Lost and Found is now open

1240 9th or enter from Blagden Alley.  Tonight is the grand opening.

Lost and Found hopes to open any day (1240 9th Street) article below from the City Paper

Barter Bar Stools for Beers at New Shaw Pub Lost & Found

Posted by Jessica Sidman on Oct. 29, 2014 at 9:40 am

Pretty much everything at Shaw bar Lost & Found is literally lost and found. Rusty license plates, a random collection of vinyl, old street signs, and forgotten black and white photos have all been recycled to help decorate the place. "It was either going to be Lost & Found or Bulk Trash," says co-owner Geoff Dawson, who also operates Buffalo Billiards, Iron Horse Taproom, Nanny O'Brien's, and other bars.
But Dawson and co-owner Brian Leonard don't just want their junk; they want your junk. So when the bar opens later this week (if final inspections go as planned), patrons will be able to bring in things like bar stools, yard sticks, records, or old class photos from Woodrow Wilson High School (Dawson's alma mater) and trade them for free drink tickets.
"We're going to have sort of a call to action board," Dawson says. "We're going to look for things as we decide we need them and put it up on the board. And if you're sitting here and you go, 'I've got one of those,' bring it in and trade, and we'll have an established price for it."
The bar has a whole set of brand new bar stools right now, but eventually, Dawson would like to move them to another bar and completely replace them with bartered seats. "We'd like to have a night where we have a guy like the Antiques Roadshow guy be like, 'Your bar stool is worth seven drink tickets!'" he says. "And then you can come in and say, 'That's my seat.'"
Lost & Found also plans to have an "analog blog"—a typewriter and a bulletin board. Dawson has amassed nearly a dozen ancient typing machines and plans to leave a couple of them out for bargoers to use. "You come in and type your blog post, and we'll put it up on the board," Dawson says. "Like all blogs, it will just get covered up with other blog posts." Another idea: Dawson would like to leave out stationery and put up a sign that says "write a letter to your mom."
The drink menu will include 24 beers (at least half of them local), six classic cocktails, and a limited wine selection. Hungry? The bar will have an "extensive snack collection" plus pre-made sandwiches, hummus, and veggie platters brought in from Carving Room. Guests can also bring their own food. (Sundevich is just around the corner!)
Happy hour will go Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. with $2 off beer and wine. There will also be a "bring your own vinyl" happy hour so patrons can play their own music. And if you're lucky, you might be able to trade your collection for beers at the end of the night.

11th and M Project

Here is a little more from the Washington Business Journal/Urban Turf

I spoke to the developer a few weeks ago who was hoping to get started in November but was still waiting on some DC Government Building permit

Here is the WBJ Link from Urban Turf with a picture of the approved building design - note the corner laundry building in not included in the project:  http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/71-unit_project_at_11th_and_m_aims_to_deliver_in_early_2016/9166?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=Thursday+October+30th%2C+2014&utm_medium=headline

Community Three Development’s 71-unit condo project planned for the northeast corner of 11th and M Street NW (map) will start construction soon, according to the Washington Business Journal’s Michael Neibauer. Community Three aims to deliver in early 2016.

UrbanTurf first reported on the large residential project in February 2013, and it was approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board a few months after that. The development will have underground parking as well as a retail component on the ground level.

Community Three will be developing their project on the parking lot to the north and east of the laundromat at the address, wrapping around the existing building.

Architect Torti Gallas created a design of two distinct buildings: a six-story structure fronting 11th Street NW, and a nine-story building fronting M Street NW. The 71 units will be distributed throughout the project, which will feel like one building on the interior. The design was inspired by the rowhouses and classical apartment buildings that fill the neighborhood.

ABRA actually revokes a liquor license

This was a bar in Adams Morgan.  The link below will take you to the PDF of the Board Order that revokes a liquor license.  You can see it takes quite a bit to lose your license but at least we can see in one guess a bad owner gets what they deserve.


http://abra.dc.gov/publication/ny-ny-diva-october-29-2014-board-order

Next Meeting this Thursday 23 Oct at 945 O Street from 7-8PM

Next Meeting is this Thursday 23 October at 945 O Street from 7-8PM

Thanks to Sherri and Bob for hosting the meeting.

Agenda items will include:

Candidates for ANC2F06 - both Danielle Pierce and Charlie Bengel will attend, introduce themselves and answer any questions you have.

Delayed - The Architects for 928 O Street will return to present the design for 930 O Street the vacant lot immediately to the West and the location of the Blagden Alley picnic the last few years - the architect asked that this be taken off the calendar for this month.

SBUrban will stop to discuss the accommodations they are proposing for 90 and 91 Blagden Alley to address parking, trash and delivery concerns.  Their response includes a new Bike Share station among other things.  Their BZA requests will be formally addressed at the Oct CDC and Nov ANC meetings.

I have invited the owner of 1337 11th Street to stop by to discuss his progress at the corner of 11th and O Street.

