5/7/03: [#67] Dupont was among selections for next round of Main St program. Adams Morgan, Mt Pleasant and Shaw were also chosen. See "D.C. puts 7 'Main Streets' on the map," http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/05/05/daily25.html Blade says Stead Park at 17th & P is leading site for $15 million gay community center, to include a 520- space underground garage. One backup site is Central Union Mission at 14th & R, which might go back on sale soon. See "Dupont park eyed as site for $15 million gay center," http://www.washblade.com/local/030502park.php3 See also http://www.thedccenter.org/ Current says current holder of lease to Dupont Down Under passed to Kalorama Sports Management Associates after former tenant lost appeal. Restaurant David Greggory at 21st and M will open for dinner on May 19, lunch on May 28, and brunch on June 1. See http://www.davidgreggory.com/ WEG says plans have begun for luxury condos at parking lot by 22nd, M and NH Ave, and that corner gas station is hoped to become "the ritziest gas station in the Exxon empire." See "New Condo Planned at 22nd & M St," http://www.westendguide.us/exxon.htm WP reports on devastating toll of mold in Residences at Ritz-Carlton at 22nd/23rd/L/M, where 65 of the 161 units remain unsold. See "At Ritz Complex, Mold Came to Call On Condo Owners," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13877-2003May4.html WEG looks at West End project expected to bring 175 to 199 condos priced between $440,000 and $1,375,000. See "Historic Review Board Approves Plan For Columbia Hospital Condos," http://www.westendguide.us/chw05.htm GFN profiles real estate market in Dupont Circle. See middle of "Hard Data Shows Strong Gay Neighborhoods," http://www.gfn.com/realestate/story.phtml?sid=8120 WEG says chancery annex at 2201 M St has closed. See "Nigeria Closes West End Embassy," http://www.westendguide.us/nigeria05.htm Tabletop now open at 1608 20th St, former Miss Pixie's space, selling furnishings and such. Sisley now open at Conn Ave & R, next to new Benetton. La Tomate owner will open Greek restaurant in old Peter's Passion space at 1732 Conn Ave. Planned Brazilian cafe is officially dead for former Newsroom at Conn Ave and S. Bike lane will be painted on R St east of 14th after current resurfacing is complete. See "Golden Triangle adds bike patrols," http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/05/05/daily9.html See notes from 4/28 Public Safety meeting, [1] below. Nevin Kelly gallery now open at 1517 U St. BS profiled DC's "revitalized and once-again trendy corridor." See "U Street revival heats up in D.C.: Neighborhood regains lively character of yesteryear," http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/bal-li.trips17apr17,0,2888122.story See image of Rainbow Lofts, 20 luxury condos planned for 1400 block of Church St: http://www.walnutstreetdevelopment.com/files/rainbow.html Pizza Italiano at 14th & Q (next to HR-57) has closed; space will reopen as Thai restaurant "Rice," from same team behind Simply Home on 18th and Infuzion on 17th. See "Police arrest 3 in Logan Circle attacks: Suspects investigated for links to earlier assaults on gays, including two attacks Easter weekend," http://www.washblade.com/local/030502logan.php3 Eatzi's was mentioned as a potential tenant for former Kilimanjaro at Florida and U. Great bakery/restaurant/ market found in Rockville. See http://www.eatzis.com/ L'Enfant cafe is now open in former Franklyn's space at 18th & Vernon. WP says DC dismantled illegal sidewalk structure of Columbia Station, at 2325 18th St. Over 30 cafes on 18th St are not in compliance. See "D.C. Cracks Down on Alfresco Cafes: Many Sidewalk Restaurants Violate Rules, City Officials Say," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56678-2003Apr29.html WP says Former Mr Henry's at 1836 Columbia Rd will be part of a 5-story building with 12-18 apartments and an American-fare restaurant called Legends. WBJ updates on Columbia Heights project. See "Tivoli Square redevelopment threatens to materialize," http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/05/05/newscolumn2.html WBJ reports on plans for Howard Town Center at Georgia and V, to include a grocery store, 225 apartments and a 520-car parking garage. See "Howard chooses alumna, Trammell to build town center," http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/04/28/story6.html WP covers Avalon debut in Chevy Chase. See "Landmark Gets a Sequel: Thanks to a Rallying Community, Reopened NW Theater Is a Becoming Attraction," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13872-2003May4.html Loehman's is now open by Chevy Chase Pavillion. Swedish retailer H&M to open in Georgetown Park May 9. See "Uncle Sam eyed in 'NoMa' rescue," http://washtimes.com/business/20030506-57993808.htm WBJ reports on plans for underground National Law Enforcement Museum by Judiciary Square. See "Jury still out: Cop museum faces hurdles," http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/04/28/story4.html See "DC is again 'murder capital,' new study shows," http://www.safestreetsdc.com/subpages/murdercap.html See "Census of D.C. Trees Finds 30% Endangered: Report Focused on Growth Along Streets," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39277-2003Apr25.html See "To Commute to Washington, the Early Bird Gets 'Slugs'," http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/29/national/29COMM.html?8hpib See "Metro considers adding vending machines," http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20030507-335877.htm WP says WJLA to add a jumbo screen & a news ticker to old USA Today HQ. See "Giving Rosslyn Signs Of Life: Business District To Get a Touch Of Times Square," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27850-2003Apr23.html A groovy "modern pool lounge" recently opened one block North of the Rosslyn Metro Station. See http://goodeyeonline.com/continental/ WBJ outlined 20-year plan for office, residential, retail and hotel space over 230 acres in Eisenhower East, "characterized by leafy boulevards, bustling streets and smart architecture." Says "the plan's goal is to do away with car-centric design." See "Alexandria officials OK massive redevelopment," http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/04/28/story3.html Linda Roth reports on plans for a Chocolate Museum and Factory in Baltimore’s Inner Harbour. See http://www.lindarothpr.