Would signature Taylor facade fit in well at City Vista?

Yesterday the big news finally broke that Taylor Gourmet Deli will be coming to City Vista this fall. Today I put it out to all of you - would the signage and signature garage door from their H Street NE location fit in at City Vista?




Also, it's worth noting Eden's and Avant updated their City Vista site map last night:


Notice that while E&A doesn't yet merge Bay 70 into Busboys they have consolidated Bays 120 and 130 together into one ~3550sf space. Also appears that Chevy Chase did not lease all of Bay 20 leaving another small unnumbered vacant bay beside it.

Taylor Gourmet Deli coming to City Vista

The Prince of Petworth blog broke the news today that Taylor Gourmet Deli will be locating to City Vista. I had heard these negotiations were under way back in late February but was asked to keep it on the hush until the deal was executed.

The below modified image represents the City Vista retail updated plat map as I understand it. Kushi is consolidating what was once bays 90,100 and 110 into a revised bay 100 that just shy of 4000 sf. In the worst kept secret in the world, waitresses even openly talk about it when I'm there, Busboys will eventually expand to take much but not all of Bay 70. The remainder of Bay 70 plus all of Bay 80 will be the space Taylor is taking.



This leaves Bays 120 and 130 available for lease and it's likely Eden's and Avant has some active discussions on a restaurant for those spaces. Eventually Bay 50, which currently houses the City Vista Sales Center, will also be filled by a services oriented retail tenant.

To learn more about Taylor Deli visit the reviews on Yelp. I'm looking forward to being able to stroll over to Taylor for a chicken cutlet hoagie and fried risotto balls.

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today I asked what restaurant should occupy 455 Mass? Today of course we know the answer is that Buddha Bar is coming leaving us only to wonder when it will arrive. But last June we heard rumors of Lawry's The Prime Rib while readers offered suggestions of establishments like Lauriol Plaza and Cafe Deluxe.

Linked up: Banners, video tours and downtown

City Vista - Washingtonian posts a video tour of a City Vista unit. DCMetrocentric pontificates about the banners along City Vista's 5th Street facade while one of their readers disses the pool in the comments section.

Downtown - Miles Groves recaps the June DNA meeting and asks for feedback regarding the possibility of residential buildings joining the Downtown BID.

Gold Leaf Studios Open House

GOLD LEAF STUDIOS
Summer Open House

Sunday, June 28, 2 - 6pm
443 I Street NW

Building photo of 443 I St from flickr user Kyle Walton

From Brightest Young Things:

Gold Leaf Studios is a converted car garage, and has been the home to many legendary dc artists, musicians and scenesters for many years. The building has undergone a few revolutions and is still hoppin’ and better than ever with new artists, musicians and a soon-to-be-opened ground floor retail shop and design house DURKL (opening in July).

Recap of DNA ABL Public Meeting - Level

On Thursday June 18th the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) hosted a public meeting regarding the liquor license application for Level Lounge (315 H St NW). The meeting agenda also covered the imminent request by Muse Lounge (717 6th St NW) to extend their operating hours by 90 minutes to accommodate soft closings.

I would roughly estimate that the meeting had around 50 attendees. Among those present were the owners of Muse and Level, their lawyer Dimitri Mallios, executive director of the D.C. Nightlife Association Skip Coburn, Renee Childers from the MVT CID, 3 members of the DNA board including our discussion leader Miles Groves. Residents from the Cosmopolitan (adjacent to Muse), the Sonata, Madrigal Lofts, and Pathways housing (317 H St NW), and owner of Savvy Stereo (309 H Street NW) were also in attendance.

I recapped the Muse portion of the meeting yesterday

LEVEL LOUNGE
The applicant for Level, Pouya Yousefi, introduced himself to the attendees and briefly overviewed his concept during the first few minutes after he was given the floor. Much of what Yousefi shared echoed the information that has been included in this blog's ongoing coverage of Level.

Yousefi began by describing Level as a third home (commonly referred to as a Third Place) and community anchor. [REACT: A Third Place would be a very cool outcome for the Triangle. However other widely accepted Third Places in the district (Tryst, Busboys, Open City, etc) all have CR-Restaurant liquor licenses.]

The specifics of the application were outlined - Level is seeking a Class C Tavern license with operating hours until 2AM on weeknights and 3AM on weekends. The stated occupancy limit is 299. The venue will be seeking an entertainment endorsement which will permit coverage charges.

The applicant shared his concept for each level of the venue which can also be found on his website (www.leveldc.com).

Basement: Subterranean. Urban lounge with a very intimate look and feel offering a variety of my favorite music and artists. Offered comparison to ANDALU in Dupont Circle.

