Pleasant Plains

Mon. Afternoon Rental Option – Pleasant Plains

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at Girard Street at Georgia Avenue, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“HUGE ENGLISH BASEMENT — approximately 1,100 Sq. FEET

MOVE IN READY or DECEMBER 1 — Spacious studio basement apartment for one person

DETAILS:
– 6 blocks to Columbia Heights Metro or Howard University (Green/Yellow line)
– Private Entrance
– Brand new washer/dyer
– 2 petite windows for some natural lighting
– Central AC / Heat
– Private bathroom
– Vaulted lighting throughout with a dimmer in the “bedroom” area
– Closet and lots of storage
– Sorry no pets
– And walking distance to Target, Washington Sport Club, Marshall’s, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Staples, and Giant.

The basement is furnished with a large IKEA geometric bookshelf that separates the bedroom from living space, a red love seat, two end tables and a coffee table. There’s a small kitchen but no stove. The previous tenant used a counter convection oven and burners. Perfect for young professional / student!

RENT: $975 a month. $975 deposit. 6-month lease preferred but not necessary. We can do a month-to-month—I am flexible. Credit/background check ($30 application fee). Utilities are split with the main part of house. Utilities (which are separate from rent) will be for Comcast with box and remote / WIFI, gas, electric, and water which runs an average of $100 a month.”

Does $975 sound reasonable?

Pleasant Plains Workshop (Art Studio) Opens Up at 2608 Georgia Avenue NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Sorry I didn’t get to post about the Grand Opening on Sunday but I found out about it a bit too late. But it looks like this is going to be a great addition to Pleasant Plains. (This is the former home of Showoff apparel that we checked out in ’08.) According to their Web site:

Pleasant Plains Workshop is a shared studio space with a storefront that features works by its resident artists along with a rotating lineup of works and projects by other DC-based artists and designers.

Kristina Bilonick is a native Washingtonian who uses screen printing, found objects and other media to create art installations that are often interactive. She has shown her work at at local art spaces such as Transformer, Honfleur Gallery, and Civilian Art Projects. Kristina also has an ever-changing line of clothing, accessories and housewares. Her most popular items are her long ‘all over print’ cotton scarves featuring repeated prints such as marching buffalo or overlapping prints of foliage. By day, she is program director at Washington Project for the Arts.

Anthony Dihle / Fire Studio
Anthony Dihle has screen printed concert posters for local and internationally known bands such as Greenland, Exit Clov, Elvis Costello and Jay-Z. In addition to making work, he has curated multiple gallery shows at local art spaces such as Civilian Art Projects and the Athaneum, featuring works of other masterful printer-designers. Dihle also creates hand printed greeting cards and t-shirts.

I chatted briefly with Anthony who said that the storefront part will be opening on Saturdays the week after Thanksgiving.

I’ll be sure to update when special events take place.


Grand opening was smashed crowded!

Couple more shots after the jump. (more…)

DDOT Set to Start Reconstruction of Sherman Avenue

By Prince Of Petworth

From a DDOT press release on Friday:

Two Year Project Will Make Street Safer for Drivers, Cyclists and Pedestrians

(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced plans are in place to start the reconstruction of Sherman Avenue, NW. Major streetscape improvements, that will reshape Sherman Avenue as a residential street, are planned between Park Road and Florida Avenue. Construction on this two-year project will start next week with water-main utility work.

The department has worked very closely with the community on the design to ensure the construction will:

* Make Sherman Avenue feel more residential rather than a commuter route by reducing vehicular lanes to one in each direction.
* Improve pedestrian safety by widening the sidewalks to make them ADA compliant, and upgrading the wheelchair ramps and crosswalk markings.
* Make Sherman Avenue more attractive by planting trees and shrubs along the corridor, upgrading street lights and upgrading traffic signals.

“When we talk about livable streets in the coming years, we will be able to point to Sherman Avenue as a great example,” said Director Klein. “It won’t be a barren raceway prioritizing just cars anymore. It will be a beautiful, tree-lined residential street with wide sidewalks, shorter crosswalks and bike lanes in both directions. It will be safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.”

