Rent Me: Retail, Office and Residence at 1314 9th Street

It has been SO exciting to see new life breathed into my favorite building in Shaw, 1314 9th Street (sorry for not including a photo of it in its reclaimed glory in this post). The owners have done a really superb job in restoring this brick and copper beauty. One special touch that I appreciate is that they recently placed several historic photographs of and stories about the building in its gorgeous storefronts (including this really cool photograph of the building from around 1930 -- notice the trolley tracks on 9th Street!). Adding such displays to empty storefronts is a great idea and adds vitality to the streetscape (check out this entry by Project for Public Spaces on the benefits of placing such displays in empty storefronts. If only the Convention Center would do the same).

Most of 1314 9th is already available for lease and priced very reasonably. The ground floor commercial space is $2,500 a month (1,200 interior square feet at about $25 per square foot). The basement is available for an extra $500. Office space on the second floor, consisting of about 580 square feet in the front of the building, is available for $1000 a month. A 750 square foot 3rd floor apartment with a washer and dryer is available on June 1 for $1,000 a month has already been rented.

I have a feeling the owners will have no trouble leasing out this mixed use building, even in this economy. Here's to hoping some really cool neighborhood/specialtiy retail (like a cool salon or an art gallery or a wine bar or _______?) occupies that fantastic ground floor space!

Buy Me: Flats at Blagden Alley Development Project

I recently noticed for sale signs at the empty lots located at 917 M Street, NW and 1212 9th Street, NW. These lots were slated to be developed into the Flats at Blagden Alley, a mixed use project including ground floor retail on 9th Street and residences. As previously reported, Walnut Street Development originally planned the project, which was subsequently purchased by Self Help, Inc.

I found this listing and this listing and about the current sale. The lots' collective asking price as $10,925,550 and are marketed by Grubb & Ellis Company. In relevant part, the listings state that:

Flats at Blagden Alley: Proposed Multi-Family Condominium Building. 15,976 SF Available For Sale. Project Plans: 63 units, 33 Covered Parking Spaces, & 2,400 SF of Retail Space in 2 Residential Buildings. No co-broker fee is being offered.

I've always loved the renderings for the Flats at Blagden Alley -- it seems like a fantastic plan for the properties. I've got my fingers crossed that someone will purchase this project and move forward with it.

From SMS: Little Ethiopia Restaurant Opens

Shaw Main Streets recently sent out the following e-mail announcement regarding a new Ethiopian restaurant that just opened in the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW:

The latest restaurant to open in Shaw’s Little Ethiopia is…Little Ethiopia Restaurant at 1924 9th Street, NW. . . .

Using the unofficial nickname for the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW, as the name of their new venture was a no-brainer for husband and wife co-owners Tutufik “Tutu” Belay and Yehunie Belay. “Our goal was to create a little piece of traditional Ethiopia here on 9th Street,” says Tutu, who publishes the Ethiopian Yellow Pages and owns the building where both the directory business and her new restaurant are located. “And since so many people know this block as Little Ethiopia already, it made perfect sense.”

The Belays, who have been married for 16 years, have succeeded in incorporating traditional furnishings and art in their 49-seat venue, which opened on Inauguration Day 2009.

Asked why she decided to open yet another Ethiopian restaurant on a block where so many are already established, Tutu responds, “We offer a complete Ethiopian experience in an environment that recalls the heritage and landmarks of our country. Some may have photographs of monuments from Axum and Lalibella, but no one else has used them for inspiration for their restaurant’s furnishings and décor.” Little Ethiopia features chairs, an entrance menu holder, and a hostess station evoking landmarks in those Ethiopian cities.

Traditional wicker tables, known as mesobe; gojo, the rattan roofs over some of the booths; leather benches, formerly seating for kings, and rattan mats and rugs on the floors are other traditional decorative elements. Portraits of women with regional hairstyles and traditional musical instruments decorate the dining room’s walls.

