Downtown

“Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to Close March 4 for Modernization”

By Prince Of Petworth

EXT_BIRDVIEW

From a press release:

“Today, DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan announced that the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, D.C.¹s central library, will close on March 4 for a complete modernization. Reyes-Gavilan also released final renderings and floor plans for the modernized Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and will update the community on how Library service will be provided during construction at a meeting this evening.

Construction on the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will start in Summer 2017 and continue until 2020. When the $208 million transformation is complete, the Library will become the center of activity for the already vibrant downtown area. The building will feature a new, inspiring, and transparent entryway; sculptured monumental stairs; large auditorium and conference center; creative spaces for fabrication, music production and art creation; ground level café with patio; double-height reading room; large, interactive children¹s space; expanded special collections space for researchers and local history enthusiasts, and a rooftop event space with terrace. Public art will be solicited for the reading room, the vestibule and the plaza in front of the building. The art installations in the vestibule and the plaza will honor Dr. King. (more…)

Developing Situation with Big Police Presence at 15th and H St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

bomb squad
Photo by East of NoMa Bro

“NY Ave blocked off at 14th NW. Lots of @SecretService. Any idea what’s up? bomb squad is here”

From AlertDC:

“MPD reports 15th St NW between H St and G St NW and New York Ave NW between 14th St and 15th St NW is closed due to police activity. Alternate routes are 13th St, I St and F St NW. Please follow police directions and expect delays.”

Updates when more is known released. Hopefully a suspicious package that turns out to be nothing as if often the case.

blocked
Photo by mccormick

Update 12:10pm from East of NoMa Bro:

“Bomb squad heading into 1440 New York Ave parking garage”

garage

Update 1pm from East of NoMa Bro:

trucks

Heads Up – Six Metro Stations are Closed this Weekend

By Prince Of Petworth

metro
Photo by PoPville flickr user nevermindtheend

From WMATA:

“Metro is reminding weekend riders of a major track work project that will affect service on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines this weekend. Free shuttle buses will replace all trains between Foggy Bottom and Eastern Market stations on Saturday, February 4, and Sunday, February 5. As a result, six stations will be closed: Farragut West, McPherson Square, Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, Federal Center SW and Capitol South.

In addition, the lower level platforms will be closed at Metro Center and L’Enfant Plaza. (Metro Center will be open for Red Line service only; L’Enfant Plaza will be open for Yellow and Green line service only.) (more…)

Swing’s Coffee Bar Opening 14th and G St, NW Monday Feb. 6th

By Prince Of Petworth

swing's
Photo by PoPville flickr user Jacques Arsenault

From a press release:

“This past year has indeed been a grand one for Swing’s Coffee Roasters. After celebrating its landmark 100-year anniversary in 2016, Swing’s is opening a new coffee bar in downtown D.C. at 640 14th Street NW, located in Metropolitan Square. Opening February 6th, Swing’s shop hours will be 7AM – 5 PM Monday through Friday, 8AM – 3 PM on Saturdays. The venerable coffee roaster is proud to be located in the same neighborhood as a few of the District’s famous hospitality landmarks, such as the Old Ebbitt Grill and the Hamilton. The new location for Swing’s is just a couple of blocks away from the historic “MESCo Building” where Swing’s roasted coffee from its beginnings until 1989. (more…)

Abunai Poke coming to 1920 L Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

abunai poke
Photo by districtcuisine

Thanks to districtcuisine for tweeting us: “Signage up for Abunai Poke at 1920 L Street, NW”

Abunai Poke’s facebook page says:

“Quick-service restaurant serving POKE bowls. Coming soon to downtown, DC!”

Ed. Note: A couple weeks ago we learned that Poki District is coming to the former Amorini Panini space at 906 F St, NW.

Updates as they get closer to opening.

aph

Former DC Coast space becoming a Le Pain Quotidien on K Street

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_9688
1401 K Street, NW

Well I was not expecting this… DC Coast closed on December 31st, 2015. Now a liquor license placard has been posted for a Le Pain Quotidien:

“New Class “C” Restaurant with 149 seats, a Sidewalk Café with 66 seats and a Total Occupancy Load of 223. Restaurant will serve café-style food and baked goods.”

