Columbia Heights

Portion of 13th Street Closed on Sat.

By Prince Of Petworth

Lots of folks were asking me what was going on there. This is the section of the 13th St. south of Euclid and north of Cardozo HS. Well, I saw a huge crane. I thought a house was getting demolished or something. Turns out it was just lifting a new HVAC (I think it’s HVAC) cellular phone radio cabinet onto the roof a building.

Photo of one of the tallest cranes I’ve ever seen and a close up of the HVAC unit cellular phone radio cabinet after the jump. It must way a ton because the unit is not that large but the crane is gigantic. Pretty wild. (more…)

PoP Exclusive – Chipotle Deal Sealed in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in April we learned of the possibility that Chipotle may be coming to 3113 14th Street in Columbia Heights. Well, I’m happy to report that I got official confirmation this evening from the developers (Donatelli Development) that Chipotle has signed the lease. You’ll see the “coming soon” sign in this space tomorrow. There is expected to be a build out of 3-4 months before they open. One slight change from the last speculation – this spot will not be serving wine or beer. It turns out, in DC, Chipotle will no longer seek liquor licenses for new franchises. I’m still a devotee of Taco Bell but I’m definitely psyched to have this option. The Chipotle fills out the Kenyon Square retail space. In addition they have The Heights, a drycleaner, a spa, a wine store, and a bank. Do you like this variety?

11th and Park – Watch

By Prince Of Petworth

Well, the Old Bi-Rite building slated to house Meridian Pint seems to be slowly coming along. Incidentally I noticed the following from the CH Listserv:

“I am a long standing DC restaurant/bar owner, and the Columbia Heights neighborhood is the perfect setting for my second restaurant. I am seeking potential investors to get involved in this unique business opportunity. Please contact me directly at [email protected] for all the details and information.”

I recognized the email address as the same as the owner of the soon to be Meridian Pint. I emailed John Andrade to see if he was looking for investors in Meridian Pint and to see if everything was coming along according to plan. Following is his response:

“I’m happy to say that all is well and I am still on track. I am, however, looking for a few select investors to complete my budgetary needs. As the project has evolved so too has the budget. I, therefore, am reaching out to members of the community who would like to take part in the growth of the budding 11th Street corridor. Interested parties may contact me at [email protected].”

Dear PoP – Do Columbia Height Dining Options Close Too Early?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Have you ever been frustrated that CH practically closes it’s doors at 9pm? I worked last Wednesday night and got off the metro starving at 9:10pm in CH. Everything was closed- Potbelly, Julia’s, Panda Express. I wanted something reasonably healthy and the only thing open for a quick bite was 5 guys. I disappointedly walked home hungry.

Maybe as move folks move into CH restaurants will stay open later? is 10pm too much to ask?!?!”

I suspect some folks may argue whether or not those are healthy dining options… But I’d say it’s not unusual for spots like that to close at 9pm. By 9pm I think most folks are going home, to “proper” restaurants, or bars. Of course it would be nice to have some late night options like a shawarma place. What do you guys think – do CH dining options close too early?

Good Deal or Not Revisited-PoP Always Wondered Edition by Hipchickindc

By Prince Of Petworth

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: 1300 Kenyon St NW Unit 2

Original List Price: $529,000.

List Price at Contract: $529,000.

List Date: 04/24/2009

Days on Market: 15

Settled Sales Price: $529,000.

Settlement Date: 05/22/2009

Seller Subsidy: $5000.

Bank Owned?: No.

Type Of Financing: FHA

Listing History: Purchased from the builder new in 2004 for $420,000.

Original GDoN Post is: Here.

Recent Listing is: Here. Click the main pic to see the rest of the unit.

Note that this is the second Good Deal or Not Revisited (GDoN-R) to have been active on the market for a very short period of time. This property sold at asking price with a $5000. credit toward the buyer’s closing costs. Real estate in DC is moving at a nice healthy clip as lots of buyers are taking advantage of sub-5% fixed rate mortgages and the $8000. Federal Tax Credit for first timers.

Built by Bogdan Builders, the four units in this condo originally sold in 2004. I love that the previous listing indicates the date and time that offers were due in by. For anybody that missed the insanity of the DC real estate market in 2004, people really were falling over each other to make offers on condos and they were rushing to make those deadlines. The purchase price for the brand new unit was $420,000., but remember that at that moment in time, Target was a mere giant hole in the ground. The buyer paid cash.

One thing that we see on this transaction that never would have happened in downtown DC for a new condo in 2004, is that the buyer used FHA financing. FHA allows the buyer to make a 3.5% down payment, rather than the 15% minimum now required for many conventional loan products for condos. Since none of the condos built in the early to mid-2000s needed to get FHA approval for the entire building, the lender uses a process called a spot approval to make sure the building meets certain criteria, such as a limited percentage of units owned by investors and appropriate reserve funds in place.

