Unfortunate update after a brief, delayed celebration from the National Park Service:
“We just discovered a leaking pipe in Meridian Hill Park fountain’s cascade system, so we’ve turned off the fountain until we can make the repair. This is in a sensitive landscaped area, so we will go in this week and carefully excavate to fix the pipe.”
14th and Perry Pl, NW
“Dear PoPville,
It has come to my attention recently that a multitude of squatters have broken into and have been living in an uninhabited house on Perry Pl, NW in between 14th and Holmead streets. For the most part, they seem to be heavy day drinkers and are all adults. One of the men seen lingering behind this building, and seems to be a squatting resident, was the victim set on fire by two assailants near Otis and 14th NW last Saturday night. Another man, potentially unrelated to the group, was picked up by EMS this morning having a grand mal seizure in the alley by the building around 6:45-7am. While my heart goes out to these men, I wonder if the crimes against them may have been interpersonal. The current owner of the home is simply listed as a trust, with a contact number that has been disconnected. My hopes, by posting this, is that the owners of this trust may see this, as it may prevent further victims, and, at the very least, inform the owners that their property has many people currently living in it.”
2829 16th St, NW courtesy Mexican Cultural Institute
From a press release:
“Opening celebration October 29 from 12:00 – 4:00pm at the Mexican Cultural Institute
Don’t miss the Mexican Cultural Institute’s annual Day of the Dead celebration! This well-known community event is a quintessentially Mexican tradition and one of our most colorful displays of the year.
This year’s celebration will feature an installation piece by Mexican designer and creative director Luis Fitch. Fitch, the director of UNO Branding, will construct an altar-like installation evoking the aesthetics of papel picado, the festive punched paper often used as a symbol in Day of the Dead altars. It will be on view through November 14.
Additionally, the MCI will have a traditional altar dedicated to famed Mexican musician Juan Gabriel, who died earlier this year. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user kristenstake
Well, we got a name for the new spot from some of the owners of Room 11 – Odd Provisions. Hours will be “11am – 9pm every day” Stay tuned for an opening date.
Previously:
11th and Lamont St, NW
2500 14th Street, NW
A reader reports over the weekend:
“I will have to cast my General Election ballot at this site! God save us all.”
1326 Park Road, NW via DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems)
Working fire 1300 block Park Rd NW. Fire basement restaurant in 3 story row dwelling. pic.twitter.com/inaexegHvT
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) October 23, 2016
Hoping for a speedy recovery of injured firefighter!
Fire 1300 blk Park Rd NW under control. Fire contained to restaurant basement & 1st floor. Treating 1 injured FF. pic.twitter.com/4IZwYaCS7c
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) October 23, 2016
One of the “hidden” great outdoor dining options in Columbia Heights.
Readers reported:
“I walked past at about 8:30 when 16th was entirely shut down between Irving and Park. There was an SUV, a Prius, and a motorcycle on the street — no people from the vehicles, though. SUV was headed north, Prius south, motorcycle near the southside curb. It didn’t look as if the cars had collided.
At the time, there were no investigators on the scene — just cops to shut the street down. But the road was cleared and fire trucks and ambulances (saw one of each) were getting through en route to other destinations. If it’s still shut now, it can’t be good. (It must have happened about 8 or so. I walk home from K street, and traffic was fine until I got to about the park when I started passing all of the busses. By Euclid, I passed the bus I didn’t get on at M street, and they were lined up to Irving.)”
“Cop told me it was a motorcycle crash.”
“16th Street fully closed in Columbia Heights / Mt Pleasant”
“site is officially being treated as a crime scene. Looks grim, doesn’t seem likely to clear anytime soon.”
Update from MPD:
“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Major Crash Unit are investigating a traffic accident with injury that occurred on Thursday, October 13, 2016, at approximately 6:46 pm.
A motorcyclist was traveling northbound in the 3100 block of 16th Street, Northwest when he attempted to swerve to the left of a vehicle, who was also traveling northbound on 16th Street in the far left lane. In an attempt to pass the vehicle to the left, the motorcyclist side swiped the left front of the vehicle. This caused the motorcyclist to cross the double yellow line into oncoming traffic where he struck another vehicle, who was traveling southbound on 16th Street, Northwest. The motorcyclist, an adult male, was then propelled from his motorcycle. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services transported the motorcyclist to a local hospital, where he was admitted and is listed in critical condition. No other injuries were reported.
This case remains under investigation. The Metropolitan Police Department is asking anyone with information about this case to call the police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the departments TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.”
3224 11th Street, NW (to the left)
From an email:
“Willow, a clothing + gift shop, located at 834 Upshur Street NW in Petworth, is setting up shop in Columbia Heights for the holiday season! Located at 3224 11th Street NW next door to Bad Saint, the shop will stock a little bit of everything from clothing and housewares to gifts for all ages produced by local makers. DC and Columbia Heights themed products designed by Willow staff as well as new clothing lines will fill the shelves and racks!
The shop will also feature a special selection of titles from Upshur Street Books.
“I am very excited to be bringing a little bit of Upshur Street down to Columbia Heights and 11th Street. Be on the look out for fun window displays and the same friendly atmosphere that we have at the Upshur street location,” says owner Julie Wineinger.
The shop will open Saturday, October 15th and be open through December.”
14th and Irving Street, NW
Ed. Note: Back in August 2010 we broke the news that an anti loitering device called the mosquito was placed outside the Chinatown Gallery Place Metro station. After complaints the device was removed within two months.
Update: Just got off the phone with the folks from Donatelli and as one commenter suspected – it was a device to keep the pigeons away! But because people have complained that they could hear it (more than OP here) they have taken down the devices today.
“Dear PoPville,
There are two noise-making devices, one just outside the Columbia Heights Metro above Five Guys and the other about 75 feet away above Potbelly. Both make intermittent, high-pitched squeals that are piercingly loud, at least to my 30-year-old ears. I could even hear them inside the Metro station. I come by this area at least twice a day during the week and first noticed the sound at 6:30 p.m. today. The machines were still going at 9:30. Two security guards in the plaza with Special Police badges told me they had never seen the devices before and believed they were new. (more…)
3226 11th Street, NW
A reader reports:
“Bad Saint expansion? I saw some construction workers moving in and out of the space next to Bad Saint (formerly a hair salon I believe) this morning. The space looked totally gutted and ready for renovation. How exciting would this be??!”
Back in February 2014 Bad Saint’s owner told us that an expansion into a neighboring space on 11th Street was likely. Looks like those plans are moving forward and it’s no surprise given the slew of accolades they’ve been receiving. Given some of the lines we’ve seen this is a very very good thing! Updates as construction progresses.
Update: Sadly, owner Nick Pimentel says no expansion at this time.