Thinking About: Improving Shaw Recreation Field

Although it is fairly well used, I think the Shaw Recreation Field (bounded by Shaw Middle School, Rhode Island Avenue, 11th and R Streets, Northwest) could be a much better place and asset for our neighborhood. Below is a run-down of what I see as the problems with the current park and what could be done to fix the problems. I *believe* that the field may be due for a makeover when Shaw Middle School is overhauled, so maybe dreaming now of what we want isn't too pie in the sky. There are also some short-term solutions that could enhance the park without significant investment.

Present Conditions
In terms of amenities and uses, Shaw Recreation Field (the "park") includes a skate park, two basketball courts, a large field (used mostly for soccer), and a dog park, all of which are in constant use. There are no running or walking paths and no games available in the park. There is no ongoing programming for park activities, such as tournaments or concerts. Finally, there is no neighborhood group that maintains or watches over the park as a whole (the Shaw Dog Park group is very active and a good steward of its area, however).

Aesthetically, the park has no landscaping apart from some trees and grass. There are no flowers or shrubs. An asphalt parking lot takes up potential recreation space and acts as a physical buffer between the school and the park. There is no public art in the park. There are no banners and limited signage identifying the park.

The park lacks connectivity and flow. There are no clear primary gateways or entrance points to the park. There is no access to the park from 10th Street to the north. There are no paths within the park.

Proposed Solutions
I think the park’s layout should be realigned to accommodate additional uses, particularly uses that compliment the adjacent middle school. It would be great to add paths such that runners and walkers could traverse pleasant, measured loops. It would be nice to add volleyball courts and/or additional competitive sports areas. It would also be nice to have other game areas throughout the park – like a chess area, tetherball, four square, and the like. An amphitheater – perhaps where the large concrete plaza and temporary library is today – would also be a neat addition.

The park could benefit from programming. Concerts, performances and/or group exercise would bring additional patrons to the park. Food vendors – particularly on the weekend – could enhance passive use of the park (e.g., reading a book in the shade, people watching, etc.). A neighborhood group that could tend to flower beds and generally be stewards of the park would also be great.

As I’ve said before, I think it would be nice to re-open 10th Street between Rhode Island and R Street to vehicular traffic. Short of that, however, I think the pedestrian connection should, at very least, be restored by placing a path through the park. The park also needs clearer gateways and entrances.

Public art – perhaps a signature sculpture at 10th and Rhode Island Avenue – throughout the park would be a nice enhancement. Flower beds and landscaping would also make the park a more enticing place. Park branding – through entrance signage, street pole banners, and wayfinding signs – would also make the park more inviting.

What do you think would make Shaw Recreation Field a better place in Shaw? I’d love to hear your suggestions for short term, minor improvements and long term, money-no-obstacle dreams.

Walking Tours of Shaw This Weekend

Cultural Tourism DC is offering more than 120 free walking tours (and a few bike tours) in 18 neighborhoods across Washington, DC. this weekend (check out the full detailed schedule here). I think I've captured most of the tours occurring in or around our great neighborhood below. I plan to take the Mid-City at a Crossroads tours on Sunday.

Saturday, May 30

Before Harlem, There Was U Street
Sponsored by M&T Bank
Saturday, May 30
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Meet and end outside U St/African Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Metro station (13th Street exit)
Reservations required: Online

Logan Circle
Saturday, May 30
11 am - 1 pm
Meet outside McPherson Square Metro station (14th Street exit)
End at the corner of 14th and P Streets, NW

Mount Vernon Triangle Development Tour
Sponsored by Steuart Investment Company
Saturday, May 30
1 - 2:30 pm
Meet and end at Carnegie Library, Eighth and K Streets, NW (south entrance)

Renewal and Mural Art: Byron Peck’s Vision
Saturday, May 30
1 - 2:30 pm
Meet beneath the Duke Ellington Mural at the True Reformer Building, 1200 U Street, NW
End at Connecticut and Florida Avenues, NW

Midcity at the Crossroads: Shaw Heritage Trail (self guided)
Saturday, May 30
1:30 pm
Sign 1: Seventh Street and Mount Vernon Place, NW

Historic Logan Circle
Saturday, May 30
2 - 4 pm
Meet and end by the statue of General Logan in Logan Circle Park
Reservations required: Online

