[from Joseph Martin, Outreach and Services Specialist - Ward 4]
The topping off ceremony for 4100 Georgia Ave, aka “The Residences at Georgia Avenue”, is now scheduled for (new date and time):
Friday, September 12, 2008
2:00-2:30pm
Contact info:
Adrian Washington, Executive Director
Neighborhood Development Company
202-722-6002
Click here for a PDF. Listings courtesy of Petworth realtor Lesley Aranha.
A recent posting from the Petworth Yahoo Group by Mr. Derrick Woody, manager of the DDOT's "Great Streets," Georgia Avenue planning project.
From Mr. Woody:
Someone had asked earlier today: "Whatever happened to the Great Streets Initiative for Petworth/Middle Georgia Avenue?"
The short answer is: "Many things are still happening in response to all the community input that we have received in the various agencies working on Great Streets." The Executive Branch is working very closely with Councilmember Bowser on a number of fronts to revive Georgia Avenue in Petworth and overall. Here is a listing of Great Streets related government actions that are ongoing in Petworth:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
3700 Block of Georgia Avenue (Park Place ) - Donatelli Development has this project successfully under construction over the Metro entrance. Donatelli purchase the property from the District and is developing 148 units of housing and 17,000 square feet of retail.
3813, 3815, and 3825-29 Georgia Avenue NW - DMPED currently announcing the selection of a development team to produce retail, restaurants and housing on these currently vacant sites. [Update from J.M. - The bid proposed by Donatelli Development (Bethesda-based) & Mosaic (a DC company) was accepted by the city. Petworth's Neighborhood Development Company is the only other company that bid on this Request For Proposal.]
3910-12 Georgia Avenue NW (Georgia Commons) - Jair Lynch selected by the District to develop 110 rental units and 20,000 square feet of retail.
Safeway Site - DMPED currently working with Safeway Real Estate Division to redevelop this highly underutilized site to produce a bigger, better grocery store with mixed income housing above and parking below the surface. We are working with Safeway to resolve a potential financing gap in the project.
4100 Georgia Avenue NW - DMPED worked with Neighborhood Development Company to fill a financing gap with property tax abatements in this 100% affordable housing project (over 70 units) with an 11,000 square foot Yes! Organics as the retail tenant. Project is under construction.
Petworth Neighborhood Retail TIF - DMPED authorized up to $10 million to provide assistance to fill retail financing gaps along the Georgia Avenue Great Streets corridor in Petworth and Park View/Pleasant Plains. One application was received in this district and is being evaluated.
STREETSCAPE / INFRASTRUCTURE:
DDOT has hired Precision Systems, Inc. to design the Middle Georgia Avenue/Petworth section and this should be completed within 10 months. Construction is expected to begin late 2009. In addition to Georgia Avenue from Otis to Webster, the design and construction will include the 800 block of Upshur. Streetscape work on New Hampshire Avenue at Georgia Avenue has already begun.
LAND USE PLANNING:
The District has been work in Petworth for quite some time now. Community input was actively sought and incorporated into both the Georgia Petworth Great Streets Plan and the District' s Comprehensive Plan. Both documents have been adopted by DC Council and are serving as "guidance" to the actions which the District has made on the Economic Development and Infrastructure fronts. Disposition of public lands in Petworth have been issued to be consistent with the implementation of these plans.
Please feel free to direct specific questions as follows:
Economic Development to [email protected]
Streetscape/Infrastructure to [email protected]
Land Use Planning to [email protected]
Thanks all!
Derrick Lanardo Woody
Coordinator - Great Streets Initiative
[from Jamila F.]
I am writing to ask if residents might be interested in serving as a judge in the upcoming "Picturing Petworth" photography contest.
The details of this community contest sponsored by the Petworth Neighborhood Library have not been ironed out. Judging the contest will not take too much time, and it will be fun and rewarding. If interested, please email me.
FYI, the Petworth Friends Group will also be revived this fall. The Group will be looking to recruit new Petworth residents to join, share, celebrate, read and support the Library.
I will keep everyone posted about the Petworth Library Open House in September.