A handwashing ceremony is performed tableside at dinner, and coffee beans are roasted at tableside in a ritual familiar to patrons of Ethiopian restaurants everywhere.

The menus at Ethiopian restaurants are practically identical, a mix of vegetarian, beef, lamb, and chicken dishes prepared with flavorful sauces ranging from mild to hot. Three preparations of beef tibs (ribs or cubed beef sautéed with seasoned butter, onions, peppers, and other ingredients); the triangular pastry triangles filled with beef or lentils known as sambusas; kitfo, finely chopped lean beef usually served raw like steak tartar, but also available rare or medium; and rolled up injera, the spongy flatbread used instead of utensils, are found here, as elsewhere. Sample platters include one featuring three meat stews, known as wot, and a six-item vegetarian sampler, with split pea, collard greens, and lentil dishes, among others. Ethiopian beer and wine highlight the bar’s offerings. Cheese cake and chocolate mouse cake are offered for dessert, a rarity at Ethiopian establishments. Coffee and honey wine, more traditional ways to end an Ethiopian meal, are also available.

Yehunie has been a singer since age nine, and his music videos are often played on the flat screens at the restaurant’s bamboo-wrapped rear bar, another Ethiopian touch. The restaurant will feature entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights, with Yehunie and others performing traditional Ethiopian music.

Little Ethiopia Restaurant is open Monday through Thursday and Sunday, 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM, and Friday and Saturday, 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM. For more information, visit www.littleethiopiarestaurantdc.com or call 202-319-1924.

This announcement got me thinking -- should we do a better job of capitizing on the unofficial name of "Little Ethiopa" for this stretch of 9th Street, NW, or would doing so hurt the non-Ethiopian establisments along this stretch? If we wanted to make a more concerted effort at owning this nickname, we could install sign toppers (see, e.g., this example from a neighborhood in Atlanta), increase marketing of the area as Little Ethiopia and maybe even street festivals celebrating Ethiopian heritage. On the downside, doing so might marginalize the significant non-Ethiopian busineses in the area. Thoughts?

All to say, be sure to try out this latest Ethiopian restaurant to open on upper 9th!

Little Ethiopia Restaurant
1924 9th Street, NW
202.319.1924

be bar Reinvention Imminent

be bar opened in the 1300 block of 9th Street in September 2006 after triumphing over a local church's protest of its liquor license application. be bar's space is really chic, its drink list is fun, its happy hours are a steal, and its themed parties are consistently inventive. In be bar's two and a half years of operation, two other gay bars have opened in Shaw (Nellie's and Town), the 1300 block of 9th Street has seen a handful of buildings renovated and/or sold with renovation imminent, and new businesses have filled empty store fronts throughout the commercial corridor. Be Bar has brought attention, crowds, and vibrancy to 9th Street.

Rumors have circulated for a while that be bar is about to undergo a transformation, as such businesses must do to stay fresh and attract new clientele. be bar's website promises that "a complete REINVENTION is Coming May 2009." I recently noticed this facebook invitation to "be bar's closing party," which one commenter states is the prelude to a "New name. . . new look . . . same location . . .just not be bar." This Metro Weekly Hearsay post states that the transformed establishment will continue to cater primarily to an LGBT crowd. The unsubstantiated rumors I have heard that the bar is expanding to take up the entire second floor of the building, there will no longer be a VIP area, the second floor will be a great lounge area with pool tables and the like, and the downstairs and upstairs will have distinct names.

I'm excited for the unveiling!

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day, Shaw! Here are some greenish things on my mind:

1. Vegetate Cooking Demonstration at Macy's Today - In honor of Earth Day, Vegetate is participating in Macy's "Turn Over a New Leaf" event at the Metro Center store. Join chef Caesare Assad at 1pm on the lower level--she will demonstrate how to make the green bean and walnut salad currently on Vegetate's menu and talk about techniques for using produce as it comes in season. Speaking of Vegetate, fantastic new dishes are arriving with the season (local green beans, eggplant, zucchini and some sweet peppers recently appeared on the menu, and the first asparagus of the season arrives any day now!).

