Mount Pleasant

Good Deal or Not? “sense of spaciousness & serenity” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 3155 19th St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Big + Beautiful. Grand, light-filled main hse w 1BR+Den LL Unit w CofO. 3 sunny exposures & side bay windows. Corner lot. Landscaped gardens, lawn & patio evoke sense of spaciousness & serenity. Orig woodwork & upgraded interior. Large rooms. This home’s 4 entertaining! Finished attic = Large bonus rm! Just blocks away: MtP Lib, Zoo, Target, Farmer’s Mkt, Great dining.”

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

Ed. Note: I went with some pretty expensive homes this week but as always if you think you’ve spotted some good deals around town send me an email at princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com

Here’s another one that I’ve become smitten with. And it’s not even technically house porn (under $1 million)… What’s your favorite part? It’s yours for $985,000.

ANC Rep Replies to Controversy Surrounding the $242k for Streetscape Improvements

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user ewilfong

As promised in yesterday’s post here is an individual ANC’s perspective on the controversy:

“I’m one of the two ANC commissioners cited by Adam Hoey in his complaint that funds for the Main Street TEG grant might be “diverted by a possible resolution from ANC1D Commissioners Edwards and McKay”. It’s important to note that no such resolution has been offered, and if the ANC simply does nothing, the grant will proceed.

Consider what would be purchased with this $242,000 expenditure. Up-lighting of some trees in Lamont Park. “Festoon lights” hung across the street. Painting the streetlight poles black. A mid-block pedestrian crosswalk (which DDOT won’t do, that being an unsafe crossing location). Bike “sharrows”. Some trees, locations uncertain. Nicer benches (our homeless-shelter folks, who spend their days in this park, will no doubt be pleased). The “park tables” would be nice, and correspond to an ANC resolution calling for such tables, but are not part of the proposal as submitted to DDOT, and have not heretofore been mentioned.

Will any of this make any real difference? Mount Pleasant Street is having a tough time lately, in part because many Mount Pleasant residents prefer to do their shopping and restauranting elsewhere. I could go on at great length about the problems on the Street, and what we might do to reverse the decline of what some residents call “Mount Unpleasant Street”. But what’s clear is that small steps, like the cosmetic changes proposed by Main Street, will accomplish little. Surely that $241,000 of taxpayer money could be better spent. I don’t support wasteful uses of public funds, even if opposing waste causes those funds to go to some other DC neighborhood.

The Main Street effort got off to a bad start, as the ANC in July, 2009, failed (on a 3 to 3 vote) to pass a resolution of support for their proposal, only to have Main Street falsely claim in its proposal to DDOT that it had “received ANC support for moving forward with the application”. No, it hadn’t, as we wanted to see more detail about exactly what was being proposed. As for Historic Mount Pleasant, the president has this to say: “I think a line-by-line discussion of the proposal is essential. . . . If they spend this on second and third priority stuff, then my concern is that our real priorities — like new street lamps — will be pushed even further down the budgetary wait list.”

Mount Pleasant Street needs, and deserves, better than this. DC taxpayers deserve better than this.

I am writing, of course, as a single commissioner, and not for the ANC.

Jack McKay
ANC 1-D, Mount Pleasant, Single Member District 1D03″

Mount Pleasant Mainstreet President Says Mt. P in Jeopardy of losing $242k for Streetscape Improvements

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user ewilfong

Thanks to a reader for sending. While the following is from the Mount Pleasant Main Street, perspective I’d be happy to post the ANC perspective if they’d like to comment (I can be reached at princeofpetworth (at) gmail (dot) com). MPMS President, Adam C. Hoey, writes in the Mt. P Forum:

“In October 2009, MPMS was thrilled to learn that it won $242,000 for a Transportation Enhancement Grant (TEG) from DDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) for minor streetscape improvements to Mount Pleasant St. and Lamont Park. The TEG grant program is run annually and funding is typically $2M city-wide for small-scale streetscape improvements that meet specific needs and criteria for the enhancement of thoroughfares. Mount Pleasant is in jeopardy of losing these funds and having them diverted by a possible resolution from ANC1D Commissioners Edwards and McKay. This would be tragic. To date, money has been allocated but the project has been delayed while DDOT waits for the ANC to comment. It seems absurd that a representative or resident of our community would be willing to squander and reject federal grant funds for basic community enhancement projects awarded to a local and respected non-profit organization through a city-wide competitive process.