The next CDC meeting is Wed 29 Oct and the full ANC meets on 5 Nov both at the Washington Plaza Hotel.  ANC2F.org

Other related news:  New restaurant in Blagden Alley in the Douglas Development owned "Gang of 3" project under construction.

http://badwolfdc.blogspot.com/2014/10/jeremiah-langhorne-to-open-new.html

Note that Douglas will also be asking for a zoning variance to construct a larger building at the Gang of 3 location.  Requires a zoning variance - more to come on that matter.

End of Secrets - this is the former "sports" lounge that used to be at 1414 9th Street.  The new owner is John who runs the Broadbranch Market in Chevy Chase.  I have invited him to stop by on Thursday night if he can.  He is planning a fast casual restaurant downstairs and a full restaurant upstairs.  More to come.

Blagdenalley.blogspot.com

Carneige Library expansion to incorporate the Spy Museum is Dead

Dear Consulting Parties,

I am writing to provide another update on the Section 106 consultation for the proposed redevelopment of the Carnegie Library. In my last update to you I indicated that the project would be before the District of Columbia Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) on Oct. 2, 2014. During that review, the HPRB acknowledged that progress on the design had been made to respond to various comments, but ultimately the HPRB declined to approve the project  and requested that the project team come back with concept revisions.

Following the HPRB review, Events DC and the Spy Museum announced via a press release that they have withdrawn the plans for the project. Below is a link to that press release for your information.

http://www.dcconvention.com/NewsRoom/PressRelease/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?id=514&year=2014

Given that the current plans have been withdrawn, NCPC will not continue to advance the Section 106 consultation or the preparation of an Environmental Assessment for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We thank you for your comments and participation to date in both the NEPA process and Section 106 consultation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

With this update, Events DC asked that NCPC include the following message to the consulting parties:

Events DC would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who participated and provided feedback throughout the Section 106 process.  We are respectful of the process, and while HPRB stated that our latest effort was a move in a positive direction, the project team has decided to withdraw our proposed redevelopment plan from further consideration.  Again, we thank you for your contribution and also thank NCPC for their assistance in guiding us through the Section 106 process. 

-Greg O’Dell

President and CEO, Events DC

________________________________________________

Jennifer Hirsch

Federal Preservation Officer | Urban Design and Plan Review

National Capital Planning Commission

401 9th Street, N.W. | Suite 500

Washington, D.C., 20004 | 202-482-7239

jennifer.hirsch@ncpc.gov

Next Meeting is Thursday 23 October, location TBD

I am looking for a host for the next meeting.

Agenda items will include:

Candidates for ANC2F06 - both Danielle Pierce and Charlie Bengel will attend, introduce themselves and answer any questions you have.

The Architects for 928 O Street will return to present the design for 930 O Street the vacant lot immediately to the West and the location of the Blagden Alley picnic the last few years.

There may be other project returning for updates prior to the next CDC meeting, I will update the Blog when I know more and send an email out the weekend before the meeting.

The next CDC meeting is 29 Oct and the full ANC meets on 5 Nov.

Last but not least I want to thank those who did all the hard work to make the Blagden Alley Picnic a success (held back on the 20th of September).

First Paul and Nez for letting us use the lot/garden next to their home.
Next Richard, Jimmy, Brad and others for shopping for the food and drink and then doing all the set up, cooking and clean up.  I may have missed a few but thanks for everyone's help.
Last Elizabeth took lead to contact the many politicians/candidates who visited that day; it was great to see Jack Evans, Phil Mendelson, and the many other candidates.

Pop Up Blagden Alley Naylor Court Association Meeting Tues night 9/23 and other announcements

Normally we do not meet in September since we just had the annual picnic but two emerging issues have resulted in a short meeting that is scheduled on Tuesday 9/23 at LaColombe starting at 6:30PM.

First we will hear a first look presentation by Ditto on their design for the house they wish to construct at 925 M Street.

Following that Orestes will give a presentation on the design for the American restaurant in Blagden Alley that will go through HPO for approval.

Both projects asked for an opportunity to present to the neighborhood before these issues are discussed at the Community Development Commitee meeting of ANC 2F on Wed 24 Sept at 7PM.
Agenda details are at ANC2F.org.

Also presented at the Wed CDC meeting will be SBUrban and the zoning variance required to construct their proposed building at 90/91 Blagden Alley.  This project has been approved by HPRB.

Another item of interest is movie night at the 10th Street Community Park this Friday 26 Sept at 7:30PM

10th Street Community Park

Movie Night!

Friday ~ September 26, 2014

Star Wars ~ Return of the Jedi

       7:30pm to 9:00pm (no rain date)

Bring a lawn blanket or camping chair to the park for ournext Movie Night!  The friends of the 10th Street Park will be providing light goodies for all, including popcorn and candies or bring your own!

Find out more about the movie at:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/return_of_the_jedi/

Donations very much needed and appreciated!

For more information visit: www.10thstreetparkfriends.org

Opportunity to get up to two new trees

Good Afternoon Commissioners, 

We wanted to share with you that we still have trees available as part of the "Right Tree, Right Place" planting program, completed in partnership with Casey Trees.  Through this initiative, homeowners in the District of Columbia can have up to two trees planted on their property for a small co-pay.  Please share this opportunity with your neighbors.   

