Update on Brookland’s Finest from the Brookland Listserv:

I am very pleased to provide you with the final copy of the Settlement Agreement negotiated with Brookland’s Finest LLC on behalf of residents in the immediate vicinity of the Restaurant’s location at 3126-3128 12th Street NE. This agreement, which was signed this evening, came about as a result of a meeting of those residents held nearly a month ago, where they brought forth their concerns and proposed ways of addressing them. This led to a series of negotiations with Brookland’s Finest, in person and by email, which culminated in the attached agreement. Residents in the immediate vicinity of the Restaurant were present and provided feedback during all of these discussions. I was also well advised during this process by very competent legal counsel who are experts in DC’s alcohol regulations.

I also wanted to take a moment to commend the Brookland’s Finest team for their amazing cooperation in getting this agreement done. They listened carefully to the residents’ concerns and proposed constructive solutions.

Full agreement after the jump.

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this _____ day of _______________, 2013 by and between Brookland’s Finest, LLC (hereinafter the “Applicant”), and the designated representative of a group of residents who live in proximity of the establishment in question (hereinafter “Residents”).

WHEREAS, Applicant having filed an application with the District of Columbia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (hereinafter “ABC Board”) for issuance of a Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern license for the premises of 3126-3128 12th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017 (hereinafter the “Restaurant.”)

WHEREAS, in recognition of the ABC Board’s policy of encouraging parties to settle their differences by negotiating agreements, the parties hereto being desirous of entering into an agreement whereby, subject to approval of the ABC Board, Applicant will agree to adopt certain measures to address the Residents’ concerns in exchange for issuance of the ABC license without need to file a Protest.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and undertakings memorialized herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. Noise Suppression: There shall be no loud or live music performed, nor acoustic speakers placed, outside the Restaurant or on the Summer Garden. Music from inside the Restaurant shall not be audible at any time on the opposite (northwest) corner of Jackson and 12th Streets NE. Reasonable sound attenuation methods will be utilized to minimize noise from inside the restaurant spilling outside; examples may include but are not limited to building a second set of entry doors or use of a heavy curtain separating the entrance from the seating area of the restaurant. The Restaurant’s operation shall at all times be in compliance with the D.C. Noise Control Act. Applicant will encourage employees and patrons, by posted signs or other printed notation on the front door and inside the bathrooms, and verbally as needed, to be considerate of residents in the neighborhood after departing the building, by keeping conversations and other noises at a level that will not disturb the peace, order, quiet and tranquility of residents in the enjoyment of their homes or generate a noise complaint.

2. Summer Garden: The Restaurant will undertake reasonable efforts to deploy vegetation and planters around the outside Summer Garden area. Service of food and alcoholic beverages on the outdoor Summer Garden shall at all times be for seated patrons only, who will be served by Restaurant staff. There will be no service of food or alcoholic beverages at any time to any standing patron at the bar that adjoins the Summer Garden. Patrons from inside the Restaurant shall not be permitted to bring alcoholic beverages and stand outside on the Summer Garden. Once the Summer Garden is closed each evening at the hour listed on the Applicant’s license application, all patrons shall be vacated and the “garage door” separating the Summer Garden from the interior shall be closed.

3. Dining and Kitchen. Restaurant must be maintained as a tavern offering full waiter service and a kitchen that is open until at least two hours before closing every night. Restaurant will maintain a dinner menu commensurate with the menu presented in the original business plan. The restaurant may offer “light fare” or a “light menu” before and after dinner hours.

4. Special Events: The Restaurant will not advertise alcoholic drink specials that are specifically geared towards college students.

5. Trash Pick-Up and Removal: Applicant will maintain regular trash/garbage removal service, a minimum of 3 times per week (days to be decided by owner and business necessity) only during the hours from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, from the trash and dumpster area and see that those areas are regularly kept clean. An exception will be where the city declares air quality or other environmental or weather concerns, at which point the Restaurant will be exempted from the trash pick-up hours requirement for that day. Applicant shall keep dumpster lids tightly closed and incapable of being entered by rodents, in order to limit odors and help control pest and rodent population. Applicant will conduct regular rodent and pest (insect) abatement as needed. Dumpsters are not to be visible from the street or from the next door neighbor, and Applicant must use fencing or planters with vegetation to hide them. Applicant will provide for proper removal of grease and fatty oils from the Restaurant and will not deposit grease or fatty oils in dumpsters or down drains. Bottles shall be dumped into the recycling bins outside only between the hours of 9:00 am and 10:00 pm, and they will be disposed of in bags to reduce noise.