2. Green Your Yard with Old City Green - Our wonderful neighborhood garden center at 9th and N has organic compost, topsoil you can bag yourself, mulch, an abundance of native perennial plants for the sun or shade, and blooming shrubs. Also, if you buy any plants from them, you can return the pots to be entered into a raffle to win a flat of pansies on April 11th. As the weekend forecast is gorgeous, I'm planning on a big run to OCG this Saturday morning so I can tend to my sparse looking yard.

3. Shaw Garden Groups? - I'm curious if there are any Shaw gardening groups out there. Let me know in the comments or via email (slumhistorique at yahoo dot com). Alternately, if you are not a part of a group and are interested in joining or forming one, let me/us know.

4. Mark your calendar for DDOE/DPR’s next Organic Gardening & Lawn Care Workshop, “Container & Rooftop Gardens” - Part of the DDOE/DPR Organic Gardening & Lawn Care 2009 Workshop Series is to inform gardeners about the judicious use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers (IPM) and will also address Stormwater Management and Sustainability topics. These workshops will be held the first Saturday of every month, from 10-12 p.m. in a variety of places. At next month's workshop, learn about alternative ways to garden, particularly in an urban setting when tiny yards and excess pavement prevail. The May workshop will be held on May 2 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Twin Oaks Gardens (corner of 14th and Taylor , NW).

5. Mark Your Calendar for the Reopening of Weekly Farmers' Markets -According to the Washington Post, the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market re-opens on May 17 and the 14th and U Farmer's Market apparently resumes business on May 1. I can't wait to be able to walk to these great open air markets!

renewshaw.com is on Flickr!

I know I am behind the curve, but I recently established a renewshaw.com flickr group. Hopefully this flickr group will showcase the beauty, progress, challenges, stories, and people that make up our great neighborhood. At the same time -- as I am photographically-impaired -- hopefully this new flickr group will help up this Blog's visual ante.

Attracting Convention Goers to Shaw Businesses Without Breaking the Bank

We could, and should, do a lot more to attract convention-goers to businesses in Shaw. Two things come immediately to mind, neither of which require significant investment. First, I think we should improve the wayfinding experience. For example, there is currently no signage, information kiosk or neighborhood map at the intersection of 9th and L Streets -- an important intersection for convention center foot traffic given the convention center's entrance/exit onto L Street between 7th and 9th Streets -- indicating the presence of retail north on 9th Street. Wouldn't it be great to install a kiosk with eye-catching signage that holds neighborhood retail maps, cultural tourism maps and the like for convention-goers to take?

Second, we should improve the appearance of nearby vacant properties. These vacant properties need not be community liabilities but could instead be community assets. Marriott's row of vacant buildings north of L Street (which are awaiting rehab for the two small convention hotels make the street), for example, act as a major deterrent to pedestrians heading north on 9th Street, as they give off the impression that the commercial corridor is not open for business and is unsafe. The buildings could be adorned with public art -- such as a mural on the south facade and sculptures on the 9th Street upper facades -- that would turn them into eye-pleasing assets.

Our wonderful restaurants, coffee shops, galleries, and bars could surely benefit from additional convention foot traffic. Do you have any ideas for ways to attract convention goer business to our commercial corridors?

Neighborhood Watch Resources

A neighborhood watch is a community-based crime prevention program in which neighbors look out for each other’s safety, property and homes in a systematic and sustained way. It is based on the idea that when residents, businesses, clergy, police and other partners look out for the safety of the neighborhood, establish and maintain open lines of communication, and collaborate to resolve problems of crime and disorder, they create safer, friendlier and healthier neighborhoods.

