Wednesday, May 29, 2013

900 Block of L Street to be closed this weekend for Crane removal (1-2 June)


Community Neighbors,

This weekend the Marriott Project will be removing Tower Crane #3, which is the Tower Crane closest to the Alley on L Street. This operation involves some very serious critical picks from the additional crane being brought in to perform the task. Unfortunately, due to the location of Tower Crane #3, there will be too much risk and too many hindering obstructions in allowing vehicle thru traffic from the alley onto L Street. The pieces of the tower crane have to be removed, staged, loaded onto trucks, etc. Therefore L Street will be completely closed between 9th  and 10th Streets. Pedestrian traffic will be allowed along the sidewalk, but we encourage extreme caution. If you absolutely have to use L Street, please make eye contact with crane signal persons before traversing during maneuvers.

We understand that we will pose an inconvenience with this operation, however it is a necessary evil and the only physical way to dismantle that Tower Crane. Thank you in advance for your patience and consideration.

If you have any concerns or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience.

James W. Harper III, LEED AP
Community Development Advisor
Construction Group
929 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.717.8420 (O)
202.717.8649 (F)
jharper@henselphelps.com

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Invitation to attend Energy Smart DC on 1 June 10-12 at the Shaw Library on Rhode Island Avenue

Commissioner Melcher ,


The District Department of Environment is in the process of developing it's EnergySmart DC plan.  This plan will provide specific short and long term energy goals and strategies for accomplishing those goals that align with the Mayor's Sustainable DC and Climate Action Plan. 

DDOE will host an EnergySmart DC meeting for residents of the District:

Saturday, June 1, 2013 - 10:00am-12:00pm
Watha T. Daniel Shaw Library (Metro - green and yellow line - Shaw/ Howard University stop)

As a resident of the District, it's important that we hear from you regarding the EnergySmart DC plan. We want to discuss and hear your recommendations in the following areas:

1. How can the District's EnergySmart DC plan help you save money?
2. What job opportunities can we create in DC? 
3. How can we use more renewables like  solar and wind?
4. Where do innovations and new technologies fit in?

Please mark you calendar, share with your constituents, civic associations and bring your neighbors with you. We want to make sure that this plan is dynamic and representative of all of the residents in the District.

Will you join us, Saturday, June 1, from 10am-12pm at the Watha T. Daniel Shaw Library? 

If you have any questions regarding this message, please do not hesitate to contact the EnergySmart DC Public Outreach Coordinator - Chancee` Lundy at O-202-434-8921 or community@energysmartdc.com

Have a great week! Please visit www.energysmartdc.com for more information.

-Rayne Gibson
"The Green Intern"
EnergySmart DC Plan DDOE

Monday, May 20, 2013

Art Tour at the Convention Center - May 30 or Aug 22 or Oct 1


http://cnet2.eventsdc.com/images/reports/print_logo.jpg


“ART AT THE CENTER” 2013 QUARTERLY PUBLIC ART TOURS SHOWCASE $4 MILLION ART COLLECTION AT THE WALTER E. WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center presents quarterly free public art tours featuring Washingtonian and internationally recognized artists
WHAT:                 The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is home to the best kept secret in the nation’s capital – “Art at the Center,” free curator-led art tours. The diverse $4 million art collection is the largest in any convention center and the largest public art collection in the District outside of a museum with more than 130 works of art.  With works of art by both local and international artists, the collection of site-specific sculpture, painting and photography brings a sense of human scale to the Convention Center.
Highlights include:
-       Washington, DC’s sculptor Jim Sanborn – Lingua “Spoken Work” (2003)
-       West Coast political artist and photographer, Carrie Wae Weems – “The Armstrong Triptych with Bugle Boys” (2002)
-       Internationally acclaimed artist, Sol LeWitt – “Wall Drawing #1103 (2003)
-       And don’t miss the “Shaw Wall” which celebrates the historic Shaw community, one of the District’s oldest African American neighborhoods and home to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. 

