Lunar / Mars massage rivalry

A reader sent me info about a one day discount program at Lunar Massage. I have limited internet access this week so I didn't read the message until the program was sold out. But I like the cleverness of the Mars versus Lunar aspect of the ad and thought I'd share that below:


For the rest of the ad visit Groupon. Customer reviews for this new small business can be found on Yelp.

Douglas Development puts Square 451 property up for lease

Douglas Development has posted a space for lease sign on the 3 bay garage at 624 New York Avenue NW. This property is part of Jemal's assemblage on Square 451 for which Paul Millstein presented the development concepts for last November to the MVSNA membership.



Is this movement on the part of Douglas merely an exercise to avoid being assessed at the vacant property rate? Considering Executive Auto Detailers recently invested money to renovate the exterior of their Jemal owned property (607 K Street) on the same square, signs point to new construction being far off.

Artomatic begins today!

WHAT: Artomatic, an arts extravaganza featuring hundreds of local artists — visual artists, musicians, dancers, filmmakers, and many more. Nine floors of creativity!

WHEN: May 29 to July 5. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 12 noon – 1 a.m.; Sundays, 12 noon – 10 p.m.; closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

WHERE: 55 M Street SE (at Half Street) in D.C.’s Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. Right above the Navy Yard Metro ballpark exit (green line), a block from Nationals Stadium.

WHY: This tradition of transforming raw space into an explosion of art started right here in D.C., and no one does it up quite like us! http://artomatic.org

WalkingtownDC Spring 2009 Edition

The Spring 2009 edition of WalkingTownDC is this upcoming weekend.

visual schedule compiled by David Alpert; click to enlarge.

Mount Vernon Triangle Development Tour
Saturday, May 30th, 1 - 2:30 pm
Sunday, May 31st, 1 - 2:30 pm
Meet and end at the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., 801 K Street, NW (south side entrance)
Walk the up and coming Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood to learn about the new construction and the history of this forgotten neighborhood. Walk past the remaining historic buildings, discuss about market forces that lead to its decline, and current revitalization. You may also have a chance to visit a new condo, office building, or historic church. Led by Executive Director Bill McLeod and presented by the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District.

Photo from Spring '08 MVT tour courtesy flickr user Mr T in DC.

Auto Detailer gives new look (to their building)

The Executive Auto Detailers recently gave the exterior of their building (607 K Street NW) a new look. I don't think the light blue was the best possible choice but the overall look is cleaner and represents an improvement.

Old:

old snapshot from April 2009

New:

new snapshots from May 26th 2009

The Executive Auto Detailers website offers lists the following prices:

Package #1
Super Hand Wash & Complete Interior Cleaning
Car - $135 small | $145 regular | $150 Large
Truck - $150 small | $160 regular | $170 Large

Package #2
Ultimate Hand Wash w/Wax & Complete Interior Cleaning
Car - $150 small | $160 regular | $170 Large
Truck - $170 small | $180 regular | $190 Large

Package #3
2 Step Wax Treatment & Complete Interior Cleaning
Car - $175 small | $185 regular | $195 Large
Truck - $195 small | $215 regular | $225 Large

Package #4
3 Step Wax Treatmemt & Complete Interior Cleaning
Car - $195 small | $205 regular | $215 Large
Truck - $215 small | $225 regular | $235 Large

Linked up: The Arch, Noise and Streetscapes

Chinatown: Restoration work on the Chinatown Arch will begin on June 1 and last approximately 8 weeks. [PQLiving]

Downtown: Word from DDOT is that Fourth Street and the Chinatown Park will be included in the CBD Streetscape upgrade project. [DCDNA]

Downtown: Miles Groves outlines the steps for working with DCRA on violations of the Trash Collection Noise Abatements Act. [DCDNA blog]

NoMA: A planned "virtual" traffic circle where Florida Ave, New York Ave and 1st Street NE meet is tongue-and-cheekily being coined "Dave Thomas" circle due to the presence of a Wendy's on the central parcel. [Washcycle]

New Tavern application at 315 H St NW ** UPDATED **

UPDATE [5/26/2009 2:45PM]: I've updated the photo and included the Loopnet commercial listing for this property which describes it as "Approximately 11,000 Square Feet on 5 levels including a Full high ceiling basement. Exposed brick and open SOHO - Like loft space on every level affording great flexiblity for build out."

