SW Waterfront

Check Out Some New Renderings for the Museum of the Bible Coming to SW in 2017

By Prince Of Petworth

4th and D Streets – revised to include “open” loading doors and open framed canopy
Renderings courtesy of Museum of the Bible and SMITHGROUPJJR

Thanks to ANC Rep Rachel Reilly Carroll for sharing a presentation with these new renderings. Museum of the Bible‘s website says:

“Museum of the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to invite people to engage with the Bible through four primary activities: traveling exhibits of biblical artifacts from The Green Collection, academic research conducted through the Green Scholars Initiative, a yet-to-be-named international museum opening in 2017 in Washington, D.C., and an elective Bible curriculum for high school students.”

and from Wikipedia:

“In July 2012, The Green Collection announced the purchase of the Washington Design Center in D.C. for a reported $50 million to house the as-yet-unnamed national Bible museum. To be located two blocks from the National Mall at 300 D Street SW, near the Federal Center SW Metro station. The museum will reportedly charge admission, as do other private museums in Washington, such as the National Building Museum, the International Spy Museum, and the Newseum.”

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4th and D Street, SW

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More renderings after the jump. (more…)

Mayor Gray Announces Completion of Soccer Stadium Deal in Buzzard Point

By Prince Of Petworth

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1st and R Street, SW

From a press release:

“Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced that the District has reached final business terms with Major League Soccer’s D.C. United for a new 20-25,000-seat stadium in the Buzzard Point neighborhood of Southwest Washington, D.C. The legislation was delivered to the D.C. Council for approval. The District now controls approximately 88 percent of the proposed site and has also brokered an agreement in principle for acquisition of the final parcels for full possession of the required land for the stadium.

“This is a major step forward for economic development in the District of Columbia,” said Mayor Gray. “The new soccer stadium will be the connector between developing areas around our baseball stadium and the new Wharf development along our Southwest Waterfront. The new soccer stadium is the final catalyst for what is certain to become one of the most vibrant and sustainable sports and retail districts in America.”

Last July, Mayor Gray and D.C. United announced a preliminary term sheet for a unique public-private partnership with Akridge, a real estate development firm, and PEPCO, the regional electric utility that includes a series of land transactions to support the approximately $300 million project. The development of the new soccer stadium at Buzzard Point provides an opportunity to leverage the District’s investment in Nationals Park and the South Capitol Street Bridge to transform an undeveloped and underused area into a vibrant and environmentally friendly new waterfront neighborhood.

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Frank D. Reeves Center at 14th and U Street, NW

By exchanging the Frank D. Reeves Center of Municipal Affairs with Akridge for a majority of the stadium site, this asset will be used to support the project while creating a new source of tax revenue. The plan also calls for current Reeves Center tenants as well as District agencies in leased space to relocate to a “new Reeves” municipal facility in Anacostia near the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Good Hope Road SE. (more…)

Awesome Mathew Henson Mosaic Mural

By Prince Of Petworth

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Thanks to a reader for sending this great mural mosaic in SW from the Earth Conservation Corps Center. From wikipedia:

“Matthew Alexander Henson (August 8, 1866 – March 9, 1955) was the first African-American Arctic explorer, an associate of Robert Peary on seven voyages over a period of nearly 23 years. They made six voyages and spent a total of 18 years in expeditions.[1] Henson served as a navigator and craftsman, traded with Inuit and learned their language, and was known as Peary’s “first man” for these arduous travels. During their 1909 expedition to Greenland, Henson accompanied Peary in the small party, including four Inuit men, that has been recognized as the first to reach the Geographic North Pole (although this has also been subject to dispute). Henson was invited in 1937 as a member of The Explorers Club due to his achievement and was the first African American to be accepted.

Based on research into Peary’s diary and astronomical observations, Wally Herbert, a later Arctic explorer who reached the North Pole in 1969, concluded in 1989 that Peary’s team had not reached the pole. This has been widely accepted, but some continue to dispute this conclusion.

In the late 20th century, S. Allen Counter did research about Henson’s contributions and argued for more national recognition of the explorer. By presidential order, in 1988, the remains of Henson and his wife were reinterred with a monument at Arlington National Cemetery, near that for Peary and his wife. Henson has received numerous posthumous honors since then. Counter published a 1991 book about Henson, which included material about his and Peary’s Inuit “wives” and sons.”

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The Third Annual Running of the Chihuahuas for Cinco de Mayo is Saturday

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user caroline.angelo

From a press release:

“The 3rd Annual Running of the Chihuahuas – DC’s Funniest Cinco de Mayo Celebration is Back!

When: Saturday, May 3, 2014 | 12 pm to 3 pm (rain date, May 10)
Where: Southwest Waterfront, DC- Between 6th & 7th Street
Why: A benefit for animal charities
What: Chihuahua races, food trucks, beer stand, dog contests, a family friendly FREE event!