First Floor: Ground floor. Where the neighbors gather for coffee, tea, Mediterranean sweets, ghalyoon, and drinks. Free wifi to surf the net and plenty of flat screens to cover all the world's sports. Offered comparison to Hamilton's Bar and Grill near the U.S. Capitol.

Second Floor: Mediterranean restaurant seating area with full executive kitchen. Dining hours would run until 10 or 11PM nightly.

Third Floor: Exclusive Member's Only Lounge.

Fourth Floor: The owner's private residence.

At this stage attorney Dimitri Mallios chimed in with disgust that the meeting was being held at all barked that the proceedings were a waste of time since the ANC 6C already expressed it's intent to protest during a vote on June 8th. This was his snake like attempt to undermine the process of residents organizing. The meeting was very necessary. The resident community needs an experienced ally to guide it through the protest process and the Downtown Neighborhood Association is that resource. However for the DNA to have standing in the protest they needed to conduct a public meeting with ten days notice to engage residents. That is an ABRA requirement and there is no doubt that Mallios would have attempted to throw out the DNA as a protestant at the hearing had they not met this requirement.

After this distraction the meeting continued with questions and answers between the attendees and the applicant. Below are paraphrased elements of the discussion. Some of the questions and answers are composites of a more choppy back-and-forth between the applicant and audience. I did not take comprehensive notes so do not consider the below to be a full list of issues addressed.

Q - Please explain the Stop Work Order.
A - We felt the rear fire escape was in a condition that made it a safety hazard. Our judgement was to take immediate action. In hindsight we should have collected the permits first.

Q - How is this not a night club?
A - Only the basement level will feature music. We will not charge cover charges or maintain guest lists for entry to Level. There will be no queue outside the venue. The entertainment endorsement is to allow the flexibility to occassionally charge covers (or accept donations) for certain entertainment events in the basement level.

Q - Why are you applying for a CT-Tavern license as opposed to a CR-Restaurant license?
A - The CR-restaurant license mandates that 45% of revenue be sourced from food sales. This is very restrictive. Four bars in the city have been closed down for failing to satisfy this requirement. Others, such as Cafe Saint Ex, have sought to change from the CR to the CT during license renewal. We would be agreeable to a CT-Tavern license with a food requirement governed by the voluntary agreement and set at 25%.
REACT - The proposed compromise of 25% is barely more than half of the CR-Restaurant requirement. I checked which way the wind was blowing after the meeting on this proposal and universally that figure was not well received.

Q - The alley is already congested by current users. Your property has no private space along the alley unlike the other properties. How will you ensure you will not infringe on the public space?
A - We will not park in the alley. Our security will do rounds of the alley and have cars towed. With regards to trash we have talked to Papa Johns and anticipate working out an arrangement to put our dumpsters on their space. Food deliveries will be only once a week or once every other week - we'll bring the deliveries through the front door if we have to.
REACT - A little later in the meeting he said he also understood use of the alley for a valet parking stand will not be acceptable. These answers are appropriate to address our concerns if put in a voluntary agreement. However food deliveries every other week doesn't sound realistic. That may demonstrate a lack of understanding of restaurant operations (but I'm no expert either).

Q - Can you explain how Hookah is allowed under the DC smoking ban?
A - The district does allow venues to apply for a tobacco exemption. Ozio has a cigar lounge and other venues in Adams Morgan feature Hookah. With the exemption both hookah and cigarettes could be smoked in a set aside area of the venue.
REACT - The Department of Health allows smoking exemptions for Tobacco bars. To qualify for the exemption the business must earn 10% of it's total revenue from tobacco sales. FWIW, I think indoor smoking would not be conducive to creating a Third Place.

Q - Residents are concerned about potential noise from your venue? What assurances can you provide?
A - We'll be replacing our current windows with double paned glass. Music will only be played in the basement level. The ground floor will only have TVs. The restaurant level and above will not feature music.

Q - Why does your venue need an occupancy limit of 299?
A - That is what we applied for when we anticipated using all five levels. However I now plan to live on the top floor and the 3rd floor is more of a private lounge.
Q - If your concept no longer requires 299 why not lower the occupancy?
A - Keeping it at 299 allows us flexibility.

Q - What are you plans for security?
A - I would contract out the security to one of several firms I have worked with in the past. In addition to providing security inside the club I would task them with keeping order in front of the property and in the alley. I will be living and working here. I'll have a strong sense of the security issues and ensure they are addressed.

Q - What experience do you have running a bar or restaurant?
A - I've never run a restaurant. I've been going to clubs since I was 20 years old. I've known Frank (points to Frank Morello of Muse) for years.
REACT - While Pouya didn't include this in his response - his resume includes event promotions at MCCXXIII (1223 Connecticut Ave). Numerous times, including when he gave me a tour of the building's interior, he's stated that operating a lounge is his area of expertise and that he only lacks of formal ownership experience.

