Eckington

Horse’s Ass Award Nominee Getting Fixed Up at 329 Rhode Island Ave NE

By Prince Of Petworth

Below the reader, Steven Conn, details the process he took to encourage the property owners improve or sell the blighted property.

“Dear PoP,

I am just happy that the building is being returned to being a productive member of society.

1. My community members and I urge DCRA to designate the property as blighted (composed evidence with pictures, etc)
2. DCRA agrees to blight the property after my neighbors and I convinced the Board of Unsanitary and Condemned Buildings at one of their hearings.
3. The building owner panicked, and went back to previous buyers that he previously declined offers from, and asked if they were still interested (so he could sell it before he had to pay the increased, blighted taxes)
4. Before buying the building, Ramin Bassam (principal of PERS Development) reached out to neighbors and I to see if we would support an effort to get DCRA to temporarily lift the “blighted status” so he could get financing to re-develop the building (apparently banks won’t give financing for re-development of blighted buildings).
5. Neighbors and I agreed that if Ramin Bassam would agree to 1) not seek public financing keep all financing private, and not seek public financing which would bring with it Section 8 housing, etc 2) begin construction by 30SEP10, and 3) keep the previous owner from being a going concern in retail planning etc, that we would support the appeal to DCRA to temporarily lift the blighted status of the building so he could secure his financing
6. Ramin agreed to our 3 criteria, and we went forward to lobby DCRA to temporarily lift the blighted status, which they did two weeks ago (tomorrow).
7. Ramin got his financing the next day, closed on the bldg the following day, and started re-hab (first he has to clear out the debris) the following Monday!

So, it turned into a success story (so far so good), that hopefully other communities may use to abate their streets of vacant buildings owned by negligent landlords!”

Here is the article from DCmud about the new developer. Ed. Note: The article incorrectly gives me credit for the power point presentation which was submitted by Steven Conn (who wrote the above note as well).

You can see the original Horse’s Ass Award nomination here.

Fri. Afternoon Rental Option – Eckington

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at T St, NE at 3rd St, NE:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Includes cable, internet, all utilities, private laundry. Apt will is furnished with a full sized bed in one room, and 2 twin beds in the other room a pull out futon in the living room and all kitchen supplies.

Available Aug 1.

Sublet by season. Can do long term by semester, short term summer…”

Looks like this could be a good option for a couple of students? How’s the public transportation at this location? Does $2000 sound reasonable for this 2 bedroom?

Sports Bar with Belly Dancing Coming to New York Ave, NE

By Prince Of Petworth


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This is one of the more interesting new venues planning on coming soon. The new tavern, New York New York, is slated to come to 33 New York Ave, NE. Apparently this used to house a Go-Go club called Mirrors. Well a new liquor application just went up saying the space will be:

“New Tavern with Sports Bar Lounge serving sandwiches and microwave foods with
DJ, live bands, belly dancing and dancing by patrons. Seating capacity is 190. Total
occupancy load is 190.”

A sports bar with belly dancing has to be one of kind, right?

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc

By Prince Of Petworth

In real life, hipchickindc is actually the not-so-hip Suzanne Des Marais, an associate broker with Urban Pace. Voted one of the best real estate agents in DC by the Washington City Paper Readers’ Choice Poll in 2009, Suzanne is currently Chair of the DC Public Policy Committee for the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® and is President Elect of the Washington, DC Association of REALTORS®. She lives (and sells a lot of houses) in Bloomingdale, but works all over DC, with everyone from first time buyers to highly regarded developers.

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: 38 Rhode Island Ave NE

Original List Price: $450,000.

List Price at Contract: $450,000.

List Date: 04/15/2010

Days on Market: 5

Settled Sales Price: $495,000.

Settlement Date: 05/18/2010

Seller Subsidy: $0.

Bank Owned?: No

Type Of Financing: Conventional

Original GDoN is: here.

Listing is: here.

Despite being located on busy Rhode Island Avenue, this fully renovated Victorian with three levels above grade went under contract in less than a week. Listed about two weeks prior to the end of the Federal Home Buyer Tax Credit contract deadline, it sold for nearly $50,000. above list price. Granted, it is a lot of house for under $500,000., even with an unfinished basement and no off street parking.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Horse’s Ass Award (Reader Nomination)

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader wrote in suggesting this property in Eckington be nominated for this week’s horse’s ass award. The work this reader put together is incredible. He compiled all of his research in PDF format here:  329 Rhode Island Ave NE

The reader writes:

“My Eckington neighbors and I have been battling the owner of 329 Rhode Island Ave NE (a 6 story boarded up building that has stood vacant for 12+ years). It’s been on a “watchlist” since 2000 (http://www.dcwatch. com/mayor/ 000314.htm). Last year, it magically caught fire a day after it was placed on the tax sale list, and burned for 3 days since the firecrews couldn’t extinguish the tar roof. You also featured video of the blaze on your website… And now the building owner has collected his insurance money, but the building still languishes and the owner gets even more exemptions from vacant and blighted property taxes.