Sunday, May 31

Shaw: Where DC Comes Together, Part I
Sunday, May 31
10 am - 12:30 pm
Meet at northwest corner of Seventh Street and Mount Vernon Place, NW
End at Azi’s Café, 1336 Ninth Street, NW

Before Harlem, There Was U Street
Sponsored by M&T Bank
Sunday, May 31
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Meet and end outside U St/African Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Metro station (13th Street exit)

Shaw: Where DC Comes Together, Part II
Sunday, May 31
1 - 3:30 pm
Meet at the northwest corner of Seventh and R Streets, NW
End at Nellie's Sports Bar, 900 U Street, NW

Mount Vernon Triangle Development Tour
Sponsored by Steuart Investment Company
Sunday, May 31
1 - 2:30 pm
Meet and end at Carnegie Library, Eighth and K Streets, NW (south entrance)

Historic Logan Circle
Sunday, May 31
2 - 4 pm
Meet and end in Logan Circle Park, near statue of General Logan
Reservations required: Online


For more information, email info@CulturalTourismDC.org, or call 202-661-7581. To make reservations for specific tours, click here.

Would you like to volunteer for WalkingTown? Click here!
Get more info and tips to plan your day!
Explore the city on your own with Cultural Tourism DC’s Neighborhood Heritage Trails.
Check out what people are saying about WalkingTown, DC!

Weekend Shoutouts

Here are a few notable things going on in our great neighborhood this weekend.

1. Watch the United House of Prayer for All People Memorial Day Parade on Saturday May 23 -- the parade starts at 11am and is really a fun thing to watch. Avoid trying to get anywhere by car during the parade, though, as traffic can be a nightmare. There will be temporary road closures along the route, which is:

The parade route begins at 601 M Street
North on 6th Street, NW to Florida Avenue
West on Florida Avenue to 13th & U Streets, NW
South on 13th Street, NW to Logan Circle
East on P Street to 7th Street, NW
South on 7th Street to M Street, NW
East on M Street to end at the House of Prayer

2. Buy Plants and Flowers at Old City Green on Saturday - Our great neighborhood garden center will be closed on Sunday and Monday in honor of Memorial Day, so stock up on your landscaping needs tomorrow.

3. Try the Summer Brew at Old Dominion - Old Dominion Brewhouse now features a summer beer, Dominion Beach House Golden Pilsner. Check it out this weekend!

4. Taint at DC9 Sunday - Memorial Day Taint (an "indie-rock and electro party for those tired of the same-old gay club circuit" according to the WaPo), is at DC9 on Sunday night. $5 cover.

Know of others? Let us know in the comments!

901 R Street Development Complete

Back in 2007, I wrote about the ongoing construction of the Arlington Terrace condominium building at the corner of 9th and R Streets, NW (901 R Street, NW, to be exact). As you may recall, previously on the same site stood a building that was once the home of the Louis Thomas Caberet and the site of Duke Ellington's early professional gigs (read more about the former building and its significance to the Shaw neighborhood here). In 2002, the city razed the historic building (pictured below in its latter years) over structural stability and safety concerns.


After what seems like ages of construction, the new condominium project is finally complete and looks great. A Fairfax Realty listing provides the following information on the finished 2 unit project:

BRAND NEW LUXURY CORNER BUILDING IN THE HEART OF N.W. WASHINGTON D.C. 2 BEDROOMS 2 BATHS, 1ST FLOOR & 2ND FLOOR FOR RENT, HAS A SEPERATE ENTRANCE. MARBLE FOYER, WOOD FLOOR, HIGH CEILING, GRANITE COUNTER TOP, CHERRY KITCHEN CABINET, RECESS LIGHTS, MICROWAVE, TILES IN THE BATHROOM, WASHER & DRYER IN THE UNIT, WALK TO HOWARD SHAW METRO, RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, CHURCHS,CONVENTION CENTER. HISTORIC U ST.

I could not find any additional information online. Contact Laleh Hardine, 240-793-6655, if interested in learning more.

It's great that new life has been breathed into this once sad looking corner. I look forward to welcoming our new neighbors when the building is occupied!

10th Street Park Planning Meeting Next Wednesday

Next week, DPR's Office of Planning and Capital Projects will host another meeting to discuss plans to convert a vacant lot on 10th Street, NW between L and M Streets into a new park (read my previous post about the project concept here). The meeting will be held next Wednesday (May 27, 2009) at 7pm at the Kennedy Recreation Center.