The representative from Pathways housing spoke of nuisance issues she's encountered as an immediately adjacent neighbor of this property. During the last several years, a period when the property was under ownership by Yousefi's uncle, Pathways has incurred troubles from a chemical leak and a colony of rats sourced from 315 H Street. Pathways requests for action from the property owner were ignored. Resolution only came after complaints were filed with government agencies. Pouya replied that he's only had the project for 3 months and should not be held responsible for actions from years ago. He claims he's committed to being more responsive to issues under his watch.

Please discuss in the comments section.

Comments are now closed for this blog post. Constructive discussion has seemed to run it's course. The only incoming comments still arriving in the moderation queue are attacking people not critiquing ideas. Pouya and I have both provided our emails. If you'd like to get involved rather than just rant anonymously contact us and we'll tell you how.

Recap of DNA ABL Public Meeting - Muse

On Thursday June 18th the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) hosted a public meeting regarding the liquor license application for Level Lounge (315 H St NW). The meeting agenda also covered the imminent request by Muse Lounge (717 6th St NW) to extend their operating hours by 90 minutes to accommodate soft closings.

I would roughly estimate that the meeting had around 50 attendees. Among those present were the owners of Muse and Level, their lawyer Dimitri Mallios, executive director of the D.C. Nightlife Association Skip Coburn, Renee Childers from the MVT CID, 3 members of the DNA board including our discussion leader Miles Groves. Residents from the Cosmopolitan (adjacent to Muse), the Sonata, Madrigal Lofts, and Pathways housing (317 H St NW), and owner of Savvy Stereo (309 H Street NW) were also in attendance.

MUSE LOUNGE
The meeting began with the discussion regarding Muse Lounge and their upcoming request to extend their operating hours. Skip Coburn took the floor to provide context on the extended closing hours. The proposal would not extend the hours alcohol can be served - only the hours of operation. Coburn's DCLNA organization recommends this change for venues across the city as a means to smooth out the load of patrons exiting clubs at 3am. The benefits are purported to be reducing congestion outside venues at closing when patrons are waiting at the valet stand, hailing cabs, or attempting to sober up.

Dimitri Mallios then blurted out the first of his many cranky and pointless objections of the night. He claimed having this forum 4 blocks away from Muse was unproductive and that Madrigal residents have no stake in the matter. However the meeting was advertised to the buildings neighboring Muse and several Cosmopolitan residents were in attendance. Considering Mallios repeatedly expressed disinterest in being at the meeting I'm sure he didn't want to have separate meetings at both the Cosmopolitan and Madrigal - his objection was nothing more than an attempt to obfuscate.

Frank Morello from Muse outlined a plan to close one level of his establishment each half hour during the 90 minute extension. During this time the venue would serve only water, espresso and red bull.

Cosmopolitan residents objected to the extended hours. They feel Muse presently already violates terms, especially those governing noise, in the existing voluntary agreement. Morello argued that the operating hours extension was unrelated to the disputes surrounding the voluntary agreement. Residents contended that a business that does not honor existing commitments is not worthy of support for extended operating hours. Most notably the extension would increase the hours of music which is an issue they feel is in need of abatement not prolonging. They also expressed discomfort that the proposal of closing a level every 30 minutes was only an example and not a practice Muse would be technically bound to.

REACT: Muse is a bottle service venue with a menu that list bottles of Ciroc for $200 and Cristal for $600. If the venue stays open 90 minutes later - would that just mean more bottles would be bought at 2:55am and consumed over the next 90 minutes? If so, this change would hardly be aimed at helping patrons sober up with water, red bull or espresso ...

Recap of the Level Lounge discussion will be posted tomorrow by Wednesday.

ANC commisioner Keith Silver withdraws plans to picket construction sites

On Thursday June 11th ANC 6C commissioner Keith Silver announced plans to picket construction sites for upcoming projects in his SMD. Silver planned to take this action as a response to his perception of the failures of the DC First Source Agreement.

Last night Silver issued a retraction. His statement says he met with several government agencies, including the Department of Employee Services (DOES), to discuss his objections.

I am confident, under the purview of the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Economic Development, Council of the District of Columbia, and DOES Administration, they are very capable and qualified, along with of course, ....concientious ANC Commissions and Commissioners,.. to assure appropriate percentatages for DC Residents, will reach the qualified job applicants and candidates.

