This apartment is located at 1323 Clifton Street NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Beautiful 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo available for one year lease in a recently renovated upscale building. Security features include an alarm monitoring system and video entry.

The unit is lightly furnished with a couch and two chairs in the living room, and tv; dresser and queen bed in the bedroom. It features ample storage and a balcony overlooking the courtyard. There is also access to a small roof deck.

There are hardwood floors in the living spaces and carpet in the bedroom. The contemporary kitchen features marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a dishwasher. There is also a washer/dryer in the unit.”

More photos here. Does $1600 sound reasonable?


This apartment is located at 3636 16th St NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Just walking distance from Columbia Heights. We also offer a free shuttle service to and from the Van Ness UDC metro.

Grocery store, doctor, daycare, dentist, dry cleaning, DVD rental, restaurant and bar and much more!!

With the free rooftop fitness center and resort style heated pool, there isn’t much more you could ask for…

Our community is perfect for you! Call 202-328-2822 today and make an appointment with Phillip to come experience the Woodner!”

Wow, I didn’t know they had a pool! Does $875 for this studio sound reasonable?


“Dear PoP,

Could you do some investigating on the big empty holes in the ground (surrounded by orange fencing) in front of Giant and Sticky Fingers on Park Road? They have become make-shift trash dumps. They appear to be designed as future flower beds or something but for now, they are complete eyesores.”

I think they are supposed to plant trees there. But you can find all sorts of great information on the Columbia Heights Streetscape Web site here. It lists all the projects and the time lines. Really a must visit Web site for those that live in the area or are just curious about the project.


Yesterday I asked how people get curb cuts on new construction. Today, I’d like to ask how folks get permission to build pop ups this tall. We’ve judged these buildings on Monroe Street, NW (just west of 14th) before but I’m curious about the one in the middle. I’d imagine the owner(s) has to be pissed being squashed between two big pop ups like this. Can these be built simply by applying for a permit?


“Dear PoP,

I purchased a 2 bedroom condo last week at Holmead Place and Newton Street in Columbia Heights with the plan of renting it out. It is in a 4 unit building that was completely renovated in 2006 and I just repainted and fixed up everything in my unit. It has 2 full bathrooms, 10 foot ceilings, W/D, tandem parking space (2 cars can fit), private deck, W/D, tiled shower/tub, requisite stainless steel appliances, and a huge granite counter. The location is perfect in CH — 3-4 blocks to everything.


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here is the slide show.
http://picasaweb.google.com/fjordlevy/20091HolmeadPlace#

Any ideas on what it should rent for? I have seen 1 bedrooms listed as high as $2100 and my wife rents out her 1 bedroom for $1800 at 15th and Fuller. Based on the rents that I am seeing, it seems like an attractive price is $2200. It is completely vacant and ready to go so I don’t want it to sit on the market too long. I am surprised that there isn’t more of a premium on two bedrooms as they can be used by roommates, couples, and wealthier singles. Do you think that high flying singles just look at 1 bedrooms and skip over the two bedroom options? From the prices that I am seeing, it seems like you could get much more for your money by renting a two bedroom.”

Hmm, I’m thinking you could probably ask $2400 for a 2 bedroom and parking at this location. What do you guys think? Are 2 bedrooms harder to rent out than 1 bedrooms?


From an email:

“Police Chief Cathy Lanier and City Councilman Jim Graham will be among a 10-member panel discussing criminal justice issues Monday during a forum hosted by the Northwest Columbia Heights Community Association. The forum, being held at St. Stephens Church at 1525 Newton St. NW, begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be hosted by Sam Ford of ABC 7 News. The public and media are encouraged to attend. A full list of speakers follows. For more information or to RSVP, email [email protected].”

Full press release after the jump. (more…)


“Dear PoP,

What is the building on the east side of Sherman Ave NW at Park? It has a cutout of a red rooster on a weathervane over the door. Normally I don’t have a problem identifying the local cock in my neighborhood, but this one eludes me a bit.

