5/27/03: [68] Cafe Midi has closed. Fin replaced Georgetown Seafood Grill April 10 at 19th and Jefferson. See "Fin takes seafood seriously," http://www.washblade.com/point/030509dining.php3 See also http://www.fin-dc.com See WBJ profile "A thousand bottles of beer on the wall: From beer tastings to philosophy lectures, there's real expertise on tap at the Brickskeller," http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/05/26/smallb1.html See VOA profile "'Teaism': Americans Give Old Drink New Try," http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=340C6458-BF17-4E95-8CA66A0F6EACCA19 Jack Evans reports on Dupont Down Under, saying "the original lease requires DC to give first leasing offer to the former sub-tenant, Kalorama Sports Management Associates. The contract stipulates they may use the space themselves or rent it to a new sub-tenant. The OPM is now appraising the site to determine the value and how much rent to charge. Once the appraisal is complete, OPM will negotiate the terms of the lease, which will run until October 2013." See "Evans wants community input as to what will happen to the old Dupont Down Under site," http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/newsletter/New.htm#DDU See also statement from DC's OPM, [1] below. InTowner covers effort by tenants of Pacific House, at corner of NH Ave and Corcoran, to use "right of first refusal" to block university's plans. See "Current Tenants May Foil Notre Dame’s Dorm Plan for Building it Seeks to Buy Near Dupont Circle," http://www.intowner.com/fr/issue/stories/story2.htm See story on body found in Mitsubishi Eclipse on 1700 block of Q St on May 20: "Va. Woman's Car Found in D.C. With Body Inside," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17693-2003May20.html WP article on art in streetside windows says "check out Dupont Circle's Axis salon, which for years has produced punchy displays." Hear, hear. See "The Windows Of Opportunity," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23624-2003May21.html "Connie" Francis pool is now open on weekends; will open on daily basis beginning Monday, June 23. Cary Silverman reports Wagtime is planning on opening a doggie day care center at 1412 Q St. Cary Silverman reports on status of AME Church parking lot at 14th & Q. See [2] below. CS later reported that the church voted to develop its parking lot. If ratified, "the plan is for condominiums with ground floor retail." WP looks at Vastu. Says "the neighborhood keeps morphing into one of the most happening places in town for home furnishings." See "More Cool on 14th Street," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24527-2003May7.html Muléh added a brilliant blue neon sign to storefront. Pulp will add a yellow neon sign in a few weeks. WP profiles Cafe Saint-Ex at 14th & T. See "A French Twist Takes Flight," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17494-2003May20.html See "Expansion plan a curtain call for Studio Theatre's impact," http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/05/26/newscolumn1.html WBJ covers report that says "neighborhoods such as Logan Circle now have an abundance of upscale residential units, but remain underserved by retail." See "National retail report touts D.C.'s 'solid demographics'," http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/05/26/newscolumn7.html DT profiles 78 units at 1225 13th St. See "Downtown Loft Style Apartments Continue As Hot Sellers," http://www.downtowner.org/toc/cat_real_estate.html Dumpy Center City Hotel at 13th and M will apparently now be turned into a boutique hotel. Was scheduled to go condo, having been marketed as The Ashbourne. 90-unit condo building to be built at 1001 L St, opening fall 2004. See http://www.QuincyPark.com/ Peking Garden now open on 18th St next to Stacatto. Restaurant expected in empty space next door. Pacific Sushi now open in Adams Morgan in former Barbara's Guitars space. Owner rolls his own sushi and even brews his own soy sauce. Whisper, at 2477 18th St, is being converted by owner of Nation, Modern, Five and Mie-N-Yu into a four-level Asian-themed bar and club. Rocky's, at 1817 Columbia, will close by end of month. City Bikes will open a new store in Chevy Chase on the Capital Crescent Trail. See http://www.citybikes.com/ WP looks at Holt House. See "Historic Site At Zoo Said To Be in Peril: Smithsonian Urged To Save 1815 House," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47552-2003May12.html WP covers construction start of Horning Bros' Tivoli project, "five years after being awarded the chance to do the project." See "Historic Tivoli Theater Ready for Its Close-Up," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40377-2003May10.html See also http://www.horningbrothers.com/tivoli/ WBJ shows how NCRC, which is supposed to pick projects that spur economic development, disposed of 2011 14th St. See "Urban League digs into future offices in Columbia Hgts.," http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/05/12/newscolumn1.html See also "Location prime factor for choosing