quick post. next time the snow comes. I am going to convince neighbors to move all of our cars off the street, and then bribe snowplow to clear the street. this will ensure we all have a place to park.
The cool thing is, we can actually make this happen.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Monday, June 23, 2008
Changes
It has been a long time since my last post, but just wanted to mention that there is progress in Eckington.
I noticed today that the KFC is closed. What is going on there?
The firehouse (formerly going to be EC12) is undergoing renovation.
WASA has replaced lead water pipes leading into homes.
There are flower baskets on the street lights on Lincoln Rd.
There are fewer vacant houses
that is some incredible progress. If now there were less murders and assault with deadly weapons.
I noticed today that the KFC is closed. What is going on there?
The firehouse (formerly going to be EC12) is undergoing renovation.
WASA has replaced lead water pipes leading into homes.
There are flower baskets on the street lights on Lincoln Rd.
There are fewer vacant houses
that is some incredible progress. If now there were less murders and assault with deadly weapons.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
St. Martin's Housing Project to Break Ground in February
I am still unhappy with the development and the way Rev Kelly characterizes the neighborhood resistance. I particularly like the holier than thou attitude (pun intended) despite the projects underwriters like GE and Fanny Mae who will receive huge tax deductions for their investments.
To reiterate, I am pro affordable housing. But that housing should be done in a way that doesnt drastically change the neighborhood. Adding 4-500 people in one block is a huge change.
All of that said, the city has made their decision, and my bitching is all for naught. On to the article from dcmud.
After an onerous battle between Bloomingdale (COMMENT: Eckington really) residents and the parish of St. Martins Church, plans are being finalized for groundbreaking on the new 178-unit workforce housing development on 116 T Street, NE, projected for completion in the first quarter of 2010. The apartment complex, totaling 241,000 s.f., is being designed as a Class A apartment building. It will hold 50 junior one bedroom units reserved as public housing for residents earning 30% of the Area Median Income with the remaining 128 units being comprised mostly of two bedroom apartments, available to residents who earn 60% of the Area Median Income. The project should break ground in February of 2008.
Upon completion, the project will serve as “the largest affordable housing project in DC,” said Reverend Michael Kelley, the pastor and leader of the project. “The bad news is that no one else is doing this type of thing,” he added. The reason for a lack of affordable housing developments in the District might be due to the clamor that these types of undertakings tend to cause within the community. St. Martins serves as the perfect example: when some of the neighboring residents discovered what was being constructed on the corner of Summit and T streets, a massive amount of lawyering commenced; they found a way to get an old convent, which would have been destroyed to build the apartment complex, classified a “Historic Building” with the Historical Preservation Society, effectively halting the development process. According to Reverend Kelley, some of the neighbors had a problem with “greed, race and class.”
Most of those community problems have been assuaged thanks to some tricky engineering and cunning design strategies by project architect Grimm & Parker and development manager NorthStar Consultants, who found a way to include the now historic convent (pictured) into the project by moving the massive structure 80 feet eastward. The move will be so astounding that U.K. based documentary program Mega Movers contacted Reverend Kelley to film the convent’s relocation. If the development schedule for the project can coalesce with Mega Movers’ production schedule, St. Martins could appear on the History Channel’s new season of the hit show.
The $41 million project will take the convent, which once served as a housing complex for nuns who taught at the St. Martin’s grade school, and merge it into the design of the apartment building. In 1990, the age-old convent was leased to DC-based Catholic Charities for use as a recovery location for drug-addicted mothers. Then in 2001, Catholic Charities began using the space as subsidized housing for recovering homeless men who needed supportive services and were unable to afford rent at market price. Now, Catholic Charities and St. Martin’s parish have decided that the building, which appears increasingly dilapidated with each passing day, the parking lot and the rest of the property would bode well as affordable housing for struggling adults. According to Reverend Kelley, it fits with the church’s mission – public outreach and social stewardship. Reverend Kelley added, “This speaks volumes about how the Catholic Church is putting Gospel beliefs into practice, or how we say here, taking our faith to the street.”
To reiterate, I am pro affordable housing. But that housing should be done in a way that doesnt drastically change the neighborhood. Adding 4-500 people in one block is a huge change.
All of that said, the city has made their decision, and my bitching is all for naught. On to the article from dcmud.