---

A new CT (Tavern) liquor license application has been initiated for the vacant four story "Jefferson" building next to Papa Johns at 315 H Street NW.

Click to Enlarge; Left: 2006 photo from Kyle Walton; Right: 2009 Photo from Loopnet

License Class: Retail Class “C” Tavern
Address: 315 H Street, NW

WARD 6 ANC 6C SMD 6C01
Notice is hereby given that this applicant has applied for a license under the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Act and that the objectors are entitled to be heard before the granting of such license on the hearing date at 10:00 am, 7th Floor, Suite 7200, 941 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. Petition and/or request to appear before the Board must be filed on or before the petition date.

NATURE OF OPERATION
New Tavern with Middle Eastern food and pastries. Hookah Bar, DJ, occasional live bands (maximum 3 pieces), singers, dancing but no designated dance floor. Cover Charge. Occupancy Load 299.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Sunday through Thursday 11 am – 2 am
Friday through Saturday, 11 am – 3 am

HOURS OF SALES OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Sunday through Thursday 11 am – 2 am
Friday through Saturday, 11 am - 3am

HOURS OF OPERATION FOR ENTERTAINMENT
Sunday through Thursday 6 pm – 2 am
Friday through Saturday 6 pm – 3 am

The ANC6C Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee (ABL) will be inviting this applicant to attend a June 2nd meeting (7pm) at the School Without Walls (215 G Street NE).

WaPo: Office-Space Market Stuck in Downdraft

In today's Washington Post Dana Hedgpeth presents an account of the grim outlook for the office market in the D.C. area. She reports that, in a slump likely to continue into next year, vacancy rates are increasing, rents are in decline and few new buildings have started construction.

As of yesterday, the vacancy rate for the District and the close-in suburbs was up to 12.5 percent from 11.1 percent at the end of the second quarter last year, according to CoStar Group, a real estate research firm. Rents were down to $33.47 a square foot from $34.55. Few new buildings have broken ground, as credit markets remain extremely tight.

"Unless they're already in the ground, they're not starting," said Steven A. Levin, managing director at Spaulding & Slye. "Any development project needing a loan over $25 million requires multiple lenders, and the guarantees are onerous. The amount of money you can borrow is also reduced."

Rendering of proposed Mt Vernon Place offices on 400 block of K Street

This does not bode well for planned office projects for K Street within the Triangle such as Mount Vernon Place, Square 483 from Steuart Investment and Douglas Development's plans for Squares 450 & 451.

Hat tip: Twitter Feed from JDland

Second Baptist Church not safe for use

The Washington Times is running a citizen journalism article about construction damage at Second Baptist Church (816 3rd St NW).

The walls of the church at 816 Third St. NW in the Mount Vernon Square area are cracked, the ceiling is falling down, and the pastor, the Rev. Dr. James E. Terrell, said the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) advised him that the church is not safe for use.

"As our congregation was conducting worship services, pieces from the ceiling fell down and [it] was unpredictable and uncomfortable," Mr. Terrell said. "It was also very dangerous. Someone could have been injured with the large pieces of plaster falling down around us."

Eighteen months ago, when Quadrangle Development Corp. began construction work, the church was secured as required, but damage starting occurring slowly. It reached a crisis point about six weeks ago.

Quadrangle is responsible for completing the repair work for the church, and the contractors are paying for the church to rent the school for its services, Mr. Terrell said.

I'd imagine any damage was incurred during the early stages of the development (chiefly excavation) of the new condo buildings. Hard to believe any of the recent exterior work (window replacement, caulking, landscaping) would have any affect on a structure 50 feet away.

Photo credits: NCinDC, dbking

Linked up: Parks, Billboards, Doormen and RPP

Shaw - A Vacant lot on 10th Street, NW between L and M Streets is planned to be transformed into a park [Renew Shaw and Greater Greater Washington]

Mount Vernon Square - Cary Silverman discusses the need for DCRA to crack down on illegal billboards [The Other 35 Percent and Lifein MVSNA]

Yale Lofts - District Chatter reports Yale Lofts is considering a video doorman.