The Metropolitan Police Department has a great booklet on organizing and sustaining a neighborhood watch (available in PDF format online here). Generally, it is good to start a neighborhood watch when concerned residents decide there is a need to resolve a crime problem or when residents want to create better communication networks with local police, their neighbors, and other community resources. To get started, the organizing committee — made up of concerned residents — identifies the blocks, apartments, or public housing units that residents of the area want to recruit into a Neighborhood Watch organization. The committee invites members from 25% of the homes or households within each chosen block or building to participate in an organizing meeting for neighborhood Watch. The committee also extends invitations to local police, community leaders, and other service providers (the committee should extend the invitation to join personally, either by phone or face-to-face; this should be followed up with the distribution of flyers to notify residents in the targeted blocks of logistics for the first meeting).

To schedule a neighborhood watch training session, call (202) 727-1585 or email jeff.marootian@dc.gov.

Developing: 1304 9th Street

Long vacant 1304 9th street (the building next to Long View Gallery) received a debris dumpster yesterday. Could redevelopment be imminent?

SugarB Baby Brings the Cuteness

It goes without saying that we have some really creative and entrepreneurial neighbors in Shaw. One such neighbor is a talented graphic designer, Kari, who owns her own Shaw-based graphic design business, SugarB Studio. Kari’s graphic design portfolio is stellar and worth its own post, but what’s currently caught my eye is a business she started recently, SugarB Baby, which sells ahhh-dorable custom knit baby hats.

After learning to knit from her mother, every autumn Kari would make herself a new scarf. When a close friend had a baby boy, Kari decided to try knitting him a hat. Kari's hats soon became a tradition among her friends and were a sought-after gift. Realizing the demand for these adorable (and practical) baby hats, Kari created SugarB Baby.

SugarB Baby offers the baby hats in three classic styles: simple cap, simple bear and simple bunny (check them out at SugarB Baby's website), sizes them for newborns, 0-6 months and 6 to 12 months, and offers three color palettes: boy, girl and surprise. As each hat is made-to-order, SugarB can work with you on specific needs and desires regarding a hat. Each hat costs $29.50 (plus $4.95 shipping).

My brother and his wife are expecting their first child – a girl – this September. I ordered the newborn sized bunny hat and requested that it be made in the cutest girl colors possible. I cannot wait to see my new niece wearing her cap this fall!


SugarB Baby
Contact


Know of other Shaw entrepreneurs I should spotlight? Let me know at slumhistorique at yahoo dot com!

From SMS: This Saturday Is Help Keep Shaw Beautiful Day

Shaw Main Streets recently sent out the following e-mail announcement regarding this Saturday's fifth annual Keep Shaw Beautiful Day:

Come join neighbors and friends for the fifth annual Keep Shaw Beautiful Day on Saturday, April 18, 2009, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Meet in front of Shaw Junior High School, 925 Rhode Island Avenue, NW. We’ll be planting flowering liriope plants in treeboxes on the 1300 through 1900 blocks of 9th Street, NW. Bring your gloves and gardening tools. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, call Shaw Main Streets at 202-265-SHAW or email info@shawmainstreets.com.

The current forecast for Saturday is gorgeous (71 degrees and partly cloudy), so it should be a great day for sprucing up the neighborhood whilst mingling with neighbors.

Weekend Shoutouts: Easter Edition

Below are a few of the exciting things going on in and around Shaw this weekend.

1. Easter Brunch at Acadiana- This Easter Sunday from 11am - 5pm, Acadiana will offer their three-course prixe-fixe brunch menu for $32 a person, which includes a complimentary mimosa or bloody mary. To view Acadiana's Sunday Brunch Menu, click here, and scroll down to "Eye-Opener Brunch".

2. Grand Opening Festivities at Old City Green on Saturday - Enjoy a 10% discount all weekend, but be sure to attend the dedication of Community Peace Garden at Old City Green, which takes place at 12pm.