I recently noticed that draft plans for the park have been uploaded to the Shaw Yahoo! Group. Below are a few of the images, which I think look really neat.

Resumption of 1230 9th Renovation for Restaurant Nears

In May 2007, I reported that 1230 Ninth Street, Northwest, was under renovation to become Nima's Restaurant and Bar. Despite a promising start -- including application for a liquor license -- the project came to an unexplained halt. The liquor license never issued and the construction ceased.

Recently, we noticed construction activity at the site. Unfortunately, the activity received a stop work order for failing to have the proper permits (the permits from 2007 expired). According to the DCRA's Building Permit Status Database, the project's architect Stephen Dupont submitted a new building permit application on April 30, 2009. A source tells me 1230 Ninth Street is going to become a "white tablecloth" type of restaurant but could not confirm whether or not plans for Nima's have been resurrected or if it's a different restaurant altogether.

Exciting!

Long View's Mary Chiaramonte Show Opens Tomorrow

The Long View Gallery's latest exhibition is of new works by celebrated artist Mary Chiaramonte. Entitled "Haunted," this really neat show opens tomorrow night with a reception from 7 to 9pm and runs through June 13. From the press release:

Washington, D.C. – [April 22, 2009] – The Long View Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition of new works by Virginia artist Mary Chiaramonte entitled “Haunted.” Mary Chiaramonte grew up in rural West Virginia. With little social interaction beyond her immediate family, Mary spent her days drawing and painting. Her isolation as a child created a fascination with the lives of others that fill her artwork to this day.

Mary’s works are studies of people with whom she is connected, be they friends, family or characters from a song. She tells their stories through painted snapshots. For Mary, the eyes are not the windows to the soul; instead, her soulful work is characterized by figures with no faces but as forms to be studied and felt. Much of Mary’s work is, in-part, selfportraiture: she uses the narratives of her subjects to help translate events of her own life, allowing her an added connection to the paintings. By hiding the most recognizable feature of her subjects, their faces, the works become less about a specific person and more about a universal feeling or experience, allowing each of us to place ourselves in that space. Mary’s ability to capture emotion through the human form gives her otherwise haunting “headless” figures a relatable quality.

Mary’s work is held in public and private collections across the United States. She has exhibited throughout the east coast, including visits to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC and several solo shows in Washington, D.C. Mary has been written up in several local publications, including The Washington Post, The Eye Magazine and Art Buzz.

I love Mary Chiaramonte's work (we bought a piece last year) and am excited for this show.


The Long View Gallery
1302 9th Street, NW
202.232.4788

The Criminal Element

I hate reporting on crime and do not do so often. That said, I feel compelled to pass along the following for purposes of awareness and in hopes that someone will come forward with information leading to arrests. Be aware and vigilant for yourself and for others, as there is a despicable element in this world.

A man was shot in the 1100 block of Seventh Street last night (between L and M streets) at about 9:30 last night. DCist reports that he was pronounced dead on arrival at Howard University Hospital. No other details are available at this time. Anyone with information about this crime, please call the police at 202-727-9099 or 1-888-919-2746.

The following is video of a scary robbery of a store in broad daylight on Fourteenth Street. A gang of nine criminals robbed Universal Gear on May 13, and the crime was caught on camera. Contact the police or the store at info@universalgear.com or 202.319.0136 if you have any information that may lead to the arrest of these thugs.

Fascinating Photos from the Not-Too Distant Past

The Blagden Alley and Naylor Court blog has posted a series of 1980's-era photographs of the area that offer a fascinating glimpse into what our neighborhood looked like in the not-too-distant past (check out the 1000 block of O Street, buildings in the 1200 block of 10th Street, tree boxes in the 1200 block of 10th, and what became the First Cup Cafe building (with the new convention center site in the background)). The posts also feature contrasting recent photographs taken from similar vantages that show how far our great neighborhood has come.

Update on Shiloh’s Vacant Tax Liability

Yesterday I pontificated on Shiloh’s tax liability for its vacant properties in light of the mistaken re-classification of the same last year. I feared that the church may not be liable for back taxes as if the reclassification never occurred, a fear fueled by in part by quotations from a recent D.C. North article. I’m happy to report that the church will indeed be liable as if the re-classification never occurred.