Ward 6 - Councilmember Tommy Wells' blog introduces the Residential Parking Protection Pilot Act and engages in some Q & A.

Memorial Day Weekend Road Closures

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Park Police have provided the following information about temporary road closures for events scheduled over the Memorial Day weekend.

Friday, May 22

Rolling Thunder Candlelight Vigil:

Henry Bacon Drive will be closed from Constitution Avenue to the Lincoln Memorial Circle from 7:00 p.m. to 11 pm.

Saturday May 23

United House of Prayer for All People Memorial Day Parade. The parade starts at 11 a.m. and there will be temporary road closures along the route:

• The parade route begins at 601 M Street;
  
• North on 6th Street, NW to Florida Avenue ;
  
• West on Florida Avenue to 13th & U Streets, NW;
  
• South on 13th Street, NW to Logan Circle ;
  
• East on P Street to 7th Street, NW ;
  
• South on 7th Street to M Street, NW;
  
• East on M Street to end at the House of Prayer.

Sunday May 24

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Ride. The following streets will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

• Arlington Memorial Circle
  
• Memorial Bridge
  
• Lincoln Memorial Circle
  
• 23rd Street, NW from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle
  
• Henry Bacon Drive from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle
  
• Constitution Avenue, NW from the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge to 3rd Street, NW
  
• 3rd Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  
• Independence Avenue from 3rd Street to 23rd Street, SW
  
• Ohio Drive, SW from Independence Avenue to the Inlet Bridge
  
• West Basin Drive, SW from Ohio Drive to Independence Avenue
  
• Jefferson Drive, SW
  
• Madison Drive, NW

Monday May 25

Memorial Day Parade:

Henry Bacon Drive closes at 5 a.m. and will remain closed until the conclusion of the parade. The following streets will be closed from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.:

• Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 23rd Street, NW .
  
• Jefferson Drive from 4th Street to 15th Street, SW
  
• Madison Drive from 4th Street to 15th Street, NW
  
• 15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Constitution Avenue, NW
  
• 17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Constitution Avenue, NW

Complementary or Competition?

In the comments section of the recent posting on Kushi readers wondered aloud about competition between Kushi and Buddha Bar. I agreed with Nick's point that the menus and atmospheres of these two venues could be different enough to prevent much cannibalization of business. Buddha Bar's reputation is that of a dressy, ultra-trendy weekend nightspot which I don't think Kushi plans to compete head on with.

For discussion today what are thoughts on Kushi versus Momiji (505 H St)? How similar will they be? Is the impending conversion of the Lee Loo space (521 G St) to Absolute Thai a wise choice so close to Kanlaya and Royal Thai?

Photo credit: zanyshani

Residential Parking Protection Pilot Act

Yesterday David Alpert of the Greater Greater Washington blog reviewed the proposed Residential Parking Protection Pilot Act. This Ward 6 pilot act, which has a hearing at 11am today, will require that one side of all residential streets within a RPP zone be reserved for Zone parking permit holders. Alpert stated without balance the parking bill will hurt business then followed up with his five suggestions to improve the RPP program.

I do not agree with the blanket nature of the program. In my eyes all residential streets are not equal in nature but these modifications to the RPP program appear to treat them as such. The armchair urban planner in me believes that in mixed use high-rise districts, such as Penn Quarter and Mount Vernon Triangle, the on-street parking on commercial corridors should be metered to encourage high turnover. Long term parking should be primarily in parking garages which all these new construction buildings have. Modest amounts of RPP can be setup on street segments that lack retail space. Having a resident's car, which has an RPP permit that costs $15/yr, squatting in a spot in front of Busboys for six days straight without moving will harm our retailers and in turn impact vibrancy of the neighborhood.