On an unrelated note, does anyone know if there is anything to be done about random car alarms going off? I live at Iowa and Arkansas NW and for the past two nights, from 1:30am or so until 8am a car alarm goes off for about 20 seconds every 30 or 45 minutes. Is anyone else hearing this? Aside from a sledgehammer is there anything one can do?”

For car alarms we had a lengthy discussion here.

The building at Sherman and Park comes up in a Dear PoP every year or so.

I learned they have a great Web site that says:

“NationHouse was founded in July 1974 in Washington, D. C. NationHouse grew out of the student activism of Howard University community in the late 1960s.

We are one of the oldest independent Afrikan centered schools in the United States and in the DC metropolitan area serving the specific needs of children of Afrikan heritage from pre-school to twelfth grade. Today, NationHouse continues to serve families in the development and enculturation of responsible youth who are committed to their families, their community and their Afrikan culture/heritage.

Currently, NationHouse maintains three fully functioning programs. Watoto School, serving pre-kindergarten through fourth grade students and Sankofa Institute, for fifth through twelfth grade students, are the major programs. The Afrikan Youth Organization (AYO) provides after school activities for students.

Our graduates from Sankofa Institute, eighth grade and twelfth grade have gone on to be successful students at their matriculating high schools and colleges respectively. Amongst our alumni, we have, successful mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, doctors, future lawyers, teachers, musicians who have graduated at the top of their class…. Our graduates have attended B. Banneker H.S., Howard University, U.D.C., Hampton University, Spelman, Morgan State University, Coppin State, Cheney State University, etc…

True to its dedication to the preservation and transfer of Afrikan heritage, NationHouse has counted within its community families from all over Afrika and the diaspora; from Ethiopia, Azania, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Liberia and Gambia; the Virgin Islands, Trinidad and Jamaica; from Los Angeles to Miami, New Haven to Chicago and back again; from Anacostia and the Gold Coast, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia; and from all economic strata – professionals, students, and the unemployed. The common thread has been conscious will to protect, preserve and transmit our unique cultural heritage to our children and the broader world community.”



Photo by PoPville flickr user Wayan Vota

“Dear PoP,

My parents are driving down to visit for a couple weeks and have already used up my DC 2 week guest parking permit. I’m wondering where the best place would be for them to park their car. I live near the CH metro and I thought they could just park in the Target garage on weekdays but this would add up fast at $20 a day. They would want to use their car a few times and aren’t savvy with metro travel yet, so leaving it way out at the end of a metro line would be less desirable. Any suggestions for medium term parking that’s not too expensive and is nearby?”

I don’t know how kosher this is but do you have any roomates or friends you could ask for their 2 week guest parking permit? Do you guys know of any medium term parking for a reasonable price? Or would you suggest some unzoned street parking?


This home is located at 1218 Girard Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“2 Brand new units! 2 lvls each w/ 3 spacious BRs & 3 BAs, modern kitchens w/ marble cntrs, custom cherry/espresso cabs, SS apps, bamboo hdwds, beautiful limestone baths, walk-in closets, built in sound system w/ IPOD docking stations, gas fireplcs, parking & decks off every floor! 1-$565,000 (model unit), 2-$635,000. Seller selects closing co.”

You can find more info and photos here.

I haven’t seen a three bedroom unit in a while. What do you think of the condo itself? Does $565,000 sound reasonable?


“Dear PoP,

The plight of the park at 11th and Monroe, NW continues. Despite the mayor’s pledge at a public community meeting that there were funds to renovate the “drunk park”, these funds have disappeared and have been shifted somewhere else. Why does the city continue to turn its back on the citizens of Columbia Heights? Drunks and children don’t mix. It’s just a matter of time before real tragedy happens in that park. Friends of POP: please contact the mayor’s office and let them know “no more drunk park.”

The emails for contacting the mayor’s office are:  [email protected] and [email protected]

We’ve been discussing issues with this park for a few years now. Does anyone think that issues with the park have improved over the past few years?


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