DDOT will also completely reconstruct the roadway, upgrade the DC Water pipes and improve the drainage system along Sherman Avenue. The construction is expected to be completed in late 2012.

Fri. Afternoon Rental Option – Park View/Pleasant Plains (Owner Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 6th and Lamont St, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Newly renovated 2 bedroom condo for rent on 6th and Lamont, NW. The unit includes parquet floors throughout the condo, a new w/d, a new dishwasher, a new stove/oven, and a new central heating/cooling system. With a spacious living room and even more spacious kitchen, this condo deserves a look….It is just divine! The condo is in a secure access building. Utilities are not included.

The condo is located in between the Georgia Ave and Columbia Heights train stations and near the following buses: H1/2/3/4/8, the 70s, and the 60s. It is just a 10 minute bus ride to Gallery Place/Chinatown and a 10 minute walk to the Columbia Heights Shopping area (Target, BestBuy, Giant, WSC, etc.). There is also plenty of street parking around the clock.”

Does $1350 sound reasonable for this 2 bed/1 bath?

Bruce Monroe Bid Update: 175 apts, 52 rowhomes, Burgers, Folks from Churchkey?

By Prince Of Petworth

Well that was fast but we’ve already got an update on the development bid at the old Bruce Monroe School at 3000 Georgia Ave, NW. This just got very very serious. I’d be very curious to know exactly how serious Elevation Burger and/or the folks from Churchkey are in potentially coming to the space. If true this could be huge!

WBJ’s Michael Neibauer writes:

Option A — we assume it’s the firms’ preferred option — would feature an NDC-developed mixed-use building on the eastern third of the site, comprising 88-175 apartments up to 1,000 square feet, 17,000-26,000 square feet of retail space and a community learning center. Yes! Organic Market, Neighborhood Restaurant Group (Chuchkey, Birch and Barley, Rustico, Vermilion), Elevation Burger and a hardware store are listed as potential tenants.

The western two-thirds would comprise 52 EYA-developed townhomes ranging from 1,500-2,000 square feet, each with one or two garage parking spaces.

Now if you’ll forgive me, I’m going to lay down for a few minutes before I pass out with joy…

Bid Details on Old Bruce Monroe School Plot at 3000 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who sent links. Washington Business Journal’s Michael Neibauer has the scoop:

…the bid features multi-family rental units atop street-level retail — a hardware store, perhaps, or a Yes! Organic Market — in addition to EYA-built townhouses on the western end of the 121,825-square-foot site.

Bruce Monroe was closed after the 2008 school year and subsequently razed. Graham secured $1.5 million in the fiscal 2011 budget to temporarily enhance the space with playgrounds, a tennis court, two basketball courts and parking.

…the city needs several weeks to vet the Neighborhood Development Company/EYA bid before deciding how to move ahead.

Sound like a good use of the space?

I gotta admit, every time I walk past the, now, park it makes me smile because people seem to be having such a good time. Though I haven’t forgotten that bad blood is still felt by many after the school was razed. Can YES! Organic Market save the day?

Maybe we should aim higher…?

Good Deal or Not? “Renovated Jewelbox Rowhouse” edition (Owner Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

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This home is located at 540 Hobart Place, NW:


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The flier says:

“Renovated Jewelbox Rowhouse :: Condo Alternative! 2 bedrooms and 1 full bathroom located 6 blocks to the Columbia Heights METRO. Gorgeous kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances, Porcelanosa tile and breakfast bar. Open floor plan includes warm hardwood floors. Two true bedrooms up plus a spacious full bathroom with skylight.”

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

Wow, I’m digging the kitchen. What do you think of the renovation? Does $310,555 sound reasonable for this 2 bed/1 bath row house?

Sherman Ave Streetscape Contract Awarded

By Prince Of Petworth

From Council Member Jim Graham:

“I am pleased to announce that DDOT has informed me that the contract for the reconstruction of Sherman Avenue has been awarded. As you may know, I had worked with the Mayor to insure funding for this important project in this fiscal year.