My proposed RPP alternative: RED=meters, GREEN=RPP

The above map mock up represents my rough draft vision of how parking permit zones and meters could be outlayed in the Mount Vernon Triangle (and surrounding area) considering the future plans for development in the Mount Vernon Triangle Action Agenda. My map preserves metered parking on both sides of streets that have significant commercial uses (such as 7th, H & K Streets). It also allows other streets that are purely residential and church uses to have both sides of the streets available for RPP.

MVSNA goals and meeting minutes

The Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association (MVSNA) has posted their Goals and Priorities for 2009 and the meeting minutes from last night's May Membership meeting.

WBJ: CityVista signs new sushi eatery from Ridgewells chef

The Washington Business Journal confirms the news that Kushi is coming to City Vista:

The concept comes from chef Darren Norris, who worked with retail real estate broker Tom Papadopoulos to secure a 4,000-square-foot location at 465 K St. NW, as part of the City Vista development. The new eatery will be named Kushi.

Norris, who has spent 25 years as a chef, most recently as executive chef for Ridgewells Caterers, is teaming up with partner Yoshihisa Ota, a well-known Tokyo chef. Ota, who will replace himself at his restaurant Ginza Gakyu, will provide a direct connection to Tokyo’s fish market.

Norris was inspired to open a Japanese restaurant partly because his wife, designer Ari Kushimoto, is Japanese. Izakayas have become trendy recently in Los Angeles and New York.

PoP runs MVT photo

Popular D.C. blog Prince of Petworth ran this image in their daily Photos From PoPville feature today.


The photo was taken by a Triangle resident (flickr username sciascia) who comments here on this blog as washingtonydc. Does anyone else have a favorite MVT photo to share?

May MVSNA Meeting

This month's MVSNA membership meeting will be held on Tuesday May 19th at 7:30pm in the community room of the Yale Loft condominiums (437 New York Ave NW).


The May edition of the MVSNA newsletter is available online [here].

Mass Court Retail

The retail bays at Mass Court (300 Mass Ave NW) have sat empty for years. Since this blog's inception nearly a year and a half ago I haven't heard even one rumor about potential tenants.


The leasing agent for the retail space is the Madison Property Group, which has the following to say:

Retail space is located on the corner of 4th and H Streets, across from the Government Accountability office and numerous residential developments along Massachusetts Avenue. 4,350 sq.ft. of space can be subdivided to accommodate smaller users, and hot air exhaust is also available in the space. Space has 18 feet ceiling height, great window line and corner visibility, as well as wide sidewalk ideal for seasonal outdoor seating.

The leasing fact sheet displays a plat map for the space:


This location clearly has a truncated walk shed due to it's proximity to I-395 and that will limit the site's potential until the air rights project unfolds. However conditions for retail are improving around the building as a greater critical mass of residential and retail is being formed. Buddha Bar is set to open this year a block away. Ashton Judiciary Square on 3rd Street should be completed this year. The Madrigal Lofts continues to inch towards selling out and The DuMont, while needing a new corporate owner, appears to theoretically be move-in ready once that ownership issue is resolved.

What retail uses could this site support? Weigh in via the comments section.

Madrigal Lofts String Quartet

At today's Mount Vernon Triangle Condo Tour the Madrigal Lofts went all out with catering spread across several fourth floor units, free movie tickets for guests who stopped into the sales office, and the big surprise of the day: a string quartet from UMD in the lobby!

This weekend in MVT

This is shaping up to be a busy weekend in the Mount Vernon Triangle. The following events are on tap:


Friday
6pm @ Ace Hardware (1055 5th Street NW)
Author Andrew Losowsky performs a reading of Doorbells of Florence

Saturday
9am-2pm @ loading dock of 555 Mass
555 Mass Condominium Community Garage Sale

Sunday
12-5pm, tickets and will call at Ace Hardware
Mount Vernon Triangle Condo Tour

The L at City Vista (440 L Street NW) will have a bake sale on Sunday beginning @ Noon until they sell out.

Kushi coming to City Vista

Amanda from Metrocurean is reporting that a new Japanese Izakaya-style restaurant called Kushi will lease 4,000 sf at City Vista. I too have heard that Edens and Avant had been in talks with Kushi for months.