To get more information or voice your concern beyond this forum, you may contact me directly at [email protected]. You may also contact the ANC to express your opinion at [email protected] and/or Wilson Reynolds, Dir. of Constituent Services for Councilmember Graham’s office at [email protected].”

Lots more detail after the jump. (more…)

Fri. Afternoon Rental Option – “Columbia Heights, Mt. Pleasant” Reader Request

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 1430 Newton Street, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“2 bedroom 2 full bath, 1,000 sq ft apartment, available June 15th with all of the best amenities located in the heart of Columbia Heights. This apartment is on a quiet side street. 2 blocks from the TARGET and the METRO (8 minute walk from door to METRO), 1 block to GIANT, and all your favorite bars and restaurants (Alero, Thaitanic II, Wonderland Ballroom, the Heights, Red Rocks, Meridian Pint). Walk to Rock Creek Park, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle and Mt. Pleasant. Secure parking available directly across the street.

2 large bedrooms, 2 large marble full baths, kitchen, living room and dining area, custom Hunter Douglas window blinds, hardwood floors, crown molding, recess lighting, stainless steel appliances (refrig, dishwasher, stove, microwave), custom cabinets, washer/dryer, beautifully restored exposed brick walls, central A/C and heating, security suite (alarm system, video intercom system), wired for high speed Internet and Comcast cable. Utilities included: private trash pickup and heat.”

Does $2800 sound reasonable for this 2 bed/2 bath?

MtP Farmers’ Market: May 22 – Spring Vegetable Soup

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr reader Charles

This email about this week’s Mt. Pleasant’s Farmers Market sounds delicious!

From the Market Director, Mrs. Higgins, of the Farmers’ Market:

Half from my garden, half from the farmers’ market, and some help from the Iberian Peninsula – I barely have to shop in stores anymore! Saute in Spanish olive oil: spring onions cut fine, garlic, cubed golden turnips and a potato, turnip greens, chard stems, and asparagus. Add homemade chicken stock, Portuguese sea salt, and 3 kinds of thyme: Caitlin Reid sold me lime thyme, lemon thyme, and German thyme two years ago and they’re still thriving in my front yard. You are making your own chicken stock from the whole chickens at Groff’s Content, right? Don’t throw away that carcass! Put it in the freezer and wait ’til you’ve collected a month’s worth of bones – bonus items are leek tops, onion skins, carrots and celery (I scavenge these from half-eaten school lunches on field trips). Then put it all in your biggest pot, cover with filtered water, add a splash of vinegar, boil, skim any scum from the surface, simmer for 24 hours. I let it cool then freeze it in quart containers. Okay, I have no idea where the vinegar is from. The beer was from Vermont – sorry, I forgot that step: crack a Magic Hat #9 while simmering the soup. Serve with big hunks of Atwater’s rye bread.

Tons of salad greens! Enjoy the tender perfect lettuces of spring while you can. Mike Burner of Smallwood’s has plans for sturdier and bolt resistant lettuces throughout the summer, but there’s nothing like these early months for downright juicy lettuce!

Some folks were asking me about seafood, but I haven’t yet found a small, local fisher willing to take on a whole day of market. But if you’re interested in oysters, let me know and I’ll get you in on my source for Chesapeake Bay oysters, delivered by Circle C Oyster Ranch of South Maryland to various drop points in the city. I pick up mine on Thursdays in Brookland. The season is hot right now, they are one of those super foods, and you’d be surprised how many a game 5 year old can put away. If you’re really, really interested, like right away, you should be able to place an order for Memorial Day Weekend and maybe I can help you with pickup or delivery. How many oysters can an Xtracycle carry? Jumbos, Larges, and Mediums seem to be what’s available right now, great for grilling.