IMG_9691
14th and K St, NW

For those not DC Coast:

“Opened in Washington, DC in 1998, the iconic restaurant in an Art Deco landmark building was the daring first venture of Passion Food Hospitality partners chef Jeff Tunks, Gus DiMillo and David Wizenberg. They had a radical vision to open within the soaring first floor of the historic building at Franklin Square that essentially led the breakthrough for the 14th Street revival. It honored the tri-coastal regions where Tunks found his culinary passion and became an incubator for talented, award-winning chefs who got their start working under Tunks’ wing.

The Art Deco landmark was formerly a McDonald’s that bore the scars of its past: bullet holes in the walls and crime lurking outside, but the partners saw only opportunity. Tunks’ visionary approach paved the way for the area’s renewal and ushered in a new wave of contemporary American cuisine that led to critical acclaim from The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Esquire, Bon Appétit and Food & Wine as well as praise from Travel + Leisure as one of the “Top 50 Restaurants in America.” Tunks was a pioneer for DC, among that first generation bringing a contemporary spin to the American table along with Larry Forgione, Jeremiah Tower and Wolfgang Puck. Tunks’ method for recruiting culinary talent followed a similar pattern: look for the potential. The toques who cut their teeth in his kitchen before launching their own ventures have a different perspective about the closing of DC Coast—a gateway that catapulted them to where they are today… (more…)

Historic Franklin School Plans Announced with Planet Word “first-ever interactive museum of words and language”

By Prince Of Petworth

franklin_school_museum
13th and K Street, NW

Ed. Note: You can see previous proposals here.

From a press release:

“Today the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) announced the selection of Ann B. Friedman and Dantes Partners to lead the redevelopment of the historic Franklin School, located at the intersection of 13th Street NW and K Street NW in Ward 2. Delivering on the Bowser Administration’s commitment to the creative economy, the proposed development will transform the historic space into Planet Word, an interactive language arts museum and education space.

“Planet Word is a one-of-a-kind project that delivers on our promise to invest in the arts in the most innovative of ways,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian T. Kenner. “Developing the Franklin School into an interactive language center gives visitors and residents a unique learning experience, adds to the cultural fabric of our downtown, and is a great fit for the District’s growing creative economy.”

Planet Word’s mission is to inspire a love of words and language and increase literacy through a host of interactive exhibits and experiences. Along with the Mundolingua in Paris, Planet Word will be one of just a few fully-operational language museums globally. Initially inspired by MoMath, the National Museum of Mathematics in Manhattan, Ms. Friedman, with the support of her husband, Thomas L. Friedman, and a national board, has been developing plans for the museum for more than three years and is delighted to have found such an appropriate venue for the project and have the opportunity to restore the Franklin School to its former architectural glory. (more…)

Protestors Climb Cranes at 15th and L at Old Washington Post Site

By Prince Of Petworth

lane
Photo by Lane Horter

Update: 9am Lane writes:

“Protesters climbing a crane in downtown #DC. Guy in vest appears to be chained to crane above blue jacket who is blocking ladder.”

jonathan
Photo by Jonathan L-D

“Interesting morning at the former @washingtonpost HQ construction site with protesters on the crane at 15th and L.”

alex
Photo by Alex

32396064471_6208743133_z
Photo by Stephen

“One has a small RESIST sign”

Thanks to all who sent emails an tweets starting at 8:30am

“Protesters apparently shackled themselves to the crane in the construction site where the Post used to be. 15th is closed between L and M. Fire tucks and police on scene.”

32518361685_9ce0e0c4b4_z
Photo by Jen

Videos after the jump. (more…)

The $20 for Two $10s Guy is Back (Again)

By Prince Of Petworth

scammer
Photo by PoPville flickr user William E Heaton IV

His longevity is extraordinary. I’m starting to look forward to see what he comes up with when we finally go cashless once and for all… But as always, thanks to a reader for sending the heads up so you don’t get scammed if you are a kind soul and unfamiliar.

He’s at “Metro Center at the Forever 21 entrance” 1025 F Street, NW.

View More Stories