Kick off Cinco de Mayo at the Third Annual Running of the Chihuahuas! 12pm – 3pm on Saturday, May 3rd between 6th and 7th Street on the Southwest Waterfront. $500 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the speediest dogs! 96 dogs raced in 2013!

Don’t have a Chihuahua? You can still take part in the excitement with all breed contests for best dressed dog and best trick! Music, food, water and beverages will be on site, plus fun stuff from DC’s pet friendly businesses.

Deadline to register your dog to race is Friday, May 2nd, walkups on race day accepted until all spots are full. $20 per dog to race. This is a family-friendly, admission-free event, but you must be 21+ to drink beer. All race fees will be donated to animal charities – PAWS of Southwest and Washington Animal Rescue League. To enter and for more information, visit www.ontaponline.com/race!”

Phillips Flagship Restaurant in SW Closing April 28th

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

I went to the Maine Avenue Wharf to get some fresh scallops for the weekend and found out the Century old Phillips Flagship Crab Deck Restaurant founded in 1914 at 900 Water Street closes Monday April 28 to make way for the huge Wharf development on the SW waterfront.”

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Ed. Note: We looked at a final farewell to the nearby Channel Inn’s Engine Room earlier this month.

Final Farewell to Channel Inn’s Engine Room in SW Waterfront

By Prince Of Petworth

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All photos by PoPville flickr user Beau Finley

Thanks to Beau Finley for sending the final word and photos:

“Saturday was rather surreal. Some friends and I went to the Engine Room to bid it goodbye. Little did we know an official “Goodbye, Engine Room” event was planned for the night. It was a “Celebration of the Legacy” of the Engine Room, Pier 7, and the Channel Inn, hosted by Tommy Wells. The Channel Inn opened in the 1970s [650 Water Street, SW]. The boat owners at Gangplank Marina frequently stayed at the hotel to avoid being on their boats during winter storms. Several politicians routinely visited, including Tommy Wells (hosted monthly office hours at the coffee shop) and Dante B. Fascell (Florida Congressman who chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee for awhile). The night began with speeches, turned to dancing and reminiscences among regulars. I felt a bit like a cultural tourist at that point, and took off.

From the official program for Saturday’s festivities:
“Customers of the Engine Room lounge are legendary in their devotion. There are a few who have visited regularly during the week over the entire time is has been open. Many more have attended regularly for at least twenty or thirty of those years. During the year, hundreds of out of town business professionals and family of local residents schedule a visit to the lounge during their time in town. From the beginning, the lounge has had a live band perform for the entire evening on weekends and a midweek night, with no cover charge of drink minimum. Twice weekly, there is an Open Mike night, giving opportunity for local musical artists to perform before a public audience for exposure and experience…”

The event was great, with a champagne toast to Manny and his wife Alma and to the joint itself.

The hotel closes at the end of April. The bar closed last night.”

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the inside, empty, Thursday evening (though the bar was crowded)

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Many regulars

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Manny Fernandez bidding farewell

Mon. Afternoon Rental Option – SW Waterfront

By Prince Of Petworth

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This rental is located at 429 N Street, SW. The listing says:

“Jr 1 Bedroom w/ renovated kitchen, updated bath, bamboo floors, built in office nook, extra storage w/ balc. Monument and winter water views. Available April 1st for mo to mo or longer lease. Small potty trained pets Ok – No Smoking. Shared laundry facilities, 2 gyms and pool. One block to Metro, Safeway, Starbucks, restaurants and Cantina Marina. Rental parking avail. Some furn. can stay.”

You can see more photos here.

This 1 bed/1 bath is going for $1,650/Mo.

2014 Cherry Blast – Sat. March 29th

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

“The sixth annual Cherry Blast: Art + Music Dance Party is Saturday, March 29 from 7:00pm-midnight at BLIND WHINO: SW Arts Club, a dedicated art space in Southwest Washington, DC (734 1st Street, SW). Blind Whino, formerly a church, is now a contemporary dedicated art space – the perfect setting for this multimedia, multisensory event. The National Cherry Blossom Festival partners with Art Whino for visual programming throughout the night. Art Whino curates a massive group art show featuring over 300 cherry blossom-inspired pieces, all available for purchase. A special Washington Project for the Arts exhibit showcases work inspired by the Festival. The microWave project curates 3-D art installations artists throughout the space. Performance artists, bands, and DJs keep the party going into the night.

Saturday, March 29th, from 7pm – Midnight

Location:
BLIND WHINO:Sw Arts Club
734 1st Street, SW

Tickets:
Tickets are $15 in advance for this 21-and-over event, and $20 at the door.
Tickets on sale now.”

More Renderings of The Wharf Development coming to SW Waterfront

By Prince Of Petworth

Following yesterday’s groundbreaking check out some more awesome renderings via The Wharf:

“The Wharf is a 24-acre world-class, mixed-use community along one mile of prime waterfront real estate and includes more than 50 acres of water in Southwest Washington, D.C. The 3.2 million square feet of buildable area will be transformed into one of the most exciting, master-planned, urban waterfront environments in the world.”

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