Dear PoPville,

I found out that the fountains at Meridian Hill Park, due to sequestration-related budget cuts, will not be turned on until Memorial Day weekend, in an email from the permits specialist at Rock Creek Park.

I learned this because I applied for a wedding ceremony permit for April, and they notified me yesterday (they’ve never guaranteed that the fountains would be on earlier, but generally they were turned on in early April from past years) since so many people get married there because of the fountains.

In 2011 they were turned on as early as March 27. In some ways, I’m glad we know exactly when they’ll be turned on, but disappointed that we won’t get to enjoy them until the beginning of summer!

At least the fountain at the sculpture garden has been filled. Stay tuned for Jazz starting back up May 24th.

A reader sends word around 10:15pm:

“Columbia station is closed. Man is cuffed. Dozen cop cars with fire trucks.”

Update: Station entrance reopened at 11:10pm.

Northwest corner of 11th and Park Rd, NW in 2008

The old boarded up Bi-Rite Supermarket became Meridian Pint:

2013

Saturday April 6th

On March 24th we saw photos of the huge fire at the old abandoned C&K motel at 3711 14th Street, NW in Columbia Heights. It’s all gone now. Updates when new construction starts.

Monday April 8th

Dear PoPville,

There have been several posts lately about people wanting to escape shared living and looking for their first solo apt. I have such a place – my current tenant is moving in June or July. I know I’ve been undercharging – but not sure how much rent I should charge. I don’t want to gouge, but don’t want to be a sucker either. I want a fair rent that a teacher/social service type person would be happy paying. So I’m tossing it out to PoPville!

Details – 14th & Columbia Rd. NW – 1 block to Metro. 1 bedroom, 450 square feet, 3rd floor walk up in 30 unit condo building. Laundry room in basement.

Around 7pm Saturday night I got numerous reports of a stabbing near Chipotle on 14th St, NW in Columbia Heights. Around 8:30pm MPD tweeted:

“Update / Stabbing 3100 14th St NW / Suspect in custody / 6365″

Was an abandoned one story building with a mural and some sweet stained glass:

Today it’s a three story condo building.

2013

1353 Randolph Street, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending word of the changes at Washington Pizza located at 14th and Randolph St, NW. They hear:

“Seems it is owned by a former co-owner at Salt ‘N Pepper Grill on Georgia Ave which is SO exciting if they have the same quality of food! Opens Monday.”

Alley between the 1400 block of Columbia and Irving St, NW

Dear PoPville,

Since the construction staging site went up in the alleyway between columbia and irving at the 1400 block in late august to early september 2012 there has been a homeless man living under the stairs of the condemned church. He is a hoarder and had managed to amass a huge pile of stuff in and around the stairs. Basically kept to himself, was just an eyesore and made us nervous.

However, the past few weeks he has set 3 fires. The first got out of control and spread into the church, due to all of the hoarded stuff in the alleyway. We cleaned out the alleyway and didn’t come back for a week, when i smelled the second fire. I am writing to you at 2 AM early Thursday, right after the 3rd fire has been put out. I have been told to call 911 immediately when I see him, but since that doesn’t seem to work, I was wondering what else can be done on my part to take care of this problem.

Yes, I am sympathetic to his plight but he is putting our lives at risks by setting these fires. In addition, I have been the one to smell it first due to our proximity to the fires and now I’m fearing for my safety.

Any and all suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

Perhaps the DC Mental Health Mobile Response Team could intervene:

Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES): 202-673-9319 (24hrs, 7 days per week)
Mobile Crisis Services (MCS): 202-673-9300 (9am -1am, 7 days per week)
Homeless Outreach Program (HOP): 202-673-9124 (9am -8pm , M-F)

This house is located at 3520 13th Street, NW:

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The listing says:

“SPECTACULAR, RARELY AVAILABLE GRAND 4-STORY VICTORIAN IN THE HEART OF HOT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS. FEATURES INCLUDE SPACIOUS MAIN LEVEL WITH 3 FIREPLACES, FORMAL DINING ROOM & KITCHEN WITH SEPARATE BREAKFAST AREA. LOWER LEVEL IS A FANTASTIC 1BR IN-LAW SUITE WITH FULL KITCHEN. 2 HUGE OWNER’S SUITES ON THE UPPER FLOORS. 2 CAR PKG & A SHORT WALK TO METRO & NIGHT LIFE.”

You can see a virtual tour here.

This 4 bed/4.5 bath is going for $949,000.

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From the Columbia Heights listserv:

The Bruce Monroe Community Garden (Georgia Ave & Columbia Rd NW) has open garden plots for the 2013 season (March – November). Single plots rent for $30/year and each person/family unit can reserve up to two plots for $60/year. There are also shared garden plots which are free; they are planted in community with other gardeners and each can share in the harvest.

Email brucemonroegarden(at)gmail.com for more information or to reserve a plot.

In late Feb. the signage went up. In early March the signage came down. Well, the signage is back. They did fix the spelling of Jewelry…

3714 14th Street, NW

2007

The Nehemiah Shopping Center was in full effect. It is now Capitol View on 14th. It is located on 14th Street, NW between Belmont and Chapin. This angle is from Chapin looking south down 14th Street.

2013

3416 11th Street, NW

Columbia Heights Coffee has added a nice selection of teas to their menu.

11th and Lamont St, NW

Six years ago the corner of 11th and Lamont Street was home to the 11th Street Deli and served breakfast all day. Today of course it is home to Room 11. Anyone remember the old 11th Street Deli. They made a mean iced-tea.