Additional information about the program can be found on our website at https://www.pepco.com/forms/pepco/residential/treerequest.aspx.  If you sign up in September we should be able to to plant your tree before the end of the year.   

Chris Taylor
Public Affairs Manager, DC Region
Pepco Headquarters
701 9th St. NW
Washington, DC 20068
Office- 202.872.3357 

Picnic is a go today Sat 13 Sept 3-7 PM 930 O St

New Restaurant to Marriott Marquis

Sandoval owned restaurant - Mercadito, coming to the Marriott Marquis.

Believe this is the space on the ground level west of the Mass Avenue entrance.

dc.eater.com (article featured on the home page of dc eater web site).

DC selects Roadside Development for the vacant lot at 8th and O

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/dc_selects_roadside_development_proposal_for_8th_and_o_parcel/8921utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=Sunday+September+7th%2C+2014&utm_medium=headline

This is just the vacant lot and does not include scripture cathedral.

Annual Picnic this Saturday and other items of interest

Saturday September 13 will be the annual BANCA Picnic
Hours are 3-7PM
Location is 930 O Street NW (side yard to 932 O Street - thanks Paul and Nez for hosting)
Hamburgers, Hotdogs Provided - Please bring a side dish
Set up help before 3, after 7 and grill duty would be appreciated
Expect some politicians to be in attendance, Jack Evans will be there

ANC 2F will meet on Wednesday night 10 Sept 7PM Washington Plaza Hotel
Two items of neighborhood interest will be voted on:

1) Design for 928 O Street.  This has been through a number of neighborhood reviews and the CDC.  We approved it at the CDC on 27 August.  Formal ANC approval will be voted on Wed. night and sent to the HPRB.  The HPO staff indicates they will support the design approved at the CDC.

2) Back/Rear finishing of 1250 9th Street.  The CDC supported the Scheme C requested by the Blagden Alley Neighbors.  This will replace most of the horizontal plank-like siding with the original stucco panels approved by the building permit, except for the lower two levels where it is not generally visible.    One can see the stucco panels finish design today on the top floor of the building where it faces 9th Street.  There was some support of the vertical approach which did appear to have potential when viewed from the rendering but ultimately we felt the building needed to be designed to support the vertical approach (Scheme B).  Scheme A was rejected as it left too much of the horizontal siding visible. Note the horizontal material will be retained in the interior courtyard that is not general visible.  HPO has agreed to support this approach and the developer will make the changes once the ANC votes.

General item is the near demolition of 1211 10th Street.  Essentially the owner has torn down all but the front portion of the historic building.  The second floor had collapsed on the rear part that dated to 1830/1840 the oldest building in the neighborhood.  I have not seen the plans but the owner will be proceeding to shore up what is left so no more will fall down.  HPO is engaged.

Upcoming for the CDC meeting on 24 September is the zoning changes that SBUrban will request to obtain approval to construct the two buildings at 1212 9th Street and 917 M Street.  This design (with the bridge) was approved by HRPB but there are Zoning Special Exceptions and Variances that must be approved.  I voted to approve the building design and believe I will also support the request for no parking, the other zoning items are minor and the concept for them was already endorsed by the HPRB.  While there will be much debate over no parking I believe ultimately that will be the best for Blagden Alley vice two new designs that include parking garages emptying on to Blagden Alley. The developer has presented his design concept at 3 BANCA meetings and multiple ANC 2F meetings.  Due to the picnic there will not be another BANCA meeting before the CDC/ANC.  If you have any additional questions please contact the developer at BrookKatzen@sb-urban.com.  Brook is happy to talk or meet with any neighbors who have concerns about the plans. 

Lots of neighborhood discussion recently on the final design and railing color for the two new Reatig designed townhouse at 1232-1234 10th Street.  Bottom line for all to know is paint color is not an item regulated by the city.  These buildings will be high end rentals (2 units per building).  When complete in the next month or so Reatig has proposed a happy hour for the neighbors to tour the new apartments.

I am not running for reelection as ANC 2F06 SMD.  My understanding is two candidates are registered Danielle Pierce who lives at 1111 11th Street and Charlie Bengel at 910 M Street.

11th and O Update (1337 11th Street)

I touched base with David Dale who owns 1331-1337 11th Street a row of 4 storey townhouses.  They are all zoned C2A allowing a mix of  commercial and residential uses.

As all can see the corner property 1337 11th Street has been under vigorous construction/renovation.  There will be two flats on the top two floors that will deliver in the Fall 2014 timeframe.  The two stories down below are intended for a restaurant and negotiations are underway.  The hope is that we'll get a great local restauranteur committed to the space soon and with that specific build out, we should expect something to open by the middle of 2015.  I would expect a sidewalk cafe to be part of the package as well, the dimensions of the sidewalk cafe being similar to the Veranda over at 11th and P (1100 P Street).