building," http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20030510-68485289.htm InTowner reviews all projects around Columbia Heights Metro. Says construction for Duron's new home at 14th and Clifton is set to begin in the fall. See "Major Projects Launching in Columbia Heights," http://www.intowner.com/fr/issue/stories/story1.htm WBJ looks at strip club's planned move to 617 I St. See "Roland Lee bares 2nd burlesque bid," http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/05/19/story2.html WP looks at projects in the East End which will add 2,200 new housing units. Says competition for renters "isn't really coming from other downtown projects, but from similar housing in Ballston and Bethesda." See "Moving Closer To a 'Living Downtown'," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28322-2003May22.html WBJ traces history of United Brick ruins in National Arboretum. See "Anacostia River site is part of bricks-and-mortar legacy," http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/05/12/focus6.html See "City tries to craft bike plan," http://www.thecommondenominator.com/050503_news6.html See "District Now a Draw to Retailers: Opportunity Seen in Growing Wealth, Falling Crime," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23275-2003May21.html See [3] below for invitation to participate with Public Space Office. City Lights of China to open 2nd location in Bethesda. WBJ says Jaleo will open new restaurant in revitalized area of Crystal City. A parking garage is being demolished to make room for restaurants and retail. Developer says "we are slowing the traffic down which creates a more pedestrian-friendly environment." See "Crystal City lands name brand: Local restaurant celebs jump-start $37M effort to update S. Arlington's less-than-lively retail and restaurant appeal," http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/05/19/story1.html WP looks at efforts to "turn Crystal City into the same sort of suburb as Ballston or Bethesda." Adds "the car-oriented approach to urban design that was so popular in the 1960s now seems an anachronism." See "Developer Smith Altering Course as Market Wilts," http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36479-2003May24.html WBJ shows how 16 live-and-work townhomes slated for a vacant lot is part of a revitalization plan that "calls for a transformation of Columbia Pike from a strip-mall, car-based suburban eyesore to a commercial and residential center characterized by smart, urban architecture and walkable, tree-lined streets." See "New project shows change is coming down the Pike," http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/05/12/focus3.html WBJ looks at 351 units in two projects which "practically adjoin the Wheaton Metro." See "Residential development resurrected in Wheaton," http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/05/12/newscolumn7.html Saturday, May 31: Nana opening party. See [4] below. June 1-8: See http://www.capitalpride.org/ Monday, June 2: WBJ editor John McCalla will speak on retail trends in Dupont, DCCA 7:30pm. See [5] below. Wednesday, June 4: European Art at Dupont Circle. See http://www.eurunion.org/news/press/2003/2003035.htm June 5-6: Reel Affirmations Pride Film Fest, Lincoln Theatre. See http://www.reelaffirmations.com/pride/ Thursday, June 5: "Books & Community Spirit: Celebrating 30 Years of Lammas and Lambda Rising," 6:30. See http://www.rainbowhistory.org/schedule.htm Saturday, June 7: Ward 1 Bike Ride 9am-noon. Saturday, June 7: Ward 2 Ride 1-4pm. Tuesday, June 10: Ward 1 bike workshop 7-9pm. Thursday, June 12: Ward 2 bike workshop 7-9pm. See http://www.bikemap.com/dcbikeplan/meetings.html Tuesday, June 24: Casey Trees Neighborhood Meeting for Logan Circle, Shaw, and Thomas Circle. 6:30, Banneker Recreation Center. See http://www.caseytrees.org/ July 14: Screen on the Green kicks off with "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." See http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=entertainment/profile&id=1044011 Best regards, Michael ------------------------------------------------------ [1] [from DC Office of Property Management] The litigation regarding the rights for Dupont Down Under has concluded in the government’s favor. On March 6, 2003, the Trustee in Bankruptcy for U.S. First National F.S.H.C. (“USFN”), successor in interest to Dupont Down Under Associates, Inc. (“DDUA”), formally filed a notice of dismissal of its appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. This means that the leasehold interest has vested in DDUA/USFN’s former subtenant, Kalorama Sports Management Associates, LLC (“Kalorama”). Kalorama, pursuant to a non-disturbance agreement that it entered into with the District, steps into the shoes of USFN/DDUA, and has the sole right to the entire leasehold. Kalorama takes the leasehold subject to the same terms as USFN/DDUA except that its rent is determined on the basis of an appraisal. The Office of Property Management, along with the Office of Planning, Councilmember Jack Evans’ office, and Kalorama will encourage