Wow, these pictures are crazy. Thanks to a reader for sending:
“Cops say it was vacant, but they evacuated several other houses. Lots of people with little kids.”
What a terrible sight. Hopefully the fire didn’t spread too far.
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Columbia Heights
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Photo from PoPville flickr user Bogotron
I find these incidents particularly disturbing when they occur right in the middle of rush hour. Props to MPD (and witness) for the quick arrests.
From MPD at 5:31pm yesterday:
“At approximately 5:00 pm 3 subjects robbed a victim on the Metro Platform at 14th and Irving Streets, Northwest. Patrols unit in the area were flagged down by a witness who pointed out the alleged subjects. The three subjects were immediately stopped. 1 adult and 2 juvenile subjects were subsequently arrested for robbery.”
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In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia and Virginia, and as a real estate salesperson in Maryland. Unless specifically noted, neither she nor the company that she is affiliated with represented any of the parties or were directly involved in the transaction reported below. Unless otherwise noted, the source of information is Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS), which is the local multiple listing system. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Featured Property: 1113F Harvard St NW
Original List Price: $575,000.
List Price at Contract: $349,000. (Pricing history says $349,000. The final list reads $360,000., which is what the property settled for. My guess is that $349,000. was that sweet spot in pricing that draws multiple offers. It’s not unheard of for an agent to adjust the list to the sale price in cases where the contract ends up being higher.)
List Date: 05/30/2008
Days on Market: 282
Settled Sales Price: $360,000.
Settlement Date: 11/10//2009
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No. Seller is listed as non-owner occupant, so this may have been a rental unit.
Type Of Financing: Conventional with $72,000. Down payment (20% down)
Original GDoN Post is: here.
Recent Listing is: here.
I thought it was interesting that most of the comments from the Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post focused on the location of this property. I’d expect that the majority of buyers that I’ve recently worked with in this price range would be enthusiastic about the location, which is relatively close in to downtown. Most of the buyers that I work with tend to prefer either brand new construction or older properties with “character”, so it’s not surprising that something like this built in the late eighties had to dip a bit in price to attract attention. The mid-$300’s seems to be the appropriate pricing for these units at the moment, since there is currently another unit in this condo association that went under under contract within eight days that was listed at $355,000.
PoP posted this property as a GDoN after the unit had been reduced to $399,000. It had initially started off, back in late May of 2008, at a wishful list price of $575,000. It appears that there was an unsuccessful attempt to sell the property back in November/December 2005 in the high $400,000’s.
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When the signs went up on the 14th Street Chipotle in Columbia Heights I thought the word was out on their opening date. But I’ve been receiving a number of emails with the above sign. Thanks to all who sent emails and let’s hope the stars align!
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Well, I haven’t forgotten about the new Pho place, Nam Viet, coming to 3515 14th Street, NW. Sadly it is already December and they still haven’t opened. But if you look at the photos when I first posted there has been a lot of progress on the building itself. It is definitely looking much nicer. I haven’t seen any workers recently but hopefully I can announce their opening very soon!
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Thanks to a reader for sending this Craigslist ad for 3313 11th Street, NW:
NEWLY AVAILABLE for the right Business Concept —
850+ sq. ft storefront commercial space with 11 ft ceilings now available for rent on the super strip of 11th Street in Columbia Heights!
Bring your business to this great contemporary corridor, and nestle along side RedRocks Pizza, Wonderland, Room 11 Wine Bar, & Columbia Heights Coffee !!
Great location for restaurant / food service / bar / specialized retail featuring a huge storefront window.
$3000/month — rent will be triple net (taxes, insurance, common expenses).
Space currently includes an 8’x8′ walk-in cooler.
I’ve always wondered how much rent was for these places. So a few questions – is the rent really $9,000 a month after taxes etc? Do you think this space is big enough for a restaurant? How much do you think it would cost to fix up the space?
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“Dear PoP,
I was shocked to find out on Saturday that Sticky Fingers (on Park Road, east of 14th) is no longer offering wifi on the weekends. I imagine it’s in response to too many people ordering one cup of coffee and sitting for four hours, but it really takes away my incentive to ever go there. I am currently looking for government jobs, for which the entire application process is online. With my current 9 to 5 job, the best time for me to work on applications is on the weekend and I much prefer doing this outside of my house. I always buy more than just a cup of coffee too. It seems like the greater Columbia Heights neighborhood is desperately in need of more coffee shops/cafes that offer wifi, not fewer. I’ve been at Tryst at 11 pm on a Tuesday and it’s packed with people on their laptops. Any suggestions on a place to find wifi on the weekends? I’d also like to get other readers thoughts on the decision of Sticky Fingers, Tynan, Tryst to not offer wifi at certain times.”
