Columbia Heights

Dear PoPville – DCHA renovated home sits empty for 3 years

By Prince Of Petworth

1334 Irving St. 004

“Dear PoPville,

Why has this house 1334 Irving St. NW (in very desirable Columbia Heights) sat empty for 3 years?

It was renovated by DCHA with HUD funds, supposedly to be sold to low/moderate income DC residents through a homeowership program.

I first contacted Jim Graham about it on Marcy 30, 2011.

Dear Mr. Graham,

Could you please find out what DCHA is doing with the property at 1334 Irving St. NW? There is a sign out front proclaiming a joint project with the “Greening Initiative” and it is currently being gutted and renovated. I spoke to a person working on the renovation who said it will be 2 apartments, but didn’t know anything more.

There is nothing on the DCHA website about this project. Nearby residents would like to know what the plans are for this property.

He forwarded the email to DCHA, with no reply. I emailed again on July 7, 2011, which Graham again forwarded. We received a reply on July 12, 2011 from DCHA.

We received stimulus funding from HUD to repair several scattered site units. The repairs to this address is a part of that effort. The plan for this unit is to sell it to a low/moderate income family participating in DCHA’s Homeownership program.

Adrianne Todman
Executive Director, D.C. Housing Authority

But the place continues to sit empty. My last inquiry was January 6, 2014 and I have again received no reply from either Jim Graham’s office or DCHA.

With so much need for affordable housing it seems criminal to see these two apartments sit empty for 3 years.”

New Filipino Restaurant Coming to Columbia Heights on Track for a May/June Opening

By Prince Of Petworth

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3224-3226 11th Street, NW looking north towards Lamont Street and Room 11

Per a reader’s request, the new Filipino restaurant coming to the former El Rinconcito Deportivo space on 11th Street is on track for a May/June opening. I bumped into co-owner Nick Pimentel who told me that initially the restaurant will only be located in the 3226 11th Street space, though it could later expand into the 3224 11th Street space which he is also renovating. Stay tuned a name, menu and more details when they get closer to opening.

Props to the Cops – Robbery Arrest, Car Recovered from Carjacking

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

From MPD:

“Shortly after 8 PM on February 8, 2014, a robbery force & violence occurred in the 1000 block of Lamont Street, NW (Third District). Third District Vice and Crime Suppression Units tracked the property taken in the robbery into the Fourth District, and the units discovered that the suspects were traveling in a vehicle. Third District units attempted to stop the vehicle in the Fourth District but it fled on them. The units then voiced a lookout for the vehicle over the police radio.

A short time later, Fourth District patrol officers located the vehicle unoccupied in the 5900 block of 2nd Place, NW. As additional officers responded to the area to canvass for suspects, a sergeant assigned to the Fourth District Mountain Bike Tact Unit located two suspects in an alley near where the vehicle was located. Upon seeing the sergeant, the two suspects fled on foot. The area was canvassed by Third and Fourth District units with the assistance of the MPD helicopter, and two suspects were located in the 5800 block of 4th Street, NW. The suspects, both juveniles, were taken into custody by MPD units and placed under arrest for various charges. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle used by the suspects was taken in an armed carjacking in Takoma Park, Maryland, a few weeks prior.

Congratulations go out to Third District Vice & Crime Suppression Units and Fourth District patrol and Mountain Bike Tact units for a great collaborative effort in bringing a swift closure to this crime!”

Alero becomes El Tio Tex-Mex Grill in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

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3345 14th Street, NW

Alero first opened up in the former Rumberos space in the Tivoli on 14th Street north of Park back in 2010. Now the space has become El Tio Tex-Mex Grill. According to El Tio’s website they also have three Virginia locations. You can see their lunch menu here and dinner menu here. Anyone try them out yet? Hopefully a third time for Latin/Tex-Mex here is a charm.

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14th Street looking south towards Park Road

Expansion Plans Moving Forward at Maple in Columbia Heights and Il Canale in Georgetown

By Prince Of Petworth

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3418 11th Street, NW

Back in November we learned of Maple’s plans to expand into the former Columbia Heights Coffee space on 11th Street. They’ve now applied for a liquor license on that space:

“Applicant is requesting to expand to the adjacent ground level space increasing the seating capacity to 66, use of the second floor with 18 seats and increase outdoor seating capacity on side walk cafe to 34 seats.”

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1065 31st Street, NW

Also in November we learned that Il Canale would be taking over the former Cannon’s Fish Market space next door. A recent liquor license application for their expansion says:

“Retailer Class “C” Restaurant with occupancy load of 88 including ENTERTAINMENT, SIDEWALK CAFÉ and SUMMER GARDEN. Requesting to expand into 1065 31st Street, NW. 1st and 2nd floors Seating to 56 and Sidewalk Café increase to 30 seats. Summer Garden increase to 150 seats. Increases total Seating Occupancy Load to 442.”

Tues. Afternoon Rental Option – Columbia Heights/Meridian Hill Park

By Prince Of Petworth

2440 16th Street Northwest

This rental is located at 2440 16th Street, Northwest:

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The listing says:

“DOWNTOWN: PRICED RIGHT; PETS ALLOWED; OFF STREET ASSIGNED PARKING EXTRA: Public Golf Courses 10 Minutes Away In BOTH Directions. Suburban Island Set in the HEART of Downtown D.C. Landmark Public Park and Water Falls Across Street. Popular live entertainment, diverse restaurant and sports bar night life of City’s young professionals 5 minutes in BOTH directions. Great Neighborhood and Building.”

You can see more photos here.

This 1 bed/1 bath is going for $1,999/Mo.

Construction Fences Go Up for New Condos Coming to 13th and Park Road, NW – Check Out a Rendering

By Prince Of Petworth

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Back in June 2012 we learned this property on the southwest corner of 13th and Park Road, NW would become condos developed by CASRiegler. Ed. Note: In 2010 construction on the opposite corner was delayed when two grenades were found on the site.

CASRiegler’s website says:

“1300 Park road is a boutique condominium building in the heart of Columbia Heights. This location is unique, as it offers the best of two worlds. One world being the quite neighborhood with outdoor bistro tables, and coffee shops. The other being a larger urban center with mass transit and option galore!

One block to the east is the intersection of 11th and Park, which has become the “neighborhood” center of Columbia Heights. The intersection has a variety of coffee shops, bars, and restaurants with plenty of outdoor seating. This intersection is home to some of Washingtons favorite small neighborhood restaurant and bars, including Meridian Pint and Red Rocks Pizza which lay steps from front door of 1300 Park.

Walk one block west and step into the more densely urbanized center of Columbia Heights. This bustling part of the city offers incredible amenities including a Target, several great restaurants, a Giant and of course Metro. Very few locations in the city offer the best of both worlds like this location.

1300 Park will include 5 two-bedroom condominiums, each offering ample outdoor space and large living spaces. The upper units include multiple levels, roof decks and terraces. The lower level units have front decks and private front yards!

This project is being built in conjunction with the Benjamin Banneker Scholarship fund, and Barry Homes LTD. Both groups are ward 2 institutes that have been in Columbia Heights many years raising funds for high school students and in the support of education. A portion of the proceeds from this project will be allocated towards these institutions to allocate generously, as they see fit.”

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And here’s a rendering:

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