After an onerous battle between Bloomingdale (COMMENT: Eckington really) residents and the parish of St. Martins Church, plans are being finalized for groundbreaking on the new 178-unit workforce housing development on 116 T Street, NE, projected for completion in the first quarter of 2010. The apartment complex, totaling 241,000 s.f., is being designed as a Class A apartment building. It will hold 50 junior one bedroom units reserved as public housing for residents earning 30% of the Area Median Income with the remaining 128 units being comprised mostly of two bedroom apartments, available to residents who earn 60% of the Area Median Income. The project should break ground in February of 2008.
Upon completion, the project will serve as “the largest affordable housing project in DC,” said Reverend Michael Kelley, the pastor and leader of the project. “The bad news is that no one else is doing this type of thing,” he added. The reason for a lack of affordable housing developments in the District might be due to the clamor that these types of undertakings tend to cause within the community. St. Martins serves as the perfect example: when some of the neighboring residents discovered what was being constructed on the corner of Summit and T streets, a massive amount of lawyering commenced; they found a way to get an old convent, which would have been destroyed to build the apartment complex, classified a “Historic Building” with the Historical Preservation Society, effectively halting the development process. According to Reverend Kelley, some of the neighbors had a problem with “greed, race and class.”
Most of those community problems have been assuaged thanks to some tricky engineering and cunning design strategies by project architect Grimm & Parker and development manager NorthStar Consultants, who found a way to include the now historic convent (pictured) into the project by moving the massive structure 80 feet eastward. The move will be so astounding that U.K. based documentary program Mega Movers contacted Reverend Kelley to film the convent’s relocation. If the development schedule for the project can coalesce with Mega Movers’ production schedule, St. Martins could appear on the History Channel’s new season of the hit show.
The $41 million project will take the convent, which once served as a housing complex for nuns who taught at the St. Martin’s grade school, and merge it into the design of the apartment building. In 1990, the age-old convent was leased to DC-based Catholic Charities for use as a recovery location for drug-addicted mothers. Then in 2001, Catholic Charities began using the space as subsidized housing for recovering homeless men who needed supportive services and were unable to afford rent at market price. Now, Catholic Charities and St. Martin’s parish have decided that the building, which appears increasingly dilapidated with each passing day, the parking lot and the rest of the property would bode well as affordable housing for struggling adults. According to Reverend Kelley, it fits with the church’s mission – public outreach and social stewardship. Reverend Kelley added, “This speaks volumes about how the Catholic Church is putting Gospel beliefs into practice, or how we say here, taking our faith to the street.”
Monday, September 17, 2007
Development Update
Check out this comprehensive update from DC Mud Blog on Eckington
Attracting decidedly less media attention, Eckington, its immediate neighbor to the north, has nonetheless been discovered by local developers not quite ready for an Akridge-sized purchase of air rights over railroad yards, but who view the more than 10 million square feet of commercial space being built on its southern edge as an invitation to develop the residential market.
The whole article is here
Attracting decidedly less media attention, Eckington, its immediate neighbor to the north, has nonetheless been discovered by local developers not quite ready for an Akridge-sized purchase of air rights over railroad yards, but who view the more than 10 million square feet of commercial space being built on its southern edge as an invitation to develop the residential market.
The whole article is here
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Response From DCFD on Fire Hydrants
As you are aware the DC Fire Department undertook an accelerated fire hydrant risk assessment program after the recent fires in Georgetown and Capitol Hill.
The Fire Department Testing Program was designed around the 33 Engine Companies local alarm districts throughout the city. The list just effecting Ward 5 can be broken out however it will take a few days to process this request.
I can report to you that DCFD has tested 10174 fire hydrants in the District of Columbia with 1098 were placed Out of Service. As of today there is less then 300 fire hydrants in the city that remain Out of Service. DC WASA is the agency that is responsible to schedule the repair or replacement, in 5-10 days.
With a fire hydrant that is out of service, I can understand your concern for the safety of yourself, family members and others. The District of Columbia Fire Department has trained our commanders to make tactical decisions that modify our alarm assignments to adjust for a fire hydrant being out of service. Please remember your safety is our concern!
I would like to thank Lt. Egan for this report
The Fire Department Testing Program was designed around the 33 Engine Companies local alarm districts throughout the city. The list just effecting Ward 5 can be broken out however it will take a few days to process this request.
