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House collapse
The abandoned building immediately to the left of 462 Ridge St collapsed tonight (at least the whole left side of it did). Looks like no one was hurt, but it created a huge mess in the street. If someone was walking by on the sidewalk, they would have been killed by all the bricks that came crashing down. Just wanted to let everyone know in case someone is wondering about the fire trucks and police cars.
Comments
Thanks for posting. looks like we are averaging 1 collapsed house per year in mvsq. And in case anyone was wondering, that one was not paying the vacant property tax rate, of course. I really hope no one was hurt. Dont worry about the neighboring house - its also vacant & abandoned. And owned by !#@#!@#@!#!DC Government.
http://www.box.net/shared/a8j23rk1cq
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/26/07 9:24 PM
http://www.box.net/shared/a8j23rk1cq
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/26/07 9:24 PM
Correction: the house that fell is 460 Ridge and its owned by DC Government. Many of you will remember this house fell victim to crack lightning about 5 years ago - hence the scorch marks on the facade. TS has some pics from last night on his blog:
http://ninjamonkey3000.blogspot.com/2007/11/ridge-street-house-collapses-1110-pm.html
cary took a couple this morning:
http://flickr.com/photos/31977000@N00/tags/collapsedhouse/
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/27/07 8:45 AM
http://ninjamonkey3000.blogspot.com/2007/11/ridge-street-house-collapses-1110-pm.html
cary took a couple this morning:
http://flickr.com/photos/31977000@N00/tags/collapsedhouse/
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/27/07 8:45 AM
) The wind must have done it! Well atleast those eyesores are gone. I'm hoping that 454 N Street collapses some time soon too. (It's owned by the USAO.)
Posted By Nicholas McKenna / At 11/27/07 9:50 AM
Posted By Nicholas McKenna / At 11/27/07 9:50 AM
does anyone know why the govt doesn't sell these properties on the open market? i know of a bunch of developers who would be willing to purchase properties like these and build apartments.
Posted By pg / At 11/27/07 9:55 AM
Posted By pg / At 11/27/07 9:55 AM
DC has had several incarnations of homestead programs, most of which have at best semi-failed. One success story in our neighborhood is a house on the 1100 block of 6th that was sold to MiCasa for $1, renovated on "This Old House" in 2005, and sold at an affordable price to a family. MiCasa is a good organization with a successful track record but there have been so many other CDCs and the like that have done less than nothing.
Another success story - a neighbor on NJ bought a house for $250 thru the Housing Lottery and fixed it up, still lives there.
DC sits on a lot of real estate which is controlled by many different agencies & programs. (the reason 1220-1234 4th hasnt been developed yet, 2.5 years after MVSNA approved it) There is a major lack of cohesion on what to do with it all. Some of it gets released at a trickle, the rest rots.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/27/07 10:35 AM
Another success story - a neighbor on NJ bought a house for $250 thru the Housing Lottery and fixed it up, still lives there.
DC sits on a lot of real estate which is controlled by many different agencies & programs. (the reason 1220-1234 4th hasnt been developed yet, 2.5 years after MVSNA approved it) There is a major lack of cohesion on what to do with it all. Some of it gets released at a trickle, the rest rots.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/27/07 10:35 AM
Several years ago a developer presented a plan for 3-story condos that would have stretched across 460, 462 the vacant lot to the east, and the driveway from the MCC lot onto Ridge, at an MVSNA meeting. (I assume they were seeking some kind of variance from the historic review board to demolish the existing structures, which would have been fine with me.)
Does anyone know why this project seems to have been abandoned?
Posted By Don Gordon / At 11/27/07 10:53 AM
Does anyone know why this project seems to have been abandoned?
Posted By Don Gordon / At 11/27/07 10:53 AM
It was NextGen that presented that one (they did 115 NY Ave). not sure why it fell thru, maybe the owner couldnt acquire all of the property. I seem to remember Suzanne Reatig designed it and MCC Church was involved.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/27/07 10:59 AM
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/27/07 10:59 AM
for the record I sent this email this morning in response to an "I'm looking into it" email from Michele Molotsky form Jack Evans' office:
Maybe I'm just cranky this morning but I'll believe that when I see it. 1242 NJ is still not "secure" after 1.5 YEARS. I am so sick of this serial neglect of vacant property in our historic district. How many houses have to collapse before the city lifts a finger? What is this, #6? Does someone have to get hurt or even worse, killed?
We did the work for the city. We identified every neglected dump in our historic district with highly detailed information:
http://lifein. mvsna.org/ index.cfm/ 2007/10/18/ Vacant-Property- Update
It has been over a year and all we see are more houses falling down, trash, dookie, hookers, fires and random shoes. This is absolutely ridiculous. The city has the power to levy huge fines, charge outrageous taxes and actually do the work of "securing" buildings. But DC does nothing. DCRA is corrupt & disfunctional and OTR is being robbed blind. I dont even know who to talk to anymore about this because people keep getting transferred!
