UNCF College Knowledge Center Pitched for Media Center One

In making their pitch to the D.C. Council for incentives (as reported by the Washington Business Journal here), the UNCF sheds light on its plans for the space it would occupy in Media Center One at the Shaw Howard Metro. Check out a PDF of their presentation here.

Of particular note, UNCF proposes a street level "College Knowledge Center." According to UNCF's president, "UNCF envisions that the College Knowledge Center will serve as an economic catalyst in the Shaw neighborhood and community. Individuals and student groups from across the nation will be drawn to the District to access unique college informational tools that are not otherwise available. The Center is also designed to function as a mixed-use facility, including restaurants and commercial establishments. The increased tourism as well as UNCF and its staff’s move from its current headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia will increase the need for food and services from already-established businesses in the area."

In the PDF linked above, the UNCF breaks down the benefits of the College Knowledge Center to beneficiaries as follows:

Students and Parents
Upon entering the UNCF College Knowledge Center students and parents will have access to . . .
• Kiosks featuring information on member colleges and universities
• College fairs
• College planning seminars
• Help completing financial aid forms (FAFSA and others)
• College application assistance
• Scholarship information
• History of UNCF

Member College Presidents and Staff
• Convenient and accessible space
• Office space
• Conference & meeting space
• Interview space for recruitment and financial aid officers
• Ability to feature their institutions in the College Knowledge Center
• Space for college fairs

Corporate & Public Officials
• A glimpse into the world of HBCUs
• Kiosks featuring UNCF schools
• Donor recognition walls
• Insights into the unique qualities of UNCF and its member institutions
• Access to data and research from the Patterson Research Institute
• Public presentations on P-16 education
• Meeting space to discuss issues related to education
• Alumni Hall of Honor
• History of UNCF display
• Naming Opportunities!!!!

I think the Center could be a really interesting draw and addition to the streetscape. What do you think?

Auto Show at the Convention Center

The Washington Auto Show is underway at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The always-cool show runs through Sunday. Go to www.wanada.org for more details.

Incentives Teed Up To Lure UNCF to Shaw

The Washington Business Journal reports that the the city is working on an incentive package to lure the United Negro College Fund into the District to be a co-tenant at Media Center One with Radio One. Having this significant organization headquartered in Shaw alongside Radio One would be amazing for our neighborhood.

As previously reported, construction on the the eagerly awaited mixed use project Media Center One at the Shaw-Howard Metro will likely take 2 years. I posit that as soon as the UNCF signs on as a tenant, we will see a groundbreaking on the exciting development.

Another Convention Center Hotel Lawsuit

On Thursday, the Washington Convention and Sports Authority filed suit in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the purpose of freeing the planned Convention Center Hotel from the grasp of litigation. From the press release:

WASHINGTON CONVENTION AND SPORTS AUTHORITY FILES LAWSUIT OVER HEADQUARTERS HOTEL PROJECT

(Washington, DC) – Today, the Washington Convention and Sports Authority filed suit in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia against JBG Properties, Inc., Wardman Investor, L.L.C., CIM/Wardman, L.L.C., JBG Managing Partner Benjamin R. Jacobs and JBG Chief Development Officer Kenneth F. Finkelstein. The complaint, which contains six claims, alleges that the defendants unlawfully attempted to extort concessions from Marriott Hotel Services, Inc., in connection with the Wardman Park Hotel. The Authority further alleges that the defendants' actions have caused significant injury to the Authority’s rights and interests in the Convention Center Headquarters Hotel Project, located at 9th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW, adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

The Authority also has requested to intervene in a case currently before Superior Court Judge Natalie Combs Greene in which Wardman Investor and CIM/Wardman challenged aspects of the headquarters hotel, a planned 1,174-room Washington, DC Marriott Marquis.

"We intend to be aggressive in protecting the Authority’s interest to make this shovel-ready headquarters hotel project a reality,” said Gregory A. O'Dell, president and CEO of the Authority. “The new hotel is key to our ability to continue to compete as a premier convention destination. In addition, the District of Columbia will see immediate economic impact once this 40-month design-build construction project breaks ground.”

Buy Me: 1555 Ninth Street Unit B

When I first moved to Shaw, a plywood-fenced-off-hole-in-the-ground occupied the southeast corner of Ninth and Q Streets, Northwest. It was the site of a development-gone-bad, ultimately leading to the collapse of an adjoining building. The vacant lot was an eyesore and a problem spot for neighbors, who sarcastically dubbed it "Lake Woodson."

Since that time, I have followed the progression of the mud lot's redevelopment, from planning stages to the construction of a beautiful new four unit condominium building. It is now complete and looks beautiful. It really changes the entire feel of the 1500 block of Ninth Street and the 900 block of Q Street.

One of the four units--the dramatic corner unit--is currently for sale. It features three bedrooms and three baths, an open floor plan, an Italian kitchen, custom Pella windows, private balconies, parking, and more. Check out its online listing here and take a virtual tour of it here.

There is an open house this Sunday (January 24, 2010) from 1-3. Stop by to see this gorgeous and notable new development!

Get a Shade Tree Planted for $50

The RiverSmart Homes program is providing a special offer for District homeowners to have trees planted on their property at a cost of $50. Fill out this online form to sign up. A representative from Casey Trees will contact you this spring. The Casey Trees representative will first schedule a tree siting to discuss which tree species and locations in the yard are best suited for additional plantings. Once you have chosen a tree and location, Casey Trees will then schedule the planting.