Upcoming Events at the CDC/ANC and the BANCA picnic

There will be two key reviews at the CDC meeting tomorrow night Wed 27 August: 7PM at the Washington Plaza Hotel.  ANC2F.org

First the architect for 928 O Street will present their plans.  I can email the package to anyone that wants to see it and will send it to the O Street list.  We met to discuss at the BANCA/O Street meeting on Thursday the 21st and received generally positive remarks.  If you feel differently please show up at the CDC and voice your opinion.

Next the developers at 9th and N Street, the Colonel 1250 9th Street, did not use the stucco finishing materials they were supposed to on the sides and rear of the structure.  As documented on the Blog, a group of neighbors meet with them to discuss options for correction.  The developer will present their options to the CDC, their recommendation will go to HPO for a final decision.  I can email those options to any who wants to see them.

Last the BANCA annual picnic will be on Saturday 13 September at 930 O Street NW (same location as last year).  Time is 3-7PM. The Association will provide the basic cook out food and drink, please bring a dish to share and if you like your favorite beverage.  Hope to see you there and I would expect a number of political candidates to stop by given the November elections.

Concert @ the Tenth Street Community Park Friday 22 August 5:45PM to 6:45PM

 10th Street Community Park (1100 Block of 10th)

Presents: Red Dirt Rangers 

in a Family-Friendly Concert 

A blues, bluegrass, honky tonk, folk, and rock 'n' roll band from Oklahoma that can usually be found playing at Hill Country BBQ. These guys make music so unique and fun! 

Friday ~ August 22, 2014 

Band to Play - 5:45pm to 6:45pm 

(No Rain Date scheduled) 

Bring a lawn blanket or camping chair to the park and enjoy the fun live music. The friends of the 10th Street Park will be providing water but feel free to bring your own goodies! 

Find out more about the Red Dirt Rangers at: 

http://www.reddirtrangers.com/ 

Donations are always appreciated! 

For more information visit: www.10thstreetparkfriends.org 

Follow us on Twitter! @Friendsof10th

Next meeting: 7-8PM Thursday 21 August 1327 10th Street NW

There are several typos I have corrected - the Colonel is at 9th and N, also the lot I am discussion is at 925 M Street not O street. Sorry for the confusion.

This will be a combined BANCA/O Street meeting to review plans for 928 O Street.  This is a non-contributing building so they intend to demolish it and construct a new building, please see the HPO guidance at the end of this message.  Since we last heard from them, the developer/architect has met with a small group of neighbors, some of whom are design professionals, as well as the Historic Preservation Staff.  This is an important meeting for neighbors to attend and key for providing your inputs and concerns before the design goes forward.  The next step after this meeting will be the Community Development Committee meeting on Wed August 27 and the full ANC will review 10 September.  Assuming the design is endorsed, then it will go forward to HPRB to request approval.

Following this the owner of 910 O Street will present her renovation plans.

Since no one came forward to host the meeting I will. I'll provide some beer and wine and would appreciate if others bring a few snacks.

Other items of interest:

The Colonel at 9th and N - I am still waiting for an update from HPO staff on this building where fake wood siding was installed instead of the required stucco on many of the sides and back of the building. HPO stays they will handle this - stay tuned.

I was just contacted by the new owner of 925 M  Street, next door to George's house and met with them this evening.  This piece of land is zoned R4 residential and given its size, can be two units as a matter or right.  They own only the grass part of the lot, the brick area at the rear is owned by George and is zoned C2A commercial.  Their intent is to build a residential building.  When they have a preliminary design ready a meeting will be held with the community to review the design before proceeding to the CDC/ANC and then HPRB.  They have had an initial dialogue with HPO staff.   Anyone who wants to talk with them now, let me know and I will connect you.

We usually have a picnic in September. Working on the date and location.  More to come.

HPO information on a non-contributing structure and its replacement:

Existing building is non-contributing. At the time the historic district was approved in 1990 by HPRB, 928 O Street was identified as a non-contributing building (see attached map from the nomination). The survey supporting the nomination identified 928 as an 1830’s structure, much altered, and the victim of a recent fire. There is no new information that would change its non-contributing  status. As a non-contributing structure, it can be demolished at the Staff level and the question of demolition does not require HPRB. Here are the pertinent sections of the HP regs:

701.4      A contributing or non-contributing determination made at the time of a historic district or historic landmark designation shall be presumed to retain validity unless a re-evaluation is warranted due to physical change, the availability of new information, or the passage of time since the designation was made.

705.1      Upon receipt of an application to demolish a building or structure that the Board determined to be non-contributing when it designated the historic district, the staff may certify the building as non-contributing on behalf of the Board and may process the demolition permit accordingly.

Primary question is one of new construction in a historic district. The gable massing and setback position of 928 O are remnant characteristics of the building’s historic form. If an owner wanted to reconstruct that, the Board could approve that as compatible with the district. But reconstruction is not the standard for new construction. Rather, new construction just needs to be not incompatible with the character of the district, which for street lots, generally means a rowhouse at the front property line.

