quality of life

Fences Go Back Up at Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Looks like park and rec recently put fencing back up around the fields in Malcolm X Park. I imagine this is to let the grass grow back, as “team sports” have torn it up pretty good.

My question is, why don’t they put large plant pots, floor beds, etc at varying areas of the field to prevent team sport activities from happening in the first place? There are signs along the park that say no team sports and park police will enforce the rule if they are around, but otherwise we will just end up at this point again after the fencing is removed. I think there should be a couple areas that allow space for soccer and football, but, in other areas, place items that will prevent them from starting and keep the grass growing.”

In happier news it looks like the new bathrooms look close to opening. As someone who walks a lot, public restrooms can be a lifesaver. Of course I hope that park police will have regular patrols to make sure it stays clean.

Warm Weather Begins Early Gingko Spray

By Prince Of Petworth

Matt lamented this unpleasantness a couple of years ago. I’m all for preventing the “notoriously unpleasant odor”. Think they’ll have better luck this year? And on a related note, I’m getting some emails from readers saying that the pollen is insane – has the big rain last night improved that situation?

Here’s the press release from DDOT:

Unseasonably warm weather has brought the first signs of the unsavory female ginkgo fruit to life much earlier than expected. To prevent the notoriously unpleasant odor of this popular tree from overtaking city streets, the District Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Administration (UFA) will start spraying these fruits tomorrow, Thursday, April 8.

Spraying will begin in Wards 1, 2 and 6, where female ginkgo trees are most prevalent, and continue through Wards 4, 3, 7, 8 and 5. The spraying will be conducted at night and there is no need to move vehicles parked on streets.

The specific spraying locations will be sent to the ANC commissioners and are available upon request. If residents have any questions about the spraying, they can contact the Urban Forestry Administration at (202) 671-5133.

Dear PoP – DCRA says no new restaurants on 14th street & U street corridors!

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader sent in a link from the Mid City Business Association. They report:

URGENT: DCRA rules no New Building Permits or C of Os will be issued to eating and drinking establishments in MidCity.

On April 5th, 2010 Matt LaGrant, DC’s Zoning Administrator, issued a ruling that DCRA will no longer grant Building Permits or Certificate of Occupancies for restaurants, bars, diners, coffees shops and carry-outs along 14th and U streets (plus adjacent commercial side streets) because of zoning regulations restricting the availability of space to eating and drinking establishments to 25% of the linear frontage of the greater 14th and U Street area. To see a map of the overlay go here.

What the ruling means

*Anyone seeking to open an eating and drinking establishment (including delis, coffee shops and carry outs) will need to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) to seek a special exception.
*Requiring all new projects to go to the BZA will absorb an enormous amount of business, community and government resources as projects seek exemptions to a rule that is widely regarded as outdated and harmful to economic development.
*It will stall new projects and prevent existing ones from expanding
*It will discourage entrepreneurs from investing in the MidCity area, including underdeveloped parts of the district.
*It will send a strong message to local, regional, national investors that DC is business unfriendly

MIdCity Business Association’s Response to the Ruling
We will be sending a letter to CM Jim Graham, CM Jack Evans and other city officials asking for their help in obtaining an urgent text change to the zoning regulations to increase the allowance from 25% to 50% of the total area.

We will be continue to work with our community partners including the Logan Circle Communtiy Association and the U Street Neighborhood Association along with commissioners from ANC1B, ANC2F and ANC2B to develop a constructive and positive response as our community coalition continues to work together to promote positive, balanced economic and community development in MidCity.

We last discussed concerns about development in this area here. Do you think this will hurt the continued revival of the 14th and U Street Corridors?

Dear PoP – How about a perfect spring poem to take us out for the weekend. . .

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo From PoPville flickr user K’s Clicks

O sweet spontaneous
by: e.e. cummings (1894-1962)

sweet spontaneous
earth how often have
the
doting

fingers of
prurient philosophers pinched
and
poked

thee
, has the naughty thumb
of science prodded
thy

beauty, how
often have religions taken
thee upon their scraggy knees
squeezing and

buffeting thee that thou mightest conceive
gods
(but
true

to the incomparable
couch of death thy
rhythmic
lover

thou answerest

them only with

spring)

Dear PoP – Stores Blasting Music

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Have you ever been at the South-East corner of the 7th and Florida NW intersection? The store there has a speaker on the building’s exterior. During rainstorms, they cover it with plastic. They blast music throughout the day, everyday except Sunday (I think). You should check it out.”

and

“Dear PoP,

There is a new boost mobile/check cashing/”metro fast pass” (?) selling place on Georgia Avenue between Jefferson and Kennedy that has been playing loud music outside their store for about the last week now. There is literally a stereo speaker sitting out on the sidewalk. I personally am annoyed by it because I don’t want to hear that particular genre of music at 8:00 in the morning on my way to the bus stop. Also, is this kind of thing even allowed? Am I over-reacting and this is really a good way to help build community on a street where a lot of people were afraid to do so? (This is a door or two down from the La Casa de Morata liquor store shooting this past winter.)”

