Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80
“Dear PoPville,
I’m wondering if you could do a GDoN for parking spaces. The last one you did seems to be back 4 years ago.
I’m particularly interested in the 14 and U st area, as things have changed since the last post. I’d be curious in hearing your, and others, opinions on how much someone should expect monthly lease/rents are for parking spots in various neighborhoods.”
13th and U Street, NW
“Dear PoPville,
Any word on when JBG is planning to break ground on the 1300 U St NW site?
The company completed an HPRB review just about a year ago for an 8-story residential building with ground-level retail to replace its existing one-story building taking up most of that block. And, other than Rite Aid, all of the stores in the building (Wydown, Pizza Hut, Al Crostino, etc.) have moved to JBG’s Louis on 14th or Georgia Ave. Seems like all of their ducks are in a row, but that they’re just selling window-based ad space for DCityStyle right now instead of starting construction.”
I spoke with a worker at Rite Aid who says he hears they’ll be closing July. Washington Business Journal has reported:
“The JBG Cos. is planning to develop a 135-unit apartment project at 13th and U streets across from the U Street Metro station. JBG applied to the District in the fall of 2012 to demolish a one-story Rite-Aid at the site to make way for its planned eight-story building, which will include 15,000 square feet of retail space.”
Though UrbanTurf reported:
“Louis, a currently under-construction apartment project at 14th and U Street NW, and another project around the corner at 13th and U Street, which is in the planning stages, have been put up for sale by the busy firm.”
It’s not clear if the proposed sale will delay the construction at 13th and U but based on what the Rite Aid employee said – I’d guess we’ll see construction start around July/August. More info when it becomes available.
9th and U Street, NW
From Funk Parade:
“Come drink and raise money for Funk Parade!
The main event may only occur on May 3rd, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get down year ’round. Join us at Brixton (901 U Street,NW) on February 26th for the first of many celebratory Funk Parade happy hours, with a portion of proceeds going to fund this one-of-a-kind event.
Brixton will be offering some extra special deals including:
**$5 signature Funky Punch**
as well as $5 Boozy Elderflower Lemonade, $5 Draughts, $5 Rails, Absolut and Smirnoff, and $6 Wine.
Funk Parade is a street fair, parade and music festival to celebrate U Street, the District and the spirit of funk, planned for May 3.
Funk Parade exists to make good things happen by bringing people together and making them feel all right through music, dance and the visual arts.
For more information related to the Funk Parade, events, and how to get involved, visit www.funkparade.com”
From MPD:
“The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating several persons of interest in connection with an armed carjacking, which occurred on Sunday, February 23, 2014, at approximately 4:07 am, in the 1700 block of U Street, Northwest.
Anyone who has information regarding this case should call police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, information may be submitted to the TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.”
Thanks to a reader for sending:
“I don’t know if everyone already knows the plans for the spaces on 14th street immediately adjacent (to the north) of G Sandwich, but I was walking by this weekend and spotted the following architect plans in the window of one of the stores.
A little hard to read with the glare, but one says “hair salon” and the other “cleaners”.
Rendering via LUMEN Condominiums
An update on the massive transformation coming to 14th and W St, NW. Ed. Note: The northeast corner of 14th and W St, NW saw a massive transformation back in 2012. The Lumen Website says:
“18 Exclusive Fourteenth Street
Condos | Arriving Summer 2015”
14th and W Street, NW Today:
2200 14th Street, NW
1916 14th Street, NW
When I took this photo I guy running by stopped to do a double take and literally started applauding. The whole building is really starting to come together now:
Trader Joe’s will open in about a month. A quick reminder of what the space once looked like:
1916 14th Street, NW in 2008
1916 14th Street, NW in 2010
And in 2010 next door neighbors formerly home to Taco Bell, Foot Locker, Dominos and the United Supreme Council National Headquarters and Archives.
14th and T St, NW
From a press release:
“Med Lahlou and Antonio Matarazzo of the Lalou Group are pleased to announce the appointment of Domenico Apollaro as Chef de Cuisine at their new intimate 100-seat Italian restaurant Lupo Verde, located in the bustling 14th Street neighborhood at 1401 T Street, NW, 20009. Lupo Verde will open on February 24th serving dinner nightly, from 5 PM to 11 PM. Guests will also be able to enjoy late night hours Sunday through Thursday, from 11 PM to 2 AM, and Friday and Saturday, from 11 PM to 3 AM.”
2020 9th Street, NW
We first heard word that the folks from Thai-Xing would be opening up a new spot near the 9:30 Club back in 2012. Thanks to a reader for sending the photo above of the signage getting painted. We had previously learned that the space would fit 99 and:
“he will temporarily close the Florida Avenue location in order to get the new spot up and running.”
Let’s hope it’s equally as delicious as the Florida Ave location!
Photo by flickr user @mjb
“Dear PoPville,
The red hot music scene in DC these days is marked by more than just indie rock and Go-Go. The jazz scene in Washington has deep roots and is as vibrant as ever, including one element that is revving up the scene ever more: the jam culture. Between DC and Baltimore we are blessed with many top of the line jazz clubs and more talented musicians and singers than can be counted. In addition to the jazz venues, where artists typically play two sets at 8 and 10 pm on weekends, there are numerous jazz jams where artists come together either on an off night early I the week or on weekends after their gigs around town.
The central node of all this frenetic musical activity is the U Street Jazz Jam on Friday nights after hours. Every week at 11 pm the Bmore/DC cats file in and trade licks on stage. The impresario of all of this is Jeff Stacey, a policy wonk by day but music promoter after the sun does down. As designed, a host band kicks things off and one or two songs and then start letting others play in their places. By midnight the place starts to pop, producing a raw uber intense energy that resounds throughout the two floors of Ulah Bistro (where the Jam takes place) and out the windows and doors onto the street.
Stacey is out to prove two things. First, that the pre 1960s jazz culture on U Street is alive and well. Second, that anyone and everyone will respond to this hyperkinetic energy, including the Milennnial generation. According to Stacey, “half the players and singers and tappers come from this generation. So if you tell me jazz is dead, I suggest you coming by and giving that some more thought.”
One of the great things about this community is, everyone is welcome. The U Street Jazz Jam takes place every Friday night at the Ulah Bistro (1214 U St.) at 11 pm and goes until 2 or 3 am. Every Thursday Stacey puts on Dukem Jazz a block away at Dukem Bar and Restaurant (1114 U St.), with jazz sets at 9 and 10:30 pm.”