The new City Paws sign looks awesome at 1823 14th Street, NW.
U Street
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Holy cow, the great Duke Ellington mural on the side of the True Reformer Building at 1200 U Street, NW has been removed. Here’s what it used to look like:
Photo by flickr user @mjb
The dedication plaque remains:
Anyone know why?
Here’s what it looked like in 1979:
Photo via Historic American Buildings Survey
UPDATE from DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities:
Two weeks ago, the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities took the first steps in restoring the famous G. Byron Peck mural of Duke Ellington on the True Reformer Building (1200 U Street, NW) to its original condition.
The artwork, which was painted on cement panels, was taken down due to elemental decay over the last eight years.
“The Duke Ellington mural is an iconic artwork in Washington,” said Lionell Thomas, Executive Director at the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. “Over the years, this mural has become a symbol for the U Street community. We are working diligently to insure that the mural is returned to the community in its original condition.”
The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities hired the fine arts services company, ARTEX, to remove, store and prep the mural for damage assessment. Restoration of the mural may take up to one year.
The mural was originally created and installed in 1997 on the side of Mood Indigo, an antique and vintage clothing shop, at 1214 U St., NW. The mural was relocated in 2004 to the True Reformer Building.
Photo by PoPville flickr user maria jpeg
From an email:
On Wednesday, May 30, 2012, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host a public pre-construction meeting for the U St. Streetscape Project. This meeting is being held in conjunction with Councilmember Jim Graham and other Ward 1 stakeholders. Representatives from DDOT will meet with the public to discuss the project details, explain the impacts that construction will have on the community and to also answer questions or concerns about the construction activities planned for this project.
The U St. Streetscape Project will include the following features and improvements:
· Roadway, driveway and alley entrance repairs and replacements
· Replacement of Deteriorated sidewalks with new ADA compliant sidewalks, the installation of streetscape and landscape features along the sidewalk areas, to include brick gutters and granite curbs
· Special decorative sidewalks in front of the Lincoln Theatre
· Reconstructed bus pads at all WMATA bus stops
· Storm drainage inlets will be upgraded to water quality inlets, new storm sewer pipes and fire hydrants
· New electrical duct bank system installations, new Teardrop and Washington Globe streetlights, and traffic signal upgrades and relocations
· Centralized parking meters and new traffic signsThe construction for this project is scheduled to start on or about June 11, 2012 and be completed by spring of 2013 barring any unforeseen or weather conditions. DDOT will start first with reconstructing a 0.4-mile segment of Historic U Street from 9th Street to 14th Street NW.
For more information on the project and to sign up for future updates visit www.ustreetproject.com.
Questions about this project may be directed to the DDOT Project Manager – Wendy Peckham at 202-671-4581.
What: Pre-Construction Meeting for the U St. Streetscape Project
When: Wednesday, May 30, 2012
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Frank D. Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street, NW (2nd floor community room)
What do you think of the rendering for 1407 T Street, NW?
The retail spaces will be home to Taqueria Nacional and BakeHouse.
The liquor license for Taqueria Nacional says:
“Mexican restaurant serving fresh organic tacos, quesadillas, and salads during lunch & dinner with a seating capacity of 50 for patrons and a total load of 90.”
1340 U St, NW
Back in Jan. 2010, Bistro La Bonne opened up in the former Axis space at 1340 U St, NW. You can see their menu here. And now they’re expanding:
“…make a new opening for a stair to the second floor to expand the occupancy of the existing restaurant and increase the seating capacity from 99 to 141.”
Nice. Looking forward to see how it turns out.
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1512 U St, NW
Back in Dec. 2011 we learned that Habitat was closing at 1512 U St, NW. A new business called Merlot’s Masterpiece is moving into the space:
Merlot’s Masterpiece is a new painting experience in Washington, D.C. where you can paint, enjoy wine, and a fun night out with friends and good company.
No experience required! We provide the art supplies, canvas and aprons. At the end of the session, you will take home your one of a kind masterpiece.
Reminds me a bit of ArtJamz in Dupont.
Merlot’s Masterpiece’s calender lists a June 2nd soft opening and June 8th grand opening.
Do you think something like this is a nice fit and will do well on U Street?
I’m sorta blown away how 14th Street, NW south of U Street is looking right now. The only thing still standing is the former facade of the El Paraiso restaurant. Do you think they are going to keep that facade? If so, why just that one? It’s hard to tell from the renderings but you can see them here. Totally wild.
Fit to be Tan is located at 1626 U St, NW.
This rental is located at 2125 14th Street, NW:
The listing says:
“This is simply gorgeous! The brand new condo unit is good as it gets… Luxury amenities such as the granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, washer/dryer, modern layout and fixtures, a wonderful view, and more importantly it comes with parking! Near metro.”
This 2 bed/2 bath is going for $3,000/Mo.
2016 9th St, NW
From an email:
The Sri Lankan Supper Club at Montserrat House
Prepared by Skiz FernandoJune 08, 2012
7PM, One seating only, space is very limitedS.H. Fernando Jr. (aka “Skiz”) is a journalist, filmmaker, musician, and gastronaut. His most recent book, Rice & Curry: Sri Lankan Home Cooking, which focuses on the cuisine of his homeland, was a New York Times notable cookbook for 2011. A specialist in the flavors of Asia, Skiz travels and writes about food for his blog, Rice&Curry, dedicated to all things spicy.
$50 Per Person. Purchase Tickets here.
See Menu after the jump. (more…)