Yikes in AU Park

Word of a horrific fire near AU early this morning.

Hopefully, everyone was able to get out safely.

Preservation versus Sustainability

In brief, here is an article about a recent Historic Preservation Review Board case related to the installation of solar panels on a visible roof in Cleveland Park.

Thoughts?

Cleveland Park Farmer's Market (?)

Despite endorsements from the Cleveland Park Citizen's Association and the local Business Association, the local ANC voted 4-2 not to support the effort to develop a farmers market for the commercial district. One Commissioner noted several reasons for their lack of support:


First, Brookville opposed the application. They are an anchor for our community and have very much been there for us when we have needed them. They agreed to open up shop when no other grocery stores would (including Magruders which came years later). They have literally opened up and stayed open during blizzards. I could go on about the things they've done for the community. I wasn't persuaded that shoppers would both shop at the farmers' market and cross Connecticut Avenue to continue shopping at Brookville or Yes. If we are hoping to attract pedestrians more than drivers, people can only carry so much and are not likely to buy a week's worth of sundries and carry them home.


Second, I was persuaded by my fellow Commissioner, Richard Steacy's, concerns for his constituents who are very dependent on Brookville. He represents many seniors and young professionals who do not own cars and use Brookville as their primary grocery store. I didn't want to contribute to the pressure Brookville is already feeling from Petco (pet food sales are down) and CVS and Walgreen's that have significant grocery departments.



Third, I was not satisfied with the Market manager's response regarding truck management. She stated that she had secured 6 spaces for the 10 expected trucks.
But when asked where the other trucks were going to park, she said two blocks away in the residential neighborhood. Saturday mornings are prime shopping and zoo parking times. This would only add pressure to the shortage of parking we're already experiencing. She also did not seem to have an enforcement plan if the vendors chose to park in the neighborhood rather than the designated parking spaces.


And finally, there are already 4 farmers' markets within a short distance of Cleveland Park; two are less than a mile away. Three are also located where there isn't direct competition with brick and mortar stores. Plus, we heard that Adas Israel may be considering sponsoring a market as well.



While many in the neighborhood have suggested that they concur that a Cleveland Park Farmers Market is a good idea, one neighboring ANC Commissioner has pointed out that the final decision rests with the Public Space Commission.



One should follow the Cleveland Park Listserv for more information regarding the support of this proposal.

Cathedral Commons to Commence

The last piece of the puzzle on Wisconsin Avenue has announced its intention to relocate by July 13th to make way for Cathedral Commons. The Cathedral Sun Trust Branch disclosed to customers the intention to open a temporary branch adjacent to the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Macomb Street during the construction period.

More afoot with Van Ness Square?

A recent CityBiz article suggests coming changes for Van Ness Square at 4455 Connecticut Avenue.

The Annual Cheh Memo

See this Greater Greater Washington piece on the annual joke budget memo. Particularly memorable is this line: Some residents simply are not well suited to live in a major city. They fear sidewalks, bicycles, traffic, noise, parking, and university dormitories. To address their growing list of concerns, we shall establish the Resident Relocation Fund, which will subsidize the costs of these folks moving outside of the District and include a complimentary municipal bond, untaxed, from the jurisdiction of the ex-resident's choice.

Ward 3 Traffic Summit

Signal timing? Pedestrian Safety? Cut-through traffic? Street renovations? What is your issue? DDOT and Councilmember Mary Cheh will be hosting a summit this evening at UDC: Window’s Lounge at UDC (4200 Connecticut Ave. NW) from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Van Ness History

The Prince of Petworth blog has an interesting write-up of 4400 Connecticut Avenue, NW in Van Ness. Did anyone else know there had been an ice rink and bowling alley in that space?

WMATA and Friendship Heights: Changes Abound?

The City Paper is reporting that WMATA is seeking a parcel to potentially replace the Northern and Western bus garages. This could potentially alter how Friendship Heights is viewed in coming years.

TNA Meeting Tonight on Zoning Rewrite

According to the Housing Complex Column at the Washington City Paper, the Tenley Neighborhood Association is hosting a meeting on the zoning code re-write: 7:00 p.m. – Tenley neighborhood groups host meeting on the zoning rewrite. St. Columba's Church, corner of Albemarle and 42nd Street.

Clark looking at WMATA site

According to reports on DC MUD Safeway and Clark Construction are eying the WMATA chiller site at the corner of 42nd Street and Ellicot. Under the plan, the proposed mixed-use development would absorb the facility, which provides ventilation and air conditioning for both the Tenleytown and Friendship Heights metro stations and provide additional retail and housing opportunities at the location.

Tenleytown Safeway: One Opinion

Greater Greater Washington has published a review of the Tenleytown Safeway project. Is this proposal better than the original? Is it too big? Or should it be embraced?

Glover Park Streetscape

Glover Park has been undergoing a streetscape process for several years. DDOT and OP have put a lot of effort into making the area more walkable, more pedestrian friendly and more like a neighborhood village, than a pit stop along the Wisconsin Avenue Corridor. The Georgetown Patch has a nice review of the plans. A similar treatment could be a nice addition for Cleveland Park, Tenleytown and Friendship Heights.

Cleveland Park Firehouse to Move Forward

Avoiding some of the pitfalls associated with the Tenleytown Firehouse, the Mayor's Agent has granted relief to the DC fire Department in its effort to upgrade Engine Company 28 to 21st Century Standards. At issue were the fire station doors, which were too narrow for modern firefighting equipment. The HPRB referred the case to the Mayor's Agent, which agreed that public safety supersede preservation in this matter.

Babe's, Another Update

Another update for the former Babe's Billiard site in Tenleytown, courtesy of DC Metro Urban Diary.

Wisconsin Avenue Giant - Is it time?

According to the Washington Post, the Wisconsin Avenue Giant will close its doors in April to make way for the new Cathedral Commons development. Is there a development project in the District that has taken longer to get approval and move forward with groundbreaking?

Water main break in Cleveland Park

This is an amazing image of the water main break in front of the Uptown Theater.

Metro Track Work This Weekend - Woodley and Cleveland Park

Metro track work for weekend of March 9-11, 2012

Metro will continue efforts to rebuild the rail system over the weekend of March 9-11. The work will begin at 10 p.m. Friday and continue through system closing on Sunday.
Red Line
·
Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through system closing on Sunday, free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Dupont Circle and Van Ness to allow for rail, fastener and insulator renewal, leak repairs, drain cleaning and fiber optic cable installation.

·Two stations – Woodley Park and Cleveland Park – will be closed.

· Throughout the weekend, Red Line trains will operate in two sections: between Shady Grove and Van Ness and between Dupont Circle and Glenmont. Trains will operate every 10 minutes during daytime hours and at regular weekend intervals at other times.

· Customers using shuttle bus service should allow 20 minutes of additional travel time.

Raze Pending for Clevleand Park Giant

As reported in the DC Metro Urban Diary, The Wisconsin Avenue Giant and the block immediately north are slated for demolition to make way for a new grocery store and mixed use development. This process started with community meetings in 1999.

A generation in the making.

UDC Breaks Ground

The Washington Post provides brief coverage of the groundbreaking for the UDC student center in Van Ness.