We spoke about this terrible incident that took place on the 5400 block of Georgia Ave here.

From Council Member Bowser:

“I am pleased that Metropolitan Police Department officials have made an arrest in the Nov. 7 murder of Rufina Hernandez, the owner of La Casa De Morata liquor store on Georgia Avenue. Now that this assailant is off the street, our community is safer for it. For the family and friends of Rufina, affectionately known to the neighborhood as “Mama,” swift justice is necessary. The community will be anxiously following this case through the court proceedings.”

IMG_0329, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Sometimes I really appreciate the simple solid ones. Though this one also has a cool arch above it as well.

IMG_0705, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

This is another that I think got converted to apartments but I’m always struck by how cool the third level balcony looks.

The alcohol application says:

“New lounge offering mixed-fare tapas food, music provided by DJs and dance floor. Occupancy from 250-350.”

The Examiner’s Michael Neibauer reports, D.C. Council proposes transit stop ‘safety zone’:

“Citing rising crime in and around District transit stops, D.C. Council members have proposed a new 50-foot “safety zone” where virtually any crime committed would carry extra jail time and civil penalties.

The measure seeks to deter crimes “where we know people are proven to be targets,” said Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas Jr., who co-introduced the bill Tuesday with at-large Councilman Michael Brown. Criminals “prey on these persons who go back and forth using our public transportation system,” he said.”

Think this would help deter crime?

As I went here for grad school, I was blown away by the building. When I went there it was like a high school building from the 50s. This looks like an amazing improvement. Also it looks like they did a pretty good job matching the rendering:

Do you like the style?

From a press release:

“In an email to supporters, D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) formally launched his 2010 re-election campaign.

“We should all be proud of the progress we’ve made,” Graham said in the email, “But there is more work to be done addressing the challenges created by these tough economic times.”

Graham was first elected to the D.C. Council in 1998. In 2006 he won re-election with 86% of the vote in the Democratic primary and 97% in the general election.

“Ward One is home to the most amazing people I have ever met,” said Graham. “In Ward One there is an abundance of great ideas, hope and hardworking people with a shared commitment for a better future. We are faced with challenges everyday, but we tackle them by working together and building on our accomplishments. It is an honor to represent the residents of Ward One.”

Support for Graham across Ward One –the most culturally diverse ward in D.C.– is indicated by the backing of an overwhelming majority of ANC Commissioners including, in a preliminary list, support from 5 of the 8 ANC Commissioners in Adams Morgan. Tenant leaders in the big buildings lining 14th Street and key Ward 1 business leaders including Kamal Ali of Ben’s Chili Bowl, Andy Shallal of Busboys and Poets, and Constantine Stavropolous of Tryst/Diner have endorsed Graham.

In his email, Graham cited accomplishments in his fight for safer neighborhoods, preventing gang violence, tenant rights and affordable housing, environmentally friendly cost-effective urban transportation, small business opportunities, creating jobs, and better schools. A detailed list of these accomplishment is available on the campaign website, www.JimGraham2010.com.”

Ever since posting the before and after photos from Columbia Heights I love the seeing other before and after shots. At the Urban Land Institute lecture, I mentioned earlier, there was a discussion on the past and future of U Street. There was a discussion with

• Jair Lynch, President & CEO, Jair Lynch Development Partners (Moderator)
• Paul Robertson, President, Robertson Development
• David Franco, Principal, Level 2 Development
• Josh Dix, Vice President, PN Hoffman

They mostly talked about the projects they had worked on in the area. It was very interesting but what I found most fascinating was the before and after photos which they were kind enough to share with me. One more item of note though, was that when asked what they saw the future looking like, they mentioned that they expected development to continue up 14th Street to Columbia Heights. They also mentioned that construction at the old Nehemiah Shopping Center site is slated to begin in the Fall of 2010.

So, above you can find what the current View 14 space looked like. Below is what it looks like now:

After the jump you can see before and after photos from Solea across the street from View 14 at the corner of 14th and Florida. Also after the jump you can see a before and after photo of Union Row at 14th and W. (more…)

A week ago a tenant of the Allegro wrote in inquiring about the foreclosure and whether or not it would have an impact on the residents. The Washington Business Journal reports that it sold for $77.5 million to FCP:

“FCP was founded by two former managers of the real estate fund at The Carlyle Group, Esko Korhonen and Lacy Rice. The company has dabbled in office and retail properties but has hung its hat to this point on residential developments in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County. The Allegro is one of the company’s first residential projects in D.C. “We think it’s a great project really and we’re really very excited about it,” said Stephen Walsh, FCP senior vice president of capital markets. Walsh said the company had no immediate plans to reposition the building. “Obviously it’s renting up right now so there is no current plan,” he said.”

These cool shots were taken by Matt.Dunn of the Terra Cotta Warriors. More info on the exhibit from the National Geographic Museum here.

Submit your photos via email or to the PoPville flickr pool here.

