Georgia Ave

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…

Top Spanish Restaurant Opens at 3541 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Speaking of Tex-Mex…

“Dear PoP,

Check out the Top Spanish Cafe on Georgia Ave in Park View (right across from the ‘House’). They apparently just opened last week and are working with a soft opening menu but offer both Spanish and Tex/Mex. The sangria and paella were great as well as the service!”

Couple more shots after the jump including a taste of the menu. (more…)

Old Mario’s Pizza Space on Georgia Ave. Becoming a West Indian Take Out

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

It seems as though there have been people working inside of the Mario’s Pizza place on the corner of Georgia and Princeton, across from Looking Glass Lounge. Have you heard anything about it?”

I stopped by Wed. afternoon and learned that it is going to become a West Indian Take Out place called ‘The Lion’s Den’. They hope to open sometime next week. I’ll be sure to update when an opening date is confirmed.

Mario’s Pizza was last home to First Time Computers at 3519 Georgia Ave, NW over 2 years ago.

Ras Restaurant & Lounge Opens at 4809 Georgia Avenue, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

My partner and I headed to Georgia Ave in search of food. We were aiming for Moroni and Bros., but passed by the new RAS and noticed it was open. One of the proprietors came out to greet us and invite us in. She explained that it is an Ethiopian/Jamaican blend of menu items. There was a large party in the back – apparently friends and family – celebrating the opening. I think we were the only paying customers. Anyway, we ordered two light meals and the food was fantastic! Spicy chicken wings were nicely seasoned and not fatty at all, and the gouda grits were amazing. They offer three types of chicken wings and other miscellaneous dishes and sides. My partner ordered the Bake and Vegetables and loved it, especially the interesting bread. They specialize in “Bake and Shark” which the waitress said was fantastic, so I’ll try that next. And prices are great.

I’d like to note that the people were so gracious and welcoming. The chef visited our table, and the owners visited and offered us some “birthday cake.” All in all, I was very impressed and they appear to be fully open and ready for business. Another great addition to the neighborhood!”

Photos of inside and see the menu after the jump. (more…)

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.”

Dear PoP – What is the Petworth/Georgia Ave Construction?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Do you know what the plans are for the building next to the Wendy’s and the other vacant lots on Georgia Avenue Northbound? One site has two construction signs up and the ground is already broken. Thanks for any information you can provide.”

Pictured above is the corner of Georgia and Quincy which will be the home to new condos.

Further up the street where you saw the economic development signs will be two projects. Billy Simpson’s (from the owners of Marvin) will open up at 3813/3815 Georgia Ave., NW. I have no idea when it will actually open. I’d guess by 2012. The section a few storefronts up that is a vacant lot is slated to become a restaurant but I’d guess we won’t see anything there before 2013. That’s just a guess, I do hope something comes sooner.

Next to Wendy’s at 3910 Georgia Ave will become mixed income apartments and a health center. It looks like it will be completed in the next couple of months.

Construction on the actually street relates to ongoing Great Streets Improvement Project that will occur over the next 18 months.

Huge Prostitution Arrests Made at 4100 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


View Larger Map

I’ve gotten a few emails from folks about the large number of prostitution arrests made this past weekend. MPD writes:

“On Saturday evening, the Fourth District Vice Unit, along with members from the Crime Suppression Team conducted an operation in the area of Georgia Ave and Taylor St NW. This area has been noted as an area for possible street prostitution in the past. First, we deployed several undercover officers (male).

Their job was to identify and possibly target any female prostitutes that might be operating in the area. In a very short time, we were able to identify and arrest several female suspects in the area and charge them with prostitution-related offenses. Then, we deployed several undercover officers (female), posing as potential prostitutes in order to target the “Johns”. Over the next several hours, we were able to arrest several subjects and charge them with prostitution-related offenses as well.

This two-fold approach was an attempt by the vice unit to address both sides of the problem and, as a result, was very effective. The undercover officers did an outstanding job and the rest of my team acted in a highly professional and efficient manner. The Fourth District Vice unit plans to conduct these operations targeting street prostitution on a regular basis within different areas of the Fourth District. If anyone observes any activities or areas that they feel we should focus on, please let me know so that we can help address those issues. Thank you for your ongoing support.”

A reader writes:

“On August 14, there are something like 12 prostitution arrests around the Yes Organic. Amazing. Was there a bus drop off? A convention?”

Back in March 2007, I was surprised to see a prostitute and her pimp around the Petworth metro.

Community Review of Georgia Avenue Sat.

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who forwarded the info. From an email:

“The Georgia Avenue Community Development Task Force invites you to a

Community Review of Georgia Avenue
Saturday August 7th from 9-4
HU School of Architecture – 6th and Howard Place NW
(Parking is available – the entrance to the lot is just south of Howard Place on Georgia Ave)

The GACDTF has been working to bring the voice of the residents and business owners to the process of redeveloping Georgia Avenue from New Hampshire Avenue to S Street. This Community Review is a milestone in creating a plan that works for everyone.

Registration begins at 9am. Small group discussions will be held from 9:30 until 1:00 on the following schedule:

9:30 – 10:30 Concurrent Topics – Housing, Shopping, Entertainment, Getting Around

10:45 – 11:45 Concurrent Topics – Entertainment, Shopping, Economic Development, Environment

12:00 – 1:00 Concurrent Topics – Housing, Economic Development, Getting Around, Environment

1:00 – 2:00 Free lunch provided by area businesses

2:00 – 4:00 Large group discussion: Summary of Small Groups and Visioning

Details after the jump. (more…)

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!

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