Don’t Forget PoP Cleanup this Saturday 10am

By Prince Of Petworth

We will be partnering with NCHCA to clean parts of Columbia Heights this month (Mt. Pleasant in June). Meet at Columbia Heights Coffee (11th between Park and Monroe) at 10am. Let’s represent!

DC Latino Festival Planning Presentation Tues May 26th

By Prince Of Petworth

Wow, a Latino Festival on 14th Street sounds like it would be awesome:

“Tivoli North Business Association

HOSTS

Fiesta DC, Inc. for a community information meeting on plans to bring the DC Latino Festival to 14th street in September 2009.  ANC1A also encourages you to attend this or a future information session to stay informed.

WHEN

Tuesday, May 26th
Community Meet and Greet at 6pm
Program starts at 6:30pm

WHERE

GALA Hispanic Theatre
3333 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20010

*This is the forth general meeting of 2009 of the TNBA which aims to engage and share information with Columbia Heights and Petworth communities.

Fiesta DC organizers are also available and welcome opportunities to share all information and present at other community organizations in Columbia Heights.   www.fiestadc.org“

Good Deal or Not? “Row House” Versus Condo Edition?

By Prince Of Petworth

These units are located at 1451 Belmont Street, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier for the “Row House” Unit 113 says:

“Very spacious 2 bedroom 2.5 bath plus den 2 level unit with private outdoor space and garage parking. 2nd garage space available for $25K. 19 large windows facing south and east and a private entrance makes it feel like a townhouse but with the benefits of a full-service bldg with doorman, AMAZING roof deck, etc. Largest unit in the bldg – sq ftg from builder.”

More info and a virtual tour found here.

The flier for the condo in Unit 419 says:

“This sought after top level unit offers a private balcony, gas fireplace, giant walk-in closest, an upgrade kitchen package which includes granite counter tops, NEW Hardwood Flrs. and much more! Assigned Garage PARKING included, Visitor parking as well! Common roof deck offers breath-taking panoramic views of the city. Courtyard with communal grills. . The amenities are endless!”

More info and a virtual tour for 419 found here.

DSCN9294

So Unit 113 is going for $609,000. Unit 419 is going for $569,900. Which do you like better? How do the prices sound?

PoP Pontificates

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by M.V. Jantzen

Well it’s been a while. Yesterday there was a post in the great H Street, NE blog, Frozen Tropics where, I feel, the author unfairly maligns Columbia Heights. I can understand her frustration but is it really necessary to make the point of defending one neighborhood by cutting on another? I can’t accept that provincial way of thinking. The author writes:

“But, to be frank, I feel safer living here than in Columbia Heights. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like I know too many people who have been robbed in Columbia Heights. And when I say robbed, I mean pistol whipped, punched, or hit in the head with a brick. None of these people were resisting. By contrast, I only know (personally) one guy who was ever violently attacked during a robbery in this area.”

I really don’t mean to start a neighborhood war here. I’m a big fan of H Street, NE (in fact I just filmed a PoPtrekker there, stay tuned). I think what makes Washington DC great is that it has many great diverse neighborhoods that each have much to offer. You know, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” and all.

Nevertheless, let me make a few points in defense of Columbia Heights. You see Columbia Heights is a huge neighborhood. And lots of people live there. So yes, there is crime. In fact I was hit in the head with a rock not too long ago. But it has in no way diminished my love for it. I mean if we’re going to use the scientific method of how many people we personally know who’ve been mugged then I’d say it’s one of the safest neighborhoods in the city. Yeah, I don’t know anyone personally who’s been mugged there. Ok, obviously I don’t think it’s the safest neighborhood in the city but just making a point.

Here at PoP we’ve often discussed that everyone has their own comfort level. I happen to feel comfortable in Columbia Heights and H Street, NE. That doesn’t mean I walk the streets at 3am with dollars sticking out of my ears and a fresh can of airplane glue. I also happen to feel comfortable on Georgia Ave. And H Street, NE reminds me a lot of Georgia Ave. (except H St. has more new restaurants). But when I was recently filming the PoPtrekker there I couldn’t help but notice how many boarded up storefronts there were. It didn’t bother me. But I can see how some people might feel uncomfortable. It is what I call gritty. Which is far different, in my mind, than unsafe. Crime is a citywide problem. It may occur on some streets more than others but it is a problem we need to battle as a city.

But like I said, I love Columbia Heights. And I love H Street, NE. No need to justify loving one by taking down the other.

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