Mount Carmel Baptist Church Fish Fry

From the MVT CID website:

Get ready for the Pastor's Aid Club's Fish Fry, featuring a menu of fish, chicken, and cornbread. The event will be held on Friday, June 19 from 12:00 noon until 7:00 pm at Mount Carmel Baptist Church; 901 Third Street NW. Dinner (including 2 sides and a drink) is $8. Food can be pre-ordered at the church by contacting Deacon Freddie Allen or Deaconess Margaret Smith (202) 842-3411.

I stopped by the Fish Fry at lunch time. The event is being held in the basement of the church. My wait was one hour for the chicken meal! Those who placed their order in advance or ordered the fish were in and out much more quickly than that. Lesson learned - don't order the chicken at a Fish Fry! =)

PoP visits the Triangle

The uber popular DC blog Prince of Petworth had a trio of Mount Vernon Triangle postings yesterday. PoP surveys his readers for input on the Dumont and Ledos, Louis Rogue, and Buddha Bar.

In the comments I riffed against the urban design of the DuMont's Mass Ave frontage. Two entrances accompanied by semi-circle driveways on Mass Ave was completely unnecessary. Good urbanism would have been to place one entrance on Mass Ave and the other (sans semi circle driveway) on either Fourth or Eye Street. This would have allowed more Mass Ave frontage for retail space. The developer placed greater emphasis on the prestige of Mass Ave addresses over good urban form. That was a very short sighted attitude. Is this a travesty - no? But definitely a large missed opportunity considering.

Level Lounge Public Meeting Reminder

From DNA president Miles Groves:

The DNA has a public meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 18 starting at 7:30PM at Madrigal Lofts. We expect the owners of the proposed Levels Tavern to attend to discuss their concept and answer questions. The address of this Tavern is 315 H Street NW, near the corner of 4th and H Streets. The Madrigal Lofts condominiums are located on the corner of 4th and I Streets, NW at 811 4th Street NW. This is an especially important meeting for residents in buildings along Massachusetts Avenue or in the Triangle section of Downtown.

At the conclusion of this meeting, the Downtown Neighborhood Association board will vote on whether to protest their Tavern liquor license application.

Capital Spice: Urfa Tomato Kabob a Turkish delight

The Capital Spice blog published an enthustiastic review of Urfa Tomato Kebab (740 6th St NW) yesterday.


Back in February I linked to a review from Tim of The 42 Bus who issued Urfa an "A" grade. I've visited a couple of times since and found the restaurant to be a good cheap eat although I'm not the doner aficionado Capital Spice is. What are your thoughts?

Photo credit: The 42 Bus

Douglas Development update concept for Squares 450 and 451

According to Jeff Parke's notes for last night's MVSNA meeting Paul Millstein of Douglas Development provided an update on the concept he presented last November for Squares 450 and 451.

RED=Square 450; BLUE=Square 451; ORANGE=Convention Center Hotel; GREEN=Old Convention Center

• Aim to lease properties on 1000 block of 7th Street in Square 450 for retail and restaurants very soon. No need to wait.
  
• Square 451 will be mostly office with 20k sqft retail.
  
• Assemblage of historic structures at 6th and K.
  
• Shalom Barranes is the architect.
  
• Square 450 mass will be broken up to prevent one wall effect on NY ave.
  
• Originally were going to put Waffle Shop (formerly 10th st) to 7th but think it would fit in better over by AVs at 6th and NY.
  
• The Square 451 office building will be curved along K to let historic structures elevations and facades read better.
  
• If successful the Square 451 office building will be occupied by 2013.
  
• Do not yet own the doctor’s office on the Square 451 but expect to work something out.
  
• Park service owns park on south block but Douglas will make sure it’s improved.
  
• Waffle Shop might be 2 years from completion

Does anyone have any additional interesting details to share that were not in these meeting notes? Was there any mention of the entertainment venue Millstein previously alluded to?

HPRB: You make the call

Which do you find more worthy of preservation? The top image is of "Meads Row" on the 1300 block of H Street NE which the Historic Preservation Review Board recently voted down a motion to preserve. The second image displays some properties under consideration on the 600 Block of K Street NW within the Triangle.



Personally I consider the Meads Row cluster of buildings is more appealing from an architectural and aesthetic perspective.

Image Credit: DCMud

Proposed levels for Level Lounge ** UPDATED**

The website (www.leveldc.com) for Level Lounge should have content later this week with details on the venues concept.


My understanding is that currently the proposed uses for each floor of Level will be roughly as follows:

Basement: Lounge with live music
First Floor: Bar with seating, televisions, billiards
Second Floor: Kitchen in rear, front 2/3 will be restaurant seating
Third Floor: VIP area
Fourth Floor: Owner's residence

The kitchen and the owner residence are modifications from the original vision shared at the ANC 6C ABL committee meeting.

