Lawsuit Threatens Convention Center Hotel

The convention center hotel saga continues. The Washington Business Journal reports that the JBG Cos., through an entity called Wardman Investor LLC, is asking a D.C. judge to delay construction of the hotel while JBG disputes the contracting process. JBG charges that the city violated D.C. procurement law in the process that lead to the 99-year lease with Marriott.

The article also notes that "no bonds have yet been issued to finance the [hotel's] construction," which was expected to commence in the coming month or so.

Let's hope that the current lawsuit is tossed out quickly -- like D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles says it should be -- and that financing and ground breaking occur expeditiously.

Get it built already!

Cork & Chef at 1905 Tonight

Amazing Shaw restaurant 1905 will hold its first "Cork & Chef" event tonight (September 29). Be there at 7:00 p.m. to try the fantastic new cuisine of Executive Chef Anthony Marini and a selection of great new wines from Bacchus Importers, all for just $40! Call for a reservation 202.332.1905.



1905
1905 Ninth Street, Northwest
202.332.1905



Image credit: 1905 on Facebook

SMS Development Forum Wednesday

From SMS comes news of its always-interesting annual forum on development in the area:

Shaw Main Streets, the commercial revitalization and historic preservation organization serving central Shaw's 7th and 9th Street commercial corridors, will hold its sixth annual community forum on major development projects on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 6:30 PM at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Room 102B (enter from L Street). Admission is free, and no reservations are required.

Representatives from developers will present the current status of their plans for major renovation and new construction projects in the area. Invited developers include Banneker Ventures (The Jazz on Florida Avenue), Ellis Development and Four Points (Howard Theatre and Broadcast Center One), Douglas Development (Wonder Bread Factory and Squares 450 and 451), Roadside Development (CityMarket at O), Quadrangle Development (Marriott Marquis Convention Center Hotel), Hines-Archstone (City Center DC), Metropolitan Development (Addison Square at Kelsey Gardens), and Inle Development (1501 9th Street, NW).

For more information, call 202-265-SHAW or visit www.shawmainstreets.com.

Public Art at Convention Center Ribbon Cutting

You may have noticed that the windows of the empty retail spaces of the convention center have recently been transformed with murals painted directly on the glass. The bay windows along M Street have also been filled with art. The effect is a streetscape enlivened with color and interest. Hopefully the convention center will more actively pursue tenants for its spaces, but in the meantime, these art installation are wonderful additions to the neighborhood.

The art project is known as "Windows into DC" and is brought to us, in part, by the Washington Convention Center Authority and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Windows into DC includes 14 installations of artwork accessible any time of day or night. All of the featured artists are based in Washington, DC.

The groups will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on the outdoor art experience tomorrow (Tuesday, September 29, 2009) at 5:00 pm. The ceremony will be held at the corner of Seventh and M Streets, Northwest.



Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Windows Into DC
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 5:00
Program and Ribbon Cutting
7th and M Streets NW

NPS Implememts Temporary Enhancement to Woodson Site

Some neighbors and I met with representatives from the National Parks Service recently to discuss temporary enhancements to the Woodson Site pending the full development of this national park in a few years. The improvements discussed included purely aesthetic items (e.g., installing window boxes or planters), educational items (e.g., installing signage regarding Dr. Woodson and the plans for the site), and safety/nuisance items (e.g., making the properties less conducive/attractive to loiterers and homeless). The Parks Service was very receptive to the ideas discussed and agreed to move forward with many temporary improvements.

Today, one of the safety/nuisance items we discussed became a reality. The recessed doorway to 1542 Ninth Street, Northwest, was sealed over with a gate. This recessed area has been a repeat encampment spot for homeless and has provided a dark enclave for nefarious conduct, so this measure is much appreciated by neighbors.



Thanks, NPS, and we look forward to seeing other temporary improvements erected soon!