WHEN:                 Thursday, May 30                  6:30 pm
Thursday, August 22                       6:30 pm
Tuesday, October 1                         6:30 pm

WHERE:               Grand Lobby – Walter E. Washington Convention Center
                                801 Mount Vernon Place, NW
                                Washington, DC 20001
*Use the 9th Street and Mount Vernon Place entrance
RSVP:                    Participants must RSVP at community@eventsdc.com or 202.249.3200

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Various Announcements

May Meeting:

There will be no Blagden Alley-Naylor Court Assn. meeting this month.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Thursday, June 20, 2013.  Meeting location:

OLD CITY Farm and Guild
925 Rhode Island Ave. NW
In front of Shaw Jr. High School
(This is Frank Asher's new place and he is open, meeting will be outside.)

10th Street Community Park: 

“Mad Science” Event
Saturday May 18, 2013
11:00am – 1:00pm
(Rain Date: June 8, 2013)

Spring into Science at 10th Street Community Park!

The Mad Science mission is to spark imaginative learning! Mad Science is the leading science enrichment provider for children in kindergarten through grade 6.  Mad Science will deliver unique, hands-on science experiences to children.

Find out more about Mad Science athttp://dc.madscience.org/

Sponsored by the Friends of the 10th Street Park & 5th Street Ace Hardware

www.acehardwaredc.com

For more information about the part, visit:  www.10thstreetparkfriends.org
                                                                                    

ANC2F Community Development Committee (CDC)

ANC2F’s CDC will be meeting on Wednesday, May 22nd, where the plans for 1322 9th Street will be reviewed.

Meeting is 7:00 PM at Washington Plaza Hotel.


Greg Melcher,
President

Monday, May 6, 2013

Minutes of the April BANCA Meeting

With many thanks to Dave Salter.


Minutes of the BANCA meeting April 18th 2013



 Thursday 18 April 7:30-9:00 PM

Location: Supper Club 1225 10th Street Rear
The Association acknowledged its deep appreciation to the Kehoe’s for graciously hosting the April meeting. The space was very welcoming.

Agenda:

(1)  Police Report

·      There were approximately 50 crimes reported in the past month many of which were related to “theft from auto.” The importance of not leaving anything visible and “tempting” in the car was stressed once again. This is especially important for people who are not familiar with the area and visiting from outside the city.
·      Bicycle thefts continue to plague the city. Thieves are accessing apartment buildings through parking entrances and front doors by following others who inadvertently let them into the building. There is no bicycle lock that they cannot break.
·      A woman was robbed on Rhode Island around 10th Street. Her shoes were taken, however the assailants were apprehended and this case is closed.
·      There were several arrests for prostitution however this has not been as significant a problem as in recent months.
·      Cell phones continue to be stolen, particularly when the owners are not aware of their surroundings. While some companies are “bricking” phones to make reported stolen phones useless, there are still a couple of mechanisms whereby phones can be sold illegally and shipped overseas.





(2)  Jemal's Gang of Three project by Douglas Development

·      Paul Milstein and an architect from Douglas Development presented the plans for the properties on 1216, 1218, 1226 9th Street. You can review the details through this link: 
http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/another_new_development_for_blagden_alley/6850?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=Thursday+March+28th%2C+2013&utm_medium=keep_reading_link   Their presentation was well received and the Douglas Development group was applauded for recognizing the value of the rear of their buildings and their contribution to creating a lively alley side experience. The former stable and former auto repair shop has been effortlessly  incorporated into the plan.


(3) 1322 9th Street

·      The architect for this property is expected to return with his latest concept plans.  This is the property with the Carriage House just saved from demolition. At the moment the owner and the developer/architect are working with Brendan Meyer at the Historic Preservation Office to develop a plan for presentation to the HPRB. Mr. Meyer expects this to be fast tracked and be available for presentation and public comment in May. Presently they are not in agreement with each other.
·      There has been much interest in the development of this project and many are watching the progress with great interest.