---

UPDATE (6/16/2009 12:30AM): LEVELDC.COM has been updated tonight and paints a picture of the plans for the floors of the venue with greater detail than the broad strokes I originally posted:

Basement: Subterranean. Urban lounge with a very intimate look and feel offering a variety of my favorite music and artists. From spoken word to ethnic world music, I hope to host a variety of artists that are conducive to the chill vibe that I want my venue to be known for.
First Floor: Ground floor. Where the neighbors gather for coffee, tea, Mediterranean sweets, ghalyoon, and drinks. Free wifi to surf the net and plenty of flat screens to cover all the world's sports.
Second Floor: Mediterranean restaurant seating area with full executive kitchen. Check back when our final site is up learn more about our amazing menu including what is and how to use a "deezee".
Third Floor: Exclusive Member's Only Lounge. This will be my private living room where only special guests are welcome.
Fourth Floor: My home. This will be my primary residence. As such, living in a neighborhood where I am respected and appreciated will play a pivotal part in how I operate my business.

Interior photos of Level Lounge shell

Sunday evening I was provided a brief tour of the shell of the future home of Level Lounge (315 H Street NW). Each of the four above grade floors has roughly the same 2200 floorplate. Below are a few interior photos from the building.

looking towards front windows

looking towards rear of building

windows along the west wall

windows along the east wall

Mount Vernon Triangle CID renewal

Every five years, BIDs in the District of Columbia must be renew their status. The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District (MVTCID) is operating in its fifth year, and the renewal process has begun. There will be a public hearing on June 23, 2009 starting at 6:30 p.m. in John A Wilson Building – 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; Room 123. (Photo identification is required to enter the building.) Property owners within the Mount Vernon Triangle CID boundaries are welcome to testify and may review a copy of the business plan in the MVTCID office, online in the resources page, and at the front desk at the Hampton Inn.

ANC commisioner Keith Silver to picket construction sites in his SMD

ANC Commissioner Keith Silver (SMD 6C01) sent me a copy of his media release announcing his intention to picket construction sites within 6C-01, to protest the "failed" DC First Source Agreement:

His release suggests he will picket:

• New Communities Project, on "K" St. N.W.
  
• 395 Air-Rights,(Return to L'Enfant), 3rd and Mass. Ave. N.W. and
  
• 6th 5th and Eye St. N.W. Projects.

I'm not going to fully dissect his release as that is more of political ideology conversation than I care to get into on the blog... But the I-395 Air-rights project and 5th and Eye project aren't even construction sites yet - each is still the planning or assemblage stages. As for the "New Communities Project" I'm unclear if Commissioner Silver is referring to City Vista or the demolition of Temple Courts.

Trapeze School at Old Convention Center site

The Washington Trapeze School has relocated from Baltimore to the Old Convention Center site (aka City Center) at 9th & H. The Washingtonpost reports the school will run for four months.


The trapeze school's website gives credit to a Sex in the City episode for generating unprecedented buzz for their school.

Photo credit: Oddlittlebird

CHAPTERS fundraiser this Saturday

A fundraiser for Chapters Literary Arts Center and Bookstore is taking place this Saturday. The new non-profit has just 30 days to raise the funds they need to open a new location at 601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.


For a copy of the full flyer click here.

History of Jazz Concert at City Vista Green

Things to Do DC is having a Jazz event next Wednesday night, June 17th, on the City Vista Green. The event will run from 7:15pm-9:30pm and tickets may be purchased for $20.

NEW EVENT: History of Jazz Concert

Jazz, n. (1) American Music characterized by improvisation, syncopated rhythms, and contrapuntal ensemble playing; (2) American music provoking a serious good time!

Scott Joplin, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Rickie Lee Jones! In a single evening, we will hear the finest of these and more jazz greats as we explore this American timeless classic. We will travel from the beat of ragtime syncopation and driving brass bands to soaring choirs mixed with field hollers and the deep down growl of the blues. We will journey to the Cotton Clubs, to Swing and Big Band and to the modern era.

TTD offers a private concert and lesson for its members from one of the best local jazz bands around - with a special look into the history of Jazz. We will hear the most adored classics from each selective period that shaped jazz from the early 19th Century into the Modern era.