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This home is located at 3621 New Hampshire Ave, NW:

View Larger Map

The flier says:

“ALL OFFERS DUE TUESDAY 11/24 BY 12:00! STURDY, SUNFILLED, HUGE TOWNHOME WITH 3 BEDROOMS, DUAL STAIRCASE, POSSIBLE INLAW SUITE IN BASEMENT! ORIGINAL DETAILS, WOODWORK, POCKET DOORS! PARKING, HUGE YARD AND SO MUCH MORE, HOUSE NEEDS TLC!!!”

More info and photos found here.

Well, it definitely needs some TLC but I think this is a pretty solid location. Given the work needed do you think $228,000 sounds reasonable?

Odeon Cafe is located at 1714 Connecticut Ave, NW. I’ve always been tempted by the sign for a “whole Maine Lobster” deal out front. Their Web site says:

“All sorts of seafood make their way into the antipasto, salads, 16 pasta dishes, 12 entrees and pizzas. To wit: scampi de granchi (butter fried shrimp stuffed with crabmeat) and the fresh catch of the day. Complimentary marinated olives and pepperocini along with crusty Italian rolls, provide tasty noshes while awaiting the main course.”

You can see their menus here. Any fans? Any particular specialty you’d recommend?

A few weeks ago I posted that View 14 located at 14th and Florida Ave, NW has begun leasing. Last night I attended an event sponsored by the Urban Land Institute and was able to get a tour of the building. (More on the event later.) Here is a pricing sheet for the apartments:

Studio – $1,780 – $2,060
One Bed/One Bath – $1,910 – $3,025
One Bed/Den/Office – $2,680 – $3,235
Two Bed/Two Bath Jr – $2,885 – $3,160
Two Bed/Two Bath – $3,185 – $4,855
Two Bed/ Two Bath Duplex – $3,885 – $4,415

More info here.

Following is a look at a 2 bed/2 bath jr:

More photos after the jump. (more…)

There have been a lot of comments over the last few weeks about Tynan Coffee & Tea at 1400 Irving Street, NW. There have been positive and negative comments. But I figured I’d make a new post after receiving a letter from a reader sent to the owners. It is very negative and I’m wondering what the overall sentiment is. I know that the owners will read this post so if you have suggestions def. make them. What’s your overall feel of the place so far? Following is a lengthy letter written from a reader to the owners of Tynan:

“I have visited your store for a total of 4 times, hoping the next trip will be better than the previous, but sad to say I was deeply disappointed.

I am a very active member of the Columbia Heights community since 2002. I love the neighborhood and am very excited about all business that opens up. I specially enjoy coffee shops and was very happy for Tynan Coffee & Tea opening. I send tons of emails to my friends and family (lots of them) about your business and was at the store the 2nd day it opened with my partner. Our initial reaction was that it was a beautiful space, a bit bright, a kind of space we would like to come frequently. We were not able to get seating that day so we got our lattés (skim with No foam) and left the store.

2nd trip was with my sister and her boyfriend. There were some seating by the fireplace. My sister loves fireplaces so they sat there as I proceed to order for everyone. 1 Coffee drink, 1 pumpkin spice latté, and 1 chi latté. The barrister women proceed to make the specialty drinks. I noticed that she was scooping powder out of the cups as she was trying to (I guess) get the right amount. I thought that was weird since drinks should have a pre determined measuring to get the right flavor/taste. I then saw her use the same spoon to mix both drinks without rinsing it in between. She then proceeds to cover both drinks with tops, but she realized she did not know which drink was which so I heard her say to herself “I don’t know which one is which…” followed by.. “I don’t care.” I was amazed by what I heard so I said to her, Excuse me? She did not even bother to look up to explain herself or anything, she just asked the male barrister guy to come and help her. She explained to him that she could not tell which drink was which. He opened the top from one of the cups, brought a small cup, poured some into the small cup, proceed to taste it, and decided which one was which drink, put the top back on (without refilling the cup with more milk) and handed it to me. During the whole time, neither of them seems concerned with what just happened, didn’t care less, and didn’t say I am sorry or anything like that. At this point, I am not happy, but did not want to spoil the experience to my sister and her boyfriend so I kept my cool. I went to get napkin and by then I have no clue which drink is which. I used the small strew to test both drinks, both tasted the same to me. I went back to the barrister guy and requested they do both drinks again, he did it correctly, and that was the end of that.

3rd visit, my partner and I went for latté. I ordered latté and it was a disaster. The latté smelled and tested so bad I only had one sip and that was it. The latté took on an Oder of some “skin condition cream” I never know what it is, but I know I do not like the smell whenever someone who had it on is near me. I really did not want to go back to the barrister lady to ask her to remake my drink since this would have been our 2nd interaction about a bad/incorrect drink. I really did not need the latté that much so my partner and I just decided to leave. Continues after the jump. (more…)

IMG_0815, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

This tree on Macomb Street in Cleveland Park blew me away. I don’t know if it was the light or what but the scene was truly breathtaking. Notice the color of the red and how amazing even the fallen leaves look on the steps up to the house.