16th St Heights

Groundbreaking of Upshur Dog Park

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Vikrum Aiyer

From a press release:

“Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Jesús Aguirre joined the Friends of 16th Street Heights, Ward 4 residents and dog enthusiasts for a groundbreaking of Upshur Dog Park, 4300 Arkansas Avenue.

“We are excited to begin work on this exciting new dog park,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “The dog park program is a great example of public-private partnerships that leads to additional resources and activities for all residents.”

DPR Director Jesús Aguirre stated, “DPR is proud to continue to build dogs parks across the District of Columbia. The groundbreaking of Upshur Dog Park is a landmark moment for pet owners in Ward 4 as they will soon be able to enjoy their first official dog park.”

The new 9,000 square foot dog park will be in ADA-compliance and boasts:

* Fencing and gates
* Landscaping
* A tool shed
* Benches and picnic tables
* A dog fountain and water bowls

When completed in October 2010, the $286,000 park will be maintained by a partnership between DPR and the Friends of 16th Street Heights, the sponsoring community organization.”


Photo by Vikrum Aiyer

Dear PoP – What’s the Area North of Spring South of Upshur, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

First, what is the area above Spring, below Upshur between 14th and 13th. Neither Columbia Heights nor 16th Street Heights community associations seems to want it and they are worried if they move there it will always be unloved. I do not mean to start a line war but it seems excluded. Is there a way either association would consider
adding it?

Second, for people that actually live in that area, what do you think about it? Obviously a murder occurred at 14th and Perry recently but was that an oddity or is the place to be avoided?”

That’s Tivoli North of course. I’m just kidding, just kidding. Tivoli North actually is a business association but the idea of calling the neighborhood that is very controversial to say the least. The truth is, it depends who you ask. Among the residents that live in that area I’ve heard people refer to it as Columbia Heights, Petworth, 14th Street Heights, and 16th Street Heights. It is actually Ward 4 (Columbia Heights is Ward 1). I like the idea of 14th St. Heights.

And for #2, I’ll let the folks who live there answer but I travel that area all the time and while you should use street smarts (like most neighborhoods in the city) I only think this area will improve over time. What do you guys think?

Big Plans for 14th St, NW Development (Spring Rd to Madison)

By Prince Of Petworth


View Larger Map

WBJ’s Michael Neibauer has a great report on 14th St development plans:

District planners are eyeing a 1.8-mile stretch of 14th Street NW for a makeover, one that may usher in a streetcar line, a redeveloped Metro bus garage and a more diverse commercial lineup along a corridor often overshadowed by Columbia Heights just to the south.

Running north from Spring Road to Madison Street, the Central 14th Street corridor drives through several middle-income communities, including Petworth, 16th Street Heights, Brightwood Park and Crestwood. Minority-owned storefronts, generally neighborhood-serving retail, dot the strip. A century-old Metro bus garage, which D.C. government planners deem “potentially historic,” comprises two blocks between 14th Street and Iowa Avenue.

Read the rest of the story here.

Good Deal or Not? Bungalow Edition (Reader Suggestion)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 5001 13th Street, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

This stunning Arts and Crafts-style bungalow with gorgeous original details and luxurious modern updates has been renovated from top to bottom. Features: open floor plan, gourmet kitchen, spacious living room w/ gas fireplace, large private deck, fabulous master suite, a finished lower level with fourth bedroom, full bath, rec room, wet bar, and laundry room!

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

Oh man, the reader who thought I’d love this one was spot on. What do you guys think? Does $579,990 sound reasonable?

Dear PoP – Has Bus Barn on 14th St, NW Sold?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

One of my neighbors told me the bus barn at 4615 14th Street has been sold to a developer, who is going to build shopping and condos. Is this more than a rumor? Can’t seem to find anything about it on the interwebs.”

My gut is telling me that this is a false rumor. I know this bus barn is heavily used so it doesn’t make sense to me that the city would sell it. I’ll see what I can find out – but I’d be really surprised if it has sold. Of course stranger things have happened… Has anyone else heard this rumor?

We looked at the bus barn back in April ’09.

Dear PoP – Fishbowl House? and Exercise Options?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Do you know what is up with this house on Hiatt Place, NW? I don’t think it’s occupied and hasn’t been for a while. I love huge windows but this is like living in a fishbowl.”