Among the breakdown:

1. Pre Civil War: Folk music and plantation songs begin the early foundation of jazz
   
2. Late 1800's: Blues develops and is complete by 1910
   
3. 1890's: Ragtime develops and is the most popular music in America
   
4. 1900's: Marching band music, Ragtime and the Blues begin to be fused into early Jazz roots
   
5. 1930's: Swing music brings Jazz to a new high in popularity
   
6. 1940's: The age of Bebop begins
   
7. 1950's: Hard Bop or Funk and Cool Jazz take over
   
8. 1960's: Modal and Free Jazz find followers
   
9. 1970's: Jazz fuses with one of its derivatives (Rock) to form Jazz-Rock or Fusion
   
10. 1980's : Contemporary Jazz age begins
    
11. 1990's: Hard Bop revival

Each period will begin with an introductory discussion to illustrate particular styles and composers.

June ANC 6C Draft Agenda

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 7 pm
Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue N.E.

DRAFT AGENDA

Call to order
Quorum
Approval of agenda
Approval of May minutes
Treasurer’s report

Brief community and commissioner announcements

• GFC Marathon - Lisa May Ordakowski
  
• August Saturdays - Darren Laing
  
• 2010 Census - Laurie Anderson
  
• Urban Forestry, team 3
  
• Emmaus Services for the Aging - Mary Lynn Logsdon

Old Business

Public Safety Committee report (Comm. Dixon) - Michael Cortez, Gospel Rescue Mission

Liquor License Committee report (Comm. Phelps)

• Kelly’s Liquors, 415 H Street NE, ABRA # 079335, license currently in safekeeping
  
• Naples Sister’s Pizza and Mussels 1300 Second St NE, ABRA stipulated license request - Ian Swayne
  
• Levels Tavern, 315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, ABRA #082080 tavern license request - Pouya Yousefi

Youth and Education Committee (Comm. Hamilton)

Planning, Zoning, and Environment Committee (Rob Amos) - No business this month

• NoMa plan update (Comm. Phelps)
  
• Chinatown streetscape (Comm. Docter)

Transportation Committee (Comm. Wirt substituting)

• 901 First St. NW, J.B. Johnson Nursing Center, Public Space request for 10 park spaces - Garth Granum
  
• Late arriving item - DDOT request to take 63’ of parking space for Metro Access vans on G Street NW between 5th and 6th Streets.

New Business

• Murray Way, designation for 1100 block of 7th Street NE (Comm. Phelps)

Meeting Adjournment

June DNA Meeting

From DNA President Miles Groves:

This Tuesday is the June date for our DNA and PSA101W meeting. We will have Ward 2 councilmember Jack Evans and Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs director Linda Argo will be our discussion leaders. PSA 101 Lieutenant Craig Royal will introduce Sergeant Peter Sheldon, the leader of the Chinatown Project that will be discussed. We expect the owner of Inde Bleu, Arjun Rishi, to join us to share the changes at Inde Bleu and the recent opening of his Stirr Lounge.

This is the first time we have had Director Argo with us, bringing an opportunity to better understand the breadth of how her agency impacts our neighborhood.

Chinatown Project
1D Commander David Kamperin has taken the lead in preparing for summer and the challenges of the teen throngs that arrive in our neighborhood. This project provides a sergeant and ten officers focussing on quality of life crimes in our neighborhood. We will hear more about this on Tuesday. So far this group (as of yesterday afternoon) has made 48 arrests and has brought greater presence of offers at night in our neighborhood.

Please join us on Tuesday, June 9 at Calvary Baptist Church. The address is 833 8th Street and we will be in Kendall Hall.

More Retail space at 455 Mass

Even with Buddha Bar signing on to lease just shy of 10,000 sf the 455 Mass building still has retail space available. The Rappaport Retail brokerage's property listing shows that 1,680 sf of retail space is still on the market.

Image from Rappaport's 455 Mass brochure

Level Lounge discussion

The liquor license application for 315 H Street NW we've been tracking since May 26th is now being referred to as Levels Tavern Level Lounge. The below writeup attempts to outline all the information I know both from my sources and the discussion with the applicant at the June 2nd ANC 6C ABL committee meeting. The ABL meeting was attended by the committee members (minus Anne Phelps), ANC commissioners Keith Silver and Charley Docter, DNA president Miles Groves, MVT CID Executive Director Bill McLeod and two Madrigal Lofts residents.

Property
The four-story brick structure, located at at 315 H Street NW, is situated between a women's shelter on the left and Papa Johns to the right. The building has a narrow frontage on H Street but runs deep all the way to the back of the property line to provide 11,000 square feet of space across five levels. In it's past life this handsome structure with it's detailed facade was an apartment building called the Jefferson - a name which is still inscribed above the ground level entrance today.



While I could not track down the last year the property has been in active use it predates the last time the deed changed hands. The DC Recorder of Deeds states that the property was sold from the estate of Demetrios Tsintolas to Maryam Fathi on 6/4/2002 for $490,000. The proposed 2010 Assessment for the property is $1,114,110. Recently the property has had a commercial listing on Loopnet without a formal asking price.

