Dear PoPville

“General Contractor recommendations for rehabilitating a 1938 house?”

By Prince Of Petworth

reno
Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I are under contract for purchasing a 1938 house in need of rehabilitation through a Homestyle Renovation Mortgage (similar to FHA 203k). The house needs a significant amount of work from different trades to become habitable (e.g. all new plumbing and electrical, structural and non-structural masonry work, asbestos tile removal, exterior grading, roofing repair, window and door repair, plaster repair, wood floor repair, etc). Everything in the house is original to 1938, which is what we like about the house and want to keep to the extent possible. Does anyone have experience with a general contractor for a rehabilitation/restoration of an old house that does not include any remodeling or design work? The general contractor needs to have enough experience with jobs similar in scope in order to be approved by the lender.”

“Anyone have good experiences with building management companies?”

By Prince Of Petworth

33742345723_7fec6f7303_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user Jim Havard

“Dear PoPville,

Our building is currently considering new management. We have a 4 story, 12 unit building in Columbia Heights. Anyone have good experiences with building management companies?

Our currently company is not responsive nor are they organized. I’d love any recommendations that anyone has.”

Ed. Note: You can see some recs from 2013 here.

“enduring issue of grease spills in the rear of 1116 H St NE, ie the alley in the back of this property of Taylor Gourmet”

By Prince Of Petworth

greasy

“Dear PoPville,

I’m hoping you could bring attention to the enduring issue of grease spills in the rear of 1116 H st NE, ie the alley in the back of this property of Taylor Gourmet.

Yesterday afternoon they spilled more grease and it’s been tough to get the city to take any real action to prevent further incidents.

I would also highlight that even though the business has been reopened for three months, It remains in a state of disrepair in the top two floors. See a photo taken this morning attached below.”

TG

OP includes responses from the District: (more…)

“Looking for Childbirth Education Recommendations”

By Prince Of Petworth

baby classes
Photo by PoPville flickr user dcsplicer

“Hi! My husband and I are expecting our first child later this last fall. Does anyone have any recommendations on where to take classes in preparation? Specifically I’m looking for courses focused on the birthing process, how to care for/what to expect with a newborn, and breastfeeding.

Thanks in advance!”

“a local DC company where I can hire a moving crew?”

By Prince Of Petworth

movers
Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

“Dear PoPville,

In a couple months I’m moving to Cleveland OH and can’t afford a moving company for the trip so I’m looking to only contract help moving the items from my apartment into a U-Haul truck. Wondering if anyone may be able to recommend a local DC company where I can hire a crew. I don’t want to go to craigslist for obvious reasons.”

“Bespoke Suits for Queer Ladies in DC?”

By Prince Of Petworth

bespoke suits lgbtq
Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

“Dear PoPville,

My partner and I (both ladies) are getting married this fall and my partner would really love to wear a bespoke suit – and I would love to make that happen for her. Sadly, the most obviously lady-catering, queer-friendly bespoke suit companies seem to be in NYC (namely Bindle & Keep). As we are trying to put a majority of our funds towards the wedding itself, traveling to NYC for a weekend on suit business may not be realistic.

Does anyone have suggestions or first-hand experience with any bespoke tailors in DC who are fabulous with suits for women and are also queer friendly?”

“Where to get a suit in DC?”

By Prince Of Petworth

suits
Photo by Danny Harris from his People’s District post on Georges de Paris.

“Dear PoPville,

Looking for recommendations on best places in the city to get a suit for my upcoming wedding in June. My plan had been Suit Supply in Georgetown, but the experience left me feeling like that wasn’t the place for me. Anyone in popville world have some success stories?”

Ed. Note: You can see some recommendations from 2011 here.

“The rats have joined the flies and birds over the 2 days this pile has been in our lives.”

By Prince Of Petworth

trash pile
1605 New Jersey Ave, NW

“Dear PoPville,

Our neighbors moved out last week and left a glorious pile of junk, trash, and waste behind for us. The rats have joined the flies and birds over the 2 days this pile has been in our lives. The tenant committed to removing the garbage but he seems to be operating on a far different timescale than his former neighbors.

I’ve filed 311 complaints with Sanitation (for the junk) and Health (for the wildlife) but I am curious if there is a more immediate step I can take to get this pile removed or, at the very least, a citation of the tenant or landlord. If other folks have dealt with this, I’d love to hear how they handled things. Unfortunately I don’t have contact info for the tenant or the landlord.”

“They stay on the front steps and porch drinking, doing drugs and having sex in public.”

By Prince Of Petworth

georgia ave
Photo by PoPville flickr user Rich Renomeron

“Dear PoPville,

There is a a growing problem on Georgia Avenue that authorities have not taken action. There is a group of men that are loitering outside what seems an abandoned home in the 5800 block Georgia Avenue NW on a 24 hour basis.

They stay in the front steps and porch drinking, doing drugs and having sex in public. Since it’s not a lit area, the group has grown from a couple to individuals to a sometimes crowd. Not only are they littering and damaging a neighborhood that is looking to improve, but they actively harass the public that walks by or parks on the street as patrons of the few business on the block. In some instances even having drunken individuals laying passed out on the sidewalk, hanging personal clothing garments on the parking meters and signs and even threatening local neighbors. (more…)

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