Nice to see some movement on this building that’s been vacant for a while. I’m super encouraged that it looks like a very serious renovation is underway. Unfortunately Zippin’ Chickin’s Web site is not up yet but I’ll be sure to update when they open. They’ll be located at 2851 Georgia Ave, NW.
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:
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…)
Sorry I didn’t get to post about the Grand Opening on Sunday but I found out about it a bit too late. But it looks like this is going to be a great addition to Pleasant Plains. (This is the former home of Showoff apparel that we checked out in ’08.) According to their Web site:
Pleasant Plains Workshop is a shared studio space with a storefront that features works by its resident artists along with a rotating lineup of works and projects by other DC-based artists and designers.
Kristina Bilonick is a native Washingtonian who uses screen printing, found objects and other media to create art installations that are often interactive. She has shown her work at at local art spaces such as Transformer, Honfleur Gallery, and Civilian Art Projects. Kristina also has an ever-changing line of clothing, accessories and housewares. Her most popular items are her long ‘all over print’ cotton scarves featuring repeated prints such as marching buffalo or overlapping prints of foliage. By day, she is program director at Washington Project for the Arts.
Anthony Dihle / Fire Studio
Anthony Dihle has screen printed concert posters for local and internationally known bands such as Greenland, Exit Clov, Elvis Costello and Jay-Z. In addition to making work, he has curated multiple gallery shows at local art spaces such as Civilian Art Projects and the Athaneum, featuring works of other masterful printer-designers. Dihle also creates hand printed greeting cards and t-shirts.
I chatted briefly with Anthony who said that the storefront part will be opening on Saturdays the week after Thanksgiving.
I’ll be sure to update when special events take place.
Grand opening was smashed crowded!
Couple more shots after the jump. (more…)
Well that was fast but we’ve already got an update on the development bid at the old Bruce Monroe School at 3000 Georgia Ave, NW. This just got very very serious. I’d be very curious to know exactly how serious Elevation Burger and/or the folks from Churchkey are in potentially coming to the space. If true this could be huge!
WBJ’s Michael Neibauer writes:
Option A — we assume it’s the firms’ preferred option — would feature an NDC-developed mixed-use building on the eastern third of the site, comprising 88-175 apartments up to 1,000 square feet, 17,000-26,000 square feet of retail space and a community learning center. Yes! Organic Market, Neighborhood Restaurant Group (Chuchkey, Birch and Barley, Rustico, Vermilion), Elevation Burger and a hardware store are listed as potential tenants.
The western two-thirds would comprise 52 EYA-developed townhomes ranging from 1,500-2,000 square feet, each with one or two garage parking spaces.
Now if you’ll forgive me, I’m going to lay down for a few minutes before I pass out with joy…
The new clinic is located at 3422 Georgia Ave, NW in the new building next to the gas station.
Thanks to all who sent links. Washington Business Journal’s Michael Neibauer has the scoop:
…the bid features multi-family rental units atop street-level retail — a hardware store, perhaps, or a Yes! Organic Market — in addition to EYA-built townhouses on the western end of the 121,825-square-foot site.
Bruce Monroe was closed after the 2008 school year and subsequently razed. Graham secured $1.5 million in the fiscal 2011 budget to temporarily enhance the space with playgrounds, a tennis court, two basketball courts and parking.
…the city needs several weeks to vet the Neighborhood Development Company/EYA bid before deciding how to move ahead.
Sound like a good use of the space?
I gotta admit, every time I walk past the, now, park it makes me smile because people seem to be having such a good time. Though I haven’t forgotten that bad blood is still felt by many after the school was razed. Can YES! Organic Market save the day?
Maybe we should aim higher…?
Photo by PoPville flickr user jimbographer ⓓⓒ
“Dear PoP,
Much to my chagrin, my employer is moving offices out to Bethesda, right by the metro stop. So my commute from Georgia Ave is going to increase from fifteen minutes to…well, I don’t know how long. I’ve been toying with a lot of different transportation option but can’t seem to come up with any good, efficient ones. I would like to avoid using the car, but I’m afraid it might come to that. Does anyone have any suggestions?”
Assuming this is the section of Georgia Avenue from Park View or Petworth how would you suggest the reader get to Bethesda – bus, metro, bike – combination therein?
When I was walking around 1st St, NE (where the new Harris Teeter is going in) I noticed a couple of BID (Business Improvement District) workers sporting some sweet sweatshirts cleaning some streets and I was like man, this a badass BID. Then a block away I saw the truck pictured above and I was like this is a seriously badass BID. Their Web site says:
“Located just north of Capitol Hill and Union Station, the NoMa Business Improvement District (BID) was created by the District of Columbia City Council and approved by the Mayor in March 2007. The BID supports the emergence of NoMa as one of the District’s most exciting mixed-use neighborhoods. Through a special assessment collected from property owners in a 35-block area, the BID is helping to make NoMa safe, clean, and attractive for businesses, residents, and visitors. Its main tasks include:
• Providing cleaning and safety services
• Promoting NoMa through marketing and community events
• Coordinating public and private investments and services
• Enhancing the community by promoting employment and community projects with NoMa neighbors.
The BID is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of nine property and business owners. The BID’s FY2008 budget is approximately $1.3 million and is funded by an assessment that applies to commercial property (including land and parking lots), residences of ten or more units, and hotels.”
Holy cow a $1.3 million budget. No wonder they are so badass. Who else has BIDs? Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Downtown. Does U Street have one? And the real question that has popped into my head is – why doesn’t Georgia Avenue have a BID?
Recently I noted that Hadiyah Cafe had closed but I noticed a permit in the window so I had hopes of a proper restaurant coming in. It was a good hunch as a recently applied for liquor license application indicates:
“New southern cuisine restaurant, providing good and healthy foods to the community, and quiet jazz for entertainment. Occupancy load is 23”
I’ll be sure to update when they look closer to opening up.