3. Easter Brunch at Vinoteca - Vinoteca will offer an Easter brunch buffet this Sunday from 11am to 3pm. For $35 per person, you will enjoy a gourmet selection of brunch dishes as well as a pitcher of mimosa, bellini, or kir for your table (Pitchers are limited to one per four people per table)!!! Make your reservation today!

4. Plant Trees and/or Roll Easter Eggs at Common Good City Farm this Saturday - Common Good City Farm is the new incarnation of the Seventh Street Garden and is now located at the Gage School grounds (located at 2025 3rd St NW, 3rd & V Streets, NW) in LeDroit Park. Two notable events occur there this Saturday, April 11. First, from 9am to 11pm is a workday in which Casey Trees and Common Ground will plant 20 fruit trees (all tools and light snacks provided. Kids are welcome if accompanied by an adult). Second, there will be an Easter Egg Roll and some fun activities for the whole family after the morning's work is complete. White House signature eggs will be given as prizes.

5. Countdown to Yuri's Night Party at Warehouse Arts Complex - This sci-fi event incorporates a gallery show, music, and performance as a gateway to celestial celebration. Tickets are $20 in advance and available on this website.

Know of others? Let us know in the comments!

Invogorating Mt. Vernon Square

Mount Vernon Square has the potential to be a really great place in the District of Columbia. With the Carnegie Library and its surrounding park land, the square already is a beautiful space, but it could -- and should -- be much more. The D.C. Office of Planning and former Shaw resident Rob Goodspeed both studied and prepared reports Mount Vernon Square.

First, in 2004, the DC Office of Planning produced Mount Vernon Square: A Design Workbook for the Mount Vernon Square District, Washington, DC. The Office of Planning proffers a flashy makeover of the Square that I don't really like. That said, the Workbook advances some suggestions that are intriguing, such as enlivening 8th Street and the tech world sky bridge, making over the facades of the glass buildings framing the south of the square, placing interesting and eye-catching public art throughout the area, and creating and enforcing a Mt. Vernon Square brand through street furniture and other urban elements.

Second, in 2007, Rob Goodspeed studied the square and made several recommendations for improving it. Most notably, he posits that the square needs better architectural definition; its surrounding buildings need to "articulate reflect the overall square shape of the space." Among other things, he also suggests that 1) 8th Street be opened to automobile traffic; The visibility of the retail on 8th Street between I and K Streets be improved; and 3) The city should create programming to better utilize square space.

As echoed in both studies, I think enlivening the edges of the square is key to the square itself achieving its potential as a great public space in D.C. Several things are needed to accomplish this. The buildings to its south need ground floor retail and restaurants. The sidewalks in front of these buildings should be widened to accommodate outdoor cafe seating. Additionally, 8th Street between I and K Streets needs commercial vibrancy. I agree with Rob Goodspeed's assessment that the street should be re-opened to automobile traffic, as doing so would create greater connectivity wiht points south. I also agree with Rob that when new buildings are constructed along 7th and 9th Streets near the square, their frontage should be as close to the square as possible to create better definition of the square.

I also think that pedestrian safety needs to be enhanced around the square. Better-marked cross walks (perhaps even cross-walks made with pavers) and traffic calming devices would provide easier access to the space. Restoring 9th Street to two way traffic in this area could enhance the pedestrian experience.

Finally, the square needs more consistent and visible programming. Significantly, the Carnegie Library needs a raison d'etre (other than being primarily a for-rent event space). Recurring events -- such as farmers' markets, festivals, and/or Fridays at Five -- would be a great draw to the square.




Image credits: Office of Planning (top) and Rob Goodspeed (bottom)

Old City Green Grand Opening Events This Saturday

Old City Green celebrates its official grand opening this Saturday, April 11, 2009. The highlight of the day will be the dedication of a Community Peace Garden at Old City Green, which takes place at 12pm.

