Georgia Ave

Dear PoP – What’s the best way to get to Bethesda from Georgia Ave, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth


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?

The NoMa BID is Badass, I Want One

By Prince Of Petworth

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?

Hadiyah Cafe Becoming Ma Ma’s Southern Cuisine at 3118 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

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.

Cool New Art Display, District Modular, Goes up on Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Have you talked about “district modular” on GA Ave a few stores up from petworth liquors at kenyon? It looks like an art gallery.”

I’ve been getting a number of emails about this and walked by on Saturday. The display at 3216 Georgia Ave, NW is quite cool. Unfortunately the doors were locked and there was nobody to talk to, to get more info. According to the Pinkline Project:

“District Modular is a growing artists-collective with the goal of creating collaborative installation and experimental media projects to join/complicate/carry-on the cultural conversation at a local level.”

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

G Spot Tavern Coming to 5413 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Well this is certainly, uh, an interesting choice of names… The liquor application license says:

“New cocktail bar lounge with billiard table. Salad and sandwiches will be served, no entertainment. Seating capacity is 8. Total occupancy load is 40.”

Seating capacity is 8 but no entertainment (except for a billiard table)? Sounds like a legit tavern. Could be interesting.

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…)

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