City Peek includes the press release:

Darren Lee Norris and Ari Kushimoto Norris have signed a deal for a 4000 sq. ft. space at 645 465 K St NW in the City Vista building for a Japanese Izakaya style pub. Chef Norris was most recently Executive Chef of Ridgewells Caterers of Bethesda MD.

"Kushi Restaurant" will feature Kushiyaki and sushi as well as other regional Japanese specialties with an emphasis on local, organic and sustainable products.

Center piece of the open kitchen design will be the Kushi grills, where simply seasoned skewers of meats, seafood, poultry, and vegetables are grilled over open flames, and a robata fire pit for grilling whole fish and larger cuts of meats.

At the KUSHI Sushi Bar, Sushi Chef Yoshihisa Ota, chef/owner of the highly acclaimed Tokyo restaurant Ginza Gakyu. Chef Ota is well known as a rising star in the Tokyo sushi circles and is expected to bring a fresh new direction in sushi to the Washington dining scene. The Kushi/Ginza Gakyu partnership is the first and only outpost of a Tokyo sushi restaurant in the Washington, DC area.

At the bar look for exclusive small batch sakes, shochus, and Japanese micro brew beers on tap. The restaurant will also feature several private kotatsu dining rooms and a refrigerated glass enclosed fish prep room.

I believe Kushi will occupy Bays 90, 100 & 110.

Hat Tip: Steven

555 Mass Community Garage Sale

The 555 Mass Condominium is having a Community Garage Sale this Saturday from 9AM-2PM. See image of flyer below:

The InTowner features upcoming MVT Condo Tour

The May issue of the InTowner features a multi-page article on the upcoming Mount Vernon Triangle Condo Tour taking place this Sunday May 17th from 12-5pm.



The unit pictured on the front page of The InTowner is from the Madrigal Lofts.

National Law Enforcement Memorial

As part of National Police Week the National Law Enforcement Memorial is adorned with wreaths, flowers, and pictures to tribute federal, state and local law enforcers killed in the line of duty.

May Calendar

Tuesday, May 12th
MVT Marketing Committee
6PM at City Vista L Community Room (440 L Street NW)
Volunteer orientation (6:00-6:30pm) and final committee planning (6:30-7:30pm) for upcoming condo tour on May 17th.

Downtown Neighborhood Association
6:30PM at the Calvary Baptist Church (733 8th Street NW)
Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells and the PSA101W police update are primary items on the agenda

Wednesday, May 13th
Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association Breakfast Meeting
8:30am at Zaytinya (9th & G St NW)
The National Capital Planning Commission and Commission of Fine Arts and the Monumental Core Framework Plan

ANC 6C Full Commission Meeting
7PM at the Heritage Foundation (214 Mass Ave NE)
Draft Agenda is posted

Sunday, May 17th
Mount Vernon Triangle Condo Tour
Tickets at Fifth Street Hardware (1055 5th Street NW)
Tour covers 8 resident owned units across 5 Triangle condo buildings

Tuesday, May 19th
MVSNA Membership meeting
7:30pm at Yale Lofts Community Room (437 New York Ave NW)

Saturday, May 30th
WalkingtownDC: Mount Vernon Triangle Development Tour
Meet at 1pm on Carnegie Library steps (8th & K Streets NW)
MVT CID executive director Bill McLeod leads the tour and outlines history and development plans for the Triangle

Sunday, May 31st
WalkingtownDC: Mount Vernon Triangle Development Tour
Meet at 1pm on Carnegie Library steps (8th & K Streets NW)
MVT CID executive director Bill McLeod leads the tour and outlines history and development plans for the Triangle

May ANC 6C Draft Agenda

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 7:00 pm
Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue N.E.
Draft Agenda

Call to order
Quorum
Approval of agenda
Approval of April minutes

Treasurer’s report: April report; quarterly report (January-March 2009); 2009 budget; new expenses

