Lending Libary - Outside
Photo courtesy Union Station Redevelopment Corporation

From a press release:

“Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) along with Union Station Parking Garage (USPG) have announced the grand opening of the Union Station Lending Library. The library currently holds over 100 books, ranging in categories from fiction, auto-biographies, children’s literature, young adult, and more.

The library, originally inspired by the Bryant Park Reading Room in New York City, is open and available to the public at no charge. Situated in the waiting pavilion on the bus deck level of the parking garage, the lending library is open to all station visitors, but primarily targets those boarding and de-boarding the buses. The library operates on a leave-one/take-one system, and visitors are encouraged to use the books while waiting for their rides, or even to take them along on their trips. Likewise, any additions to the library from passengers are also welcomed.

The books hosted on the shelves have been donated by Better World Books, an organization whose mission is to promote and fund literacy, and donates books with every purchase made on their website BetterWorldBooks.com.”


A reader tweeted us on Monday:

“Yesterday found no more access to Metro Branch Trail @ L St bc top stairs were set on fire? Anyone know what happened?”

This morning a reader sends details via email:

“I called in the fire on the MBT steps on this past Friday night at around 10:30-10:45. From experience, it looked as though an accelerant was used, as, even though the steps are wooden, they went up in flames very quickly and were flaming in a way that indicates an accelerant. The Fire Department came in less than 2-3 minutes and worked on the fire for about five minutes before putting it out completely. I didn’t see anyone check out the scene or any DCPD/EMS arrive after.

The next morning, the stairs had been roped off with yellow caution tape, but no police or otherwise presence. The fire spread very close to the metro tracks (the grass at the top of the steps), so I was surprised to see that no one was out there checking it out. I know that some of the homeless people who sleep underneath the street bridge below sometimes sleep on the MBT bridge at night, so I’m hopeful there were no injuries.”


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1340 4th Street, NE

I’m super intrigued by this spot. The liquor license placard for Masseria says:

“Full-service restaurant serving Italian cuisine. Total Occupancy Load of 99, Summer Garden with 32 seats.”

Previously the Washington Post reported:

“Nicholas Stefanelli recently left Bibiana to open a place of his own at 1344 Fourth St. NE, in conjunction with Edens Realty Inc., the developers of the popular Union Market. The first free-standing restaurant outside the market will be called Masseria, a reference to the charming country houses, many on working farms, throughout Puglia.”

Updates when they get closer to opening, but lots of build out needs to finish first:

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Across the street from Solid Gold Inc.:

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Up the block from the old signage:

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633 M Street Northeast

This rental is located at 633 M Street, Northeast. The listing says:

“Gorgeous remodel in the New NoMa Community. 2 master suites and sitting room. Hardwood floors throughout and ceramic tile baths. Enjoy the gourmet kitchen and 4 season room adjacent to the formal dining room. Take advantage of local amenities like Union Market, Noma Row, Gallaudet & H Street Restaurants is just a stone’s throw away. Take a five minute walk to the METRO. Oh it~s so convenient !!”

633 M Street Northeast inside

You can see more photos here.

This 2 bed/2.5 bath is going for $2,900/Mo.


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150 M Street, NE

Thanks to a reader for passing on a letter sent to nearby residents from the Wunder Garten team:

“We are working with the building management to schedule a meeting to tell you more about the beer garden (Wunder Garten) we are planning to open on the vacant lot next to your building. While we are confirming the details of this meeting with the ANC and the building management, we wanted to share some information about the project with you upfront.

Over the last year, we have been working closely with the NoMa BID on creating an attractive outdoor space where neighbors and friends can meet, socialize, and enjoy food and drinks in an environment similar to popular German beer gardens—something that is currently missing in NoMa.Our plan is to place benches and tables on the rear of the lot and use decorative landscaping to create a causal and inviting atmosphere.

We will serve German and local beer, and soft drinks (no liquor will be served). A rotating lineup of DC’s most popular food trucks will provide food for our guests.

REI, NoMa’s new retail resident, will also have a presence at the beer garden, providing fun classes on recreational and outdoor actives such as bike repair workshops, camping and more.

We will work with the NoMa BID to organize a handful community events throughout the summer during which we may occasionally have live music. There will not be a cover charge or live music during regular operations.

We are looking forward to meeting you and sharing our vision with you. Just like you, we want a thriving, fun, safe and quite neighborhood. Wunder Garten is going to be a communal space that we all can be excited about. At the meeting we will give you more details about our plans to achieve this goal.”


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150 M Street, NE

Back in February we first heard NoMa was getting a beer garden. Now a bit more info from Wonder Garten’s liquor license placard:

“Food will be served from food trucks, which will be permitted on the premises. Total Occupancy Load of 300. Entertainment Endorsement with Cover Charge, dancing and possibly occasional live music.”

Hours are listed as Sunday 12pm – 10pm, Monday and Tuesday 4pm – 10pm, Wednesday and Thursday 4pm – 11pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm – 12am.

In other good NoMa news:

“The theme of this year’s NoMa Summer Screen is Dance, Dance, Dance! Please select your top 10 favorite dancing movies here.”

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“Dear PoPville,

It went up last weekend. While the sign is technically on a support pole of the same building, the entrance to this Marriott is a good 50 yards away, and the tiny arrow at the bottom doesn’t remotely help anyone find the place. It mainly serves as a big Christmasy dick move to commuters, as far as I can tell. It’s literally in the way for people coming down the stairs from the MBT, and it’s yet another layer of visual obstruction in front of the single incoming train board at that entrance. I think I’m just bummed out that it dwarfs the actual Metro pole. Thought I’d share to commiserate, and ask if anyone else has examples of garish, shameless advertising at Metro entrances. (NY Ave North Entrance)”

Think metro got paid for this?


From MPD:

“On March 26, 2015, at around 11:55PM, a citizen reported while sitting in his parked vehicle in the 600 block of M Street, Northeast, a passenger in his vehicle brandished a firearm and ordered him out of his vehicle. The citizen complied, and the subject fled in the vehicle eastbound on Florida Avenue from 6th Street, Northeast.

On today’s date at around 2:50AM, members of the Fifth District recovered the vehicle in the 3600 block of 18th Street, Northeast.

There were no injuries associated with this offense.

The case is currently being investigated by the First District Investigative Unit.”


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