Author: Prince Of Petworth

Arrest Made in La Casa DeMorata Liquors Store Murder

By Prince Of Petworth

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.”

Door of the Day

By Prince Of Petworth

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

House of the Day

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.

Examiner Reports on “Transit Stop Safety Zone”

By Prince Of Petworth

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?

New Building for School of International Service at AU

By Prince Of Petworth

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?

Graham Announces Re-election Campaign

By Prince Of Petworth

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.”

Great Historic Photos of the 14th Street Corridor

By Prince Of Petworth

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…)

Allegro Sold for $77.5 Million

By Prince Of Petworth

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.”

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