I’ve been really hoping this one on the 1400 block of 12th St, NW would get fixed up but alas it hasn’t budged in ages. Therefore it gives me no pleasure to nominate this one for a horse’s ass award. It looks like it’d look great with some finishing touches.
Please send your nominations via email with a photo attached.
I’ve admired these buildings for years and was always saddened that they had fallen into disrepair. I was psyched to see both have scaffolding now. It’ll be interesting to see what happens to these great properties. Above is located at the 900 block of T St, NW just off Vermont and the one below is located behind it at the corner of 10th and Westminster, NW.
“Dear PoP,
I was wondering if you’ve seen the tent city that has popped up on the vacant plot at R and 7th, right across the street from the Shaw-Howard U Metro. It appears to be a fairly organized movement of squatters, and judging by the signs, they are protesting some aspect of land rights/affordable housing. It must have developed sometime in between Friday morning and Monday morning (judging by my walks to work). I recommend you check it out.”
I was emailed some info (including the youtube video above) and a Web site called Tent City DC that says:
“On July 10th, ONE DC members and supporters began a stand for equity in constructing a TENT CITY on Parcel 42 at 7th St NW & Rhode Island Ave NW, to to begin building an intentional community on the city-owned lot so that there can be housing and shelter in the neighborhood affordable for families making under $50,000.
ONE DC has organized for over four years to ensure that the housing development planned for Parcel 42 addressed the housing crisis faced by no-to-low-income households. Two years ago, ONE DC members believed that they had a victory with Parcel 42 – Fenty’s administration agreed to build affordable housing development, which would include 94 units with a promised $7.8 million city subsidy.”
You can find more info about the group here and here.
Do you think setting up a tent city is an appropriate way for this group to achieve their goals?
It’s been fun watching this building go up. Here’s an update from a DCPL press release:
The Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Interim Library, located at 945 Rhode Island Ave., N.W. will close Tuesday, July 13 at 5:30 pm to move to the new library which is scheduled to open on Monday, Aug. 2. The new Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library will be located at 1630 7th St. N.W., across from the Shaw Metro station.
During the transition, books from the interim and new books will be moved into the new library, catalogued and shelved; new computers, including Macs for teens will be installed and tested, copiers and other equipment will be moved to the new location and furniture and carpeting.
The new three-story library is approximately 22,000 square feet and will feature separate reading areas for adults, teens and children; a children’s program room; space for 80,000 books, DVDs, CDs and other library materials; 32 public access computers with free Wi-Fi Internet access; comfortable seating for 200 customers; large program room for up to 100 people; two 12-person conference rooms; and a vending area.
Yetenbi is located at 1925 9th St NW. I know when we speak of Ethiopian and 9th St, most people love nearby Etete. But I’m wondering about a few of the other spots on 9th St, including Yetenbi. So anyone ever check them out? Any must order dishes?
We first looked at this building back in Oct. ’08. Then we judged it back in Jan. ’09. I walk by this building at 11th and Florida Ave, NW all the time and I’ve never seen any sign of life. I know many of the units have sold, so I’m just curious – has anyone ever seen someone go inside?
Now that the building has been there a couple of years has anyone changed their mind whether they like it or not?
It’s been a couple of months since we checked in on Bella Cafe located at 900 Florida Ave, NW (near 9:30 Club). I chatted with the owner this past weekend who is now shooting for a July 4th opening but of course that depends on the final permits being issued. The inside is nearly 100% completed. It’s a bit spartan at the moment but here are a few pics to get some idea of what it’ll look like:
First floor
Second floor stage
Second floor seating and bar
I’ve been watching the progress of the new building at 11th and T Streets, NW for many months now. I was psyched to see the big chain link fence had come down. It’s looking a mere weeks away from completion. I’ll be sure to post when units go for sale, hopefully there will be a good virtual tour. But now that the fence is down and we can get a better look at the building – would you say thumbs up or down?
Thanks to Halle for the heads up about this great new mural on W Street between 11th and 12th Sts, NW.
“Dear PoP,
A new location for Mandalay (Burmese restaurant in Silver Spring, if you haven’t been, it’s great and family-owned!) is slated for a new building being built in Shaw [1501 9th St. NW].
And I had dinner at Adega Wine Cellars in Silver Spring Saturday night and our waiter said the owner is planning a new lounge in DC called the Dirty Martini – I found this website for it, but all it says is “Summer 2010” [ 1223 Connecticut Ave, NW].