There’s a lot of design work to do. I do have concerns already about the materials, height and massing of the rowhouse form the architect is starting with. The centered, all-glass bay contravenes the standard of off-center bays for rowhouses. The dark, rough masonry  is a stark contrast. While 3-stories is not completely foreign to the Blagden HD, this side of the street is distinctly 2-stories. But the other side of the street has enough 3-story buildings that that height is not completely foreign to the block. There are ways to mitigate a three-story building so it less ominous (like make the bay only two stories).

How important is the rear setback.  Alley buildings generally sit on the rear property line. This lot doesn’t have that condition. Does the new project need that to be compatible with the other alley buildings? Does this need a garage or brick garden wall? The owner has zoning issues regarding this question. It’s the sort of academic question we’ll consider as an office during peer review after the case is filed.

Result of the meeting to review the use of horizontal clapboard vs stucco for 9th and N

Sent this to HPO:

First, the conclusion was to use the Stucco originally specified if possible but a compromise was agreed to below by the community present last night.

(1) The CAS Riegler suggested compromise to use stucco on the floors 5 and 6 and the horizontal clapboard appearing material (that they have installed on parts of the building) was rejected by all. CAS Riegler said that they would be presenting this option to you.  This will leave far too much building area using the clapboard material visible from the alley.  The solid wall facing south is particularly unattractive and noted by all (the wall to the south away from 9th). One only need stand at that point to see the view north of this new building and the view south of the original brick rear facades along M Street to know how wrong this approach will be and what a negative legacy of deciding on this choice.

(2) CAS Riegler characterized an HPO staff suggested option of alternating vertically between the stucco material and the horizontal clapboard material, we were told this was to mimic kind of a townhouse width/spacing.  No one found that to be particularly compelling - certainly such an alternating vertical approach was used say on 910 M street but the building was designed for this and the spacing there makes sense.   In this case the spacing of the windows, etc., was not designed for this and we just don't see that as a viable alternative.  CAS Riegler said they would come back and present this option to you.  In fairness this option is more difficult to visualize and perhaps once a rendering is made it might be more compelling.

(3) The option that everyone present agreed with was based on the first option above however we want stucco on floors 4, 5 and 6.  The floor 5 and 6 approach works from a perspective of 9th and N Streets, no one can see the horizontal clapboards (I think).  However stopping at the 5th floor falls apart when standing in several locations along Blagden Alley either the north south alley or in the central area near rogue 24 where the clapboard are currently quite prominent.  If you take the stucco down to the 4th floor and only use the horizontal clapboards for floors 1, 2, and 3 then the material is minimally visible (the only place you can see it is through a 4 foot opening on the southwest corner of the property and from Frank Asher's back yard the first townhouse West of the Project on N Street). 

All felt this was a reasonable compromise.  CAS Riegler said they would prepare drawings of all 3 options including the one we recommend for your next meeting.  Please keep us posted and we request that we be engaged should HPO conclude some other path then the one we are recommending. A number of neighbors would also like to see these new rendering when CAS Riegler produces them.  I will ask them to send that to us electronically at the minimum.

Note that we do not care what they use in the interior courtyard unless it is visible from the alley or the street(which could be an issue at the top 2 floors towards the south side of the interior courtyard as the building to the south is only 3 stories high). At present the interior courtyard is almost completely finished using the horizontal clapboard material and painted grey.

Thanks

Greg

(note I held this meeting as the President of the Blagden Alley Naylor Court Association although this is also my SMD as ANC2F06)

PS there was some discussion of stucco vs a cement panel which has grid lines. I am not sure how the later is any better (as a commercial type material) than the horizontal clapboards for the view from within Blagden Alley where the material is not appropriate.  We would appreciate some clarification on the use of this material.

Update for Thursday nights BANCA meeting

Update:  HPO and CAS Riegler met today to discuss a resolution of the wood siding vs stucco issue at 9th and N.  CAS Riegler is on the hook to formally respond to HPO with updated plans that reflect the HPO/CAS Riegler discussion.  

Therefore the nature of the BANCA meeting has changed.  CAS Riegler will walk us around the building showing the different vista's and then present the updated plan that HPO has agreed in principle to approve (subject to seeing the formal submittal from CAS Riegler).  Our role is to review these plans and then provide HPO with any feedback - agree, disagree or recommend some motifications.  HPO has agreed to consider any neighborhood input before making the final agreement with CAS Riegler.  Following that approval CAS Riegler will make any changes required by HPO.

Blagden Alley Naylor Court Association Meeting Thursday night

The meeting will be at 7PM on Thursday night July 17.

The location will be the corner of 9th and N Street, yes we will just meet on the corner by Reformation Fitness.

This meeting's sole focus will be the wood appearance siding that CAS Riegler has installed on the sides and rear of the new construction building "The Colonel."

BANCA and the CDC/ANC worked pretty hard on the facade for this building as it transitions from the Historic parts of the neighborhood and then interfaces with the convention center across the street.  I believe we ended up with a good result for the 9th and N Street facades.  That said the permits and historic review for this building specified a stucco finish on the sides and rear, given it is a wood frame construction above the ground floor.  I raised this issue with the Historic Preservation Office as clearly they did not approve the wood appearance siding material.  HPO can go to the Office of Administrative Hearing and attempt to have a stop work order issued and force the contractor to comply but HPO says that OAH will not process these cases without an attempt at mediation.  So this meeting is the communities opportunity to review the current materials, examine options and recommend an approach to CAS Riegler and HPO.