Speaking of scavenging, keep your eyes out for the telltale purple sidewalk stains from the ripening berries of mulberry trees. Tiny, black berries come off the branch with a light tug, sweet and strange and free! We ate gobs of them yesterday off the tree in front of the PG Pool, the funnest pool of the summer, in Mt Pleasant’s sister city, Mt Rainier, MD. Worth the commute.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Sangria Café by Tony

By Prince Of Petworth

Tony runs the blog goodenoughgatsby and last contributed to PoP in a post about life in the Woodner. We judged the Sangria Cafe back in July ’09.

Controversy swirls around the Sangria Cafe, a restaurant and bar in the lobby of the Woodner, (3636 16th St NW) the apartment building I call home. Based on some of the comments I get when I mention Sangria, many people think it is home to nothing but sots and stumblebums and MS-13. I have lived at the Woodner for a little over six months now, and I am surprised every day at some of the incidents. But every day, with the exception of Monday nights, the Sangria Cafe opens its doors to residents and outsiders alike.

Most nights only a handful of people are at the bar, ordering beer or food. Patrons filter in and out. A pair of tiny televisions dating to the early Clinton administration hangs on either side of the black formica bar, silently broadcasting subtitles and plots and subplots of telenovelas. A jukebox in the corner blares the sounds of drums and trumpets across a pool table, past the wooden tables, and out the giant windows into the Woodner’s main corridor. At the front of the place, a pair of bull’s horns sits atop a chest of drawers. A sign, written in Spanish and posted near the men’s restroom, suggests the barest hint of sordidity, advising patrons that the sale and use of illegal drugs is prohibited and the Sangria Cafe’s management will eject violators, as well as notify the police. “El que avisa no es traidor,” the sign admonishes. The one who informs is not a traitor. It’s important to know where Sangria Cafe stands in the drug war.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Wed. Afternoon Rental Option – Mt. Pleasant

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located in Mt. Pleasant (I think on Newton St. near 17th St, NW or very near there):


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Studio Apt in Mount Pleasant with private courtyard entrance available June 7 in beautiful grand historic circa 1880 house. $995/ mo. Complimentary DSL and local phone service and furniture may be provided. Building contains laundry, outdoor patio, large front and rear yard. AC, tile floors, clean modern details. This 1st floor apartment is on a quiet old and safe tree lined street just off Rock Creek Park, near zoo and 50 miles of riding trails forests and waterfalls at Klingle Mill. I would not live anywhere else in the city as you have the great out doors in a hip urban setting. Near Adams Morgan, Columbia Hts, Mt Pleasant night life, coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants etc. Farmers market every Sat just 3 blocks away. 42 bus starts its run here so pick your seat on an empty bus. Also near Columbia Heights metro (green line) and catch a quick connection via bus to redline across park at Uptown theatre. Everything is walk able. One space in 5 car Garage parking available.”

I’m pretty big fan of this one (I’m positive I’ve featured it as a House of the Day before). Does $995 sound reasonable?

(Was it a) Good Deal or Not? “MBD w/ FMBA” Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 3159 Adams Mill Road, NW:


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The flier says:

“Gorgeous 3bd, 3fba overlooking the Zoo. Features Garage Pkg, New kitchen w/ Granite, SS Appl. , Break. Bar & Recessed lights. MBD w/ FMBA, Hdwds thru-out, 2 FP, Fenced rear yd w/ Patio, Finished bsmt w/ Walk-out Stairs, 2-Zone HVAC. Amazing location in Mount Pleasant – Steps to Dining, Shops, METRO, Rock Creek Park+”

You can find more info and photos here.

Gotta love acronyms, yeah? So I know this is under contract but I’ve been eager to get a peek inside some of these cool looking homes. I thought some of you would enjoy the photos as well. I’m def. not disappointed and can see why it is already under contract. I am curious what you guys think about the asking price of $735,000 – does that surprise you? Seem high, low or about right?

Mt. Pleasant Street Restaurant News

By Prince Of Petworth

Haydee’s located at 3102 Mt. Pleasant Street, NW has applied for sidewalk seating. I say the more outdoor seating the better.

And I just wanted to give props to some new signage from the Dons that has sprouted up (relatively) recently: (more…)

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