Brief community announcements

1. Building Museum, Festival of Building Arts - Ellen Jacknain, event October 1
   
2. Proposal to start new CDC for housing - Leona Redman
   
3. City Vista affordable housing, 460 L Street N.W. - Comm. Silver, Lowe’s development team
   
4. Golden Rule Center - Elizabeth Askew, First Mission Development
   
5. D.C. Urban Forestry, mission and how program works -team 3
   
6. ITU Triathlon - Ira Brody, event June 21
   
7. National Police Week, 5K race - Bryan Vorndran, race May 16
   
8. Emmaus Services for the Aging - Christine Lyons

Old Business

Public Safety report (Comm. Dixon)

• MPD Victim Services - Laverne Hartley

Grants report (Comm. Brown)

• SPNA application for grant, $1,500 for scholarship fund - Comm. Hamilton

Liquor License Committee report (Comm. Phelps)

1. Civil penalty proposed rulemaking
   
2. Commendation for ABRA acting director

Transportation Committee report (Citizen co-chairs John Kelly, Joe McCann)

1. 226 Massachusetts Avenue NE - Public Space awning application
   
2. 901 First Street NW - J.B. Johnson Nursing Center, add 10 parking spaces, DDOT # 46340
   
3. Fourth Street, K-L NW - request for stricter parking restrictions - Merc Fox
   
4. Parking in public space - brief discussion item

Youth and Education Committee report (Comm. Hamilton)

Zoning and Planning Committee report (Rob Amos)

1. Two Rivers Charter School, BZA # 17929 variance for off-street parking, hearing May 19.
   
2. NoMa Vision Plan and Development Strategy, Committee of the Whole, hearing May 21.
   
3. Small Area Plan for the Florida Market - Melissa Bird, OP, deadline, May 18.
   
4. Chinatown BID streetscape and streetlights - brief update.

New Business
Adjournment

425 Eye Construction fencing

Last week we witnessed the first clear sign that renovations at 425 Eye St had begun. A fence along the building's Eye street frontage has blocked off the entire ~20 foot wide sidewalk and a lane of roadway. Sigal construction placed their signs on the fencing and the building late in the week.


In early 2008 the district government announced a new pedestrian safety standard that requires either covered walkways or protected open walkways at most construction sites. While existing construction projects around the city were grandfathered out of the requirement new projects like 425 Eye street should be held to the standard.

The Bloomingdale (for now) blog had the same observation about construction fencing recently erected at the Watha T. Daniel library site. The issue there has been sorted out and pedestrian access restored. We'll have to watch over the coming weeks to see if Sigal construction boxed out this area on Eye Street as a precursor to building covered walkways or if they are simply in non-compliance.

2009 National Police Week

Be aware that 2009 National Police Week runs from Monday May 10th to Saturday May 16th (schedule of events).

National Police Week, which occurs each year during the week in which May 15 falls, recognizes the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

While a noble and worthy event, from a Downtown resident perspective the event has a history of issues. A significant number of out of town police officers behave like they are on spring break and, ironically, above the law. Among other things, be prepared for drag racing, illegal parking in various forms (alleys, in no parking zones, or motorcycles on sidewalks), public urination, and other anti-social behavior.

Artomatic 2009

Artomatic is a month-long multimedia arts event that draws together visual artists, musicians and performers and brings their work to the community. Artomatic is free and open to everyone.

In 2008, Artomatic was held in the NoMa neighborhood in Washington, D.C., attracting a record-breaking 52,500 visitors, more than any previous Artomatic event. In all, about 1,540 individual artists took part in Artomatic 2008 — also a new high. The total included 740 visual artists — such as painters, sculptors and photographers — who showed thousands of artworks. The event also included individual 800 performing artists, such as dancers, poets, theatre groups, drummers, comedians, fire troupes and musicians. Attractions incuded a full line-up of educational and children's events and an on-site tattoo parlor.

This year's 10th anniversary event will be held from May 29 to July 5 at 55 M Street SE atop the ballpark exit of the Navy Yard Metro Station.

To stay informed about the 2009 event visit the Artomatic Blog, Youtube video channel and subscribe to the twitter feed.

