Georgia Ave

Dear PoP – Big Development Coming to Georgia Ave

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

There’s going to be another set of new condos going up on the corner of Georgia and Newton Place! I think it’s 3512 Georgia Avenue, NW across the street from the new senior community center. The company is Hamel Builders. My husband and I stopped and spoke to the new owner one morning. He told us they’re going to knock down the old Newton Variety Mart and the dilapidated Car Wash. The new building will take up that entire lot. It will be between 8 and 10 stories with ground floor retail. They’re just waiting on permits to start. His estimate was it would be done in about 2 years.

What was really cool was the new owner is allowing the guy who’s using the car wash lot to continue his business there until they break ground. And he said he’s offered him a job working for him once the project begins! Based on that and other parts of our conversation, I got the sense that he had Georgia Avenue’s best interests at heart.

Awesome, no?”

Great to finally see some movement here.

After the jump a wider angle plus a very sad reminder of a serious crime that still need to be solved that was posted to the variety mart building. (more…)

New Building at 2910 Georgia Ave, NW Progressing Nicely

By Prince Of Petworth

Lots of people are mentioning to me how this building is really taking shape. I can hardly believe my eyes. Accordign to DC MUD:

The matter of right development will come in at five floors, plus a penthouse, and will be no higher than 50 feet. A side yard area will be covered in brick and provide 11 parking spots for residents of the one- and two-bedroom units. What about retail? Linde said the area has a dearth of quality housing and is rife with vacant lots. “You need to put heads in beds before you start building any retail,” asserted Linde. Adding, “doesn’t do any good to put in a Trader Joes… or a Starbucks if there aren’t any people to drink the coffee.”

The 5pm Post – The Georgia Avenue/Pleasant Plains Heritage Trail Meeting Wed. Night

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“Wednesday January 19, 2011 at 6:30 PM will be the poster proof review session (a.k.a. the pin-up session) at the Emergence Community Arts Collective – 733 Euclid St. NW, on Euclid between Georgia and Sherman. For directions, contact Sylvia Robinson at (202) 462-2285. [Note – the building is not handicapped accessible as yet]

Background on the trail can be found here.

This is the long-anticipated chance to see the trail as designed, with text, photos, icon, and colors all together. Come look over the sign designs and let us know what you think.

This is the last opportunity to review and comment on the Heritage Trail. The next part of the process is sign fabrication and installation! We anticipate the signs will be installed next May.

We’re looking forward to seeing all of you again and celebrating the results of all the work by so many individuals that has resulted in this trail.”

Dear PoP – First Impressions on the Blue Banana

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I thought I’d share my feelings on our new sports bar. So far – not good! :( We live up the street from the bar and went to have lunch and watch football on Sunday. I’ll give it another chance in a couple of months but for now I give it a 5 out of 10.

1.) First of all they did not have Direct TV as advertised. Apparently they don’t have the ticket yet. So the only games they were showing is what was on regular TV. I would have been pissed if I traveled far to see a certain game and it wasn’t on.

2.) The bar stools were super uncomfortable. I left at half time because my butt hurt. They also have no place to hang your jacket. (I like the hooks they put on the bar so you can keep your purse right next to you.) They should add those.

3.) The bathrooms were atrocious. Nasty. I’m pretty sure I was the first customer to use the bathroom that day since we showed up right when they opened and we were the only people there. The bathroom only has one weird light fixture on the side wall. They have no lights on the ceiling at all – just a skinny fluorescent light on the wall. I think they were trying to be trendy but it is a poor source of lighting.

4.) No food. I forget if this is always going to be the case. The bartender told us we could get something delivered or go to Manny & Olga’s next door.

The bartender told us there was at least 100 people there on Wednesday night. I find this a little hard to believe but good for them if they did. Hopefully the patrons had a better experience then I did. I don’t mean to sound like a Negative Nancy but I was so excited for a super awesome afternoon and I was very disappointed.

I will reiterate that I loved the beer selection but if I want to go to a bar I’d be much happier at LGL or the Pint.”

I’ve been getting a lot emails/chats about folk’s first impressions of Blue Banana located at 3632 Georgia Ave, NW. Unfortunately all the early reviews have been similar to the one posted above. Personally, I think it’s a bit too early to tell but hopefully they make some adjustments after reading some constructive criticism. Any other first impressions?

Final Blue Banana Sports Bar Update: Opening Tuesday Night, Free Drinks to Celebrate!

By Prince Of Petworth

At long last (this is for you Matt G!) Blue Banana sports bar is opening up Tuesday night at 3632 Georgia Ave, NW next to Looking Glass Lounge. We had a brief update in Nov. but now it is official – doors open Tuesday, Dec. 21st at 6pm. And here’s even better news – Tues. and Wed. from 8-9pm there will be an open bar. Yes, an open bar! Select beers and rail drinks but still an open bar!