We will start at the corner of 9th and N, then go inside the buildings courtyard to see the siding material in its painted condition (this area is not visible from the street or alley) then walk around inside to the Blagden Alley view.  CAS Riegler will have some renderings and we'll take it from there.  I have no preconceived compromise other than I have told him that universally no one in the neighborhood likes this siding style finish.  Weather should be good so I believe a meeting outside will be fine.

Street closure on Wednesday night 6:45PM to 1 AM see below

Please note that the square around the Carnegie Library will be closed to traffic from 6:45PM to 1AM on Wednesday night 16 July.

Events DC | Conventions & Meetings

Traffic Alert

July 10, 2014

 

The Walter E. Washington Convention Center will host Microsoft’s 2014 Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) over the official dates of July 13-17, 2014.  Total attendance is projected at 15,800.   Additional details about the event are included in the attached press release.

 

Daily WPC activity hours are as follows:  

 

Sunday, July 13	8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Monday, July 14	7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday, July 15	7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday, July 16	7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday, July 17	8:00 am –11:00 am

 

Monday, July 14 and Wednesday, July 16 (11:30 am)

Vision Keynotes will take place at the Verizon Center. Attendance for the keynotes is projected at 10,000. At the conclusion of the keynotes (approximately 11:30 am), the attendees will move en masse to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Arrangements have been made through the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to provide Traffic Control Officers (TCOs) at key 7^thand 9^th Street NW intersections between the Verizon Center and Convention Center.

 

Wednesday, July 16 (6:45 pm – 1:00 am):

Temporary Road Closure

WPC has arranged, with the District of Columbia, to temporarily close the 700-800 blocks of K Street NW (between 7^th and 9^th Streets) to motorists and pedestrians for the WPC Celebration.  This special event, for registered WPC attendees, will encompass the grounds of Carnegie Library, the 700-800 blocks of K Street NW and Techworld Plaza. The hours of the closure are from 6:45 pm – 1:00 am. Microsoft has submitted  a traffic control plan to the District which includes the hiring of a reimbursable detail from MPDSOD and the hiring of DDOT TCOs to staff their traffic control plan. In the event of inclement weather, the celebration may be moved inside the Convention Center.

 

Shuttle Service

Throughout the WPC event, morning and afternoon shuttle service will be provided on both sides of the 700 – 800 blocks of L Street NW (between 7^th and 9^th Streets) and outside of the Convention Center on the east side of the 1000 block of 9^th Street NW (between L Street and Mount Vernon Place) .

 

Shuttle hours are as follows:

 

Date / Date	Hours / Details
Sunday, July 13th	11:00 am – 7:00 pm Shuttles from Dulles Airport and Reagan National Airport
Monday, July 14th	Service from various hotels to the Verizon Center. ***Coaches may stage at the Convention Center in the event of inclement weather. 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Tuesday, July 15th	7:00 am – 9:00 am 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Wednesday, July 16th	7:00 am – 9:00 am Service from various hotels to the Verizon Center ***Coaches may stage at the Convention Center in the event of inclement weather. 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm 5:45 pm – 6:30 pm Sales Ach Shuttle 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm Celebration Shuttle
Thursday, July 17th	7:30 am – 9:00 am 11:00 am – 12:00 pm closing shuttles

 

Special Notes                                   

–      The L Street crosswalk will be staffed by Events DC transportation personnel and officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

 

–      You may anticipate an enormous demand for taxis and much greater than usual pedestrian and vehicular traffic outside of/near the Convention Center.

 

–      The taxi stand on Mount Vernon Place will be staffed by Events DC transportation personnel and MPD officers.

 

–      The appropriate District agencies have been notified for additional traffic monitoring and enforcement of parking regulations in the area surrounding the Convention Center.

 

We appreciate your patience and understanding.  Please join us in welcoming The Microsoft World Partners Conference to our community.

Jazz in the Pocket Park is on for Thursday June 26 6:30-8PM!!

10^th Street Community Park Jazzy June! (East side of the 1100 Block of 10th Street)

Thursday ~ June 26
(Rescheduled due to Rain)

6:30pm to 8:00pm 

Featuring:  Dimitri Nassar
in a jazz trio of piano, bass, & drums.

Bring a lawn blanket or camping chair to the park for our first Jazzy June event!  The friends of the 10^th Street Park will be providing light goodies for all or feel free to bring your own!

Find out more about the Dimitri Nassar at:
https://www.gigmasters.com/Jazz-Trio/Dimitri-Nassar#/audio

Donations very much well needed and always appreciated!