Ground Broken on Tenth Street Park Today

In February, I first reported about a community movement to turn an under-utilized lot on Tenth Street into a community park. Demonstrating the power of our neighbors, the mayor broke ground on this soon-to-be asset today. From the Mayor's press release:

Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Acting Director Ximena Hartsock, joined community members to break ground on a new 10th Street Park, between L and M Streets, NW. The final concept for the conversion of this quarter-acre vacant lot into a beautiful new park was developed by DPR and the neighborhood through a number of community planning sessions.

"Working together with support and guidance from the community we are transforming this vacant lot, which has been a blight to the neighborhood, into a beautiful new park and public green space," said Mayor Fenty. "I look forward to re-joining the community for the ribbon-cutting of this new park."

Features of the new park will include:
a hard-scaped plaza;
open green space;
low-level lighting;
benches;
chairs;
tables; and
play area with rubber surface and creative play structures, such as climbing boulders.

Park landscaping will include native plants, bio-retention areas, and an eco-friendly irrigation system which will recycle site water.

"Today's groundbreaking is a celebration of the collaboration of the community and DPR," said DPR Acting Director Ximena Hartsock. "We are proud to be bringing a new park to Ward 2’s downtown community."

DPR will perform park construction in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. Plans for the new 10th Street Park can be viewed on the Project Page for 10th Street Park - Park Development.

Great work, neighbors!

Now, how can we work the same magic on other area parks (top of my list is the Carter Woodson Memorial Park at 9th and Rhode Island Avenue, which seems to have stalled for years despite a huge grant from the National Trust!).

Long View Gallery's New Face

Construction on the new Long View Gallery at 1234 Ninth Street, Northwest (read about their move here) has been advancing at a rapid pace. Yesterday, the new glass and aluminum garage doors were installed on the Ninth Street and Blagden Alley facades of the building. Recessed glass front doors will be installed next to the garage doors in the coming week or so.


The interior buildout -- which includes, among other things, walls and wall treatments, HVAC, new electrical wiring, state of the art lighting and sound systems, new bathrooms,and so on and so forth -- should be complete by early October. The official grand opening will be in late October.

Lost Dog Alert: Olive

Although a bit off topic, as a fellow-dog-owner, I couldn't resist posting this lost dog alert I received today:

Dear RenewShaw,

I'm writing because my dog, Olive, got loose this morning (Wed. 9/23) and ran off in Columbia Heights, possibly running down into LeDroit Park. I'm hoping you can post these photos and description.

Olive is a 2 year old, small/medium (25 lb), black and white border collie-corgi mix. She looks like a border collie with the body type and short legs of a corgi.

Olive is wearing a yellow flowered collar with tags and is micro-chipped. Her tags include my phone number so I'm praying that someone finds her or just spots her and calls me at 330-554-3658. We are posting flyers in the area with this information.

She slipped out of the house this morning on the corner of Sherman and Kenyon and ran south down Georgia Ave. She was spotted mid-morning around S street and Florida Ave and may have been spotted again at U and 1st. She may still be in this area or hopefully she is making her way back home towards 3214 Sherman Ave, near Harriet Tubman Elementary School.

We love Olive very much and will happily give a cash reward to anyone that can help bring her home. She is skittish with strangers, so approaching her slowly would work best. Cheese is her favorite treat and may help coax her.

Taxing Blight

The Washington Business Journal reports reports that on Tuesday, the Council eliminated the vacant property tax rate altogether and replaced it with a ten dollar rate that will apply only to blighted properties. A blighted property is “unsafe, insanitary, or which is otherwise determined to threaten the public health, safety, or general welfare of the community” because of broken walls, roofs, windows, balconies or other poorly kept features. According to the Business Journal, boarded up properties will also count as blighted. Owners of well-maintained vacant properties, including vacant lots, will pay the regular commercial and residential rates.

We have witnessed a lot of positive change as a result of the vacant property tax -- numerous properties have been sold and/or renovated in the past few years. Arguably, many of the vacant properties to which we often point with ire (e.g., Michael Sendar's properties at 9th, Q and Rhode Island Avenue, Shiloh's, etc.) qualify as blight under the new standard, so hopefully we will continue to see change resulting from the tax liabilities of the new law. Time will tell how the new Blight Tax plays out.

