Pleasant Plains

Medical Marijuana Clinics a Good Fit for Lower Georgia Ave, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

A reader forwards the issue as posed by an ANC commisioner from the Columbia Heights Listserv:

“Over the last several weeks ANC1A commissioners have been getting calls and emails from persons interested in opening Medical Marijuana Clinics in the area. One spot of interest was near Georgia Ave. and Kenyon. In general commissioners are very leary of having the first clinics open in our area, primarily because of fear they could have a negative impact on the current drug trade. The current drug trade involves both illegal drugs and prescription drugs, the clinics may spawn spinoff trade. Comparisons have been made to the methadone clinics which have impacted the area. There are also concerns about the clinics being overseen by ABRA instead of DOH, locations next to schools and etc..

There has not been much community dialogue on this issue.

William Jordan, ANC1A05”

ANC commissioner, 1A08, Cliff Valenti was able to send me the recommendation ANC1A passed at its last meeting.

“Regarding the location of dispensaries, ANC1A recommends that they be located in medical facilities such as
Washington Hospital Center. Section (g) of the law states that a dispensary or cultivation center shall not be located
within any residential district or within 300 feet of a preschool, primary or secondary school, or recreation center.
ANC1A believes that the radius in the law should be changed to 500 feet. Additionally, the rules need to state that
dispensaries:
• Are not located within 500 feet of a substance abuse treatment center.
• Are not located within 500 feet of a halfway house
• Are not located within 500 feet of a day care center”

You can read the full recommendation below:

ANC1A MM Recommendation

Cliff writes:

“I knew when this law passed that Georgia Avenue would be a contender for this “experiment”, and sure enough its the first location they have chosen for consideration. I think a more stable area, like Wisconsin Avenue, would help insure success of the program and the law. There is too much addiction, criminal behavior, and mental illness on Georgia Avenue for something new and controversial. The law is written without much consideration to the Pandora’s box it opens for law enforcement.”

What do you guys think – would lower Georgia Avenue be a good spot for a medical Marijuana dispensary? If not Georgia Ave, where do you think would be a more appropriate location?


Lower Georgia Ave at Euclid looking north

Update on Georgia and Lamont St, NW Development

By Prince Of Petworth

I forgot to post this big update from CM Jim Graham from last week:

Dear Friends, I am pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached between the Fenty administration and the developers of the Heights on Georgia Avenue that will allow the project to begin construction in the next 60 – 90 days.

The Council of the District of Columbia was also instrumental in advancing the project by passing crucial legislation I authored to provide a tax relief for the affordable housing portion of the project and to realign the public alley to the rear of the property.

The building, to built at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Lamont Street (the current site of a vacant lot and a pawn shop) will consist of a mix of 50% market rate and 50% affordable one, two and three bedroom rental units constructed on top of 10,000 square feet of neighborhood serving retail. The building will comply with The Green Community Initiatives (roughly equivalent to LEED Certified standard) and the District’s Green Building Code. It will feature an accessible green roof with fourteen different types of vegetation, photovoltaic panels, passive solar heating and cooling, a central water system and water conserving / Energy Star appliances and fixtures among many other environmentally friendly attributes.

The project is being developed by a partnership between MiCasa, Inc., a local non profit, and the Neighborhood Development Company, another locally based company. The companies have developed numerous award-winning projects in Ward 1 and the Georgia Avenue corridor.

Another solid step forward for lower Georgia Avenue…joining the senior wellness Center (opens tomorrow!), CVS, Park Place Apartments, Bruce Monroe interim Park, New Community on the way for Park Morton…

Mon. Afternoon Rental Option – Park View/Pleasant Plains

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at Columbia Road, NW at Warder Street, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“This magnificent basement studio apartment with waterfront view has a kitchenette, washer and dryer, fridge, and full bathroom. The basement has a separate entrance than the rest of the house, and is pretty spacious. Not your typical DC basement apartment. It has a lot of beautiful exposed brick and plenty of space. It would work well for a couple or Howard University students.

One fairly large room. There is off street parking available for an extra $75.00 per month. We’re a half mile to the Columbia Heights Metro (about a 10 minute walk) and close to U Street. We are also less than a five minute walk to Howard University, and a block from Georgia Avenue and major bus lines.”

Does $1050 sound reasonable for this studio basement apartment?

Everlasting Life on Georgia Ave gets a Major Renovation

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in Feb. ’09 we learned that Everlasting Life, located at 2928 Georgia Ave, NW, had temporarily closed for renovations. While renovations took a little longer than expected a reader sends in word and a few shots of the renovated space looking good:

“They still have a vegan deli, they added a stage, tables, and a bar. They are working on a liquor license.”

Wed. Afternoon Rental Option – Pleasant Plains

By Prince Of Petworth

This studio is located at 430 Irving St. NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Recently renovated studio available September 1, 2010 in a secure building. Apartment features a washer/dryer, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and hardwood floors.”

I’m always excited when I find places sub-$1000. This one looks promising – think $900 sounds reasonable?

Dear PoP – “Park View Park” Looking Great

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

We’re not sure of the name of the new park on Georgia between Irving and Columbia, but it was hopping tonight and we thought you might like to see the pictures. They closed at 7pm, but the groundskeeper assured us that once they finish all the landscaping, the plan is for it to be open until 9pm.”

I was excited last week when we saw grass going in. But this exceeds my expectations. Hard to believe it looked like this not too long ago. Nice work!

New Signage in Columbia Heights Metro

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all the readers who sent emails about this. I was away from my computer much of the afternoon but I really appreciate all those who sent the heads up. Anyway, you can see that the northbound and southbound signs were changed with Mt. Pleasant and Pleasant Plains arrows. Personally I think this is a terrible idea. I actually think signs that simply said east or west would be far more useful. What do you guys think – is the signage gonna help or confuse people?

DCist notes:

“According to Metro spokesperson Ron Holzer, the sign was installed at the request of Councilmember Jim Graham. “He said customers were confused about which exit to use for these two neighborhoods,” said Holzer.”

Also note that the Northbound and Southbound signs still exist by the separate metro entrances:

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