Well I’ve had some interesting experiences at 7th and Florida. Personally I dig it. Granted I just walk by it from time to time and don’t go too early in the morning. But I honestly think it adds some flavor to the streets. I think it would be annoying if every store did it but just I few I sorta love. I especially enjoy walking up Georgia Ave and hearing Spanish music blaring out of some bodegas. Like I said to me it adds a bit of flavor. What do you guys think?

Dear PoP – More Neighbor Problems

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

We live in a row house as many DCers do and the people in the row house next door are, as I understand, Section 8 tenants. Not to pass judgment on these individuals but I’ve certainly had cleaner, more courteous neighbors. The biggest problem is that they have not bothered to get (or perhaps keep) a trashcan and instead just throw their trash out in bags into the alley behind our house which immediately get torn into by rats. The back of our house has thus developed a pretty nasty rat and garbage problem. Anyways I guess my question is, first and foremost, is there anything we can do about this? Is there some sort of venue to file a complaint? Are there certain requirements that they must meet (besides income) to maintain residence in their subsidized house, such as not turning it and the adjacent properties into complete filth-holes?”

This is a very uncool situation. Ed. Note: I’m sure Section 8, “regular” renters and owners could all be guilty of this unhealthy behavior. Let’s try not to focus on that though and rather address the question itself. What should the reader do? Contact DCRA? Council Member? Call 311? Can they request a trashcan for the neighbor?

And I know it can be awkward an conversation but have you asked the neighbor if they are getting a trashcan or if they want your help in getting them a trashcan?

Dear PoP – Spring is here, is there an uptick in harassement?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

“Dear PoP,

Yesterday my wife and I decided to enjoy the great weather and went for a jog late in the afternoon. We live just west of Ft. Totten Park and were run/walking up the hill by the cemeteries on Ft Totten Drive when four adolescent youths started yelling at my wife “Shake that ass, Shake that ass, Shake that ass.” My wife, who has continuously been a victim of such taunts became furious and started yelling back and even started after them before I stopped her. After the first encounter we continued into Rock Creek Church Cemetery where they followed us. Fearing for our safety and being somewhat cornered I confronted them. At that time a MDP cruiser pulled up and the two officers attempted to question the youths. At that time they took off running through the cemetery.

Not only was our day ruined, but my wife has had it with this kind of behavior and intimidation and wants to leave the city ASAP.

This and an attempted mugging a month ago has led me to wonder if folks are seeing an uptick in this kind of behavior from kids in the city. It is particularly troubling. Our experience have not been violent, but they have been terrifying and have me worried that they eventually will.”

I’m very sorry to hear about this terrible behavior. We have previously discussed street harassment here and here. But the reader asks a very specific question – does this behavior increase in the Spring with warm weather? I used to believe that this behavior absolutely increased with the warmer weather but I seem to recall a friend citing some statistics (at least on muggings) to the contrary. Did anyone notice street harassment increase last weekend when the weather was nice?

Dear PoP – Noise Laws?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user JessJ

“What is the law pertaining to noise? Next door, a band practices often and it often shakes my walls. It doesn’t help that I’m trying to get a 1 year old and 2 year old asleep.

So what is the law? I had the police come out and the essentially told me, they are good kids and you should let them play. They said we can’t issue a citation until 9:30PM. Until 9:30 they can play at any level.

Is that true?

It seems unfair that anyone would be legal be able to shake my walls until 9:30. What about people who work a late shift and sleep before 9:30PM? Any advice?”

We spoke about sound proofing options here. Have you tried speaking with the neighbors? Explaining your situation could go a long way. What would you guys suggest the reader do?

11th and Monroe Park (NW) 2nd Community Meeting Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all the readers for sending the word about tonight’s second meeting.

Please join DPR
Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:00 p.m. to discuss improvement for the 11th and Monroe Streets Park
Metropolitan Police Department Substation
750 Park Road, NW

After the jump you can see the meeting notes from the previous meeting in Feb. (more…)

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