A photo I discovered from 2006 showed the building had windows blocked off by masonry and boards. Since that time improvements have been made to the structure - most notably new black windows. The applicant states the building could still be another year from being completely built out as an elevator is added and the interior is gutted and redesigned.

Applicant
The applicant is 31 year old Pouya Yousefi who is the nephew of the property owner. Yousefi, a DC area native presently living outside the district, is a software engineer by vocation graduating with a BS in computer science in 2004 from UMBC before earning his masters from JHU in 2009. His hobby since his early college days is event planning/promotions with his one man company coined dcPYro Productions. Recently he promoted events at the nightclub MCCXXIII (1223 Connecticut Ave) with several affiliated with DC Persians. Mr Yousefi has no previous management/ownership experience of any bar, lounge, or other entertainment venue.


Application
Yousefi is applying for a CT-Tavern liquor license with an entertainment endorsement.

License Class: Retail Class “C” Tavern

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

Note that the listed hours would represent the maximum allowed rather than truly indicate the business will operate during all these hours.

Concept
When speaking of the concept Mr Yousefi appeared to convey that certain aspects are still in undecided and that he is applying for the CT-Tavern license to maintain the most flexibility. What did seem locked down is the intent to create a middle eastern lounge using the basement floor for music and ground floor for a lounge with admission based on cover charges. He plans to have no kitchen on-site but rather prepare food off-site which would be delivered to this location. The Hookah bar aspect is an option he wants to keep open to himself but it may be swapped out for a cigar bar or other feature entirely. For the upper floors of the building he mentioned a possibility may be corporate meeting space.

Discussion
Below are paraphrased elements of the discussion with Yousefi after his presentation of the concept. Some of the questions and answers are composites of a more choppy back-and-forth between the applicant, committee and audience.

Q - Why are you pursing a CT-Tavern license rather than a CR-Restaurant license? Why the absence of an on-site kitchen? With 11,000 s.f. it's difficult to make the argument that you are constrained by space.
A - The CR-Restaurant license requires that food sales must account for 45% of gross receipts. That requirement is a headache that we don't want to deal with. We want to focus on running the lounge. As for the kitchen, our investors prefer we maximize lounge/bar space and keeping the kitchen offsite does that plus keeps the basement level free which has the best soundproofing for our music.

Q - How do you see this business fitting into the neighborhood? Our experience is that restaurants that serve lunch and dinner and foster activity all week are a neighborhood amenity while bars/lounges/clubs that focus overwhelmingly on the Thurs/Fri/Sat night crush are often a nuisance.
A - This is not a night club. We expect to be a neighborhood hangout/lounge much like Tryst. We'd love to earn as much business from the neighborhood as possible. We see ourselves being in the neighborhood a long time.
React - Tryst is a business many potential businesses love to nominally compare themselves to when discoursing with the public because of it's reputation. Fact of the matter is that Tryst has a CR-Restaurant ABC license and so do many other popular lounges around the city such as Chi-Cha Lounge.

Q - There is concern about alley use. Your property does not appear to have any private open space in the rear along the alley. Where will you employees and patrons park?
A - We'll discuss with our lawyers what we're entitled to in the alley. Most of our patrons will be from the neighborhood and walk to our establishment. For the few that do drive the surrounding neighborhood has an abundance of street parking in the evenings.
React: The current users of the alley will insist that the voluntary agreement manage the alley use to ensure the public portions of the alley are not habitually infringed upon.

Q - While I hope your establishment is a success with the neighbors I think you're overstating with the suggestion that most patrons will come from the neighborhood as a means to conveniently sweep any need to discuss parking under the rug. A middle eastern hookah lounge is a niche market that will need to pull potential customers citywide and from elsewhere in-and-around the beltway to achieve your desired occupancy of 299 patrons.
A - My friends don't drive when they go out to places likes Tryst. As for the concept being a niche - I have over 1300 facebook friends with similar interests to me.
React: I've driven to Tryst and told him as much. The surrounding on-street parking in the evening will dry up in the evenings as Buddha Bar, Kushi, and this establishment open up. That's fine with me. I've never been one to believe on-street parking in a mixed-use hi-rise neighborhood belongs to residents. That said, if patrons get so frustrated circling the block that they decide to park in front of a fire hydrant, in alleys or on sidewalks and this becomes a chronic problem then residents can rightfully go apeshit. Let's be honest about how many car trips this establishment will generate on a weekend night. If it's going to be a big number then Levels should work an arrangement with one of the nearby surface lots that are empty each evening. (Sure there are long-term development plans for these lots - but no way QDC suddenly begins developing all 5 at once). The facebook friends comment seemed silly to me - maybe that's a big deal for an event promoter... My point wasn't that the business was too niche to succeed in the DC area - just too niche to pull in 300 patrons in the immediate walking area.