6. Litter and Debris Removal: The Restaurant will comply with applicable D.C. laws and regulations with respect to removal of litter and debris on its premises. Applicant will encourage employees and patrons, by posted signs or other printed notation on the front door and inside the bathrooms, and verbally as needed, to be considerate of residents in the neighborhood by not littering as they are departing the premises. Applicant will petition the D.C. Department of Public Works (DPW) for a DPW-owned and maintained trash can to be placed on the corner of 12th and Jackson Streets, NE adjacent to the restaurant for the benefit of patrons leaving the restaurant, and will post a copy of that petition to the Brookland listserve (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Brookland). As a service to the community, Applicant will send an employee, every morning before opening, to make best efforts to clean up litter for 25 feet beyond the restaurant property lines down Jackson and 12th Streets NE and their adjoining sidewalks, as well as the abutting alley. It is understood that only best efforts are required, and restaurant will have no liability beyond what is required by applicable D.C laws and regulations.

7. Parking and Bicycles: Applicant shall support community efforts to obtain residential zoned parking on the 3100 block of 12th Street NE and the 1000 block of Jackson Street, NE, at a minimum by writing letters of support to the appropriate government agencies and posting copies of them to the Brookland listserve. Applicant shall petition the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT), or otherwise work with government officials, for the installation and maintenance of DDOT-approved bicycle racks at a convenient location on the Restaurant’s premises, and will post a copy of that petition or other evidence of compliance to the Brookland listserve. Applicant will encourage employees and patrons, by posted signs or other printed notation on the front door and inside the bathrooms, and verbally as needed, to be considerate of residents in the neighborhood by complying with nearby residential parking zones and regulations.

8. Smoking: Applicant will instruct patrons who are smoking to do so in a limited designated area on the 12th Street NE side of the premises without service of food or alcoholic beverages.

9. Cooperation between Applicant and Residents: Applicant and Residents’ designated representative agree to meet, as needed, to discuss any problems arising from the operation of the Restaurant, or challenges arising from its compliance with the Agreement. The Applicant and Residents both agree to work in good faith to resolve these challenges and problems.

10. Addition to License: The Residents agree not to protest, and agree to the issuance of Applicant’s license upon execution of this Agreement, provided that this Agreement is incorporated into the ABC Board’s order issuing, amending or renewing the license, which order is thereby conditioned upon compliance with this Agreement.

11. Right to Protest: The parties agree that Applicant will be given notice of any alleged violation of this Agreement, and will be afforded reasonable time to investigate and respond to any such complaint (not greater than ten (10) days). The parties agree that if reasonable discussions of violations are not resolved then any failure of the Applicant to adhere to the foregoing commitments would constitute a breach of this agreement and grounds for the Residents to petition the ABC Board for issuance of an order to Show Cause, as provided by the D.C. Regulations.

2801 8th Street, NE

Silver Fox High Gravity Lager

Brewed with floor malted applewood and cherrywood smoked barley malt handcrafted by the Copper Fox® Distillery at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Sperryville, Virginia, from single source barley grown on Virginia’s Northern Neck, by the shores of The Chesapeake Bay. We’ve come up with Silver Fox an 8% ABV High Gravity Lager- Slightly spicy from Munich malt, a bit of smoke and earth in the finish. Dry but Quenching.

We’ve worked with Wasmund’s before as we aged our Imperial Stout Mr. Mayor in Copper Fox Whisky Barrels. Wasmund’s™ Single Malt Whisky and Copper Fox® Rye Whisky are pot-stilled in small batches, one barrel at a time, combining the best of time-tested methods with creative innovations for aging and unique flavoring.

Only Available at the Brewery, Saturdays 1230-430pm, Starting Saturday June 15th until its gone!

View Great Brookland Yard Sale in a full screen map

From an email:

Due to the very high chance of inclement weather tomorrow, at this time, we are opting to use the Rain Date of Sunday May 12th, from 10am to 2pm.

We are very sorry to have to move the sale to Mother’s Day, but at this time, it is our best option.

Due to the last minute nature of the move, tables will NO LONGER be available for rent at St. Anthony’s or Guildfield Baptist Church.

This Sunday, over 60 houses in Greater Brookland will be hosting simultaneous yard sales from 8am to 2pm. There will be clusters of tables along 12th Street at Guildfield Baptist (12th & Otis St NE) and St. Anthony’s (12th & Lawrence St NE) that will host residents who would rather not sell on their own front lawns. In addition, Menomalé will be open at 12th & Franklin, as will Little Ricky’s (12th & Monroe) and San Antonio Bar & Grill (12th & Randolph) and the whole thing turns into a great spring day in Brookland. Also going on is the Greater Brookland Garden Club’s plant sale at 12th & Newton, for those who want locally grown seedlings!

