Well, the coolest dry cleaners in Columbia Heights, and possibly the whole district, has closed at 1376 Park Rd, NW. I always thought the automated pickup was ingenious.
Columbia Heights
Photo pre-construction by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
Dear PoPville,
Any word on how much longer the construction at Cardozo High School (1200 Clifton St, NW) is going to take? The neighbors have had to put up with a lot–lost parking and sidewalks, traffic changes, road closures on Clifton, and noise, not to mention the constantly changing rules around “emergency” no-parking signs. For the most part, I think the neighborhood has been tolerant of these annoyances that come with urban living. I just wish I knew when to expect to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Have you heard anything?
Council Member Graham says the construction will be completed in August in time for the new school year.
Great news on the fountain front – Meridian Hill Park fountains have been filled “early”! Thanks to everyone who sent word yesterday. In early April a reader was told the fountains wouldn’t be filled until Memorial Day due to budget constraints. Super psyched to see they are already filled:
Dysfunction Junction chronicles the most forlorn, baffling, and wonderful crossroads of our fair city. Ben Ball is a transportation nerd in his spare time. He lives in LeDroit Park. Ben previously wrote about Dave Thomas Circle.
If this intersection is the beating heart of Columbia Heights, I’d say we’re heading for some sort of cardiac arrest. The lovely plaza, complete with splash fountain for the kiddies, is a marvelous public space. Surrounding it, however, is one of the most congested places for people and vehicles I can think of.
It is not easy to get through this area in a car. The herringbone street pattern of northern Columbia Heights (a legacy of poor planning in the early part of the previous century) is a big part of the problem. But in 2010, DDOT made it worse by redoing the traffic pattern at this intersection, where one of the few westward passages in the area crosses a major north-south corridor.
In the interests of “traffic calming”, DDOT altered the lane which allowed drivers heading southbound on 14th St to easily make a right turn onto Park Road. Now traffic is so calm that it’s fallen asleep. Just two years after DDOT worked its magic, a Metro study of the 50 buses found that traffic near 14th and Park averages less than ten miles per hour at all times of day. The study didn’t mention that the bus stop is part of the problem – buses frequently hang across both lanes, taking out both lanes of traffic in the process.
Continues after the jump. (more…)
3313 11th Street, NW
This edition of Eating Around Town was written by Abbey Becker. Abbey previously wrote about Cashion’s Eat Place. She lives near Eastern Market.
If you’re looking for authentic Mexican food, El Chucho (3313 11th Street NW) is not the place for you. But you’d likely know that anyway if you’ve heard anything about the Columbia Heights hangout.
When I went on a humid Monday night that was threatening rain, the upstairs patio was empty. The downstairs, however, was packed and boisterous at 8pm. (The fact that it was hora feliz–happy hour–all night certainly didn’t hurt.) If you’re looking to catch up with a friend and have a quiet meal, I’d recommend going somewhere else.
As I watched metal trays of tacos being delivered to diners around me at the bar and high-top tables, it was clear that much of what El Chucho is about is the show it puts on. Kitschy elements were sometimes understated: the frozen margarita machine behind the bar circulating not drink mix margarita syrups and ice, but house-made lime and strawberry habanero flavors, and the ceramic dolls on a top shelf by the bar, were fun touches that you might not notice if you weren’t looking. Other times, the design slapped you in the face–instead of a ladder to reach the top shelves of liquor behind the bar, bartenders had to climb knotted ropes reminiscent of elementary school gym class to hoist themselves up to grab a bottle. While this seems fun to diners, I can’t imagine that the bartenders particularly enjoy doing this all the time.
I like that El Chucho isn’t trying to be authentic or run-of-the-mill, though. The restaurant understands that real Mexican food can be found likely a few steps away in Columbia Heights, so it doesn’t try to compete. All of the staff wear plaid, and you’d be more likely to hear their soundtrack in a U Street or Columbia Heights bar than at El Rinconcito II a few blocks away.
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11th and Park Rd, NW
@LisaMabe sends us word around 7:20pm:
“Pitbull attack (dog on dog) just went down at the 11th Str. dog park. Dog injured. #ColumbiaHeights”
2007
Today the southwest corner of 13th and Euclid St, NW has been converted into condos.
2013
This rental is located at 1421 Chapin St, NW:
The listing says:
“Condo convenience with access and warmth of a row home MUST SEE. Nearly 1,200 sf ft beautiful 2 bedroom/2 bath condo with spacious living/dining room that lends itself for entertaining. Original 2 bedroom plus den converted the den into more living space creating an oversized open floor plan from the entry to the kitchen through the dining and living rooms. 13 feet of kitchen counter space is ideal for cooking and entertaining simultaneously. Privacy of large front garden leads to ground floor access of the condo no stairs. Patio with room to dine or grill in the front and rear of the home. Rear patio has beautiful garden nestled in the building’s interior courtyard. Home comes with Sony 50″ flatscreen and Bose surround sound system installed. 1/2 block to the bus, 1/2 block to Meridian Park, and a short walk to Metro and bustling 14th and U St. street shops and restaurants.”
This 2 bed/2 bath is going for $3,100/Mo.
From MPD:
The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating two suspects in connection with a sexual assault and robbery which occurred in the 1400 block of Oak Street, NW.
On Monday, May 6, 2013, between the hours of 12:50 am and 1:00 am, a female and a male were sitting in a vehicle in the 1500 block of Meridian Place, NW, when they were approached by two unknown males who produced a handgun and forced them out of the vehicle. The male victim was assaulted at that location whereas the female victim was taken to the 1400 block of Oak Street, NW, where she was sexually assaulted. Both victims were robbed of property.
The suspects are described as two black males wearing ski masks and both armed with a handgun.
Anyone with information that can assist in the identification of these suspects is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.
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Photo by PoPville flickr user Gelmandaria
From emails:
“Petworth Community Market opens TODAY, this Friday, May 3, from 4 – 8 PM. We will have local produce, music from Superior Cling and a tasty demo from Chez Billy! Come see us each Friday, starting today, from 4-8 p.m. at Upshur & 9th Streets, NW at Georgia Ave.”
and
“The Columbia Heights Community Marketplace kicks off the 2013 season Saturday May 4th at 9:00am on the Civic Plaza at 14th and Park Rd NW. Come celebrate Spring with us with healthy, local food, a salsa performance and lessons, chef demonstrations, free bike tune-ups, and much more!”
and
“14&U FM reopens Saturday May 4th
1400 U Street NW on the sidewalk of the Reeves Center
Saturdays
9-1pm”