As background, the Real Property Assessment Database seems to indicate that Shiloh’s April 2009 tax payments reflect payments according to the mistaken re-classifications of its properties as non-vacant. For example, 1534 9th Street shows a payment on April 4, 2009 of $861.64. By contrast, in April 2008, when the property was properly classified as vacant, the church paid $11,992.25 in taxes. Taken in conjunction with the D.C. North article, this caused concern that the city might not recoup the difference between the vacant and non-vacant rate for the six properties that were subject to the re-classification.

An extremely informative and helpful representative of DCRA reached out to me today and told me that the church will, indeed, be liable as if the re-classification never occurred. I confirmed this by further review of the OTR’s tax assessment database, which shows that the church is currently owes $130,909.75 in taxes for the six properties in question, as broken out in the table below:

I posit that the church will pay this bill soon, as Shiloh seems to make timely payments consistently (the tax bill they paid in April likely reflected the prior mistaken non-vacant classifications).

Thanks to Councilmember Evans, all folk on the Shaw Yahoo Group Message Board and representatives from the DCRA who responded to the issue. Hopefully Shiloh's seven properties will see new life soon.

Library Construction

A photograph of ongoing construction of the new Watha T. Daniel Shaw Neighborhood Library, taken this morning.




Thanks, Drew!

Update on Shiloh's Vacant Property Re-Classification

As you likely recall, in March I reported that six of Shiloh's seven vacant properties on 8th and 9th Streets, NW, were no longer listed as vacant by the DCRA or the Office of Tax and Revenue. After the issue garnered considerable neighborhood scrutiny, all six properties were re-classified as Class 3 vacant in the online tax database. However, the issue of whether Shiloh would be able to benefit from the inadvertent re-classification -- thereby avoiding having to pay about $150,000 in taxes per the vacant rate -- remained unclear.

This month's D.C. North sheds light on the issue and makes it sound as though the church will not have to pay taxes as if the re-classification never occurred (check out the article online here). In part, D. C. North reports that:

Nicholas Majett, DCRA’s deputy director, has not clarified whether the church will be charged with the bill, which comes to $150,000, plus interest and penalties. “We’ll do what we do with any property—we make a decision based on evidence submitted,” he said. But Majett isn’t certain that making Shiloh pay is the right thing to do. “I think it’s an egregious act” to charge a retroactive tax bill, he said. “Times are hard for everybody.”

I don't think the church should benefit from a mistaken re-classification of six of its seven vacant properties. Doing so would be inequitable to every other vacant property owner who received no such erroneous windfall, would take the teeth out of the vacant property tax rate, and could give rise to a slippery slope of allowing taxpayers to benefit from any administrative error (as far as I know, the cause of the error in this case is still unknown). Further, after the church's years and years of redevelopment inaction without facing the vacant tax rate, I can't imagine that development would be hastened by failing to apply the rate in full force.

From SMS: Dan the Man's Closing this Month

From Shaw Main Streets comes news that upper 9th is, sadly, losing one of its unique and inexpensive dining options at the end of the month:

Due to lease issues, Dan the Man's Teriyaki & Subs (1936 9th Street, NW, http://www.danthemans.com/), the 2nd runner up for Shaw's Best New Business of 2005, will be closing on May 30, 2009. Dan the Man's teriyaki wings have gotten rave reviews from customers and even the Washington Post. Their wings, both spicy and mild, have been popular favorites at Shaw Main Streets' annual meetings and holiday parties.

"We've loved being in Shaw, and maybe we'll find a new place in the neighborhood in the future," said Daniel Jung, co-owner with his wife, chef Deni Jung, of Dan the Man's. "The community has been great to us. We look forward to seeing all our friends stop by to say good bye and get one last order of their Dan the Man's favorites."

So it's three weeks and counting, folks. Be sure to get your last fix of Dan the Man's legendary wings, and thank Dan and Deni for being part of making Shaw a great place to eat.

And be sure to tell them, "Shaw Main Streets Sent Me!"

Dan the Man's Teriyaki and Subs
1936 9th Street, NW

Shaw Dog Park's 6 Month Anniversary Celebration this Saturday!