I can report to you that DCFD has tested 10174 fire hydrants in the District of Columbia with 1098 were placed Out of Service. As of today there is less then 300 fire hydrants in the city that remain Out of Service. DC WASA is the agency that is responsible to schedule the repair or replacement, in 5-10 days.
With a fire hydrant that is out of service, I can understand your concern for the safety of yourself, family members and others. The District of Columbia Fire Department has trained our commanders to make tactical decisions that modify our alarm assignments to adjust for a fire hydrant being out of service. Please remember your safety is our concern!
I would like to thank Lt. Egan for this report
Thursday, June 14, 2007
An Outcome Neither You or I Would Receive
Washingtongon Post article- D.C. Council member (and Mayor for Life) Marion Barry was acquitted yesterday of driving under the influence and three other traffic-related charges after he testified that he had a glass of wine and took at least five different medications on the night of his arrest.
What do you think would happen if you or I were pulled over near the White House, slurring, going in reverse on a one way street with booze on our breath? There is however something hilarious about MB rolling in a 1995 Camaro.
What do you think would happen if you or I were pulled over near the White House, slurring, going in reverse on a one way street with booze on our breath? There is however something hilarious about MB rolling in a 1995 Camaro.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Review of Colonel Brooks
BROOKLAND- Area man dines at "dangerous restaurant" and survives.
The author of this blog visited COL Brooks Tavern last night after dark (gasp) to review its fare and spirits. All of the tables were full, so my friend and I pulled up a chair at the bar. We were greeted by a young hipster type, who was happy to pour us a draught beer from their selection of about 15.
Any good tavern worth a damn has to have a good burger, especially a place like the COLs. The old wood paneling and benches lend themselves to pitchers of beer and burger. I ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger, which was cooked to temperature, and tasted wonderful. The bun was good too. The fries were well seasoned but limp. All in all, the burger was just what I needed, and give it a solid thumbs up. It is unlikely that I will order the seared tuna here, but that may have more to do with me, than them.
The Gridskipper article mentioned a lot about the clientèle in their piece. Mentioning specifically a grizzly murder several years back. The piece makes it seem that this pub is much more dangerous than elsewhere in the city. However, many of you may remember that the city is the city, and crime can strike anywhere including the bastion of white rich folk, Georgetown. The article also mentions thieves and drug dealers. My experience was slightly different. there was a posse in the bar. A posse of retirees who had all of the menace of a bowl of oatmeal. I didn't get too close, as to avoid any offers of drugs. These folks were less likely to be shilling crack or meth, but viagra or vioxx. Either way, I kept my distance.
As for the entertainment, the Jazz band that plays every Tuesday has been doing so for 26 years. They are really good, and the volume is not too loud, so you can enjoy chatting with the theology professor or one of the "repressed CUA co-eds" at the bar.
I highly recommend this place. Swing by and give it a chance. 9th and Monroe NE
The author of this blog visited COL Brooks Tavern last night after dark (gasp) to review its fare and spirits. All of the tables were full, so my friend and I pulled up a chair at the bar. We were greeted by a young hipster type, who was happy to pour us a draught beer from their selection of about 15.
Any good tavern worth a damn has to have a good burger, especially a place like the COLs. The old wood paneling and benches lend themselves to pitchers of beer and burger. I ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger, which was cooked to temperature, and tasted wonderful. The bun was good too. The fries were well seasoned but limp. All in all, the burger was just what I needed, and give it a solid thumbs up. It is unlikely that I will order the seared tuna here, but that may have more to do with me, than them.
The Gridskipper article mentioned a lot about the clientèle in their piece. Mentioning specifically a grizzly murder several years back. The piece makes it seem that this pub is much more dangerous than elsewhere in the city. However, many of you may remember that the city is the city, and crime can strike anywhere including the bastion of white rich folk, Georgetown. The article also mentions thieves and drug dealers. My experience was slightly different. there was a posse in the bar. A posse of retirees who had all of the menace of a bowl of oatmeal. I didn't get too close, as to avoid any offers of drugs. These folks were less likely to be shilling crack or meth, but viagra or vioxx. Either way, I kept my distance.
As for the entertainment, the Jazz band that plays every Tuesday has been doing so for 26 years. They are really good, and the volume is not too loud, so you can enjoy chatting with the theology professor or one of the "repressed CUA co-eds" at the bar.
I highly recommend this place. Swing by and give it a chance. 9th and Monroe NE
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