community input at meetings that will occur after the appraisal. ------------------------------------------------------ [2] [from CSilverman@anc2f.org][abridged] Community & AME Church Reestablish Dialogue & Make Progress on Q St Parking Lot As I reported in my previous newsletter, in April, I filed a complaint on behalf of the residents of Q Street with several DC agencies in regard to multiple violations of zoning, historic preservation and public space law by the AME Church’s parking lot on Q and 14th Street. I am pleased to report that the community and the church have reestablished a productive dialogue and we are moving toward bringing the Church into compliance with the law. You may have already noticed that a portion of the parking lot has been roped off – that is the portion of the property inappropriately located on public space. The church’s developer, Fred Bahrami, who has worked well with the community on other projects, did a walk through of the property with the neighbors on May 8th. He will present a plan for removing the chain link fence and landscaping the portion of the lot on public space on May 14th to residents of the 1400 Block of Q Street. We hope to see real changes to the parking lot that make it more attractive in the very near future and what will hopefully be a renewed cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship between the Church and the community. ------------------------------------------------------ [3] Notification of Public Space Permitting Now Available The Public Space Permitting Office will be sending out electronic copies of our tentative and final agendas for our regularly monthly meetings. These meetings consider, among other things, sidewalk cafes, security devices, pay phones and permanent fixtures to the public space. The Public Space Office hopes to reach as many ANC commissioners and community members who have an interest in this matter. If you are interested in receiving this please e-mail Denise.Wiktor@dc.gov. She has asked the ANC office to share their e-mail list with her office, so if you are on that list and do not wish to receive this notification, please let her know. Additionally, please pass this on to as many community newsletters as you are aware of so that we can broaden community notice. In addition the Public Space Office may also use this list to inform ANC members and the public of large projects that are being permitted through this office. It is their hope that the Public Space Office will be able to do this on a ward basis, so please send your affiliation if you only want ward-based notices. All questions regarding this should be forwarded to Denise Wiktor, Public Space Manager, DC Department of Transportation. Chris Shaheen Ward 2 - Neighborhood Planning Coordinator 801 N. Capitol Street, NE, Suite 4000 Washington, DC 20002 202.442.7631 ------------------------------------------------------ [4] [from shop@nanadc.com] Dear friends & fellow shoppers: Please help us celebrate the GRAND opening of *NANA* on Saturday, May 31st from 12p - 8p at the shop. Nana 1534 U Street NW (Between 15th and 16th on U) First, I am jazzed to announce a special, savvy guest star will be giving out fun *NANA* apparel to the first 75 shoppers who spend over 75 bucks. Not a refrigerator magnet or desk calendar but totally cute, wearable NANA attire for you shoppers. AND what's a party without sweets? Join us from 6p to 8p for a dessert reception. More fun, more shopping, more giveaways. Please join me on the 31st, so I can thank each & every one of you for helping turn my dream into a reality. Warm wishes, Jackie ------------------------------------------------------ [5] [from DCCANEWS@aol.com][abridged] DCCA’s June Membership Meeting Business Journal’s John McCalla John McCalla, Managing Editor of the Washington Business Journal, will be featured speaker at the next monthly DCCA meeting, to be held on Monday, June 2. His topic: “Dupont’s Retail Dilemma: Can It Be Local, Lively and Lucrative?” McCalla describes his topic as follows: “No one thinks chain stores are inherently evil, but does anyone rejoice when Dupont Circle’s retail options expand to include another Benetton or Starbucks? Does anyone want Connecticut Avenue to resemble Tyson’s Corner? How can a neighborhood as urbane as Dupont keep a balance between the chains and the homegrown retailers, and continue to keep city living a non- suburban experience?” McCalla, who describes himself as a “die-hard urbanist with no love of Starbucks,” has been Washington Business Journal managing editor since November 2001, and has already won awards for his editorials and business stories, many of which involve D.C. planning issues. McCalla decries development trends in the Dupont Circle neighborhood in his editorial “D.C. chases the old mall and chain stores” in the March 28 edition of the Washington Business Journal. The June DCCA meeting will be held at St. Thomas Parish, 18th and Church Streets, starting at 7:30 p.m. An informal reception following the meeting provides opportunities for visiting with neighbors. |