(3)  The Marriott Proposal to Permanently Close part of Shepherd’s Alley

·      As part of the development of the second phase of the Marriott project, the company has submitted a DDOT proposal to close a section of Shepherd’s Alley and the public through way.
·      There is almost nothing of historic interest left in the alley because of past development so it’s hard to mount an argument in opposition.
·      Concern was raised (Jim Loucks) about the vulnerability of the fence that surrounds the 10th Street community Park. Large trucks turning the corner in the middle of the alley can easily damage the fence. There are some bollards in place and perhaps the company can visit this issue as they proceed with closure.

AppleMark


(4)  Vita/Mood Lounge Closing

·      The Prince of Petworth announced this week that the business at the Mood Lounge is for sale ($480,000). http://www.popville.com/2013/04/vita-lounge-for-sale-in-shaw/

·      It is likely that another business will take over the space through the ownership of Mr. Tom Powers however nothing has been confirmed at the moment


(5)  Morrison Clark Hotel (1015 L Street – enter on 11th Street)

·      Presentation on the construction/renovation/expansion of the Morrison Clark will take place on Tuesday April 30th at 5:30
·      This project is approved and has completed all reviews required by the City, HPRB and ANC.  As we have not seen the plans since they came through the neighborhood/ANC in 2008 I asked the developers if they would convene a meeting to present the final plans for all to understand.  They will bring a model of the new building and will be able to walk all through what to expect during the coming months as construction continues.  Please come with any and all questions about the new development and construction.
·      Present will be: RP Properties, Forrester Construction, the Architect, and Morrison Clark General Manage.

(6)  The future role of the BANCA

·      This was discussed briefly in the context of whether it was really necessary for every developer to have to come before the BANCA group to present their plans. Since the voice and opinion of the BANCA carries little weight at BZA and BPRB and since the ANC opinion carries legal “great weight” the efforts seemed duplicative.
·      A suggestion was made to have the material for discussion placed on a net-based platform so that the community could weigh in. The precise vehicle for sharing the information was uncertain (social network vs. blog vs. listerv etc.)
·      There is so much new construction activity in the neighborhood that projects seem to fly under the radar, whereas they have actually been presented ages ago. People forget.
·      There was a general feeling that the neighborhood association members had opinions that mattered because they lived in and understood the neighborhood. A good example of how neighborhood opinion has influenced development is the Whitman building which in its first iteration was rather pedestrian.
·      Developers seem to have an ever improving sense of the neighborhood and the need for extremely oversight is lessening.

(7)  Tuesday 7 May

·      Tentative Joint Happy Hour LCCA, at a 9th street location, TBD








Three Upcoming Events




1) BANCA is invited to join the LCCA Happy Hour Tuesday 7 May.
Tuesday, May 7—“First Tuesday” Happy Hour
First Tuesday means Happy Hour! Join us on Tuesday, May 7, from 6 to 8 pm at Commissary, 1443 P Street NW, right across from Whole Foods, for appetizers, happy hour pricing on drinks, good cheer, and a chance to catch up with your neighbors in the ‘hood! See you Tuesday!


2) Next BANCA Meeting Thursday 16 May, 7-8:30PM.  Agenda and Location TBD.

3) "Please join the Friends of the Tenth Street Community Park in the park on Saturday, May 18 for a "Mad Science" event!  Kids of all ages are invited to come watch fun and exciting science experiments and explosions live and close up! Show time is 11:30 AM sharp, so don't be late!  For more information about Mad Science events, see here:  http://dc.madscience.org/assemblies.aspx"

4) We had a meeting on Tuesday April 30th where the construction plans for the expansion of the Morrison Clark were explained to the community.  A local Shaw Blogger, Badwolf, provides a good summary of the event:  http://badwolfdc.blogspot.com/2013/05/morrison-clark-inn-summary-of-developer.html