Next BANCA Meeting This Thursday 19 June Special Early Start 6PM

Next BANCA Meeting this Thursday 19 June 

Special time: 6PM-7PM

Location: 1327 10th Street

Agenda:

1) Demolition and Construction Schedule and Plans for 926N Street: Meagen Mitchell from Reatig Architecture and Wayne Kirk Monarc Construction (note that these plans have been approved by the city)

2) Marriott Marquis Director of Safety and Security: Donnie Womack

3) Update design plans for 917 M and 1212 9th Street: Brook Katzen, SB-Urban (Design will go to the CDC on 25 June, the full ANC on 9 July and HPRB on 10 July)

Adjourn and depart for:
Jazz in the Pocket Park is also planned for 6:30-8:00PM on Thursday night

10^th Street Community Park Jazzy June!

Thursday ~ June 19, 2014
(Rescheduled due to Rain)

6:30pm to 8:00pm 

Featuring:  Dimitri Nassar
in a jazz trio of piano, bass, & drums.

Bring a lawn blanket or camping chair to the park for our first Jazzy June event!  The friends of the 10^th Street Park will be providing light goodies for all or feel free to bring your own!

Find out more about the Dimitri Nassar at:
https://www.gigmasters.com/Jazz-Trio/Dimitri-Nassar#/audio

Donations very much well needed and always appreciated!


For more information visit: www.10thstreetparkfriends.org

926 N Street update

As mentioned a few days ago this building has begun the demolish phase.  House of Prayer Owns the Building.  

The architect is Suzane Reatig Architecture and I think the community and ANC enjoyed a positive give and take on the design which has been approved by HPRB and DCRA.  Here are some specific details.

926 N Street NW will be approximately 23,000 sf and 4 stories (50' tall). There will be six 1 BR apartments and nine 2 BR apartments for a total of fifteen rental apartments. Two of the 1 BR units will be IZ (inclusionary zoning which targets a certain income based on the surrounding average income) and the remainder will be market rate. There are five units each on the 2nd through 4th floors and four of the five fourth floor units will have rooftop access rooms with private roof terraces. The ground floor will have approximately 1750 sf of leasable space on the northeast corner abutting the alley. There is not a tenant scheduled yet but the space will be appropriate for small retail uses like a café, bookstore or exercise studio. The apartment entry lobby will also be on the ground floor with its on entrance from N Street on the west side of the façade. The back of the building will extend to approximately 17' away from 926 N Street Rear (this is the largest building in Blagden Alley with the large half round window that faces North towards N Street) and the slab-on-grade ground floor will not extend the full length in order to allow for a private parking court for 8 cars with gated access from the alley directly adjacent to 926 N Street Rear's north wall. The building is scheduled to be complete by June 2015.

The contractor is MONARC.  
The best point of contact is Norman Thompson who will generally be on site.  He can be reached at nthompson@monarcconstruction.com or 410.562.3179

I will ask them to stop by the next BANCA meeting to answer any questions and give us an update.

Farmer's Market coming to City Center on Tuesday's 11AM - 2:30 PM @ 10th and I Streets

Joining the luxury brands and celebrity chef restaurants coming to CityCenterDC is something a little more local: a farmers' market. Beginning June 17, FRESHFARM Markets will set up shop at 10th and I streets NW every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Like the market by the White House, this one will also focus on prepared foods for the lunch crowds. Among the new eats to District? Silver Spring restaurant and butchery Urban Butcher, which will sell hot sandwiches and cured meats. Handmade Chinese dumplings from Pinch and croissants from Frenchie's will also be available. Other vendors confirmed so far will include Black Rock Orchard, Capitol Kettle Corn, Cowbell Kitchen, and Postmodern Foods (organic, mostly raw foods). Many of the prepared foods incorporate produce and meats from the market's farmers.

Demolition begins today on 926 N Street

Just a heads up that Monarc Construction will begin demolition of old House of Prayer warehouse at this location.  We will get back with all the details very shortly and am planning for Monarc to give us an update in the near future.

This event is delay to Thursday June 19 due to the weather - Jazz in the Park!! 10th Street Community Park Jazzy June! Thursday June 12, 2014 6:30 to 8:30PM

Jazzy June in the 10th Street pocket park (1100 block East side) Thursday June 12

Featuring: Dimitri Nassar in a jazz trio of piano, bass, & drums

(Find out more about Dimitri Nassar at https://www.gigmasters.com/Jazz-Trio/Dimitri-Nassar#/audio)

Bring a lawn blanket or camping chair to the park for our first Jazzy June event!  The Friends of the 10th Street Park will be providing light goodies for all or feel free to bring your own!

Donations very much well needed and much appreciated.