The house that collapsed, 460 Ridge Street NW is owned by DC Government. When I moved to MVSQ in 2002 it was vacant. Crackheads set it on fire (you can still see the scorch marks). DC just slapped the boards back on and let it rot some more. Demolition by neglect is inevitable. Please stop the neglect now.
Si Kailian
neighbor photos from last night:
http://ninjamonkey3 000.blogspot. com/2007/ 11/ridge- street-house- collapses- 1110-pm.html
& P.S. havent forgotten my manners, thank you for any help you provide.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/27/07 12:05 PM
Maybe I'm just cranky this morning but I'll believe that when I see it. 1242 NJ is still not "secure" after 1.5 YEARS. I am so sick of this serial neglect of vacant property in our historic district. How many houses have to collapse before the city lifts a finger? What is this, #6? Does someone have to get hurt or even worse, killed?
We did the work for the city. We identified every neglected dump in our historic district with highly detailed information:
http://lifein. mvsna.org/ index.cfm/ 2007/10/18/ Vacant-Property- Update
It has been over a year and all we see are more houses falling down, trash, dookie, hookers, fires and random shoes. This is absolutely ridiculous. The city has the power to levy huge fines, charge outrageous taxes and actually do the work of "securing" buildings. But DC does nothing. DCRA is corrupt & disfunctional and OTR is being robbed blind. I dont even know who to talk to anymore about this because people keep getting transferred!
The house that collapsed, 460 Ridge Street NW is owned by DC Government. When I moved to MVSQ in 2002 it was vacant. Crackheads set it on fire (you can still see the scorch marks). DC just slapped the boards back on and let it rot some more. Demolition by neglect is inevitable. Please stop the neglect now.
Si Kailian
neighbor photos from last night:
http://ninjamonkey3 000.blogspot. com/2007/ 11/ridge- street-house- collapses- 1110-pm.html
& P.S. havent forgotten my manners, thank you for any help you provide.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/27/07 12:05 PM
I just spoke with a DC government agent and the contractor doing the demo/disposal of debris in front of 460 Ridge St. They are in the process of tearing the top half of 460 down today and the rest of the house tomorrow. The DC representitive told me that they did not even hear about the incident until around noon today...? Maybe the emails (especially Si's) actually did something today.
They are also trying to get a hold of the owners of 462 Ridge St., but have not had their calls returned.
Posted By Matt Panichella / At 11/27/07 1:46 PM
They are also trying to get a hold of the owners of 462 Ridge St., but have not had their calls returned.
Posted By Matt Panichella / At 11/27/07 1:46 PM
No wonder DCRA does not enforce the Vacant Building Maintenance Standard; DC itself cannot abide by it.
There is a shortage of affordable single family homes in DC. Why can't property like this be sold to someone who will repare it and live in it? It shouldn't go to a "developer" either. They will just chunk it up into tiny "luxury" condos.
Posted By ed / At 11/27/07 2:33 PM
There is a shortage of affordable single family homes in DC. Why can't property like this be sold to someone who will repare it and live in it? It shouldn't go to a "developer" either. They will just chunk it up into tiny "luxury" condos.
Posted By ed / At 11/27/07 2:33 PM
here is some more stink raising:
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
* PRESS RELEASE *
November 27, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Si Kailian
202-256-9193
NEIGHBORHOOD ENRAGED OVER COLLAPSE OF
DC-GOVERNMENT OWNED VACANT PROPERTY
Washington, D.C. Residents of the Mount Vernon Square neighborhood awoke this morning to find a pile of rubble where a former vacant historic row house once stood. The property, which is owned by the District government, collapsed at approximately 11pm on Monday, November 26. The scattered bricks and debris are located at 460 Ridge Street, N.W.
“This is on the government,” said Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association (MVSNA) President Cary Silverman. “We’ve done all we can. We’ve tried to save these properties. We’ve researched each property, emailed, testified, met with officials, spoken to our Councilmembers- -and you know what happened? Next to nothing,” said Silverman.
Residents note that at least five area properties have collapsed in recent years. At least three long-vacant properties were deemed too damaged to repair and demolished in the past two years alone. Part of the problem is that between half and two-thirds of these properties are not taxed at the significantly higher rate set for vacant properties, an MVSNA study found. This leaves little incentive for owners to renovate, rent, or sell, and deprives the District of potentially millions in revenue. Vacant houses and lots create an environment where crime and drugs flourish, impose a burden on the community, and jeopardize the historic fabric of the neighborhood.
“It is especially infuriating when a government-owned property falls,” said Silverman. “This property could have been used for affordable housing, but the government sat on it.” The property was reportedly in the District’s “Home Again” program.
