Wapo says DC has decided to close its 5 plastic libraries including the Sursum Corda Library at 135 NY Ave NW.  You may have noticed the green cloverleaf shaped monstrosity by the NY Ave playground and wondered what is that?  The bums seemed to like the yard for their morning, afternoon & evening nip, but I dont think the actual library got much use.  If i am not mistaken, a shiny new modern library is being constructed as part of the Northwest One development.  At a previous MVSNA meeting this year we had Joyce Robinson Paul, who is leading an effort to improve the NY Ave Playground and the little community center there.  We discussed the impending elimination of the adjoining library and wondered what should be done with the parcel.  Thoughts?

WASHINGTON -- In an effort to keep city streets clean, the D.C. Council is establishing fines for littering.  Anyone caught littering would face a $75 fine under the new legislation -- $125 if the litter was tossed or dropped out of a vehicle.  The legislation also includes a $250 fine for trying to give a false name if you get caught littering.  Prior to this action, D.C. did not have fines for littering.

Madness I tell you! Sigh.  soooo....budget shortfalls? No problem!  Just hang out on the corner of 3rd & M Sts. NW and RAKE IN THE CASH.  Cause we are sick of raking up the trash.

Just a reminder that our regularly scheduled monthly MVSNA membership meeting tonight will include a presentation by Douglas Development on their long-anticipated plan for area bounded by the 600 Blocks of New York Avenue and L Streets NW, and the 1000 Blocks of 6th and 7th Streets NW.  This is a presentation you do not want to miss.  You'll also get a chance to see the Yale Lofts, the venue for tonight's meeting.  Enter from 437 New York Avenue NW and we'll be in the lounge area to the right.

Here is the latest available information on the Douglas Development project from the Washington Business Journal as of September -- just to give you an idea as to the massive scope of this project.  I expect that we will learn tonight of some changes in the details:

• 1.2 million-square-feet project across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
• The site, for which Jemal has been assembling property since 2000, is between Sixth, Seventh L and K streets, an area that currently features surface parking lots and mostly two- and three-story buildings that house auto service outlets, the former A.V. Ristorante Italiano and the Warehouse Theater.
• Since 2000, Jemal has purchased more than 50 parcels on the block, almost the entire site. On the north side of New York Avenue Jemal has three historic Seventh Street properties owned by the Ruppert family under contract, he said, which gives him about 90 percent of the area. South of New York Avenue are five properties totaling about 9,800 square feet still owned by gynecologist Bruno Chumpitazi.
• Would transform an entire city block into 800,000 square feet of office space, 400,000 square feet of retail, 500 residential units, a boutique hotel and an entertainment attraction such as a House of Blues venue or a chic movie theater.
• Expected to be heavy with shopping and entertainment, but the city will require housing as part of its push to bring more residents downtown.
• Jemal has been trying to win relief from requirements for residential units in areas zoned for housing downtown due to concerns in the current housing market.

In addition to the Douglas Development presentation, plans for the new Marriott Marquis Convention Center Hotel will be available for viewing.  The Association will also vote to fill a vacancy on its Board of Directors.  Representatives from MPD will be on hand to provide a public safety report and answer questions.

This includes additional absentee ballots that came in + provisional ballots.   The results hold.

2/2 100.00%

Alexander M. ''Alex'' Padro 455 62.24%

Under Votes: 178

Over Votes:

Mary A. Sutherland 174 23.80%

Sarah Livingston 97 13.27%

Bag Sale Saturday at 5^th Street Ace Hardware

5^th Street Ace Hardware is having a One Day Bag Sale on Saturday, November 15.  All day long 5^th Street Ace will be giving 20% off anything that fits into their paper shopping bags, so be creative!  Power tools and small appliances are 10% off. You're not a clone, why shop at one?  5^th Street Ace Hardware is located at 1055 5th Street NW; phone: (202) 682-4570; www.acehardwaredc.com. Hours on Saturday are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

(Thanks MVT Bill for the heads up!)

I live on 6th St between L and M and I park my car in an alley that is accessible from 5th street. Recently, my neighbors have been the victims of property crime. One had his car window broken into and his stereo equipment stolen and in a separate incident another neighbor had his bike stolen. Both incidents were reported to the police. I've lived in this neighborhood for almost three years and I wasn't particularly concerned about property crime -- unless say I left valuables in my car or my bike unlocked. I was just curious if there has been a rash of crime, or if it was just our turn. Thanks.

Tamden

I passed by Avenue last week, the nightclub at 649 New York Avenue NW and noticed the windows said "Lux Lounge" and the Avenue sign had been removed from above the door.  It looks like they've made some changes inside.  Does anyone know about the new [A]venue?  Apparently, its website is coming soon.