For more information visit: www.10thstreetparkfriends.org

Note: Rain Date Thursday June 19, 2014

BANCA Announcements/Events

1) There will be no BANCA Meeting this month

2) Saturday May 17th Noon- 4 PM  Immaculate Conception Church will be holding its 150th Parish Anniversary Block Party.  The Block Party will be adjacent to the church at 8th and N Streets NW - Mundell Way. 
The Party is free and open to everyone.  It will feature:
- Food & Beverage
- Snow cones, Cotton Candy and Popcorn
- Craft Vendors
- Children's Activity
- Music & Entertainment
- Clown, Face Painting, & Puppet Show
More information can be found at www.immaculateconceptionchurchdc.org

3) Saturday May 17th 10th Street Community Park Movie Night! 8PM claim your spot 8:30PM Movie Starts
Movie is "Despicable Me" staring Steve Carell

Bring a lawn blanket or camping chair to the park for our first 2014 Movie Night!
The friends of the 10th Street Park will be providing light goodies for all, donations needed and very much welcomed!
Find out more about the movie at: http://despicableme.com/
Sponsored by the Friends of the 10th Street Park  For more information visit: www.10thstreetparkfriends.org

4) Richard Neidich attended the National Capital Planning Commission Section 106 Process meeting to review plans for the expansion of the Carneige Library including incorporation of the Spy museum.  Follow this link to see the plans.

http://www.ncpc.gov/ncpc/Main(T2)/PublicParticipation(Tr2)/Public%20Participation(Tr3)/PublicCommentOpportunities.html

A few notes from Richard:

The “program” encompasses expanding the existing 65,000 sq. ft. space of the building to about 130,000 sq. ft.  Most of that space will be underground, with over 25,000 sq. ft. being  for  the  use of the Spy Museum.  The Historical Society would be in the lower level of the existing building, with the upper level and part of the ground floor for Events DC use (read that Convention Center).  One of the above ground wings would be for the Spy Museum retail shop, with the other focused on a DC Visitor’s Center and a Café.

 

The Spy Museum has become a 501c3 Not-for-Profit corporation.  They will be funding their part of the renovation in order to acquire a permanent facility.  The rest will be financed by DC Events and using their tax revenues.  Extensive changes to the grounds were also discussed with a nearly doubling of the number of trees and better sidewalk patterns.

 

The Convention Center Advisory Committee stressed the need for a fully integrated pedestrian access plan that is imperative for the facility to be successful and well as a more comprehensive traffic study.  If anything, the audience wanted even more of the facility to be placed below ground.  Some thought the expansion as unnecessary. 

 

A comment period is open for a week or so and go to jennifer.hirsch@ncpc.gov.  The next action will be an HPRB meeting on May 22 to perform an historic review of the proposed changes.

5) ABRA Settlement Agreements have been signed by ANC 2F for both the "Lost and Found" at 1240 9th Street and the "American" for 1209-1213 10th Street (the Blagden Alley location of the Boxing Club and adjacent parking lot)

BANCA Meeting Thursday Night 4/17 @ La Colombe 7:15 PM

La Colombe Cafe Manager, Greg Smith has graciously agreed to host our meeting in their spaces at 924 Rear N Street NW.   Note the Cafe closes at 7PM.  This location will suit us well as:

Thursday's meeting is intended to focus on the new development for 917 M Street and 1212 9th Street.
Brook Katzen and team from SB-Urban will present their latest plans for the proposed development.  There was a preliminary review given at the March CDC meeting.  Here are some of the drawings they presented at that time:  http://www.badwolfdc.blogspot.com/2014/03/blagden-alley-to-add-126-studio.html.  They will show us their latest plans prior to engaging the ANC on Zoning and Historic approvals required for the project.

Other topics we may touch on briefly could include:
*Gang of Three Construction
*926 N Street Demolition
*Convention Center Traffic Study
*Results from the ANC 2F ABRA Policy Committee meeting Wednesday night addressing the Lost and Found's request for a CT license @ 1240 9th Street.
*Also of interest may be this project at 918 N Street: http://www.badwolfdc.blogspot.com/2014/04/quick-shots-51-918-n-street-nw-to.html

Utility Connections for the Gang of Three/Pepco

This is a heads up to all that this utility work will begin today (digging in the alley to install a conduit for Pepco) going from the back of the Gang of Three on the Blagden Alley side of their buildings behind 9th Street.  The work will proceed north and take a left heading west in the wide part of the alley past Rouge 24 and La Colombe, then they will turn north and go up the north/south alley to N Street (essentially going over the same path that La Colombe did a few months ago).

Andrea Gourdine from Douglas Development has already reached out to the immediately impacted businesses in Blagden Alley and a few of the residents.  I am sending this for broader awareness and if the work directly impacts please contact Andrea to see if they can accommodate your concerns.  

Work hours are notionally 9:30 to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday and the work will take 3-4 weeks to complete. 

Andrea Gourdine

Douglas Development Corporation

702 H Street NW

Suite 400

Washington, DC  20001

P:  202.638.6300

M:  202.373.2425      

F:  202.638.0303 

agourdine@douglasdev.com

Lost and Found, 1240 9th Street to be considered at the ANC 2F ABRA Policy Committee Wed Night

AGENDA*

ABRA POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING
April 16, 2014
N Street Village (1333 N St, NW) - 2nd Floor Multipurpose Room

Call to order at 7:00pm.

• Review and approval of meeting Agenda

OLD BUSINESS
[none]

NEW BUSINESS

• New license request for 1240 9th St, NW (Lost and Found)

OPEN FORUM