Columbia Heights

Own a Piece of The Getaway, Everything Being Auctioned after New Years Eve Bash

By Prince Of Petworth

getaway_closing_columbia_heights
14th and Meridian Place, NW

From an email:

“On January 2nd from 12-4 PM Rasmus Auctions will be opening The Getaway up one last time for people to come check out the items before they bid online. The online auction includes all of their automobile artwork and paraphernalia, flat screen TV’s, leather couches, patio furniture, and kitchen equipment. The online auction starts to close at 1:37 PM on Friday, January 3rd. You can check out the online auction here. The Getaway is located at 1400 Meridian Place NW Washington, DC 20010.”

Artwork

Man Robbed in Elevator After Letting People He Didn’t Know into Building

By Prince Of Petworth

5337915368_9c9d80d3a2_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

“Dear PoPville,

According to my building’s management, last night a guest of a tenant in my building was buzzed in and three men in their late 20s or early 30s who were hanging out in front followed him into the building. When they all were on the elevator, the men then robbed him of his wallet. He was not physically hurt thankfully. The robbery was reported to the police, who have reviewed the building’s security camera footage and are now investigating.

While I’ve heard of people sneaking into buildings to steal packages and the like, I have not heard of this robbery tactic before, and I thought it might be good to give people a head’s up. Just another reason to not let strangers into an apartment building. The locale of this crime was on 15th Street by Meridian Hill Park.”

Council Member Jim Graham and DCRA Respond to Concerns Over “Future” Bacon Funeral Home

By Prince Of Petworth

bacon_funeral_home
3449 14th Street, NW

Last week a reader wrote in expressing concerns over the blighted building to be the future Bacon Funeral Home.

CM Jim Graham responds via email:

“Yes, the building has been repeatedly inspected, Yes, we have had numerous meetings. The latest–positive– information is that their permits are being expedited so this should change soon.

I have held various meetings in my office, and pressed DCRA. Part of the issue is that, under DC law, as long as a building is stable and boarded up, it is not generally subject to condemnation.

Let me add, the best leverage we have at present with these properties is the $10 per $100 tax rate on blighted properties. A measure that I actively supported

Let me now check with DCRA Dir Majett on the status of those permits, and also Dir Cordi on the property tax status. It should be taxed at the high rate as vacant and blighted.”

@DCRA responds via twitter:

“its currently in a blighted tax class. We will have our enforcement unit do another survey on it this week.”

Dear PoPville – Status of the “Future” Bacon Funeral Home?

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_2272
3449 14th Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering about the progress on the Bacon Funeral Home at 3449 14th St. NW, and wonder if you have any information regarding recent developments on this property. From your last blog post on 03/21/13, Bacon Funeral Home was given 30 days to enclose the building by the city council. In any case that this did not occur, (still remains open to the elements) it would forward this matter on to DCRA. 30 days has already occurred, many times over.

I find it frustrating that we are talking about raising the building height restriction in DC, when developments like the Bacon property are left to languish for years without repercussion. Imagine if a huge, towering development like Louis at 14th and U had all the issues that Bacon Funeral Home has had. This sets a terrible precedent for other property owners and developers.”

Ed. Note: I’ll tweet this query to Council Member Jim Graham’s office and DCRA and post any updates they send. Anyone else hear anything about the status?

IMG_2273

Car Loses Control in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

11221127264_624a762768_z

Thanks to a reader for sending from the 1100 block of Girard St, NW:

“Three cars damaged
Road blocked by police car I in front yard
Spoke to lady who said she lost control of her car”

Missing Person Critical: 82 Year Old John Jeffers – Last Seen in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

John Jeffers

From MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a critical missing person identified as 82 year-old John Jeffers. He was last seen on Monday, December 2, 2013, in the area of 14th and Irving Streets, NW.

Mr. Jeffers is described as a black male with medium complexion, approximately 5’9” in height, weighing 115 pounds, with a goatee and grey hair. He was last seen wearing a green jacket with a black or brown collar, beige shirt, black sweat pants, and black shoes and wearing a Redskins hat.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of John Jeffers is asked to call the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099, Youth Investigations Division at 202-576-6768, or 911.”

View More Stories