Columbia Heights

11th and Monroe St, NW Park Construction to Begin This Month?

By Prince Of Petworth

From ANC1A05:

“The park renovations will start this month. Permits have been pulled, and the Department of Parks and Recreation will hold its first of several meetings for the community on 16 June 2011, 6:30pm, at the Community Center located at 15th and Girard Streets, NW. Please come if you can. If any of you has seen the Upshur Street Park, it is beautiful, well-designed and executed, and the architect of that park is the same one for 11th & Monroe.”

The park at 11th and Monroe St, NW has long been referred to as the “drunk park” – hopefully a nice renovation will earn it a new nickname?

Do you think a proper renovation will change the reputation and attract children and families to the park?

“Beautiful vintage furniture from Housewerks Baltimore and Pine Mine” at the Dunes in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

You posted about the Dunes art space a couple of weeks ago. Just wanted to let you know about an awesome event that is going on Saturday and Sunday at The Dunes. Beautiful vintage furniture from Housewerks Baltimore and Pine Mine will be available for purchase. This event coincides with my fashion photography exhibit at The Dunes that is inspired by 1940’s vintage clothing and style. Come by if you are free! This is going to be a unique home furnishing shopping experience.”

Gotta go to Mo’s!

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

This is a pic of the line outside of the Modell’s store at DCUSA in Columbia Heights. 7:15 AM.

Gotta go to Mo’s! I guess. There was a guy in a wheelchair and a couple of lawn chairs in line, so who knows how long they were waiting.

The “grand opening” was today, at 8 I believe. I’m sure they have some grand opening sales going on, never bothered to look. I mean, I’m all for sporting good stores, but I wouldn’t wait in line, especially in this weather.”

Update on New Bar/Restaurant Moving into old CommonWealth Space in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I was walking by the old Commonwealth space this weekend and noticed that all the Commonwealth insignia have been removed from the front fence and facade. Any word on when the new space will be open or a name?”

Back in Feb. ’11 we learned that CommonWealth was closing at 1400 Irving St NW near the Columbia Heights metro. Recently I’ve been getting many inquiries for an update like the query above. So here’s what I’ve learned.

The new name will be selected very soon and with one of the final options there could be a connection with the new name and the history of Columbia Heights. It is very likely that the new place will be open pretty soon around July 1st. I was able to take a quick tour and while you’ll recognize the CommonWealth space there has already been massive changes. The space has been completely opened up. The new bar/restaurant kinda reminded me of a smaller scale, more modern American Ice Company with the addition of some live music similar to like they have at Hill Country (in the basement a sorta country/southern/blue grass vibe.) Another similarity to Hill Country will be some bbq options on the menu though the complete menu will also offer some other southern specialties.

Sound like a good fit for Columbia Heights?

I’ll be sure to update as we get closer to July 1st.

Wed. Afternoon Rental Option – Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 1321 Kenyon St, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Efficiency $963.00
Reduced Security Deposit
Heat & Hot Water Included/W/Rent
Laundry & Manager On-Site
Close to Shops & Restaurants”

I know I normally don’t post rentals that don’t have photos of the inside but I’m curious if any readers live in the building as the location is pretty great. $963 sound right?

Judging Restaurants – The Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Continuing with this week’s I can’t believe we haven’t judged them yet is The Heights located at 3115 14th St. NW in Columbia Heights. We once spoke about their famous bloody marys but I’m also curious what folks think specifically about the food including brunch options. You can see their menus here.

Dear PoP – Columbia Heights Assault and Home Invasion

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user julianne’s

“Dear PoP,

On Friday night at about 1 AM, our roommate returned to our Columbia Heights group house to find a stranger hanging out in the entrance to the basement apartment. After asking him to leave, our roommate was assaulted by the stranger and two other men who had been hiding behind him. They choked our roommate until he was unconscious, stole his keys, wallet, iPhone, and work Blackberry, opened the front door of our house, went into the first floor bedroom, stole a laptop, and left through the back door before anyone could report them to the cops. Fortunately our roommate recovered quickly and was not seriously injured, and no one was on the ground floor when the house was invaded. The incident is being investigated.

A few lessons learned:
-invest in security systems, like motion-activated floodlights and alarms
-don’t leave valuables in view, as home invaders are likely to grab the first thing they see
-always back up files and password protect your hard drive
-make sure you know the serial numbers of your electronic devices as well as any other information you can use to track them, and report them as stolen immediately
-change all your passwords right away if something like this happens
-our friends were asleep in the downstairs apartment, unaware there were strange men right outside their door; always lock the outside gate if you have one

PoP readers take note: just because a neighborhood is “gentrifying” doesn’t mean it’s safe. Be careful!”

Good Deal or Not? “save your gas money” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1015 Kenyon St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Nestled in Columbia Heights, 2BR suite (each w/ updated bath), large living room, new kitchen w/ granite counters, powder room on 1st level with CAC, washer/dryer, & PARKING! The whole package: Great Condo Alt w/ no fees; First home or rental property! No basement, no problems. Bike Share, Bus – 50 ft. away, save your gas money, buy today!”

You can find more info here and photos here.

$482,500 sound right for this 2 bed/2.5 bath?

Sam Calagione Founder and President of Dogfish Head brewery at D’Vines Sat. Afternoon in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

I wanted to let your readers know that today between 12:00 and 2:00PM d’vines is hosting Sam Calagione Founder and President of Dogfish Head brewery for a Meet/Greet and also the 2nd annual book signing, this an incredible event for Columbia Heights. Its FREE and we’ll have some free beer (FESTINA PECHE). So we cordially invite everyone in the vicinity.

D’Vines is located at 3103 14th St NW across from the DC USA mall in Columbia Heights.

Fri. Afternoon Rental Option – Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 13th and Euclid St, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Spacious apartment overlooking lush courtyard garden like “Old New Orleans”. All new “cook’s kitchen” w/ granite counter tops, dishwasher, gas range & fridge. Table space dining area w/ Art Deco details.
Walk in closet. Private laundry room w/ full size washer & dryer. Centrally located between U St. Metro & Columbia Heights Metro. Convenient to Harris Teeter, DC-USA Mall, Giant & 14th St. shopping corridor. Vibrant living in
the heart & pulse of Washington DC. Junior 1 bedroom. $1450 per month + electricity. One month rent security deposit. PET WELCOME”

$1450 per month + electricity sound right?

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