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=latest_dish Saturday, May 10: Cherry Red Vaudeville Night. See http://www.cherryredproductions.com/vaudeville.htm May 17 & 18: NoMa Arts Coalition Spring Open Studios. See http://www.superbigcool.com/noma/ Saturday, May 31: Volupolooza benefit for Burgundy Crescent Volunteers in front of Fresh Fields, 11-3, with a special appearance by Cookie Buffet. June 1 - June 8: See http://www.capitalpride.org/ June 2: WBJ editor John McCalla will speak on retail trends in Dupont at DCCA meeting, 7:30pm, St Thomas. Best regards, Michæl ------------------------------------------------------ [1] [from Rob.Halligan@DupontCircleANC.net, 4/28/03] Below is a summary of various Dupont Public Safety developments. Citizen's Advisory Council - The MPD 3rd District CAC is in the throws of a re-organization. Commander Pendergast got pressure from the Chief to re- invigorate this body. The few people who had been active in the CAC are resisting the resulting effort to reform the by-laws. The By-Laws Committee is meeting April 30th at 7:30 in Commander Pendergast's conference room. The Elections committee will meet right after that since much of their action is dependent on the outcome of the by-law reform. Any participation in this process would be helpful, because the "old guard" is trying do such things as insure that only people who have been CAC members since last June can vote in the election for officers. If it turns out that new members will be allowed to vote, we would appreciate people joining the CAC to help shake thinks up. Restructuring PSA and District borders - There have been some developments in the pending restructuring of PSA(Police Service Area) and District borders. There will be a meeting on May 1st at 7:00 in 3D to present citizen's input on this to the Commander. On May 10th at the Crime Forum II the Chief's plan will be made public. MPD hopes to implement the plan by September. We would like feedback on what PSA changes you would like to have proposed. It is not even certain that Dupont will remain in the 3rd District. Dupont presently is represented by 3 districts and 9 PSAs; that should be one district and one to three PSAs. This may be a significant change in our protective services and may warrant heavy citizen participation. Drug Dealing in lower Dupont - Much of the April meeting was devoted to the problem of approximately 20 street drug dealers doing business at night in the area between O Street and 20th to M and 18th. We would have thought that 2 of these dealers getting shot by another dealer in January would have spurred the police to curtail these activities. MPD, US Park Police, and the Assistant US Attorney assure that there is pending action. (This area is in 3 different PSAs and 2 Districts). Crime Forum II - Building Partnerships for Safe Neighborhoods. Saturday, May 10th 8:30 am to 1:00 pm at Scripture Cathedral 810 O Street NW. The 1st one was pretty good. Neighborhood Watch - Orange Hat Patrol Mobilization Training. Saturday June 7th. We'd like a strong group of people from Dupont Circle to show up. After this training, we will move on trying to get neighborhood foot patrols that will report their sightings of illicit activity to the police and to organize a block captain system to facilitate public safety and emergency preparedness. Community Policing Communications - The Commander assures us that a new phone system has been authorized and budgeted for 3D. The lack of voice mail for officers has been a major problem. 911 reform - The five 911 call attendants who are being held accountable for the slow response to the fatal January 21st Street fire have been served with notice of intent of adverse action. That means the administrative process of firing them has begun. Thank you to everyone who kept up the pressure for action on this issue. There has been a rash of muggings where a large group of young men have been ganging up on individuals. Strength in numbers in their plan. They often have a silver-looking gun. Crime Reports - We are becoming increasingly concerned with the accuracy and relevance of the oft-quoted MPD crime statistics. If anyone (particularly someone with a background in statistical analysis) could volunteer to take on the task of critiquing these numbers, we would be much appreciative. Plans to change ANC meeting presentation to have the Public Safety Committee Co-Chair give the report to the ANC (unless there is a large issue in which case someone from a relevant police body will be asked to present) have been put in motion. The success of this change will be dependent on the Co-Chair getting good information from the 3D brass. Attendance and forward plans of the Dupont Public Safety Meetings - We discussed whether we'll need to have a regular meeting if communication with the citizenry can be improved though re-vitalizing the CAC and through building better communications models (using the coming voice mail, web sites, and email more efficiently). If more concerned citizen's turned out for the meetings we would be better able to pressure for reform. We're not happy with the job the police are doing and don't think you should be either. There is much too much crime in our neighborhood. The next Dupont Public Safety Meeting is May 20th at 7 pm at MPD 3rd District Headquarter, 1620 V Street NW. |