Shaw

Friday Question of the Day – Do You Like the Idea of a “Griffith Market” at 965 Florida Ave, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

MRP and Ellis Griffith Market 5.13
Click to enlarge New Rendering via Ellis Development

From a press release:

MRP Realty and Ellis Development Group have teamed with Fundrise, a local, online platform that uses technology to create a new model for real estate investment centered on crowdsourcing, to offer the public the opportunity to invest in their next development, The Griffith, located at 965 Florida Ave, NW. The Griffith is a mixed-use development consisting of approximately 370,000 square feet, including 40,000 square feet of ground floor retail and residential units above. The Griffith title is in homage to the old Griffith Stadium that was located between Georgia Avenue and 5th Street from 1911 – 1965. The development parcel is currently being sold through the District of Columbia Deputy Mayor’s office, and MRP’s proposal has been selected to be in the best and final round.

Ground floor retail of the development will include Griffith Market, designed as an indoor farmers’ market that allows small and independent grocers, operators, and retail entrepreneurs to set up inside the building and serve the general public in a creative and affordable manner, thereby creating an urban village that is authentic to the culture of Shaw and LeDroit Park. It is intended to compliment, not diminish, the high end, large scale grocery store planned for the Howard Town Center. More importantly, Griffith Market is intended to provide food and retail options that serve the immediate neighborhoods of the community while also serving as a destination for residents throughout the City.

Ed. Note: In late April we looked at the Ellis and competing JBG proposals for 965 Florida Ave, NW. A winner has not yet been selected.

I’m curious what folks think about the proposed Griffith Market. Do you think it will work well in that location? Do you think it can serve the public in an “affordable manner”? Would you invest in something like that?

Progress at New Tavern Coming to 645 Florida Ave, NW in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

645_florida_ave
645 Florida Ave, NW

Florida Ave week continues with 645. Back in Oct. 2011 we learned a new tavern called Inception was coming to 645 Florida Ave, NW in the former “we buy gold”/pawnshop space. At that time the liquor license application said:

“New Tavern. Tavern/Pub style menu. Live entertainment including DJ and occasional live music and dancing. Occupancy load is 399. Summer Garden 100 seats and Sidewalk Café 35 seats.”

I had forgot about the plans until I was walking by last weekend and noticed the outside was looking nice. It also looks like a little bar has been set up on the right hand of the building (though it appears walled off from the left hand side.) So, I’m not sure how this could possible fit 399 unless it connects next door and upstairs?

645_florida_ave_bar

Anyway, in addition to the outside getting fixed up, late last month they applied for their sidewalk cafe under the name Brilliant LLC. Stay tuned:

645_florida_ave_brilliant_sidewalk_cafe

New Thai and Asian Tavern, Ching, Coming to Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

Ching_thai_restaurant
639 Florida Avenue, NW

More news for Florida Ave – A new Thai and Asian tavern, Ching, is coming to 639 Florida Ave, NW. From the liquor license posted out front:

“Tavern serving Thai and Asian cuisine on hot top grills with a seating capacity of 150. Total occupancy load of 199. Entertainment consists of occasional DJ and live music. Summer Garden with 30 seats (subject to change based on final Certificate of Occupancy for Summer Garden).”

Ching_asian_restaurant
Looking towards 7th/Georgia Ave

New Restaurant, Meat & Foods, Coming to 247 Florida Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Meat & Foods_ledroit_park
247 Florida Avenue, NW

Well this might be the best new name (following in the footsteps of Seafood & Crab) for a restaurant I’ve seen – Meat & Foods. A recent liquor license posted out front says:

“Neighborhood restaurant serving house made sausages, sides, coffee and beverages with seating capacity for 12 patrons and total occupancy load of 12. Sidewalk café with 4 seats.”

Sounds promising. Also nice to see this long vacant retail space finally get filled. Revitalization of Florida Ave continues forward.

Meat & Foods_bloomingdale

Italy Pizza Closes in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

italy_pizza_shaw
634 Florida Ave, NW

Dear PoPville,

Any word on the Italy Pizza on Florida ave (next to the now for lease capoeira place)? They have been closed for at least a couple days and the sign has been taken down.

While their website is still live, their phone has been disconnected. Anyone know if they plan on reopening in a new space?

italy_pizza_shaw

Update From a reader who knows the owners:

“They are going to take the summer off and regroup in the fall. As far as I know the space (and the one beside it) are still available for lease from the landlord.”

Italy Pizza in happier times – Feb. 2012:

Italy_pizza

Shooting and Stabbing in Shaw Friday Night

By Prince Of Petworth


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From MPD:

At approximately 12:58 A.M., members of the Metropolitan Police Department responded to a call for a stabbing in the 1600 block of 6th Street, NW.

Upon arriving on the scene, a adult male was found nearby suffering from multiple stab wounds to his torso and arm. Further investigation revealed that two suspects were involved in the attack. One suspect stabbed the victim with a knife, while the other suspect reportedly served as a lookout. The victim was transported to a local area hospital for treatment.

Anyone with additional information regarding this offense is asked to call the Metropolitan Police Department on (202) 727-9099.

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On April 26, at approximately 11:34 PM, members of the Metropolitan Police Department responded to a call for a shooting in the 600 block of N Street, NW. When the officers arrived on the scene, they found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg. Multiple shots had been fired at the victim by unknown assailants. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Anyone with information realting to this incident is urged to contact 202-727-9099, or the Third District Detective’s office at 673-6917 or 673-6918.

Shaw 42 Developers, LLC Chosen to Develop Parcel 42 at 7th and Rhode Island Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Screen Shot 2013-04-25 at 8.40.28 AM

And in other big development news – Shaw’s Parcel 42 [1707 7th Street NW] has selected Shaw 42 Developers, LLC to develop the lot. From ANC Commissioner Kevin Chappel:

The Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) has select the Shaw 42 Developers, LLC, a joint venture between TenSquare and the Chapman Development Group to develop Parcel 42. The Shaw 42 Developers’ proposal was most attractive to DMPED because they were the only developers to offer the city a 99 year ground lease, which means after 99 years, the land and the building on Parcel 42 will revert back to the ownership and control of the city government unless and new lease is negotiated and agreed to by the city and the developers.

The proposal detailed the plans:

Shaw 42 Developers proposes 7 floors of approximately 15 residential units each, totaling 105 apartment housing units. In accordance with industry best practices, the 21 units dedicated to affordable housing will be evenly distributed throughout the building on all floors and among all unit types. These units will be available solely to households having annual incomes at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI). These market rate households will join the new residents of Progression Place and CityMarket at O in patronizing local small businesses and revitalizing the 7th Street corridor in Shaw. The development program includes the construction of 104,604 gross sq ft, directly across from a Metro Station. The net leasable square footage is 78,239 sq ft of residential space. The development program is supported by up to 114 parking spaces available for both the residential and retail uses. The total development budget for the conceived project is more than $37,000,000 and requires no cash subsidy from the District. The affordable housing component is funded by the sale of 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits and the land value generated by the market rate uses.

Ed. Note: This is the parcel that became a tent camp back in July 2010.


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