Dear PoPville,

I was walking by the Mt Pleasant library the other day, and it got me thinking: what happened to the whole hullaballoo with the Board of Zoning Adjustment and the library extension? The BZA website is silent on the issue, but the Friends of the Mt Pleasant Library claim that it will be open in “March or April” (http://www.dclibraryfriends.org/mtpleasant/category/renovation/). There still seems to be a lot of construction material on the site – does anyone in PoPville know what’s happening?

Here’s an update from DCPL:

“The exterior terracotta skin of the addition is complete and the granite water table below the terracotta is being installed. Permanent power connections have been installed and PEPCO is preparing to energize the building. The ceiling light fixtures are being installed and the skylight in the atrium between the original building and the addition is 50% complete.

As we move forward we will be able to announce an expected opening date.”

The library is located at 3160 16th Street, NW. The temporary library is located at 3162 Mt. Pleasant Street, NW.


From the owners of Radius [3155 Mt Pleasant St, NW]:

Two young men, one of whom is pictured here, broke into our building and stole keys, a wallet, and a laptop from a resident around 10:00pm and then came back later (after the police came and investigated the first theft) to break into our restaurant.

They were not opportunistic – they made a beeline (muddy shoeprints outline every move they made) for both the register and the office downstairs and stole our ENTIRE safe. Fortunately, there was very little in the safe and nothing in the register so it really wasn’t worth the time they’ll spend trying to get it open but they clearly observed our building and restaurant because they were very specific in what they were looking for – didn’t take flat-screen televisions, computers, or anything else.

If anyone has any information on the man pictured, please contact us or the police.


Back in mid-Nov. we heard Mrs. Bae of Adam Express was ill and would be going to Korea for treatment. A heartbreaking note was left in the window of Adam Express, located 3211 Mt Pleasant St, NW, saying they would be closed while in Korea. Thanks to all who sent word that Adam Express has reopened. I stopped by on Sunday to get word on Mrs. Bae’s condition but they were closed. Hopefully the reopening is a good sign that all is well. If anyone knows more of Mrs. Bae’s condition please let us know. And def. stop by the store to say hi:


This rental is located at Mt Pleasant St NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Like living in a community?if so we have a large 1000sf.ft. newly renovated in- law apt in a private home on a tree lined street in Mount Pleaant, NW. Available immediately.
2BR, large eat-in kitchen with new appliances, washer/dryer, shared patio, walk to Rock Creek Park, National Zoo, Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, and Dupont, Short walk to Metro, and Tivoli, Restaurants, great farmers market outside on Saturday mornings, one block to Mt Pleasant festival. $1,750 plus electric”

$1,750 plus electric sound right for this 2 bed?


This rental is located at 17th and Park Rd, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

Hardwood floors throughout. Full dining room, living room and updated kitchen w/tile floors, dishwasher, disposal, breakfast nook, more. Bath includes claw-foot tub and huge skylights. Sizable unfinished basement with full laundry as well as attic storage space.
– Lovely English Garden-style fenced in backyard.
– Includes 1 car off-street parking.
– 4 blocks from Columbia Heights Metro (Target, BB&Beyond, Five Guys and more) plus easy access to Zoo, Cleveland Park, Rock Creek Park and 16th St.
– Go here for pictures: http://mtpleasanthouse.webs.com/

$3300 sound right for this 3 bed?



Photo by PoPville flickr user AaronLeavy

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to let you know about a strange occurrence over the last 2 days in my neighborhood. My girlfriends car has been broken into twice in the last 3 days. On late Sunday/early Monday somebody smashed her back windshield and took a coat, but nothing else (although they clearly rummaged around the glove box area). This happened, according to google earth, at 1638 meridian place. Then, late last night (sometime before 5 45 am when she left to drive to her job at a hospital) someone shattered entered through the back right passenger door. Nothing was stolen this time (which is odd given that there was a GPS, but it was hidden under a seat luckily, just by chance). This happened no more than 50 yards away from the original break in – this time her car was parked on 16th about 20 feet from the intersection of 16th and Meridian place.

I’ve lived here for over a year and never had any problems like this, and I see broken car glass maybe once every few months. Have you been hearing anything about this increasing in occurrence recently? The police came and took photos and tried to lift some fingerprints as they think it might be the same person.”

I have been hearing about a rise in car break ins. So just a reminder to never leave anything in your car even if you think it has no value like a jacket or bag of gym clothes. It’s a pain in the ass but better than replacing broken glass.

Another reader writes:

“I live in Mount Pleasant and was hoping you could pass along some information in regards to the increase in break-ins in Mount Pleasant. Around 4:30 this morning, as I was walking down my stairs to grab a glass of water I saw a man on my porch in all black, with a black cap. Unfortunately, he must have noticed me before I noticed him because he was already running down my stairs and to the street before I made it to the door. No windows were broken, the door doesn’t appear to be tampered with, but I just wanted to get the word out about it so people in the neighborhood can be on alert. If you could possibly post something, it would be appreciated, just want to make sure everyone in my neighborhood stays safe! And it has not been reported to the police yet, but I do plan on calling them after work today.”

Ed. Note: No need to attack this reader – I told them they should always call the police immediately in situations like this. They agree, and have since alerted police.


“Dear PoPville,

It was really touching to read people’s response to the news of Adam Express’ closing due to Mrs. Bae health. So, we hung a little notepad on the restaurant’s door (protected from the rain in a ziplock bag), so that people in the community can share their words of support and encouragement. People can swing by Adam Express and use the notepad provided or leave a card of their own.”


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