Yale Phase II Funding

The Washington Business Journal reports that Phase II of the Yale Steam Laundry project on New York Avenue -- which stalled in the economic downturn -- has achieved funding and should be complete in late 2011. Phase two will bring 218 new apartments to the flourishing corridor.

Washington Real Estate Community Has a Heart for Haiti

Major players in the Washington real estate community have quickly joined forces to aid in the Haiti relief effort. The influential group’s immediate focus is to respond to the search and recovery effort, and the group’s long-term vision is to help rebuild the devastated country.

The group’s first expression of support for Haiti comes in the form of a major fundraiser to be held tomorrow night (1/20/2010) from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Avenue, NW). Tomorrow night’s event is entitled “A Heart for Haiti” and is one of the largest, rapid-response fundraising efforts in D.C.

Thanks to the generosity of its sponsors, one hundred percent of the event's proceeds go to The American Red Cross – Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. Admission is $100 per person and you should register in advance to attend through the fundraiser’s website. Donations can be made at the event or through the website, regardless of whether you plan to attend.


A Heart for Haiti.
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Avenue, NW)
January 20, 2010
6 to 9 p.m.

Marriott Sues JBG Over Convention Center Hotel

The Washington Business Journal reports that Marriott has taken the offensive in the battle over the planned headquarters convention center hotel at Ninth Street and Massachusetts Avenue, Northwest, by suing JBG. Marriott's filing confirms the suspicion of many that JBG's lawsuit to block the hotel construction is mostly related to its beef with Marriott rather than at the City.

Notable Vacant Building Less Notable

The highly visible vacant building at the corner of Ninth and Q Streets and Rhode Island Avenue received a lot of press over the years for the images adorning it (see, for example, this Washington City Paper article). On one end of the building were images of a coffee shop (with some choice French words indicating displeasure at the building's situation). On the other end of the building were images and quotes of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. I actually originally named this blog in homage to a quote written on the side of the building that read "Bienvenue a Shaw, Slum Historique."

In furtherance of the repairs I noticed last week, workers began painting the building yesterday in a solid cream color. I think it improves the appearance of the block and building, so I am pleased to see the images go. However, the images deterred a lot of graffiti over the years and the new blank walls could provide a canvas for taggers until the building is sold and renovated, so I hope that the owner will continue to repaint regularly.

Developer Holds to Summer Start Date for Kelsey Gardens Redevelopment

DCMUD reports that Metropolitan Development still intends to commence construction on its mixed use, high density and beautiful Addison Square development this summer. This report accords with what MetDev told us at the development forum hosted by Shaw Main Streets last fall (summarized here). Here's to hoping everything falls into place to make Addison Square commence in a few months!

Facebooking Shaw

Many neighborhood businesses and organizations have a very active presence on Facebook. I've enjoyed being a fan or friend of a variety of neighborhood establishments, as it's allowed me to get updates in my Facebook news feed on what's happening around the neighborhood. Below is a listing of some of the many Shaw entities with an active presence on Facebook:

1905

Bread for the City

Long View Gallery

Motley Bar

Nellie's Sports Bar

Old Dominion Brewhouse

The Passenger

Shakti Mind Body Studio

Wagtime

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Is there a Shaw business or organization with a very useful facebook presence that I've omitted?

Convention Center Hotel Still In Legal Limbo

The Washington Business Journal reports that the City's most recent plea that the court reconsider its denial of the City's motion to dismiss has been denied, meaning that the lawsuit is still moving forward.

Last summer, we were excited about the prospect of a Fall 2009 groundbreaking on this important area project. The lawsuit, which reportedly is more about a beef between plaintiff JBG and Marriott over the Marriott Wardman Park hotel rather than about the convention center hotel itself, undermines the prospect of us seeing a hotel groundbreaking anytime soon, which ultimately hurts our neighborhood's restaurants and retailers.

The Business Journal's Blog provides a glimmer of hope, however, in reporting that Councilman Evans has prompted the parties to the suit in settlement talks.

Spotted: Repairs to Slum Historique Building

Last night I observed that the infamous vacant properties at 9th and Q Streets and Rhode Island Avenue, owned by Michael Sendar, are undergoing repairs currently. It appears that windows are being unboarded and repaired and that some rotten wood is being replaced. There is probably not too much cause for celebration, however, as the Rhode Island Avenue facade of the building received fresh boards over its lower windows, so the repairs are probably just baseline and not indicative of new life in the historic structures.

Neighborhood New Year Resolutions

Although 2010 is in full swing, it's not too late to make a few neighborly resolutions. Here a list of suggestions (updated from the ones I suggested in 2007) that would be transformative in 2010:

1. Pick up at least 5 pieces of trash outside a day.

2. Volunteer in our neighborhood. Here are a few options; contact the volunteer coordinators for specific opportunities:

+ Voulunteer at the Watha T Daniel Shaw Community Library. To learn more about volunteering at the Library, click here

+ Volunteer at one of our neighborhood schools. To learn more about volunteering at a neighborhood school, click here.

+ Volunteer at a local park or at the Kennedy Recreatrion Center. To learn more about volunteering at a neighborhood park, click here.

+ Volunteer at a local non-profit - Several non-profits in the area need volunteers to advance their mission, such as Bread for the City and ArtSpace DC.

3. Organize and/or participate in a neighborhood watch for your block. Check here for more information.

4. Become a graffiti fighter. Buy paint now and, whenever you see a tag, paint over it ASAP.

Do you have other suggestions and/or did you make any community-oriented resolutions that others, too, might want to adopt? Share in the comments!