When I stopped in the store they said wifi would no longer be offered on Saturdays but would still be available on Sundays. Please let me know if that’s not accurate. I happen to be a big fan of Columbia Heights Coffee on 11th between Park and Monroe. Though the spot is a bit small. Other readers have mentioned some of their favorite spots here. Since then Mid City Cafe on 14th above Miss Pixie’s also seems to be a popular spot. Please add your recommendations in the comments as well as your thoughts in general on restricting wifi use. Would you pay for wifi at a coffee shop?
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Thanks to a reader for sending these scary photos. I hope everyone is alright. He writes:
“Apparently the fire started in the basement and spread some while the FD struggled to get through the security gate. According to the next door neighbor, the owner was put on hold when she called 911 and it took her several minutes to find someone who could also call and get an immediate response. The FD got into the houses on either side of the burned rowhouse, but I don’t know if it spread.”
Three more photos after the jump. (more…)
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Photo by PoPville flickr user mediaslave
Block Captain Meeting RSVP by Sunday
Please spread the word about the next NWCHCA Neighborhood Watch Block Captains Training. If you’re interested in becoming a Block Captain, please come!
Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Time: 7:30 to 9 PM (please come by 7:15 to sign in, so that we can start on time)
Place: MPD 3D Substation, 750 Park Road NW (between Sherman and Georgia Ave)
Who Should Attend: People who want to become Neighborhood Watch Block Captains. Not sure? Please read the attached guide that describes Neighborhood Watch and Block Captain responsibilities. Businesses & Apartments: You can participate too.
Cost: Free! All are welcome, materials and refreshments are also free
RSVP: Please e-mail [email protected] to RSVP by Sunday, December 6.
We will have MPD support and participation!
PROGRAM:
Samantha Nolan, long-time Neighborhood Watch Director and MPD 2nd District Citizens Advisory Chair will conduct the training session
Topics:
* Starting and managing Neighborhood Watch programs
* Reporting crime: how to communicate effectively with police
* How communities can take back their neighborhoods by working effectively with police
* Tips for Block Captains and success stories
Samantha will be showing a brand new slide show of actual photographs taken in Columbia Heights. The photos will show real photographs of potential crime scenes. I’m sure that it will be very interesting and educational.
Jason Berry, a Columbia Heights community leader, will present a practical guide to being a Block Captain. Jason has years of experience in community organizing and will help us with the difficult work of outreach.
With the holidays coming, people are going to be busier and busier–please approach your neighbors who you know would make great Block Captains and ask that they put our training on their calendar now.
Greater DC Cares Meeting Wed.
Greater DC Cares encourages Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, U Street, and Petworth residents to attend a neighborhood meeting on December 2nd from 6:30-8:00pm at the Parkview Recreation Center, located at 693 Otis Pl NW. We will be introducing various projects that Greater DC Cares is forming in these communities, and discussing ways to increase involvement in the programs. To sign up, register at http://communitymeetingdecember2.eventbrite.com, or email Meghan at [email protected].
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From an email:
Come to Room 11 on Monday, November 30th for a celebration of Scotland’s National Holiday, St. Andrew’s Day, from 5 pm to closing. We’ll have guest tap Brooklyn Winter Ale, a Scotch-style Ale (think dark rich and malty) on
draft while it lasts. From 8:30 to 10 pm Scottish gin Hendrick’s will be offering free samples and free shoeshines! We’ll also have Scotch whiskey and cocktail specials from Compass Box and we’ll declare the winner of the Highland Bitters Scottish Cocktail Smackdown. Will the Mel Gibson (Hendrick’s Martini with house-made Highland Bitters and a house-pickled onion) or the Liam Neeson (Compass Box Asyla with sweet and dry vermouth and house-made Highland Bitters) emerge victorious? Cast your vote by ordering one then feast on some delicious Scottish food specials from Chef Ben Gilligan.Slainte Mhaith!
Dan Searing
Partner/Bar Manager
Room 11
3234 11th St NW