I’ve been keeping my eyes on this place but sadly don’t have the scoop. Any readers that live nearby know the story?


Photo by PoPville fickr user m hoek

“Dear PoP,

Do you now of any good gyms or classes in the 16th Street Heights area?”

16th Street Heights residents – where do you work out?

Action in 16th St/14th St Heights – Dog Park to Upshur Park and Alcohol to Highlands

By Prince Of Petworth

In today’s GDoN? Post there was mention of a dog park. Just wanted to let folks who weren’t aware of this development know where the park will be. It will be right across the way from the Upshur Pool at Arkansas Ave just north of Upshur St, NW. (Hope to announce pool opening dates soon as well…)

Highlands Cafe located at 4706 14th Street, NW (by Crittenden) has applied for an alcohol license:

“New restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Live jazz, folk music performers and poetry sessions.”

And I’m assuming they’ll still have coffee…

Good Deal or Not? “2 houses for price of 1!” Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 4507 Arkansas Ave, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“2 houses for price of 1! Nicely maintained house w/ 1BR in-law suite & a 1,000 sq. ft. Carriage House w/ 2+car pkg! Bright open spaces, beaut orig pine flrs, high ceilings, storage attic, newer windows & roof, 2-tier patio, & endless possibilities w/ 2-story carriage house, which is plumbed for gas, water (1/2 bath) & elec! 1 blk to UPSHUR DOG PARK, REC CTR & POOL!!”

You can find more info here and a Mouse on House tour here.

Does $486,500 sound reasonable for this 4 bed/3.5 bath? Do you think the carriage house has some potential?

Good Deal or Not? “Craftsman-Style, circa 1912” Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 5010 13th Street, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“This has been the owner’s”Dream Home”, now make it your’s!Det Craftsman-Style, circa 1912, Renovated with todays amenities w/ lots of original details intact, coffered ceilings, pocket doors, leaded glass windows framing frpl. mantel, SS Appl, granite countertop, wall of glass windows, Master Br. w/ DBLE Sinks, Jacuzzi & Sep. Shower walk-in closet, BR laundry lvl. RR w/ bar, great yard w/ parking”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

This is a reader request. The reader writes:

“I was running along 13th street north of columbia heights yesterday evening and noticed that one of the awesome bungalows is for sale. This one looks even nicer that some of the others in that area.”

I gotta agree, this house is amazing (def. check out the virtual tour above). What do you guys think of the house? Do you think $699,000 sounds reasonable for this 4 bed/3.5 bath?

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc

By Prince Of Petworth

In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia, and as a real estate salesperson in Maryland. Unless specifically noted, neither she nor the company that she is affiliated with represented any of the parties or were directly involved in the transaction reported below. Unless otherwise noted, the source of information is Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS), which is the local multiple listing system. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Featured Properties: 4714 15th St NW

Original List Price: $629,000.

List Price at Contract: $629,000.

List Date: 10/20/2009

Days on Market: 25

Settled Sales Price: $629,000.

Settlement Date: 12/29/2009

Seller Subsidy: $15,375.

Bank Owned?: No

Type Of Financing: Hmmm. Type of First Trust Loan says “Other”.

Original GDoN Post is: here.

Recent Listings are: here.

While a few posters came to the house’s defense, the general consensus of PoP commenters on the original Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post was thumbs down on the recent renovation. More than one person suggested that the property would sit on the market and sell for substantially less than list price. Having toured the property during its pre-renovation state, my only objections to the post-rehab photos are that a) I’m not a fan of photos with mops and cleaning supplies showing up in photos to be used for marketing and b) I have an aversion to modern gas fireplaces situated in corners. Someone apparently found the work to be acceptable enough to ratify a contract less than a month after it hit the market and paid a net to list price (sales price less subsidy=net divided by list price) of over 95%.

As was mentioned in the GDoN comments, 15th Street is a pleasant tucked away residential street within easy proximity to the major thoroughfares of both 14th and 16th Streets. Those who place great value upon Metro access may not like the location, however, being close to Rock Creek Park is a huge perk for others. The house was recently sold as a foreclosure in June 2009. Continues after the jump. (more…)

View More Stories