Dear PoPville

“‘Temporary’ War Department Buildings”

By Prince Of Petworth

Oscar asked: “Watching a doc and this video popped up. What are those building?”

and Captanne shares another cool photo:

From the National Park Service:

“Built for “temporary” service during WWI two enormous buildings occupied the land between Constitution Avenue and the reflecting basin. Construction of the four-story steel- and-concrete buildings took less than six months. The buildings were known as the Main Navy Building and the Munitions Building. They were erected under the auspices of assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt to accommodate a rapidly expanding war-time military bureaucracy. Little did anyone know that the buildings would survive through Roosevelt’s four terms as president and well beyond.”

and others add: (more…)

“We got a permit and have been told we need a “wall check”.

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Jim Havard

“Dear PoPville,

We are building a front porch on a DC rowhouse that originally had a porch but somewhere through the years it was removed. We got a permit and have been told we need a “wall check”. Contractor told us it has to be performed by a private surveyor and could cost $900-$2300.

I called DCRA to ask about this and the first answer they gave me was, no you can schedule that through us for free. So I called today to schedule and naturally, someone else gave me a different answer and had me send an email inquiring with the surveillance office. (more…)

Missed Connection – Lost City Books

By Prince Of Petworth


2467 18th Street, NW

Ed. Note: If this is you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. PoPville is not affiliated with either party, please proceed with any potential connection at your own risk using caution as you would any online encounter. For those curious about passed missed connections, some have been made and when possible I’ll try to update when/if more are made. Unfortunately for the last two MC posted the connections were already connected :)”

“Dear PoPville,

I had a missed connection on Sunday, February 14 (yes… Valentine’s Day). I (man, late 20s) was in line at Lost City Books around 2 PM and was contemplating which Don Dellio book I should buy. I turned to you to ask if you’d read either. You said no, but you thought you remembered your friend really liking one of them, so I bought that one. (more…)

“Looks like there’s some movement at the old Chinatown Coffee shop.”

By Prince Of Petworth


475 H Street, NW

Thanks to Eric for sending: “Looks like there’s some movement at the old Chinatown Coffee shop. The “for lease” signs were removed from the windows and there were people working on it this past weekend. I peeked in and the counter was removed. Any tips on what’s coming in?”

Chinatown Coffee closed in 2019 after 10 years here.

“Shaw/Logan/Dupont Package Thefts”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Just a heads up, there’s been a rash of package thefts in the neighborhood since Tuesday. I contacted MPD and filed a report as I had 3 packages stolen yesterday, but I recommend folks stay vigilant and keep a close eye on any deliveries coming up. I hope the thief was happy with my… office supplies?”

Mini Splits Recs?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by angela n.

“Dear PoPville,

The last post on mini splits was from 2014. I’m unsure if it’s too soon, but I wanted to request another post on recommendations for mini splits and local installers. I’d really like to find local dealers/installers and avoid big box stores, and I’m unsure how serious to take the few Yelp reviews I’ve found.”

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