Columbia Heights

Good Deal or Not? “new copper water line out to meter” (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 748 Princeton Place, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Total Renovation, 2 blocks from metro. New roof, new plumbing, electrical, drywall. .. attached garage, huge deck, gourmet kitchen, gas fireplace, tray ceilings, master bedroom w20 ft ceiling, 6″ bamboo flooring, new copper water line out to meter, 3 large bedrooms upstairs, one block from new CVS and restaurants. .. a must see.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

The reader writes, “I’m curious to hear what your readers think about this one. Yet another case of “flip yellow”!”

What do you guys think of the reno itself? Does $598,000 sound reasonable for this 3 bed/3.5 bath?

Update on 11th and Monroe St, NW Park Renovations

By Prince Of Petworth

Last we heard the park was closed in late August due to lead contamination. Following is an update from Donny Gonzalez, Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization:

Regarding the 11th and Monroe construction schedule, looks like we are tentatively scheduled to begin visible work “moving dirt” in late January, weather permitting. The proposed schedule is as follows:

– Procure design services by end of October.
– Receive construction design by end of November
– Obtain necessary permits between December – End of January
– Procure Builder / Construction (approx 60 days to complete) between Late Jan / Early Feb through end of April or early May.

Right now, the park is currently closed due to low levels of lead contamination that came from building construction near by. The DC Department of the Environment (DDOE) placed a stop work order on that project and is currently negotiating a settlement with the developer to abate the contamination. We are looking at several options to mitigate the contaminated area keeping the construction timeline in mind.

As I understand it, DDOE expects the area to be abated within 30 days or so. Please note that the schedule I have provided is not meant to be exact, it is to give you an idea of the proposed schedule, but it is subject to change. This is the latest plan of action from OPEFM to develop your neighborhood park. We will make every attempt to stick to this schedule and to deliver it in a timely manner.

More Progress at 3418 11th St, NW Next to Columbia Heights Coffee

By Prince Of Petworth

It’s wild how nice the outside looks now from just a couple weeks ago. Here’s what it looked like on Sept. 9th. So I’ve also found out a few more details. I believe the architect is Gronning Architects and they’ve worked on Commonwealth, Cork Wine Bar, Cork Market, Palena, Pizzeria Paradiso, and Hank’s among others. I’m hearing that they are shooting to open up in Jan. and will have a well known chef. Painfully few details. I just wanna know what type of restaurant it’s gonna be! More details as they become available.

Huge Eviction Fills Streets at 11th and Otis, NW in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Last night around 7:30pm I started getting emails like this one:

“Dear PoP,

All the residents are emptying their worldly possessions on the street. I am talking about dozens of houses…

Any idea what’s up?”

I sadly assumed it was a “normal” eviction but since I was eating dinner I decided not to investigate. Then this morning I awoke to many more emails asking the same question and I realized I made a mistake by not investigating. Anyway, I went down this morning and it is a sight like I have never seen before. And I have unfortunately seen numerous evictions around town. This one is a whole different level. First of all it is from ONE woman in ONE house. The emphasis will make sense when you see more of the photos I took.

The resident who was evicted has possessions filling up Otis St, both sides of the block between 10th and 11th. As well as 11th St towards Spring and a bit north towards Monroe as well. On both sides of the street. It really is a horrifying sight. CM Jim Graham was on the scene as were multiple police. CM Graham said that the woman has been visited by a city Social Worker last night and this morning.

At the time of my visit around 10am moving trucks had started loading up the possessions. CM Graham calls the moving company, JK Moving and Storing, his “heroes of the day”. The city was originally going to remove the possessions via city dump truck but JK Moving heard about the situation and volunteered to move the possessions for free and store them for a month at their facility in Sterling, VA near Dulles Airport. I asked the movers how many trucks they thought it would take to move the goods and they said, likely a minimum of 4-6 trucks. A very nice deed for a very sad situation.

Thanks to all who sent in tips.


All the material in the following photos originated from this house on 11th St, NW just south of Otis.

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

Columbia Heights’ IHOP Grand Opening Nov. 16th – Now Hiring

By Prince Of Petworth

Yesterday the Columbia Heights Listserv sent out word that the Columbia Heights’ IHOP (Irving St. west of 14th in DC USA) will be hosting a couple of hiring events Wed. the 22nd and Mon. the 27th (full details on that after the jump). But there was another item of interest as well. While I had heard that they hoped to open by the end of Nov., assuming no more stop work orders, this is the first time I’ve seen an opening date announced. Nov. 16th sounds great!

Job details after the jump. (more…)

Good Deal or Not? “spacious terrace” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 1464 Harvard St, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Extremely desirable 2 Bedroom + 2 full bathrooms located on Harvard Street. Kitchen is equipped with granite counter tops, including an island, breakfast bar, and back-splash. Large living area with hardwood floors while bedrooms have fresh carpeting. Included is a spacious terrace perfect for entertaining guests as well as in-unit washer/dryer. Only 3 blocks from the Columbia Heights METRO.”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

What do you think of the condo itself? Does $489,555 ($302 condo fee) sound reasonable for this 2 bed/2bath? Right next door a relatively new building’s 1 bed/1 bath penthouse has gone under contract for $399,000.

Progress on Building at Park and Sherman Ave, NW!

By Prince Of Petworth

This building has a been a horse’s ass award nominee for years. Thanks to a reader for sending in the update that the building’s pop up is finally starting to get bricked up. I still have no idea what the building is going to become, do any readers who live nearby happen to know? It’s great to finally see some movement here. I’ll be sure to update as progress continues.

Protest Benches Gone – Triangle Space at 14th and Oak, NW Bulldozed – Renovations Underway

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

What’s up with the little triangle shaped park at Oak and 14th? As of yesterday it’s blocked off with a chain link fence, the kind they use for construction sites.”

This is the park that had the protest benches. We spoke about the renovation plans here and here.

To see a bigger version of the rendering click here – dpr_14_oak_ogden_concept_201003

This is why we can’t have nice things Vol. 37

By Prince Of Petworth

It’s just painful to see this after so many months of construction when the road was still all shiny and new. And I know sometimes it can’t be helped but it was looking so good…

From a DDOT press release for the Thurs evening rush hour:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is advising motorists that there are road closures in Columbia Heights due to a possible gas leak. 14th Street, NW is currently closed from Newton Street to Monroe Street, and Monroe is closed between 13th and 16th Streets.

Drivers are advised to use alternator routes including 13th, 15th and 16th Streets for north and south travel, and Irving Street for eastbound travel in Columbia Heights instead of Monroe.

Washington Gas is on the scene investigating the leak, but the closures are expected to last through rush hour.”

Again, this was the scene from Thurs. evening. Hopefully it will all be cleared up by morning.

View More Stories