Status/Next Steps
The ANC 6C ABL committee made a motion to oppose the the application for the CT-Tavern license and encouraged Mr Yousefi to seek a voluntary agreement that would address the concerns of residents. This committee motion is not binding - the full commission will hear from Mr Yousefi on Wednesday June 10th (7pm @ Heritage Foundation/214 Mass Ave NE) and decide whether to support or oppose while considering the committees recommendation. Because this is the last full commission meeting before the July 6th filing date the ANC must take a stand rather than defer the issue.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association will be holding a meeting for residents to discuss this application by Levels Tavern on Thursday June 18th at 7:30pm in the Madrigal Lofts lobby (811 4th Street NW). Mr Yousefi will be invited to this meeting to speak directly with residents - but regardless of whether he attends this meeting is required for residents feedback to have standing with ABRA.

I believe the DNA and ANC will reach out to Yousefi and his lawyers after the June 18th meeting to see if our feedback can be incorporated into a voluntary agreement before the July 6th filing date.

Closeup look at alley behind 300 block of H Street NW

I attended last night's ANC6C ABL committee meeting in which the applicant (Pouya Yousefi) for the new proposed tavern at 315 H Street NW explained his concept and fielded questions. I will recap that discussion in a later posting - but I first wanted to lay a little more ground work to convey the alley setup to all readers.

This flickr photo set visually represents the alley behind the 300 block of H Street NW that is shared by the commercial uses, the Second Baptist Church, and the Madrigal Lofts and Sonata condominiums. I thought conveying this representation was important because while many area residents are familiar with the location of Tunnel and Papa Johns - only residents of Madrigal and Sonata are intimately familiar with the alley. (Note: once viewing in Flickr roll over the pictures with to see notes that explain exactly which building is which.)

Click thumbnail image to visit flickr photo set

This alley is already an extremely high use alley with residents of two high-rises condos traveling through to access the garage egresses to roughly 350 underground parking spaces. Papa Johns delivery drivers also make heavy use of the alley. A new use of this large scope that will attract more employees, deliveries, trash pickups and up to 299 patrons to the block would need to be carefully and respectfully integrated. Residents deserve to know the applicant has a plan to manage their share of the alley use and a voluntary agreement to codify that plan into enforceable expectations.

New Tavern at 315 H St NW to attend tonight's ABL meeting

The applicant for the new CT (Tavern) liquor license at 315 H Street NW will attend tonight's ANC6C Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL) committee meeting. The meeting begins at 7pm at the School Without Walls (215 G Street NE).

Tonight will be our first chance to hear the applicant expand upon this description:

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.

Image from Loopnet

Later this month the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) will conduct a special forum allowing residents to express their concerns. The forum will be announced with the required 10 day lead time to have standing should a protest letter need to be filed. I will relay the When/Where of this meeting as I learn it.

MVSNA requests no parking zone on Fourth Street

The following is the body of a letter from the Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association to DDOT's Jeffrey Marootian and Melissa Byrd of the Office of Planning.

The Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association (MVSNA) requests that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) implement “no parking/no standing” restrictions along the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Fourth Street, NW, between K Street, NW and M Street, NW.

This area has long suffered from rampant prostitution, drug, loitering, vandalism, and other criminal activity. Some residents have lived with this crime for many years. Others who recently moved into the area, including units in City Vista, Madrigal Lofts, and Yale Steam Laundry, as well as many others who visit the area to shop at Safeway, Fifth Street Hardware, and Busboys & Poets, are shocked to experience the criminal activity firsthand on a daily basis.

The intent of the proposed no parking/standing restrictions is to reduce the prostitution and drug activity that frequently occurs in and through vehicles in this area. We suggest a 24-month approach for months 1-12, the restrictions would apply to all vehicles; for months 13-24, the restrictions would apply to all vehicles other than Zone 2/6 permit holders. At the end of this two-year period, DDOT would review the restrictions and determine their continued application after considering public comment. There would continue to be sufficient parking for neighborhood residents after implementation of the restrictions.

We have consulted with area residents and they overwhelmingly support the change. In addition, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C, in whose jurisdiction the block falls, has voted in support of the proposed restrictions. We have been advised by officers of the Metropolitan Police Department that these restrictions provide them with an additional tool to investigate this extensive criminal activity and enforce the laws that protect the neighborhood residents. We do not view the proposed restrictions as a silverbullet to eliminating illicit activity in the area, but a vital element of a comprehensive plan to foster a safer and more livable environment.