Sunday, September 21, 2014

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


Thursday, September 18, 2014

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
 

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

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).


Monday, September 8, 2014

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.