The Shaw Dog Park in the 1600 block of 11th Street is an awesome community asset. In addition to providing a place for area dogs to get some exercise and to have some fun, the park has proven to be an excellent venue for building community among dog-owning and dog-admiring neighbors. This amenity is one of many that has enhanced the quality of life in Shaw over the past few years.

A six month anniversary celebration of the Shaw Dog Park will take place this Saturday (May 16) from 10-12 at the park. Councilmember Jack Evans and ANC Commissioner Alex Padro will be there, so it will be a great time to thank them personally for making the dog park a reality. There will also be food (for humans and dogs), drink, raffle prizes, and short presentations on pet-related matters: health, insurance, massage, etc.

Hope to see you there!

Maruka Offers Great Gifts for Mom

Maruka is known to many as the awesome yoga school located at 9th and N Streets that always has gorgeous, lush planters around their front doors. What you may not know is that Maruka is also comprised of a really cute retail boutique. If you've not purchased anything for Mother's Day for that special woman in your life, you should definitely pop in, as you will not leave empty handed.

Here's a rundown of their retail and retail philosophy:

The Maruka Retail Boutique manifests our vision of beauty and self. At Maruka, our passions for fashion, comfort and natural products intertwine to pamper the body, senses, and soul.

With unique designer jewelery, active wear and accessories, natural body products, minerals, and essential oils, we have crafted an emporium to promote inner health, enhance outer beauty, and provide for full, vibrant confidant, serene, and enriching lives.

Artisan Jewelry
We work with local and international artists to provide a unique array of the hottest designs to hit DC. Semi precious stones, pearls, amber, and much more. Every item is researched and hand selected by us. Come find the most beautiful pieces to accent your life and the ones you love.

Healing Minerals
From small chakra stones to beautiful geodes, come explore your attraction to certain minerals and find out what they may reveal about yourself.

Active Wear
Our active wear line is carefully chosen for integrity, design and comfort, to provide the best quality for our customers. And did we forget to mention the fashion too?

Accessories
Ahhh, accessories are truly the spice of life. From clutch bags to bone bracelets—headbands to sandals, Maruka provides unique designs unparalleled in the area.

Natural Body Products
Soaps, bath salts, massage oils and so much more. All of our products are 100% natural, and crafted to pamper the outer self and heal the inner soul. Even our candles are 100% natural where the wax can be applied as a soothing body moisturizer.

Essential Oils
The olfactory senses are the shortest route to the soul. Learn how fragrant essential oils can help relax, temper, and heal. We have selected the highest quality natural oils available, and strongly endorse their rejuvenating properties.

Whether for mom or not, be sure to check out Maruka's great retail boutique soon!



Maruka School for Yoga and the Healing Arts and Retail Boutique
1300 Ninth Street NW (corner of 9th and N streets NW)
202.745.1881
info@marukadc.com

EFN Lounge and Motley Bar to Replace be bar

Metro Weekly has the scoop on the transformation coming to 1318 9th Street, current location of be bar. As previously reported, the current incarnation of be bar closes this Saturday night (May 9). The space will undergo a quick transformation and re-open under two new names on Friday, May 15.

The first floor will be known as EFN Lounge (pronounced as it's read, not as it's spelled). It will be edgier than be bar and will call to mind a rugby pub with a ''nice design.''

The previously under-utilized second floor (formerly home to be bar's VIP area and offices) will house Motley Bar. It will feature a pool table and beer busts, among other basic bar offerings.

Sounds exciting!

EFN Lounge
1318 9th Street, NW
202.341.8281



Thanks for the tip, Mr. Q!

Mother's Day Brunch at Vegetate

The amazing Vegetate will be open for a special Mother's Day brunch from 11am to 3pm this Sunday (May 10). The brunch is three-courses for $25 per person. Make reservations soon because space is limited.

Mother's Day Brunch Menu*

Course 1
Local Greens Salad with braised asparagus, toasted walnuts & lemon thyme vinaigrette
or
Seasonal Soup with grilled bread
or
Potato and Zucchini Pancakes with braised carrots & spring onion "sour cream"

Course 2
Grilled Polenta with Clagett Farm asparagus, fried eggs & Hollandaise sauce
or
Spring Frittata with simple greens salad
or
Seasonal Vegetable Risotto with walnut herb pesto

Course 3
Seasonal Fruit Crisp with chamomile oat topping & sorbet or gelato
or
Dark Chocolate Ganache with sesame, chili and mint oils & candied chili
or
Sorbet & Gelato Selection

*menu subject to change based on seasonal availability

YUM! Mom is in for a treat!