From a press release:

Joint venture partners Federal Capital Partners® (FCP) and Self Storage Zone have announced the groundbreaking for the redevelopment of 645 Taylor Street, NE (formerly the Capital Area Food Bank) into a three story, 78,600 square foot, fully climate-controlled, self-storage facility. The redeveloped property will include 1,034 units ranging in size from 5’ x 5’ lockers to 10’ x 30’ units and is well-located in the Brookland submarket of Washington, DC, one block from Catholic University and six blocks from the Brookland/CUA Metro station. The facility is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2014.

Ed. Note: The Capitol Area Food Bank moved to 4900 Puerto Rico Ave., NE in July, 2012. “The new facility is over twice the size of the former warehouse on Taylor Street, NE.”

On the Brookland listserve it was pretty much love it or hate it. I’m def. leaning towards the love it side. What do you guys think – a little too in your face or neighborhood pride at its best?

Ed. Note: Thanks to Brandon and others who also sent photos.

Dear PoPville,

The company building some of the new developments at the Monroe Street Market posted a teaser on their Facebook page for what retail businesses are coming to their project. I think they’ve included clues in the teaser, but I’m not smart enough to figure them out. Like the bank with a “stagecoach” is obviously Wells-Fargo. Any idea on the others?

1- Our Brookland Works buildings MAY have a “white table cloth” type restaurant. It would be great if this place offered a wide range of cold beverage options, wouldn’t it???? One can only hope I guess!

2- Brookland Works MAY also include a bike shop with a coffee component to it. What a cool concept right on the Metropolitan Branch Bike Path!

3- Need some financial services? Maybe a Bank? Maybe a horse and stagecoach I mean car loan?

4- Several casual dining establishments, perfect for lunch on the go or a sit down meal? Let your mind run on that one! No really, let it run…

5- A large scale bookstore…When I say large, I don’t mean small.

6- Twenty Seven Art Studios…Artist Applicants, keep your fingers crossed!!! We are still selecting and you’ve made it very difficult for us! You are all so wonderful, but we only have 27 spaces
(big THANK YOU to CulturalDC for your help on this!)

7- And the big question we all keep hearing from everyone! “ARE WE GETTING A GROCERY STORE?!?!?!?!”…”WELL ARE WE??????”

This house is located at 3503 15th Street, NE:

View Larger Map

The listing says:

“LARGE COLONIAL BRICK HOME SIX BLOCKS TO METRO. FEATURES SEVEN BEDROOMS, 4 BATHS. CUSTOM KITCHEN GRANITE AND NATURAL MAPLE CABINETS. FEATURES AS BI-FOLD FRENCH DOORS AND DOUBLE DECKER SIDE PORCHES. SELLER IS PROVIDING A HOME WARRANTY SINCE THE PROPERTY IS SOLD “AS IS”

You can see more photos here.

This 7 bed/4.5 bath is going for $729,750.

Speaking of development in Brookland…

A reader sends in a shot of Monroe Street Market rising at Monroe and Michigan Ave, NE. The reader titles the photo above: “Schwing”

For those not familiar with the project you can read more details here:

“When completed, the five-block, mixed-use project will consist of approximately 718 multi-family residential units, 45 townhouses and over 80,000 square feet of retail along with 14,000 square feet of artists’ space and a 3,000 square foot community arts center.”

Rendering via H&R Retail

Back in June 2012 we learned that the owners of The Pug (H St, NE), Solly’s (U St, NW) and Sova (formerly of H St, NE) were bringing a new neighborhood bar, grill and coffee Lounge to Brookland. At that time they were hoping to open in the former Library space at 3514 12th Street, NE. Pug owner and Brookland resident Tony T explained their vision to us:

We are putting together a family friendly, neighborhood bar and grill. The coffee element that Frank brings is also an integral part of what we are doing.

I live just a few blocks away, so I’m looking to make a place where I can take the kids to dinner as well as a place the softball team can come for a few pitchers after a game. the neighborhood bar feel is very important, but with the chef we’re bringing on board, the menu is going to be much broader than hot dogs and 13th street meats off of the Pug’s grill. Although both may be included to keep the kids happy.

The long and short of it is, we want a place to eat and drink that caters to the families and folks who have been in Brookland for years, as well as a place for the newer folks.

The bad news is that the former Library space, obviously, didn’t work out – the good news is that they found an even better corner location – 12th and Jackson St, NE:

View Larger Map

And I’m happy to say the vision of coffee/bar/restaurant remains. Last week I spoke with the future owner who told me the space will have room for around 55 seated inside and an awesome 25 person outdoor patio. For the outdoor patio think Pearl Dive Oyster Palace and Cusbah that have the roll down window with their outdoor seating:

If all goes according to plan they hope to open sometime in September. Stay tuned.

