Signs of a reviving neighborhood abound, so I thought I’d share a just a few that I’m watching closely.
1. The 1400 block of 9th. As I was walking home from The Long View Gallery’s opening on Saturday night, I took in the west side of the 1400 block of 9th in all its glory. This stretch really has passed the tipping point of renewal, and looks pretty great. Of recent note, construction on 1416 9th Street is progressing at a rapid pace, and 1410 9th Street looks like it’s getting close to completion. 1412 9th Street (to the left of Vegetate) is still for sale for $950k, and will surely sell soon. Hopefully the bookend buildings--the liquor store at 9th and P and the former carryout at 9th and O--will soon better represent the revitalized block.
2. 9th and N. A Yoga Studio has reportedly signed a lease for the space at 1300 9th Street (at the corner of 9th and N Streets, caddy-corner from the Convention Center). The studio should be up and running soon. Check out this piece in last year's the Washington Post about how the opening of a yoga studio symbolizes a neighborhood's progression into being more economically viable, safe, and amenity-filled.
3. 9th and Q. The cordoned off hole in the ground at 9th and Q Streets, NW—sardonically dubbed “Lake Woodson” by neighbors—is about to undergo a major transformation. The Historic Preservation Review Board (“HPRB”) recently approved the design for two new town homes. The architect for the project is the noted firm of Christian Zapatka Design LLC. One town home will face Q Street, and one will face 9th. One HPRB meeting attendee told me that the plans call for a very nice brick three story structure, with the third story set back a bit from 9th Street allowing for a wrap around terrace. The design has been described as modern industrial that fits nicely next to traditional row home fabric of the area. Construction should start by September. I will try to get an image to post on this blog.
Shaw really is emerging into a desirable enclave in the city of Washington. I even saw a real estate listing recently that went so far as to describe the property’s location as “in the sought after Shaw neighborhood.” I look forward to following these, and many other, developments in our area.
20 comments:
Great news! ShawRez, is the yoga studio going into the Exchange, or the brick building across the street (near International Lifestyles)? Thanks...
The Yoga Studio will be in the building on the corner across the street from the exchange (to the left of The Long View Gallery). Remaking Le Slum correspondent Drew provided this exciting info, fyi.
Fantastic, thank you!! as far as the takeout place on the corner of 9th and O, i remember speaking to the developer of the Azi's Cafe building about it a few years back while touring those new condos....i think he said he tried to buy it to redevelop, but the owner refused...let's hope that this building is one of the next to go...
Great coverage Shaw Rez! Thanks for the update.
Anyone have any idea about what is going on with the building at 1228 9th St? Its the one two doors south of Wagtime and has been covered with a big blue tarp recently.
Thanks for the great news!!! I will have to buy the missus a membership to the Yoga studio...she will be happy.
1228 9th is supposedly going to be a restaurant of some sort...one of my neighbors mentioned it to me the other day.
I heard the owner at 9th & O plans on opening up yet another rancid carry out. God I hope that is not the case. They have done a few minor things to the building over the last year, but no major construction.
Oh geez, i really hope they don't open up another "rancid carryout" ;).... seriously, that would be such a bummer. why don't these people just sell to someone who can do something reasonable with the building if they won't or can't?!?
My understanding is that all of the minor things that have been done to that building over the past year have been a result of ANC2f's Committee on Crime and Public Safety's efforts to bring it into compliance with vacant property standards. I think (but am not positive) that the new plywood over the windows and the power washing may have been done by DCRA in response to ANC2f's demands (and not by the owner)--I could be wrong on that though.
I think that space would make a cool wine bar (perhaps even with a second story wrap around rooftop terrace).
Or maybe a cooking school, with large windows looking onto 9th Street.
Or maybe a Home Rule type of place.
Ahh, the possibilies are endless. Anything BUT a carry out joint, rancid or not.
I still remember one hot summer day in 2005 when they decided to go into 9th & O and remove the old freezers and coolers that had been rotting in that place for years. I don't know what was in those things but you could smell the stench on the entire block. EWWW! A Home Rule/Hardware store would be great there.
those are great suggestions. i can also picture a cute ice cream shop there!!
We need a great neighborhood pizza joint in this neighborhood! also, fyi, the mongolian grill/tokyo sushi bar is on the list for "taste of shaw" in may....
Word up, Anon, re: the pizza need. Matchbox, Coppi's, 2 Amy's... all are too far away.
I tried to complain about "Lake Woodson" to DPW last year (I felt the pool of stagnant water was unhealthy.) I was informed the investigation revealed nothing actionable.
BTW: for anyone else wanted to complain about this type of thing. Vacant Building-DCRA; Vacant Lot-DPW.
blogger is driving me nuts
modthinglet
Don't count yer chickens before they're hatched, guys. City planners, historic preservation, and the churches stand ready to stymie any development in this neighborhood.
ray I like your constant cynicism. keepin it real, man.
Hello, regarding the comments about ANC2F. Yes, the ANC2F crime committee did work with DCRA to get the building secured and cleaned up at 1400 9th St. You can see the correspondence trail and pictures at: http://www.anc2f.org/ccps.asp
Scroll down to the Vacant Property section and look under September.
If you read carefully DCRA stated that the building was abated, but the ANC challenged it. See the pictures: http://www.anc2f.org/CCPS-06-18-4a.pdf
These pictures were taken after DCRA said the building was secure. Based on this, DCRA went back and abated the problems.
This is my first ever blog post, so I hope I’ve got this right!
Mike - good job on your first post! And thanks for the info!
Do you have any insight into the owner/the owner's plans (or lack thereof) for the building?
Hi shaw rez, no, I'm sorry I do not have any insight on the owners plans.
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