon City. On the 1000 block the former home of the uber sketchy Family Market sits empty...but for how long? On the 1300 block the future domicile of the H Street Martini Lounge is taking shape. I saw that they added a back wall, and they have since covered the windows with blue tarp. A notice on the door says the lounge wants to offer live jazz, karaoke, salsa music and dancing. The lounge will also serve American food.

Abdo Condos/Former Children's Museum

Anybody happen to walk/drive by there yesterday? If you didn't you missed something pretty cool. They have knocked the back portion of the main building, and in doing so they have exposed multicolored walls (left over from Artomatic?). The effect is really cool. I wanted to hop off the bus and snap some photos, but didn't because I had shopping bags and the sky looked like rain. I am really hoping that they leave the building pretty much as it is for the weekend so that I can get a couple of shots.