Triangle participation high in the Downtown Neighborhood Survey

Last week I highlighted the report published of the results from the 2008 Downtown Neighborhood Survey. I've inquired to the Downtown BID about the participation levels in the survey from Mount Vernon Triangle residential properties. It turns out the Triangle turnout was huge. The condos in the Triangle accounted for 22% (117) of the total downtown residents that responded (526). That number increases to 32% if you count the buildings like 400 Mass, Mass Court, and Meridian on the fringe of the Triangle. (ed note: I forgot to include Yale Lofts in my initial request - d'oh!)


Not surprisingly, Triangle residents shop primarily at the new Safeway for groceries at a far greater rate than most downtown residents.

The random drawing prize winner is one of our neighbors in 400 Mass. She will receive a weekend stay at the Hotel Monaco and diner for four at any one of Passion Food Hospitality’s Downtown restaurants (DC Coast, Tenh Penh, Ceiba and Acadiana).

Stats courtesy of downtowndc.org.

T-Mobile signs lease at City Vista

Commercial real estate firm Edens and Avant (E&A) recently executed a lease with T-Mobile to be a future tenant at City Vista. When E&A purchased the portfolio of City Vista retail space from Lowe Enterprises last December this negotiations with the celluar provider were already well under way. The lease is for Bay 30 which is ~1500sf situated on Fifth Street between Chevy Chase Bank and Ace Hardware. No permits have been posted and I do not yet have any idea on ETA.



The City Vista retail along Fifth Street will remain services oriented. I believe contractual obligations with Safeway do not permit competing food uses at City Vista within a certain radius from the Safeway main entrance.

The plans continue for City Vista's K Street frontage to be a restaurant row. The retail bays along K, with their large windows, 22 foot ceilings and plaza sidewalks are well suited for restaurants. Negotiations with restaurant tenants for K Street are ongoing and this blog will report the news when deals are executed. In this economic climate deals move slowly but, as I've previously written, down the road we could expect 3 or 4 additional restaurants in the K Street space.

Volunteer for the Mount Vernon Triangle House Tour

See below from the CID. Volunteers are still needed to help staff next Sunday's event:

Volunteers are needed on May 17th to staff the inaugural Mount Vernon Triangle Condo Tour to take tickets, monitor rooms, and answer questions. Shifts last three hours and run 11:45-2:45 or 2:15-5:15. As a way of saying thank you, each volunteer will be given a ticket to tour the condos before or after their shift, depending on when they start/finish their shift.

To sign up, please contact Bill McLeod, MVTCID Executive Director at (202) 661-7590 or mvtbill@downtowndc.org. To learn more about the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District, please visit www.mountvernontriangle.org.

Yoga Week

It's Yoga Week at SHAKTI MindBody Studio

YOGA WEEK CLASSES
FREE Happy Hour Class - 6pm, Friday May 8th with Faith
$5 Shakti Rhythms Class - 10am, Saturday May 9th with Ieshia

SHAKTI MindBody Studio is a vibrant yoga lifestyle and healing center located in the Mt. Vernon Square community of Washington, DC, where the practice of yoga and other holistic therapies are threaded into daily living. Shakti (pronounced "shahk-tee") is the Divine force manifested to destroy negative forces and restore balance. It is the Mother goddess, the source of all, the universal principle of energy, power and creativity.

SHAKTI is located at 1015 1/2 7th Street NW on the 2nd Floor.

Kastles press conference at City Center parking lot

Walking to Metro Center this morning I saw a TV Crew, two mascots and presumably some officials from both the city government and Washington Kastles in the City Center parking lot.


I didn't have time to really seek out the best angle. Topsin, the big Tennis ball, is clearly visible in the image however the mascot in the Knight outfit is obstructed.

Triangle Times - Spring '09 edition

The Winter '09 edition of the Triangle Times newsletter is available on the MVT CID Website in PDF form.


A photo excerpt of a newsletter item regarding Fifth Street Ace Hardware converting to green power sources is below.


This edition also touches on news regarding Buddha Bar, the Metropolis Club and the recent tree planting. Read the newsletter for the full scoops.

Seasonal flower bed at 2nd and Mass Park

The improvements to DPR Park 1089 at the confluence of 2nd, Mass and H Street continue this month. In late March Casey Trees, with the aid of 68 volunteers, planted 34 new trees at the park.