The open air garden center and farmers' market at 9th and N Streets, NW, offers a 10% grand opening discount this weekend on a variety of annuals, perennials and native species. Definitely stop by to purchase plants at this great discount and to meet and mingle with neighbors, city and community leaders who are helping to green the district.

Garden Center Hours starting Sat., April 11th (subject to change so be sure to check their website):
Co-Op: 7-11am T-F
Retail: Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-3, Wed. 3-7, Thurs. & Fri.. 12-7


Old City Green
202-412-CITY
9th and N Streets, NW

Design: LED Open Signs

I know businesses are having a tough go at it everywhere right now, so I am hesitant to criticize any efforts made to draw in customers. That said, I am really not a fan of the generic LED "open" signs (pictured to the left) that seem to be popping up in windows on every block these days. Whether set to flash, to light up in a wave, or simply set to be fully illuminated, I find these signs u-g-l-y and distracting to the aesthetic of a business's street presentation.

There are many alternate non-LED means of letting people know a business is open. A simple non-illuminated "open" sign hung in the window or front door can be an effective, inexpensive and attractive indicator. An A-frame sign in front of a store advertising specials or just informing passers-by that a store is open also attracts interest. Finally, neon signs -- though potentially generic and ugly looking, depending on the sign -- can be an attractive, bright attention grabbing alternative to LED sings. Azi's Cafe has a fun and cute neon "Open" sign featuring a steaming cup of coffee, which I find charming.

All to say, I am hopeful that the LED Open sign fad is fleeting and that stores will be more creative and aesthetically pleasing in their efforts to bring in customers.

Azi's Photo Credit: Rob Goodspeed

FYI: Happy Hours in Shaw

I am soon going to update my Shaw Information Center (to the right) to spotlight Shaw businesses, recurring events, resources and things to do in our great neighborhood. I am completely open to suggestions on what types of information to feature, so let me know what you'd like to see. My working list of subjects includes the following: "Regular Community Meetings," "Happy Hours," "Brunches," "Coffee Shops," "Restaurants," an updated "Real Estate Developments," an updated "Where to Host an Event," and an updated "Unique Gifts from Shaw." Please let me know what other categories would be useful.

My first addition to the Information Center will be one of the fun ones: Happy Hours in Shaw. I have collected the following information about area happy hours; if I am leaving any place or any thing out, or if my details are inaccurate, please let me know in the comments or via email.

Happy Hours in Shaw

1. 1905 Restaurant – Happy Hour Sunday through Wednesday from 5:30 to 7pm featuring half Price Wine By the Bottle.

2. Be Bar – Daily Happy Hour from 5 to 9pm featuring $3 Martini/Champagne Cocktail Menu or two for one top shelf liquor drinks.

3. Corduroy– Weekday happy hour specials from 5 to 7pm.

4. DC9 – Happy Hour is every day from 5 to 8pm featuring $2.50 Bud & Bud Light bottles, $3.00 rail cocktails, $3.00 beer special of the week, and half price appetizers

5. Nellie's Sports Bar – "Beat The Clock" Happy Hour Monday through Friday: All bottles, Miller Light, or House Vodka Drinks are $1 from 5 to 6pm, $2 from 6 to 7pm, and $3 from 7 to 8pm.

6. Old Dominion Brewhouse - Weekday happy hour from 4 to 7pm featuring $3.25 sixteen ounce beers, $3.99 twenty ounce beers and half price on appetizers.

7. Veranda– Weekday happy hour from 5 to 7pm featuring $4 wine, $3.50 rail drinks, $3 select beers, and all other beer $1 off.

8. Vegetate – Vegetate's happy hour features over 10 wines by the glass at half price, along with a great selection of seasonal cocktails and beer specials. There are also food specials with half price items from their bites menu. Happy hour on Tuesdays is from 6 to 9:30pm and features music by DJ Dredd. Happy hour on Wednesdays through Thursdays are from 6 to 8pm.

