Downtown

DDOT to Unveil Plans for Innovative Bike Lanes for Downtown

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user ddoubleud

From a press release:

Public Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, March 18

(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is developing innovative new bike infrastructure in the greater downtown area, to accommodate increased bicycling in the city, and to prepare for the expansion of the bikesharing program. To see the latest plans, DDOT and the Downtown and Golden Triangle Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) invite the public to attend a meeting on Thursday, March 18, at the Heritage Center of the United States Navy Memorial.

Because of the high demand for curb space, including a large number of buses and delivery trucks, DDOT has looked to other cities such as New York and Montreal for designs which both protect cyclists and accommodate other downtown activity. Based on what we found, DDOT has developed creative proposals for new bike lanes on the following streets:

· Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

· I Street, NW

· L Street, NW

· 15th Street, NW

· 9th Street, NW

More detailed plans for each street will be discussed at the meeting.

Meeting Information:

What: Public Meeting on Innovative Bike Lanes

When: Thursday, March 18, 6 pm – 8 pm

Where: The Heritage Center of the United States Navy Memorial

701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

The Heritage Center is located above the Archives/Navy Memorial Metrorail Station on the Green and Yellow lines. Also, bicycle parking will be provided for the meeting.

Hit and Run Fatality Sat. Morning at 14th and Constitution Streets, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


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From MPD:

Members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit are investigating a hit-and-run pedestrian fatality which occurred at the intersection of 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW on the morning of Saturday, March 6, 2010. They are also seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the victim and providing additionally information regarding the crash.

On Saturday, March 6, 2010, at about 6:00 am, an unidentified adult female pedestrian was struck by an unknown motor vehicle. The victim was transported by DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department personnel to the George Washington University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 6:57 am.

The victim is described as an Asian or white female, possibly in her mid thirties to early forties with dark hair, wearing a multi-colored top, black Spandex pants, Asics running shoes, several yellow metal bracelets, and a Sony CD Walkman.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIM [E] (1-888- 919-2746).

New (to Me) Maoz Vegetarian on M Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Maoz is located at 1817 M Street, NW. Their Web site says:

“Maoz Vegetarian is an international, quick service vegetarian restaurant chain, which brought to the world the delicious Maoz sandwich: FALAFEL. Our menu is strictly vegetarian and is based on simplicity, freshness and care. Our famous Maoz sandwich is home baked pita bread filled with crispy, handmade Falafel balls which are made from chickpeas, a vitamin rich legume, packed with plenty of proteins, minerals and vitamin B. The chickpeas are blended daily with fresh spices and vegetables and then fried in zero trans-fat Canola oil. All of our salads and sauces are freshly prepared every day using handpicked ingredients to assure superior quality and freshness.”

How long has this spot been open? Any fans?

Judging Restaurants – Nooshi

By Prince Of Petworth

Nooshi is located at 1120 19th Street, NW. You can take a look at their menus here. Their Web site says:

“Nooshi is showcased along with the country cooking of Southeast Asia and decor of a mix of furniture and artifacts from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. Stepping into this epicurean Asian retreat in the downtown district will transport you into the world of Eastern exotica.

The menu with a wide selection of regional Asian dishes as well as mouthwatering sushi is among the finest served in the District of Columbia area. Dishes are inventively light, low in fat, visually arresting and vividly flavored. Each dish is expertly prepared by the talented, skillful and innovative chefs using the freshest and top quality ingredients.”

So is this more of a lunch place for those that work nearby or is it a good spot for dinner as well? For the fans out there is it better for the sushi or the noodles?

Sign of the Whale Re-Opening March 10th

By Prince Of Petworth

Sign of the Whale is located at 1825 M Street, NW. I’m not sure if they’re trying to keep up with the recent upgrade of former neighbor the Madhatter but I couldn’t really tell what was different. Perhaps just the logo is changing? When I peeked inside on Sunday the place was too crowded to bother a bartender. I guess they still have 10 days to make some changes… Anyone know the scoop here?

Friday Question of the Day – Name this Future Neighborhood

By Prince Of Petworth

When walking to Chinatown last week I noticed that the old convention site is referred to by the Mayor as CityCentreDC. Who knows when this huge project will be built but whenever it does get built it’s gonna need a better name than CityCentreDC. It’s not quite Chinatown and not really Penn Quarter either. So what a great opportunity for us to name it. I know folks haven’t been happy with some recent new neighborhood names like NOMA.

So hopefully we can get something really good that will stick. Unless you like City Centre? Maybe some history buffs can nominate a name from back in the day? Any suggestions?

West Elm Closing to be Replaced by Forever 21

By Prince Of Petworth

Washington Business Journal had the scoop this morning:

“Store manager Dion Barela confirmed the impending closing Tuesday, saying the store plans to close its doors around March 15, depending on how soon it sells out of its merchandise.”

We judged the building and the store exactly a year ago. Will folks miss West Elm?

The WBJ also has the scoop on the replacement tenant – Forever 21.

I must be totally out of it because I’ve never even heard of Forever 21. Any fans out there?

Public art approved for Farragut West and Takoma Metrorail stations

By Prince Of Petworth

From a WMATA Press release:

“Metro works with community groups to select art

The Metro Board of Directors today, Feb. 18, approved two Washington-based artists’ proposals for public art that will be installed at the Farragut West and Takoma Metrorail stations in 2011.

The artwork approved for the Takoma Metrorail station is by Washington-based artist, Sam Gilliam, who is best known nationally and internationally for his color field and abstract expressionist painting and sculpture. A large abstract mosaic tile mural designed by Gilliam will be installed in the underpass of the station entrance.

For his first public art commission, artist Michael Sirvet will create a series of low-relief, botanically-inspired aluminum and light sculptures that will be installed at the east Farragut West Metrorail station entrance at 17th and I Streets, NW. His work is currently included in numerous private collections both locally and nationally.”

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