Donatelli Development tapped for Georgia Avenue NW parcels
Friday, August 22, 2008
Washington Business Journal
D.C. has picked Donatelli Development Inc. to develop two nonadjacent city-owned parcels on Georgia Avenue NW in Petworth.
[from Valeria G.]
Moroni and Brothers Pizza has outside seating now. What a great move, with the days getting cooler and nicer, right? They put tables outside after 6pm.
[from the office of Muriel Bowser]
Please join Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser and the Deputy Mayor's Office for Planning and Economic Development to hear presentations from potential developers for the properties at 3813, 3815, and 3825-29 Georgia Avenue. Thursday 8/21, 6:30pm Patrol Services Bureau (formerly ROC) 801 Shepherd Street
[from tikamar via the Petworth listserv]
I wanted to pass along my experience with an obnoxious, aggressive sales rep that was knocking on doors in Petworth today hoping to get new customers for Pinnacle Security.
This afternoon, I answered a knock at our door. A young sales rep was standing on the porch, holding open our security door. I greeted him, and asked how I could help him. I explained that I was on a call, and that if he was making sales, I was not interested. He cut me off and began to tell me that one of my neighbors had just signed on to their home security company. I said again, "Are you here to make a sale? If so, I'm not interested." He pushed back, "No. I'm telling you we just helped out your neighbor." I told him again that I was not interested, and asked him to let go of my door so I could close it. He forcefully said "No," and then went off on me, telling me that I was rude. I reminded him that he was standing on my porch and holding open my door. He continued to disrespect me and insult me, going so far as to
call me a "horrible mother," "a basketcase," and "crazy." I ordered him off my property, at which point he taunted me and told me, "Go ahead and call the police." He then retreated to the sidewalk, continued to shout at me. I began to speak louder so that our neighbors would hear what was going on.
The sales rep headed down the street, then turned back around and approached the house again, this time telling me I was lucky I was a lady, or… I told him not to threaten me and he yelled at me to shut up. He crossed the street just as my husband came outside to see what was going on. When he saw my husband, he began to walk faster. Then he stopped next to a group of neighbors and began talking, pointing at our house. My husband said he was going to go talk to the man, and began walking up the street. The sales rep took off running. By now, many of our neighbors had gathered to see what was going on, and I'm sure the man was scared. He took off so fast that by the time everyone reached the corner, he was out of sight.
I went online to research Pinnacle Security, and found a number of complaints about the company's sales tactics, described as unethical, aggressive, relentless and pushy. Funny, those are the same words that came to my mind after my experience. Apparently they tend to target elderly homeowners and lock people into contracts. The company is based out of Utah. I can't say that this experience was much different than recent door-to-door sales attempts by Honeywell and GE. In all three instances, young men, in their early 20's, were all disrespectful and unnecessarily forceful in their communications. Each time, the young men showed no regard for the fact that they were on someone's private property. I have heard similar stories from other neighbors. If you're happy with your current home security system, do yourself a favor, and don't answer the door if they come knocking.
[from Joseph Martin, ANC 4C Chair]
At our meeting Tuesday, August 12th, ANC 4C voted 7-1 to support Councilmember Muriel Bowser's legislation, B17-0907, amendment to support exempting Single-Member District 4C07 (Commissioner Shanel Anthony) from the Ward 4-wide ban on Class B beer-and-wine licenses for new supermarkets. Voting YES: Commissioners Dee Jolley, Ronald Bland, Maggie Biscarr, Shanel Anthony, Timothy Jones, Joseph Martin and Kevin Hummons. Voting NO: Louis Wassell. Absent: Damian Nickens and Kelita Boyd.
In layperson's language, this legislative proposal, if it passes the City Council and becomes law, would allow Yes Organic Market to apply for a Class B beer-and-wine license. The ANC has considered this issue informally at least twice in recent months. At a recent ANC meeting, Mr. Gary Cha, Yes owner, stated that his inability to apply for (and obtain) and beer-and-wine license would be "a deal-breaker." The City Council will return for formal session in September for legislative business. Thanks to Councilmember Muriel Bowser for her participation in our meeting and addressing concerns on this and other issues. Thanks to Mr. Cha for participating in last night's meeting.