Weekend Shoutouts

It's time to dust off an old Renewshaw.com feature, weekend shoutouts. The following are a few of the many exciting things to do in and around Shaw this weekend.

1. Have Brunch at 1905 Restaurant on Sunday - 1905 now features Sunday brunch from 11:30am-3pm. They've won me over with their burger, so I'm curious about their bloody Mary making skills...

2. Enjoy Vegetate's Extended Weekend Hours - Starting this weekend Vegetate will be open on Friday and Saturday until 10:30pm. Also, starting this Saturday they will begin opening at 5pm. Make reservations via Open Table, and don't forget to take advantage of their three-course fixed price deal Tuesday through Friday between 6pm-7pm (you get three courses -- small plate, large plate & dessert -- for $25).

3. Watch a Game at Nellie's Sports Bar or Old Dominion Brewhouse - Be a part of March madness at either of our neighborhood's outstanding sports watching venues.

Know of others? Let us know in the comments!

Shiloh Discusses Its Properties with the Community

Shiloh Baptist Church made two presentations regarding their vacant properties in Shaw, and their plans for the same, this week: one at the CCCA meeting on Tuesday and one at last night's ANC2C meeting. Unfortunately, I missed both presentations, so I am scouring the blogosphere for summaries of the same.

Apparently the church will submit its plans for a renovation and addition to 1533 9th Street, Northwest (pictured left in March 2007) to the Historic Preservation Review Board later this month. An email from ANC2C Commissioner Padro yesterday revealed the following and attached the below rendering of the planned renovation and addition at 1531 and 1533 9th Street, NW:

Shiloh Baptist Church has announced that they will present their current plans for all their vacant properties, not just request support for their proposed renovation of 1533 9th Street, NW and infill building at 1531 9th Street, NW, at Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C's meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at 6:30 PM at the Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th Street, NW.

It is important to note that Shiloh's pastor, Rev. Wallace Charles Smith, at last night's Convention Center Community Association meeting, stated that financing was not yet in place for the renovation and new construction at 1531-33 9th Street, NW, much less for the more ambitious redevelopment of the church's buildings on the west side of the 1500 block of 9th Street, which include ground floor retail as well as affordable housing. Specifically, the project for the buildings north of the Henry C. Gregory, III Family Life Center will not move forward without District of Columbia subsidies, which Smith said were not presently forthcoming.

This community has seen a number of renderings for proposed redevelopment of Shiloh's buildings along Woodson Row over the past decade, and perhaps even before. It seems unlikely that these latest plans will move forward anytime soon. But the plans for 1531-33 9th Street, NW are moving to the Historic Preservation Review Board this month, and with minor modifications, should receive approval. If Shiloh is able to complete this project, it would certainly be a demonstration of good faith on Shiloh's part after so many years of lack of progress. Floor plans and several elevations of the 1531-33 9th Street project are attached for your reference.

Residents of the 1500 block of 8th Street, NW, will be glad to hear that Shiloh committed last night to erecting a fence around the long vacant 1543 8th Street, NW, which has been a significant nuisance for decades. Shiloh trustee Ralph Lee acknowledged that a black steel fence is required, rather than a chain link fence, due to the building's location in the Shaw Historic District. This fence will help control the negative activities and trash accumulation that have been a problem at this corner for as long as neighbors can remember.

From SMS: First Cup Cafe Extends Menu and Hours

Shaw Main Streets recently sent out the following email announcement regarding expanded hours and the addition of a dinner menu at First Cup Cafe (formerly Breakwell's, at 9th and M Streets, Northwest):

First Cup Cafe, located at 900 M Street, NW, has added complete dinners, including roasted meats and a choice of sides, to its menu, and has extended its hours to accommodate customers interested in dining in or taking meals home with them.

