NoMa (Near Northeast)

Another Alleged Package Theft in Action

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to send this along as yet another advisory on package theft. I live on 4th & I St, NE, and had a package stolen at 3:29 yesterday – less than a minute after it was delivered by UPS. You can’t see the guys face, but he’s wearing a pretty bright red sweatshirt. Can you pass this along in case anyone saw anything, or at the very least as a heads up?

We’ve contacted MPD and UPS, so maybe something will come of it. The UPS delivery man even stuck the package behind our recycling bin. So it’s pretty clear the guy was just following the truck.

Thanks,
Your frustrated neighbor in NE”

About Yesterday’s Shuttle Bus Fire

By Prince Of Petworth

bus fire
Photo by Keith Krosinsky

“Dear PoPville,

Today [Tuesday] while I was walking home from work up North Capital St I witnessed smoke that started to pour out of a shuttle bus that was parked on the closed off section of the O St NE unit block. This smoke quickly turned dark black and I proceeded to phone in what was apparently a fire to 911. As I did so large flames began to emerge from the vehicle, and a number of apparently homeless people began to exit from a number of other similar shuttle buses parked nearby. One of these people thanked me for phoning in the fire but that proceeded to immediately ask if I had any money. The fire quickly engulfed the vehicle and I could feel that heat of the flames from at least 25 yards away. I just hope that no one was trapped in that bus.

I thought that it was worth writing in about this issue for a number of reasons.

I have noticed that this odd section of O St NE, which is fenced off at both ends and contains a number of apparently disused shuttle buses has become something of a squatter camp for homeless people and I have often noticed them milling about the immediate area during the evenings. This is an area near the Washington Firehouse Restaurant (somewhat ironic) and and the NOMA metro station and this block adds a particular level of blight to an area that has been improving in recent years. I don’t understand why this street is shut off, why these buses are haphazardly parked in the area and why it has been allowed to become a defacto camp for homeless people. Apparently something went wrong (to my untrained eye it appeared that an accelerant might have been involved as the fire spread extremely quickly), and this would seem to demonstrate the type of public safety hazard that squatter camps can impose.

I also wanted to bring up an issue that has been discussed on PoP recently, namely 911 call response times. My call to 911 was immediately answered (a good thing since I was apparently the first person to phone it in) and fire trucks were dispatched before the call was over. DC Fire & EMS arrived within 5 minutes of my call and quickly extinguished the fire. Not sure if the quick response time was due to it being a vehicle fire but I thought it was worth mentioning that, at least in this case, DC 911 and emergency services performed as any DC resident would hope.”

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Photo taken 7:10, Tuesday by Rob Rutledge.

Lending Library Opens at Union Station

By Prince Of Petworth

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.”

Fire at MBT Entrance on L Street, NE

By Prince Of Petworth

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.”

New Italian Restaurant, Masseria, Coming to the Old School Part of Union Market

By Prince Of Petworth

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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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Rental of the Day – NoMa/Near Northeast

By Prince Of Petworth

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.

Wunder Garten, Beer Garden, Coming to NoMa will have REI Participation

By Prince Of Petworth

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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.”

More info on Wonder Garten, Beer Garden, Coming to NoMa plus Vote for this year’s Outdoor Movies Series Themed “Dance, Dance, Dance!”

By Prince Of Petworth

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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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“Thought I’d share to commiserate, and ask if anyone else has examples of garish, shameless advertising at Metro entrances”

By Prince Of Petworth

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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?

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