440 Rhode Island Condos Marketing

Walking home from work yesterday, I noticed a new banner marketing the condominiums under construction at 440 Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest (see imgoph's coverage of the construction here). The development is known as The Josephine and has a new website.

According to the website:

It's finally open! One of DC’s newest condominium projects The Josephine is selling it’s amazing 20 brand new 2 bedroom 2 full bathrooms condos priced the mid $300’s.

Beautifully designed “The Josephine” offers a Rooftop terrace, Elevator, and limited secure parking spaces available for sale. Every floor plan features European cabinets, Silestone countertops, stainless steel appliances, high ceilings, W/D, central A/C & heat and unique hardwood flooring combinations. Select units include private balconies and patios.

The Josephine is located you three blocks from the Shaw-Howard University Metro Station and minutes to Logan Circle and U Street’s nightlife. The Condominium is conveniently within a mile are Union Station, the Convention Center, upcoming Howard Theatre and six blocks to the 395 on ramp.

It's exciting to see this beautiful development completed! I hope it sells out quickly and that we can welcome the new neighbors occupying it soon!

Weekend Shoutout: Walking Tours in Shaw this Weekend

Get some exercise and learn a thing or two with WalkingTown, DC Fall Edition, this and Sunday (September 19 and20). Fleeting fall weather provides the perfect backdrop to explore our neighborhood and/or city with more than 120 free, guided walking and bike tours! Discover a new spot or revisit old favorites with professional tour guides and community leaders.

Search tours by theme to find your favorite topic!

Check the schedule at www.WalkingTownDC.org or call 202-661-7581

The following is a sampling of tours of Shaw:

Shaw: Where DC Comes Together, Part I
Saturday, September 19
10 am – 12:30 pm
Meet inside Great Hall, Historical Society of Washington, DC, 801 K Street, NW
Nearest Metrorail/Metrobus: Mt Vernon Sq 7th St-Convention Center Metro station (Green and Yellow lines)
End at Azi’s Café, 1336 Ninth Street, NW
Shaw has always been a crossroads. Today, the Washington Convention Center dominates Shaw’s southern half, but it once consisted of woods and a few farms. Notable historic figures lived and worked in lower central Shaw, including explorer John Wesley Powell, African American U.S. Senator Blanche K. Bruce, and historian Carter G. Woodson. This half-mile walk includes visits to view selected building interiors. Led by Shaw Main Streets Executive Director Alexander M. Padro and presented by Shaw Main Streets.

Shaw: Where DC Comes Together, Part II
Saturday, September 19
1 – 3:30 pm
Meet on northwest corner of Seventh and R Streets, NW
Nearest Metrorail/Metrobus: Shaw-Howard U Metro station (Green and Yellow lines)
End at Nellie’s Sports Bar, 900 U Street, NW
Entertainment has long been the focus of central Shaw’s northern half – from the Howard Theater, where every star in the black entertainment pantheon performed, and the pool hall where Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington decided to become a musician, to two sites that hosted baseball teams. Highlights of this half- mile tour include a renovated movie theater building and the city’s first African American YWCA. Led by Shaw Main Streets Executive Director Alexander M. Padro and presented by Shaw Main Streets.

Rediscovering Mount Vernon
Saturday, September 19
12 noon – 1:30 pm
Meet and end at Carnegie Library, south side, Eighth and K Streets, NW
Nearest Metrorail/Metrobus: Gallery Pl-Chinatown Metro station (Green, Yellow, and Red lines)
Walk the Mount Vernon Triangle to learn about its history and rebirth, and the new retail, offices, and condos of this once forgotten neighborhood. This one-mile tour will include a walk past remaining historic buildings and discussion about the market forces that lead to its decline and current revitalization. The tour may stop at a new condo, office building or historic church. Led by Bill McLeod and presented by Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District.