There was a pre-construction meeting with the contractor this week. The contractor is scheduled to start construction on October 18th.

There have been ongoing community meetings culminating in a final design of the streetscape. Thanks for that essential contribution!

This will provide further substantial revitalization for Ward 1, here in our east side neighborhoods.”

You can find lots more info on the Streetscape project here.

Medical Marijuana Clinics a Good Fit for Lower Georgia Ave, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

A reader forwards the issue as posed by an ANC commisioner from the Columbia Heights Listserv:

“Over the last several weeks ANC1A commissioners have been getting calls and emails from persons interested in opening Medical Marijuana Clinics in the area. One spot of interest was near Georgia Ave. and Kenyon. In general commissioners are very leary of having the first clinics open in our area, primarily because of fear they could have a negative impact on the current drug trade. The current drug trade involves both illegal drugs and prescription drugs, the clinics may spawn spinoff trade. Comparisons have been made to the methadone clinics which have impacted the area. There are also concerns about the clinics being overseen by ABRA instead of DOH, locations next to schools and etc..

There has not been much community dialogue on this issue.

William Jordan, ANC1A05”

ANC commissioner, 1A08, Cliff Valenti was able to send me the recommendation ANC1A passed at its last meeting.

“Regarding the location of dispensaries, ANC1A recommends that they be located in medical facilities such as
Washington Hospital Center. Section (g) of the law states that a dispensary or cultivation center shall not be located
within any residential district or within 300 feet of a preschool, primary or secondary school, or recreation center.
ANC1A believes that the radius in the law should be changed to 500 feet. Additionally, the rules need to state that
dispensaries:
• Are not located within 500 feet of a substance abuse treatment center.
• Are not located within 500 feet of a halfway house
• Are not located within 500 feet of a day care center”

You can read the full recommendation below:

ANC1A MM Recommendation

Cliff writes:

“I knew when this law passed that Georgia Avenue would be a contender for this “experiment”, and sure enough its the first location they have chosen for consideration. I think a more stable area, like Wisconsin Avenue, would help insure success of the program and the law. There is too much addiction, criminal behavior, and mental illness on Georgia Avenue for something new and controversial. The law is written without much consideration to the Pandora’s box it opens for law enforcement.”

What do you guys think – would lower Georgia Avenue be a good spot for a medical Marijuana dispensary? If not Georgia Ave, where do you think would be a more appropriate location?


Lower Georgia Ave at Euclid looking north

Update on Georgia and Lamont St, NW Development

By Prince Of Petworth

I forgot to post this big update from CM Jim Graham from last week:

Dear Friends, I am pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached between the Fenty administration and the developers of the Heights on Georgia Avenue that will allow the project to begin construction in the next 60 – 90 days.

The Council of the District of Columbia was also instrumental in advancing the project by passing crucial legislation I authored to provide a tax relief for the affordable housing portion of the project and to realign the public alley to the rear of the property.

The building, to built at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Lamont Street (the current site of a vacant lot and a pawn shop) will consist of a mix of 50% market rate and 50% affordable one, two and three bedroom rental units constructed on top of 10,000 square feet of neighborhood serving retail. The building will comply with The Green Community Initiatives (roughly equivalent to LEED Certified standard) and the District’s Green Building Code. It will feature an accessible green roof with fourteen different types of vegetation, photovoltaic panels, passive solar heating and cooling, a central water system and water conserving / Energy Star appliances and fixtures among many other environmentally friendly attributes.

The project is being developed by a partnership between MiCasa, Inc., a local non profit, and the Neighborhood Development Company, another locally based company. The companies have developed numerous award-winning projects in Ward 1 and the Georgia Avenue corridor.

Another solid step forward for lower Georgia Avenue…joining the senior wellness Center (opens tomorrow!), CVS, Park Place Apartments, Bruce Monroe interim Park, New Community on the way for Park Morton…

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