DCRA has been unwavering in their dedication to giving exemption after exemption to the building owner, since he always says he’s trying to renovate it, or sell it. However no work is ever done on the building, and there certainly isn’t any MLS listing the building as “for sale.”

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Traffic Safety Improvements at Intersection of New York Avenue and Florida Avenue, NE

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

As previously announced, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is making major safety improvements at one of the busiest intersections in Northeast Washington, where New York Avenue, Florida Avenue, First Street and Eckington Place meet. Now, as the next phase of construction is about to begin, DDOT will be switching the traffic patterns at the intersection. The changes are scheduled to be implemented at 9 pm on Friday, June 4, 2010, weather permitting.

After the changes are made, traffic will flow in a circular pattern around the intersection (see diagram above). Drivers and cyclists will need to pay close attention to the posted signs and lane markings.

With the new traffic patterns:

* First Street will become one way southbound from Florida Avenue to New York Avenue.

* Florida Avenue will be limited to one way traffic westbound between New York Avenue and First Street.

* Eastbound Florida Avenue traffic will be detoured to First Street. From there, drivers can go left on New York Avenue to return to Florida Avenue, or they can use the following detour from southbound First Street: left on M Street, left on Third Street right on Florida Avenue.

* Northbound First Street traffic wishing to access westbound New York or Florida Avenues will be temporarily detoured via M and Third Streets, NE.

* Southbound Eckington Place traffic will no longer be allowed to turn left on Florida Avenue. Eckington traffic will use First Street to reach New York Avenue and eastbound Florida Avenue,

The $3 million reconfiguration of the intersection is designed to improve circulation and decrease accidents. The project is scheduled to be completed in August and final traffic pattern changes will be announced at that time.

Additional information about the project is available online at dashboard.ddot.dc.gov.


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Good Deal or Not? “HOUSE SIZE CONDO” Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located on the Unit block of T Street, NE at 30 T, NE:


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The flier says:

“BRIGHT AND SUNNY HOUSE SIZE CONDO. EMBELLISHED 2-LEVEL IN 2 UNIT BUILDINBRIG. GLEAMING CHERRY HWD FLRS, HIGH END SS APPLIANCES, GRANITE COUNTERTOPS, SMASHING MASTER SUITE W/ JACUZZI TUB AND STONE VANITY TOP, LARGE DECK GREAT FOR GRILLING AND ENTERTAINING. SPIRAL STAIRCASE DOWN TO OUTSIDE OFF STR. PARKING. ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES PLUS MORE. .A MUST SEE”

You can find more info and photos here.

How do you think the renovation turned out? Does $487,000 sound reasonable for this 3 bed/2.5 bath condo? Do you think it would be significantly more expensive if it fell on the other side of North Capitol street?

Groundbreaking of Rhode Island Station on Tues.

By Prince Of Petworth

This is going to be, “a $107 million public-private mixed-use transit-oriented development that will bring a 24-7 town center development to the Rhode Island Avenue corridor in northeast Washington, D.C. Ground will be broken for 274 Class A apartments, 70,000 square feet of main street retail, and a new Metro commuter garage.”

This area of Rhode Island could definitely use some upgrades.


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Good Deal or Not? I Guess it was a Good Deal (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 38 Rhode Island Ave, NE:


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The flier says:

“True luxury living at the home of well known designer! A gem of a house and a steal at this price! Features include electronic entry system, surround sound speakers in every room, high ceilings, gourmet kitchen, two luxurious bathrooms, two fireplaces, exposed brick, views of Capitol & Monument, recessed lighting. Within steps of Metro, dining, shopping & nightlife.”

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

I normally don’t like to show houses already under contract but I decided to show this one because it was a reader request and it’s an area of DC that I don’t normally show. So firstly, what neighborhood is this exactly – Edgewood, Eckington? I think Redfin lists Brookland, which can’t be right…

Anyway, the house looks pretty amazing. Since it went under contract so quickly was $450,000 a ridiculously good deal?

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc

By Prince Of Petworth

In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia, 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 Properties: 129 U St NE

Original List Price: $229,900.

List Price at Contract: $229,900.

List Date: 12/10/2009

Days on Market: 14

Settled Sales Price: $255,000.

Settlement Date: 02/22/2010

Seller Subsidy: $10,200.

Bank Owned?: YES

Type Of Financing: FHA…looks like a 203(k), since the loan amount is significantly above the sale price

Original GDoN Post is: here.

Listing is: here.

In a city where finding a condo priced under $300,000. is a challenge, there are still several neighborhoods where an entire house can be had in that price range. Eckington, located directly east of Bloomingdale, across North Capitol Street, is one of those spots. Toward the north end of the neighborhood, the houses tend toward three bedroom porch front rowhomes built in the early 1900s. The southern part of the neighborhood has both porch front homes, as well as large bay front Victorian rowhomes. Continues after the jump. (more…)

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