Weekend Shoutout: Heart of DC Picnic This Saturday

If you've not yet heard, a truly fabulous community event will be held this Saturday (September 19): The Heart of D.C. Picnic on Mount Vernon Square (the grounds of the Carnegie Library, home of the Historic Society, at 801 K Street Northwest). The event runs from 11am to 5pm. The event will have many exciting offerings for everyone in addition to food and drink, such as games, walking tours, music, raffle and kids' activities. all in an afternoon of neighborhood fun! There will even be a dog show, so don't forget to bring your pooch!


Heart of DC Picnic
Mount Vernon Square
Saturday, September 19, 2009
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Operator Sought for Howard Theatre

I came across this Craigslist ad by Howard Theatre Restoration seeking a "restaurant and music venue operator" for the historic theater. In whole, the ad reads:

30000ft² - Great Space for Lease! (Washington)

Howard Theatre Restoration is seeking an experienced, credit-worthy and established restaurant and music venue operator (“Operator”) to participate in the redevelopment of the Howard Theatre. The Operator will play a significant role in the physical and conceptual design of the venue and will enter into a long-term lease for the facility. The Theatre will be designed with flexible cabaret-style seating to accommodate sit-down dinner entertainment, general admission/standing concerts, fundraisers, social galas and banquets, corporate functions, community events, and the like. The Operator will be responsible for managing and coordinating the restaurant and entertainment operations. Approximately 30,000 SF for lease.

The historic Howard Theatre, a national treasure, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the first and oldest major African American theatre in the United States. The Howard Theatre was built in 1910, designed by architect J. Edward Storck, and remains a cultural landmark for African Americans, the Shaw community and Washington, DC. Thousands of patrons attended performances, oftentimes waiting hours to see a vaudeville show or movie and to hear their favorite band or jazz singer. The Howard is located in the heart of the Shaw/U Street neighborhood which is experiencing tremendous retail and residential growth and is quickly becoming one of the District’s hottest neighborhoods.

Horizon Real Estate Group, LLC
Malik Ellis 301-486-3737 x301

New Tavern to Occupy Long Vacant Building at Ninth and U

With its already well-established and great businesses like Nellie's, 1905 and Etete, new businesses in the pipeline like Dickson Wine and Basiliko Gallery, and new developments like the Jazz at Florida Avenue, the Ninth and U area's revival has undeniable momentum. The Prince of Petworth reports on a major coup for the area: the long-vacant building on the northwest corner of the intersection of Ninth and U Streets -- 901 U Street, Northwest -- will finally see new life again.

The Prince provides the full text of a liquor licence application for a new business to occupy the notable corner building. To be called "The Brixton," it will be a "New tavern with DJ and live combo bands." The Brixton will include a "summer garden," which I posit would be located on the roof of the building. The ABRA hearing on the application is set for November.

I found no pending building permit application nor any additional information through Internet searches.



NOTE -- Sorry for my recent silence -- I've been on vacation at a gloriously Internet-free beach for the past two weeks.

Buy Me: 1544 Ninth Street, Northwest

Thanks to Laura for pointing me to this listing (MLS No. DC7136611) regarding the advertised sale of 1544 Ninth Street, Northwest. You may recall that this building was most recently home to a pizza establishment, has been vacant for a few years, has been available for lease for quite some time now, and has been subject of purchase attempts/negotiations by the National Parks Service for years, as the NPS wants to incorporate this corner building into its Woodson site plans.

The asking price for the property is $975,000. The listing describes the property as follows:

Significant highly visible corner, 2blks to Shaw Metro. Was used commercially. New commercial user subject to zoning approval. Cafe,gym, boutique, salon etc could prosper here.Entry level 1s 1450 sq'; 2nd level is 1450 sq '; bsmt is 900 sq' Garden area is entered from Q St side.Exceptionally wide sidewalk. Needs renovation. New commercial uses subject to BZA approval.

It will be interesting to watch the disposition of this property. According to the online real property database, there is an outstanding tax balance on the property of about $85,741. Additionally, the property is was slated to be sold at the city's tax sale this month.