Columbia Heights

Retail in the awesome Historic Tivoli Building is officially a Bust

By Prince Of Petworth

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14th Street, NW between Park and Monroe

Well I don’t know who is to blame but I’ve delayed as long as possible and can do so no longer – the retail at the Tivoli is a disgrace. So much potential on such a unique amazing building. Last week we learned a Verizon store was coming to the former Uptowner Deli space and now another wireless store is coming to the former hair salon. Update from the property manager:

“Verizon Wireless will be taking over the previous Uptowner Deli space. The photo of the salon space was an error made by Verizon Wireless sign vendor, which should already be corrected.”

What an opportunity wasted. So who is to blame?

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Archeological Finds Vol. 8 – Cavalier Liquor Shop

By Prince Of Petworth

I’m seriously loving this feature so if you have a photo of a neat find from your house or place of work please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail.com thanks.

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“I found this in my basement in a cabinet next to the fuse box. It is a promotional item from Cavalier Liquor Shop. We think it used to hold a calendar, long pulled off the cardboard.

The thermometer still seems to work. And it does have an awesome phone number: TUckerman 2-2142”

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Ed. Note Cavalier Liquor still kicking today.

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Zombie Coffee and Donuts now open in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

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14th and Irving St, NW part of DCUSA

We knew Zombie Coffee and Donuts was getting close – they’ve now opened in the former Tasti D Lite space next to Panda Express on Irving St. Anyone take a taste of a donut? I tried one and it was ok. I think I picked a bad topping, maple and it was a bit difficult to eat because it kept sticking to the paper, but I liked that the donut was warm and pretty light. I need another try before I make up my mind. Anyone try the coffee?

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Hours:

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Heads Up – Dupont Snowball Fight Moved to Meridian Hill Park

By Prince Of Petworth

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Important updated about the 11am Dupont Circle snowball fight – it’s been moved to Meridian Hill Park in Columbia Heights. Update from the Washington DC Snowball Fight Association:

“Listen up, troops! The NPS (National Park Service, for recent transplants) stroke again and meddled with our plans. They plowed the pristine snow blanket of Dupont Circle Park. To remedy this unfortunate situation, we are moving the main event to Meridian Hill Park.”

Ed. Note: It’s still scheduled for 11am. Meridian Hill Park is located between 15th and 16th Streets and Euclid and W St, NW. If you go send some photos to [email protected] or tweet to @PoPville or upload to the PoPville flickr pool – thanks and have fun!

140-unit condo building proposed at Meridian International Center

By Prince Of Petworth

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Rendering for 16th St NW & Crescent Pl NW please see full proposal below

“Dear PoPville,

I was hoping you could help get out the word that the Meridian International Center is proposing to add a 140-unit, 9-story condo building. They had proposed something similar last year, then told the ANC that they were tabling it. Well, it’s back before the ANC zoning committee (meeting this Wednesday 2/18 at Mary’s Center at 7:00), and then it will go before the Historic Preservation Review Board on March 26th.

I am really concerned about how this will impact a DC historic site, especially as it will eliminate the connection between the historic mansion and the park. I’m also terrified of what this is going to mean for neighbors of the site (myself included). Turning onto Belmont from 16th St. is the only way by car to access Beekman Place, Belmont, Crescent Place, and the 2300 block of 17th St., including the parking garage for a large condo building on 17th & Kalorama. It is is one-way and one-lane everywhere except for the first 200 feet or so. Now they want to add 90 cars going in and out of that building from Belmont. I also don’t know if the residents without parking spaces will get residential parking permits. The demand for parking spaces in the neighborhood already far exceeds supply. The addition of massive construction trucks and equipment for a year or more certainly isn’t going to help.

Considering all the new condos and apartments in the area (above Harris Teeter, Dorechester West, more coming on 2400 block of 17th, new ones at 17th & Euclid, the Ontario, plus the ones going in at the former Planet Pet/parking garage just southwest of us), I’m just not sure why we need another 140 units on a historic site.

Meridian proposal (PDF)“

Kitten Thief Caught! Unfortunately Kittens Have Not Yet Been Located

By Prince Of Petworth

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Two 3 month old kittens stolen from Petco in Columbia Heights on Monday

From MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department announced an arrest has been made in connection with the theft of two kittens. The offense occurred on Monday, February 9, 2015, at approximately 10:45 am, in the 3100 block of 14th Street, Northwest.

On Thursday, February 12, 2015, a juvenile male was arrested and charged with Theft II.

The kittens have not been located. The Metropolitan Police Department is asking anyone who has information regarding this case should call police at 202-727-9099.”

Here’s the unusual Spring Road Pop Up from Behind

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

Saw the post about the unusual Spring Road pop up.

Additional information about this construction – they took down about 6 trees lining the alley in order to build the addition. And there was a really nice backyard before, which has been converted into what I think will be patios for the first level and parking spaces.

And a historical fact: the alley to the left of the addition was once a road called Cedar Road. If you look at google maps satellite view, you can see the gap running from Spring to about Upshur that used to be the road, which is now mostly empty space between row houses and parking areas. My deed actually describes two parcels – the one where my house sits and a portion of land that was called “Cedar Road – Closed”.

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Last time we looked from the front – 1300 block Spring Road, NW

“He had a wad of cash in his hand and was asking for another 40 bucks”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Jeremy Meek

The “locksmith scammer” is back. These types of scams seem to resurface and come in waves, I guess after folks forget about ’em. Seems the next wave is hitting.

“Dear PoPville,

Seems like the same guy is hanging around 11th NW/Park Rd NW (Around Red Rocks Pizza). Wearing a black jacket with wings on the front and a Vietnam Veterans baseball cap. Knocked on the door and used the same excuse that he was locked out of his house. He had a wad of cash in his hand and was asking for another 40 bucks.”

MPD Releases Photo and Video of Person of Interest Wanted in Connection with theft of 3 month old kittens in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

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Ed. Note: On Monday we learned “someone smashed the glass at our Columbia Heights PETCO adoption center and stole two 3-month-old brown tabby kittens”.

From MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a person of interest in connection with a Theft Two offense, which occurred on Monday, February 9, 2015, at approximately 10:30 am, in the 3100 block of 14th Street, Northwest.

Anyone who has information regarding this case should call police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, information may be submitted to the TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.”

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