Also, be sure to stop by Vegetate to enjoy the bounty of the short but delicious asparagus season! Their menu now features a variety of asparagus dishes, from asparagus soup to grilled asparagus to an asparagus salad. Other spring produce around now are squash, zucchini, broccoli raab, rhubarb, and even some North Carolina strawberries from the farmer's market!

Vegetate
1414 9th Street, NW
202.232.4585

Council Helps CityMarket at O

Check out this Washington Examiner article about emergency action taken yesterday by the city council yesterday to help jump start Roadside Development's CityMarket at O Street project. The article reports that the resolution "authorizes Mayor Adrian Fenty to grant $1 million, from any available source, to Roadside Development to get the project at Seventh and O streets Northwest moving." Fingers crossed that the mayor takes immediate action and that this project moves forward as soon as possible!

1320 9th Street Renovation Nears

Last May, I posted about a vacant building that was for sale, 1320 9th Street, Northwest. According to the Real Property Assessment Database, the property sold in March of this year to a single purpose entity known as 1320 9th Street NW LLC. I recently checked the DCRA's Plan Review Status Database and found that on April 27, 2009, an application for a building permit was submitted. It therefore seems that renovation of this property is forthcoming. Woo-hoo!

From SMS: Remember Mom with Flowers from Convention Floral

Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 10th, and Shaw Main Streets reminds us to order mom flowers through our very own neighborhood florist, Convention Floral. Convention Floral is located in the 1900 block of Ninth Street. Its service area is Washington, Chevy Chase and Arlington.

From SMS:

Give Mom a truly unforgettable gift - flowers. Mom will fall in love with a beautiful bouquet of gorgeous blooms by Convention Floral. To place your Mother's Day order, call or visit today. www.flowerswashingtondc.com or www.conventionfloral.com.

Convention Floral
1920 9th St. NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20001
18889390510 or
2029390510

Convention Center Retail

It’s a shame that several years after its opening, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center has retail spaces that have not yet been occupied. I peruse local real estate listings a lot, yet cannot find anything marketing the convention center's empty perimeter spaces. It seems unlikely that the convention center ever signed a retail broker to manage its retail, as it attempted to do last year. For the sake of our neighborhood residents and businesses, I hope that the convention center will place renewed emphasis on retaining its current retail tenants and on attracting new ones.

First, especially in this economy, the convention center needs to do more to help its current tenants succeed. One major step the convention center could take is to resolve amicably the lawsuit in which it is involved with several tenants. It does not seem that such a resolution is coming anytime soon (they have a pretrial date coming up in about a month). I imagine the litigation isn't helping the convention center's ability to attract new tenants and that the attorney fees are not the most desirable use of the tenants' or the convention center's resources. Also, as discussed here recently, the convention center could do a much better job of internal marketing of and directing convention-goers to its shops (and other local businesses). Finally, the convention center should create a more lively streetscape through hanging flower baskets on the adjacent streetlights and through installing more festive and inviting signage for its retail tenants (the current red and black vertical banners leave much to be desired visually, in my opinion).

Second, the convention center needs to market actively and to be flexible in its leasing of its empty retail spaces. As I indicated a few weeks ago, I think most of the convention center's retail spaces fall in an area ideally situated for neighborhood and specialty retail (as opposed to convention-oriented retail -- I will elaborate on this topic soon). There is unmet demand for retailers and restaurants in our neighborhood, so these spaces need not be empty. However, the convention center needs to be willing to minimize its potential tenant's investment risks.
I think the convention center's mostly vacant retail strip on N Street has the potential to be a really cool haven of commerce, with its wide sidewalk and beautiful views of The Exchange and the Immaculate Conception Church. The stretch is currently a lifeless canyon that provides no foot traffic to surrounding businesses and that is conducive to malfeasance. I am most anxious to see the convention center's corner space at 9th and N filled. As demonstrated in the above rendering, wouldn’t it be neat to have a nice casual restaurant with outdoor seating assume that prime spot (I could see a Pieworks Pizza Restaurant with outdoor seating open there)?