The 5th Street bike lane was striped today and is ready for southbound riders from Grant Circle. 7th Street northbound to Sherman Circle is coming soon.
From the Prince of Petworth blog:
Massive Fire at Bodega on Corner of Rock Creek Church And Warder St
[from Joseph Martin, ANC 4C Chair]
Draft Agenda for Tuesday, August 12, 2008
MPD Patrol Services Bldg
801 Shepherd St, Community Room
6:30pm–8:45pm
- ANC 4C – Motion to support the Emergency Legislation Bill B17-0907, Amendment to the Full Service Grocery Amendment Act of 2006. (Pertains to the proposed supermarket in SMD 4C07 at 4100 Georgia Avenue NW within the single-member district of Commissioner Shanel Anthony)
- Sustainable Green Renovation Project in the Petworth Neighborhood
- Commentary on the Meridian restaurant closing (Taliib-Din Uqdah). Mr. Uqdah is a former chair of ANC 4C, longtime resident, well-known activist, and asked if he could address the ANC on this issue.
- Application of Kendejah, 5828 Georgia Avenue NW, to operate until 5am on certain days of the week.
- Community Comment Period (Anyone may speak on any topic for 3 minutes.)
ANC elections will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 in the District’s general elections. If you are interested in running for a seat on an ANC, nomination petitions can be picked up at the Board of Elections at 441 4th Street NW. You must be a certified resident of the single-member district to quality to run for the ANC. Call the Board of Elections at 202-727-2525 for more information.
[from the New Columbia Heights blog] Looks like Commonwealth, the "gastropub" owned by Hank's Oyster Bar's Jamie Leeds, is opening this Wednesday in the Highland Park building at 14th and Irving.
[from Sarah Fairbrother, Project Director, Heritage Programs, Cultural Tourism DC]
Join Cultural Tourism DC, the Brightwood Heritage Trail Working Group, the District Department of Transportation, and Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser for the Battleground to Community: Brightwood Heritage Trail Unveiling and Stroll
Saturday, August 16
Unveiling: 10-11am, Stroll: 11am-4pm
Emery Recreation Center
5701 Georgia Avenue, NW
The Brightwood Neighborhood Heritage Trail's 18 poster-sized street signs combine storytelling, photography, and maps to lead you through this community's storied past. Stroll the trail and stop at neighborhood businesses and organizations for free cold drinks and discounts!
For more information, visit www.CulturalTourismDC.org or call 202-661-7581. No reservations required. Street parking is available or take Metrobus 70 or 71 from Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro station.
As you walk the trail check out activities at churches, businesses, and historic sites. Stop first at the Emery Recreation Center for a trail guide, map, and full list of events. Meet Civil War re-enactors at Fort Stevens and hear stories of the District's only Civil War battle. Follow National Park Service park rangers on a tour of Battleground National Cemetery and Fort Stevens.
Catch the Emory United Methodist Church's Acts II Band, playing select jazz tunes at the corner of Quackenbos Street and Georgia Avenue, NW. Grab free drinks and check out discounts at restaurants and businesses like Andrene's Caribbean Restaurant, Haydee's Resturant, and Reggae Unplugged (full list below).
Dogs! Bring your owners to a Mutt Strut at 12 noon in front of Little Rascals Doggie Day Care (5917 Georgia Avenue, NW). Follow the Heritage Trail and then return to the dog park for free treats and water.
Participating organizations:
Andrene's Caribbean Restaurant, Bridges Academy, Chez Aunty Libe Resturant, Church of the Nativity, DC Quality Upholstery Service, Emory Beacon of Light, Inc., Emory United Methodist Church, the former Brightwood Bank building, Haydee's Resturant, Latin District #1, Little Rascals Doggie Day Care, Missouri Avenue Market, Reggae Unplugged, Sabor Catering and Café, Safeway, and Wonder Chicken.
[from Kate T.]
Yard Sale
717 Upshur Street NW
Sunday, August 11
8am-3pm
Fun and unique stuff collected by several households. Items priced to move.
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