The dinner specials, which will change daily, include:

Garlic Roast Pork with Mashed Potatoes and Vegetable of the Day
Roasted Ham with Mashed Potatoes and Vegetable of the Day
Grown Up Mac and (Gruyere) Cheese with Ham and Green Salad
Potato Casserole with Ham and Green Salad
Pasta with Meatballs and Green Salad
Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Green Salad
Shepherd's Pie with Green Salad
Pot Pie with Green Salad
Lasagna with Green Salad
Oven 'Fried' Chicken with Potatoes and Green Salad
Roasted Turkey with Potatoes and Vegetable of the Day

All dinners are priced under $10.00. Side substitutions are OK.

First Cup Cafe's new hours are Monday through Saturday, 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Sounds awesome! What a great, affordable, convenient option on those nights when you just don't feel like cooking.

First Cup Cafe
900 M Street, NW
202.289.4601

Thinking About: Activity Districts within Shaw’s Commercial Corridors

Shaw’s commercial corridors are generally defined as Seventh and Ninth Streets between K Street and Florida Avenue/U Street . The corridors possess -- or are in very close proximity to –- several very significant anchors that bring many people to our main streets daily, such as the convention center, the 9:30 Club, and the Giant grocery store. Additionally, several significant projects are on the drawing boards for our commercial corridors, including the Broadcast Center One development and the CityMarket at O Street redevelopment. Many locales salivate over the idea of having the draws we already have. These anchors (and planned anchors) present incredible opportunities for business and development recruitment and marketing.

In order to capitalize on our assets, I propose thinking about Shaw’s commercial corridors as possessing several distinct districts of activity based on the corridors' various anchors. I think we should use such informal characterizations as guidelines in how we promote, design and recruit in the different areas. Of course, I do not mean to imply that a district should possess just one use or cater to just one particular patron, but I aver that we should build on and enhance the major draws of each unique district within Shaw’s commercial corridors. Note that I am mainly focused on the non-residential uses and aspects of development within the corridors.

In future posts, I will analyze each district individually. But as a jumping off point, I thought I would share my breakdown of the activity districts, derived from the anchors in each, and see if you agree with my assessments.

Districts of Activity Along Shaw’s Commercial Corridors
Hospitality District - The biggest anchor of this district is, of course, the convention center, with its main entrance on Mt. Vernon Square. Several existing hotels – including the Renaissance, the Henley Park, and the Eldon – serve the convention center and help define this area as a hospitality district. This area will truly become a hub for conventioneers when the planned hotels are built (the Marriott Marquis Convention Center Headquarters Hotel (to be built in the block bounded by Ninth Street, Massachusetts Avenue, and L Street), the two smaller Marriott hotels (to be built in the 900 block of L Street), the Douglas Development hotel (to be built on Seventh Street or New York Avenue), and the four star hotel on the old convention center site’s northeast corner).

Neighborhood and Specialty Retail District – Anchored by the O Street Market’s Giant grocery store, this district features neighborhood-oriented retail, stores and cafes. With its proximity to and overlap with the convention center, this district also features hospitality oriented businesses, specialty retail, restaurants, and cafes.

Education, Recreation and Health District – Several notable public institutions serve the community in this district, including the Shaw Middle School, Seaton Elementary School, the (temporary and under-construction) and the Watha T. Daniel Shaw Neighborhood Library. This district also boasts the Kennedy Recreation Center, several public recreation fields (Shaw Recreation Field, Seaton, and Bundy), and a dog park. Bread for the City is expanding its medical clinic in this district.

Office District – Major office space is planned in the forms of the Broadcast Center One development and the Wonderbread Factory redevelopment.

Entertainment/Nightlife District – Two significant draws to this area are the 9:30 Club and Town Danceboutique. This area is part of the bustling U Street Corridor district and boasts other smaller nightlife options, like Nellie’s and DC9. Additionally, this area has a vibrant restaurant district, including a notable hub of Ethiopian restaurants. The Howard Theatre will be another anchor to this area.