Their facebook page says:

The Blue Banana Sports & Rock Bar is opening this week! We have 10 Flat Screen TV’s, a Full Bar, 12 Microbrews on Tap plus plenty of Bottles of Beer in the coolers! Come enjoy all the Sports Games you can imagine (we are getting every package available and if we don’t have it ask!). At night come listen to Rock & Top 40 via our IPOD plus DJ’s & Bands coming soon!

Please join us for one of our special opening nights and check us out!

Tuesday Open Bar from 8pm – 9pm

Wednesday Open Bar from 8pm – 9pm

Thursday: 1/2 Price Beers all night!

Friday: Xmas Eve 1/2 Price Drinks 8pm – 10pm!

Saturday: Closed during the day but opening at 8pm. 1/2 Price Drinks 8pm – 10pm!

Sunday: Noon – Close

See many of you tomorrow night, yeah?

Provocative Protest Signs Plastered Up and Down Georgia Avenue

By Prince Of Petworth

Well, I really wasn’t going to post about this because I think they are an absolute fringe group and have little influence and are really not representative of the greater communities up and down Georgia Avenue. Having said that, I’ve gotten more emails about these posters than I’ve gotten about any other one item in a long time. It is not terribly surprising since the subject, “keep DC a chocolate city” is obviously provocative. And in yesterday’s post about a near laptop theft the issue was raised. So hear it is – and I’m not saying this sentiment isn’t shared by some, all I’m saying is that I don’t believe this group is representative of DC’s residents.

The sponsor is a group called Uhuru:

The Uhuru Movement recognizes that we are in a war of ideas. This is a war between the dying forces of white power imperialism and the emerging forces of African Socialism for the minds of the masses of poor and oppressed people. Today Imperialism has constructed a media cartel that serves the interest of the white ruling class. This international media apparatus serves to justify the brutal oppression carried out by imperialism every day. Moreover, its objective is to ideologically unite the European nation at the expense of the African nation.

This Imperialist media propaganda machine currently has a monopoly on the distribution of ideas. These ideas are intended to define our reality and shape our worldview. However, it is time for the African working class to speak for ourselves. It is time the world be seen from the perspective of the poor and oppressed masses.

UhuruNews.com is Black Power in the 21st Century. It is the vision and voice of the African working-class. Our interest is to tell the truth; showing the world as it is. Our mission is to bring voice to the most oppressed and exploited sectors of the African world.

I’m guessing they are about as representative of DC’s residents as is Lyndon LaRouche and his followers.

So yes, they’ve papered Georgia Ave with provocative posters and they are having a meeting on Dec. 18th at 12noon at Everlasting Life 2928 Georgia Avenue NW. But I think the original photo above explains it all – I think more people will inquire about selling their unwanted car than will attend this meeting.

Personally, I prefer the following sign that I also passed in my weekend walk:

“No One Should Bite Another, Outrage, or Provoke Another”

The Uhuru Movement would be wise to heed this advice.

Dear PoP – Coffee on Georgia Ave?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Is there a good coffee shop along georgia avenue north of columbia heights, say in the 3000s?”

What can I say? It’s Georgia Ave day today…

When I think of Georgia Ave and coffee two places immediately pop into my head – Sankofa Cafe located at 2714 Georgia Ave. and Qualia Coffee located at 3917 Georgia Ave. And of course there is a Starbucks at 2225 Georgia Ave NW. But for another good one near the 3000s you can go over a couple of blocks to 11th St, NW and hit Columbia Heights Coffee at 3416 11th St NW.

Am I leaving anyone out?

Georgia Ave News: Bilal Closes, Construction and Coffee at Fasika

By Prince Of Petworth

Sad to see Bilal Grocery papered over at 4328 Georgia Ave, NW, especially since it looked like it had just recently been renovated. In either happier news or worse news it looks like the decrepit buildings next to Fasika (4422 Georgia Ave, NW) are finally getting renovated. Or it’s gonna look like this for months. I’m cautiously optimistic because of some permits I spotted in the unit to the left of the photo.

And looks like Fasika is adding a serious coffee component to their restaurant:

Looks Like Ma Ma’s Southern Cuisine Has Opened Up at 3118 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in early Oct. we learned that the space formerly home to Hadiyah Cafe would become Ma Ma’s Southern Cuisine. When I walked by last weekend it was closed but a menu was in the window so I’m guessing it’s probably open now. Anyone check them out. From peeking in the window – the space looks good.

They even have a happy hour.

Shot of the menu after the jump. (more…)

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