After the jump – a taste of some of what you’ll see on the menu.

Salads and Sandwiches

Seasonal Green Salad
Arugula, Red Onion, Cucumber, Bacon Crutons, Sweet Basil Vinaigrette

Cow Girl Charcuterie Platter
Fennel Salame, Olli Proscuitto, Cow Girl Creamery Cheese Selection, Marcona Almonds, Roasted Red Pepper, Cornishons, Olives

Grilled Caesar Salad/ add chicken or salmon
Caesar Dressing, Croutons, Parmesan Reggiano

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp and Grits
Creamy Grits, Creole Sauce

Brookland Burger
Grilled Angus Beef, Carmelized Onions,
Tillamook Cheddar, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Brioche Bun, Onion Rings

Soup of the Day
Daily Seasonal Selections

Beer Braised Steak Sandwich
Beer Braised Prime Rib, Provelone, Horseradish Mayonaise, Carmelized Onions, Hand Cut Fries

Crab Cake Sliders
Pan Seared Crab Cakes, Lemon Aioli, Brioche
Buns, Kettle Chips

13th Street P.E.I. Mussels
Roasted Tomato Sauce, Pernod, Fennel,
Garlic, 13th Street Chorizo, Grilled Crostini

Crab and Avacado Salad
Tarragon Aioli, Roasted Corn, Red Pepper, Baby Greens

Grilled Chicken Club
Applewood Smoked Bacon, Romaine,
Heirloom Tomatoes, Dijon Mayo, Handcut Fries

House Salad
Mixed Greens, Tomato, Pecorino Romano, Balsamic

Panini

Brookland Margarita
Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, Roasted Red Peppers, Tomato Sauce

Jersey
Deli Pepperoni, Salame, Italian Sausage, Onion, Bacon, Mozarella Cheese, Marinated Tomatoes

Porchetta
Roasted Garlic, Red Onion, Fresh Mozzarella, Olive Oil, Arugula, Whole Grain Mustard Sauce

Turkey Goat Cheese, Cucumber, Sundried Tomatoes, Creamy Vinigarette

Proscuitto and Pesto
Olli Proscuitto, Pesto Sauce, Feta, Arugula

Entrees

Brick Oven Roasted Half Chicken
Seasonal Vegetables, Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, Demi Glace.
Rosemary and Dijon Salmon 20 Roasted Tomato, Green Beans, Stone-Ground
Grits

Spaghetti and Meatballs
Sunday Sauce, Hand Cut Pasta, Veal Meatballs

Fried Maryland Catfish
Coermeal Encrusted Local Catfish, Mac & Cheese, Greens

Korean BBQ Short Ribs
Miso Marinade, Pickled Veggies, Jasmine Rice, House-made kimchi

Cowboy Cut Pork Chop
Apple cider Brine, Brandy Cream Sauce, Seasonal Vegetables

Porcini Rubbed Rib Eye Steak
Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Spicy Rapini, Porcini Mushroom Rub

Kids menu

Spaghetti
Tomato Sauce, Grated Pecorino Cheese, Meatballs

Brookland Kid’s Burgers
Grilled Angus Beef Sliders, Tillamook Cheddar, Brioche Buns, Handcut Fries

Chicken Tenders
Fried Chicken, Fresh Cut Veggies

Grilled Cheese Panini
Cheddar, Mozzarella, Kettle Chips

PB&J
Creamy Skippy, House-Made Jelly, Handcut Fries

Desserts

Loaded Banana Split

Cannoli
Grandma’s Recipe, Pistachio

Pound Cake Crouton
Winter Berry Sauce, Chantilly Cream

Cheese Trio
Poached Fruit, Lavender Honey, Crostini

White Chocolate Cheesecake
Strawberry Basil Sauce

Double Chocolate Brownie
House-Made Peanut Brittle, Vanilla Ice Cream

From MPD:

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting which occurred in the 600 block of Edgewood Street, Northeast.

On Saturday, March 30, 2013, at approximately 2:09 am, patrol units from the Fifth District responded to the 600 block of Edgewood Street, Northeast for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 33-year-old Irving Jones, Jr. of Northeast, Washington, DC.

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

View Larger Map

From MPD:

This morning, [March 30th] at approximately 3:35 AM, members of the First District were flagged down in reference to a shooting. Members responded to a residence in the 900 block of Delaware Avenue, SW, where they discovered an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim, who was conscious and breathing, was transported to a local hospital for treatment. A second victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment after sustaining non-life threatening injuries while fleeing the scene. Lookout for (2) black males, slim builds. No further description at this time.