“Dear PoPville,
I’m the same person that found a hidden room underneath my basement a few weeks ago. Over the weekend, my wife and I were cleaning out some of the items left in our house by the previous owners. We removed a picture from the wall and there was a locked safe behind it.
Of course we just have to get into this thing but don’t know where to go from here. I’m assuming a general locksmith can’t crack a safe so who should we call?”
Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love
“Dear PoPville,
My wife and I recently closed on a house in Woodridge. During each walkthrough, we saw a sheet of metal on the floor that we assumed covered the access to a crawl space under the house. After closing, we decided to move the metal and discovered a room approximately 200 sqft and 8 feet deep. There are no access stairs or ladder and the previous owners didn’t mention it during closing. It’s completely underground and seems to be completely dry. The walls look to be constructed of concrete block.
We were wondering if anyone else has heard of such a thing in DC and know what this space could have been used for. This may be irrelevant but we were told the house used to be owned by a Billy Stewart (a blues singer from the 60’s).”
Thanks to a reader for passing on from Council Member McDuffie:
Another important investment made by the Council is the $1.04 million in funding for a new G9 Bus Route. Travelling from downtown to the neighborhoods and businesses along Rhode Island Avenue has long been a challenge. As residents, WMATA and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) have noted, there exists a “gap in bus service between the entrance to the Rhode Island Avenue Metrorail station and 4th Street NE. This gap means current riders east of the Rhode Island Avenue station are not able to take a single-seat transit ride into downtown Washington.”
“The proposed G9 bus line will service Rhode Island Avenue from 14th Street, NW to just beyond the District’s border at Eastern Ave, NE, thereby filling that gap and alleviating congestion on the G8 and other bus lines that offer partial service to the Rhode Island Avenue, NE corridor,” stated McDuffie. “Additionally, a G9 line will allow public transit users easy access to the many retail businesses and restaurants that are opening along Rhode Island Avenue, one of the District’s Main Streets. Finally, there is the potential that a G9 line may alleviate some of the traffic on Rhode Island Avenue by providing residents with a new direct option to reach downtown.”
From an email:
Local porches and stoops are transformed into stages for an afternoon of music, dance, and poetry that brings together neighbors, business owners, and artists in a casual and fun display of creative expression!
Through the years, Rhode Island Avenue NE has been home to a variety of live music venues, including what was once Mr. Y’s Jazz Club at 16th & Rhode Island Ave NE. On Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 2 to 6 pm, the front stoops and porches of several Rhode Island Avenue NE residents and businesses will be transformed into performance spaces where local musicians will play FREE mini concerts for the community!”
via Zillow
“Dear PoPville,
You have to post this! It is the “basement rents for $2900 in Woodridge edition.”
How classic is the pic of the woman by the bathtub with the dog?”
The full listing for 3100 26th St, NE says:
“BIG DC house with BIG yard. A steal at a MILLION [$975,000]. Location Location Location. Off South Dakota Avenue, corner house with detached garage and ample off street parking. Basement is currently a rental at $2,900 a month, has it’s own separate entrance. The basement renovation paid for itself 3 times over. All photos with carpet are in the basement. Photos with hardwood are upstairs in main part of house. Photo with child and dog in bathroom is masterbath to master bedroom. Jetted tub. Blue bathroom is in the basement. Other 2 bathrooms are on the 1st and 2nd floors upstairs.”
2129 Rhode Island Ave, NE
Thanks to a reader for sending:
“Signage and building permits for a new restaurant, across the street from Nido.”
Back in 2013 RIA Insider posted:
“The theme of the restaurant will be “Food for Thought” and will feature American style cuisine, using local and fresh ingredients, that Nina describes as “healthy dining” with made from scratch foods…they are currently working on the menu, which will contain several signature dishes including gluten-free and vegetarian options.”
Updates when they get closer to opening.
A reader reports:
“They sent out menus to the neighborhood over a month ago, but the phone number on the menus redirects to the H St. location. Also, the space looks completely done (see attached). I don’t know what the holdup is and I’m sorta annoyed about it, because I could really go for a jumbo slice right now. Maybe they’re having trouble finding staff?”
2117 Rhode Island Ave, NE
From MPD:
“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a shooting that occurred on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at approximately 11:36 pm. An adult male victim was standing at the intersection of Hamlin Street and Queens Chapel Road, Northeast, when he was approached by a suspect who brandished a hand gun, demanded the victim’s property, and then shot the victim multiple times.
An off duty MPD officer witnessed the offense and approached the suspects. The first suspect shot at the officer, who returned fire using his service weapon. A second suspect also shot at the officer, who again returned fire. It is unknown if the officers shots took effect. The suspects fled the scene heading northwest bound in the 1800 block of Queens Chapel Road, Northeast. The victim of the shooting was transported to a local hospital for treatment. There were no other reported injuries.
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.”
2214 Rhode Island Avenue, NE
Another eagerly anticipated opening – Nido – opens tonight!
“Our two-level, 80-seat restaurant serves eclectic Mediterranean cuisine.
The space and the menu are inspired by co-owner Erin Lingle’s time spent abroad, and aims to create ‘a place to sit down’ to snack and imbibe with family, friends, and neighbors.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Dinner 5:30-10:30pm Tuesday-Sunday
Bar open until 12am Tuesday-Thursday & Sunday, 1am Friday & Saturday Weekend brunch service coming soon”
Photos courtesy Nido and you can see their opening menu here:
2117 Rhode Island Ave. NE
A reader reports:
“the store looks just about done and I ran into someone (presumably the franchise owner) checking the mail today and he said they’d be open in ten days.”