This month the seasonal flower bed at the western edge of the landscaping will be planted. Last week a volunteer roto-tilled the grass under and the CID hopes to have red salvia planted this Friday if the clean team can remove all the remaining roots out of the soil.


The next phase of improvements, which include transferring lighting, benches, bike racks and trash cans from the Art Walk will not occur until the City Center DC project begins. The Deputy Mayor of Economic Development, Neil Albert, remains optimistic the City Center development will start in the fall after the Washington Kastles tennis season is complete.

425 Eye Street renovations

Last December the GSA relocated ICE headquarters from their 30 year home at the Chester A. Arthur building (425 Eye Street NW) to Southwest DC. The Paramount Group, which purchased the CAAB building in 2005 for 135.5 million dollars, plans to upgrade the seven-story 384,520 s.f. class B office building to class A office space.

Renovation work has recently begun at the building which begs the question what level of transformation does Paramount have planned? I've come across an old brochure for the property which may not reflect the latest details but should be reasonably accurate. (ed note: notice the reflections of the DuMont in the windows of the rendering)

brochure excerpt:

425 Eye Street’s transformation was inspired and designed by the innovative thinkers at SmithGroup Architects. Attention to detail, commitment to sustainability, and world class design have earned SmithGroup awards around the globe. Their cornerstones of design are reflected in the material throughout 425 Eye Street.

The brochure states that the building will aspire to a LEED Silver rating. The renderings suggest that the structure will remain at the current seven story height. The biggest transformation to the exterior would be the reskinning of the building with new windows and a sleek grey finish. The west wing of the building is pictured with a glass curtain wall.


The renderings depict the ground level as being at grade with the sidewalk. This is clearly not the case as sunken terraces occupy the Eye and Fourth street frontage. It should be interesting to watch how these renovations unfold.

5th and Mass pedestrian improvements - updated

Last Thursday's I posted on the spray painted outlines to the NW corner of 5th and Mass that seemingly represent plans to create a much needed substantial pedestrian refuge. I've now noticed that the SW corner has similar paint outlines to reclaim a westbound lane of Eye Street. The aerial rendering is updated below.


These improvements coupled with a renovated Chinatown Park could begin to create some meaningful public space for Triangle and Chinatown. A Smart Bike station would also be a great addition to pull more people into this space.

Obama, Biden Go Out for Burgers

This is off-topic for the blog, but since it's my favorite burger joint in the inside the beltway I wanted to give it a little pub:

Obama and Biden went out for burgers today at Ray's Hellburger down the street from my Rosslyn office building. I hope the leader of the free world ordered a New Jack Zing prepared the recommended style like I would.


Photo credit: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

May Events at Fifth Street Hardware

The following events are scheduled this May at Fifth Street Hardware (1025 5th Street NW)

May 15th :The Doorbells of Florence (press release)
Join us at 6pm!

Award-winning author performs an unusual reading - inside a hardware store!

Andrew Losowsky's latest book The Doorbells of Florence is a collection of beautiful photographs of doorbells from Florence, Italy, matched with fictional stories about people he imagines live behind each door. The LA Times calls it "imaginative and engaging." while Joanne Harris, author of the NYT bestseller Chocolat, says it is "more fun than anything else I have seen this year."

According to Gina Schaefer, owner of 5th Street Ace Hardware, the combination of book reading and hardware store is the perfect match for her. She says "We have always promoted independent writers and booksellers in our stores and are thrilled to be a part of Andrew's book tour."

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May 15th: National Bike To Work Day5th Street Ace Hardware now has The Downtown BikeStop. We now offer free air during business hours and have a selection of cycling products to fit your needs. Stop by on the 15th and receive a free Mythic® water bottle! Quantities are limited, first come first served.

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May 23rd: Grill Day at 5th Street Ace Hardware
From 1pm until 3pm

Join us for free grilled hotdogs prepared by Emilie Stein, voted #3 best chef by Washington City Paper readers.

Emilie has a special relish to share with us! Also, the grill being used will be raffled off. Stop by the store anytime during business hours on May 23rd to enter. The winner will be announced the next day on our Facebook page.