Photographs of the collapse are available at:
http://ninjamonkey3 000.blogspot. com/2007/ 11/ridge- street-house- collapses- 1110-pm.html
http://flickr. com/photos/ 31977000@ N00/tags/ collapsedhouse/
The reactions of incensed residents can be viewed on the MVSNA blog:
http://lifein. mvsna.org/ index.cfm/ 2007/11/26/ House-collapse.
The MVSNA vacant property survey is available at:
http://www.box. net/shared/ a8j23rk1cq
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/27/07 4:04 PM
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
* PRESS RELEASE *
November 27, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Si Kailian
202-256-9193
NEIGHBORHOOD ENRAGED OVER COLLAPSE OF
DC-GOVERNMENT OWNED VACANT PROPERTY
Washington, D.C. Residents of the Mount Vernon Square neighborhood awoke this morning to find a pile of rubble where a former vacant historic row house once stood. The property, which is owned by the District government, collapsed at approximately 11pm on Monday, November 26. The scattered bricks and debris are located at 460 Ridge Street, N.W.
“This is on the government,” said Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association (MVSNA) President Cary Silverman. “We’ve done all we can. We’ve tried to save these properties. We’ve researched each property, emailed, testified, met with officials, spoken to our Councilmembers- -and you know what happened? Next to nothing,” said Silverman.
Residents note that at least five area properties have collapsed in recent years. At least three long-vacant properties were deemed too damaged to repair and demolished in the past two years alone. Part of the problem is that between half and two-thirds of these properties are not taxed at the significantly higher rate set for vacant properties, an MVSNA study found. This leaves little incentive for owners to renovate, rent, or sell, and deprives the District of potentially millions in revenue. Vacant houses and lots create an environment where crime and drugs flourish, impose a burden on the community, and jeopardize the historic fabric of the neighborhood.
“It is especially infuriating when a government-owned property falls,” said Silverman. “This property could have been used for affordable housing, but the government sat on it.” The property was reportedly in the District’s “Home Again” program.
Photographs of the collapse are available at:
http://ninjamonkey3 000.blogspot. com/2007/ 11/ridge- street-house- collapses- 1110-pm.html
http://flickr. com/photos/ 31977000@ N00/tags/ collapsedhouse/
The reactions of incensed residents can be viewed on the MVSNA blog:
http://lifein. mvsna.org/ index.cfm/ 2007/11/26/ House-collapse.
The MVSNA vacant property survey is available at:
http://www.box. net/shared/ a8j23rk1cq
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/27/07 4:04 PM
226 N Street NW- gaping hole that public alley half collapsed into. AKA neighborhood dump.
1202 3rd Street NW - half collapsed about 5 years ago, partially shored up by wood beams. AKA church weed patch/cat feeding site.
1242 NJ Ave NW - Collapsed 1.5 yrs ago from bad underpinning, residents barely escaped in time. half of the house is still hanging there, pictures still hanging on the walls. AKA tranny hooker hotspot.
1222 4th Street NW - Contractors removed the rear, constructed addition which collapsed. Then the rest of it fell in a spectacular disaster. AKA part of a development project DC is dragging on for 2.5 years.
460 Ridge - Collapsed last night. AKA former burnt out crack shell/future racoon nest.
then there are a couple on the 400 block of N a church "let" fall down?...and lets not forget the ones that are so badly damaged by neglect, by the time someone gets around to paying attention they have to be torn down. 436 Ridge, 1221 & 1223 4th, 471 NY Ave come to mind off the top of my head. So many more threatened.. .
and lets not get started on central Shaw, we shall be here all century!
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/27/07 4:14 PM
1202 3rd Street NW - half collapsed about 5 years ago, partially shored up by wood beams. AKA church weed patch/cat feeding site.
1242 NJ Ave NW - Collapsed 1.5 yrs ago from bad underpinning, residents barely escaped in time. half of the house is still hanging there, pictures still hanging on the walls. AKA tranny hooker hotspot.
1222 4th Street NW - Contractors removed the rear, constructed addition which collapsed. Then the rest of it fell in a spectacular disaster. AKA part of a development project DC is dragging on for 2.5 years.
460 Ridge - Collapsed last night. AKA former burnt out crack shell/future racoon nest.
then there are a couple on the 400 block of N a church "let" fall down?...and lets not forget the ones that are so badly damaged by neglect, by the time someone gets around to paying attention they have to be torn down. 436 Ridge, 1221 & 1223 4th, 471 NY Ave come to mind off the top of my head. So many more threatened.. .
and lets not get started on central Shaw, we shall be here all century!
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/27/07 4:14 PM
460 ridge was the production lab for the 444 M street nw crystal meth house. that's what caused the fire. an elementary school teacher on crystal meth started it.
Posted By richard rogers / At 11/27/07 6:06 PM
Posted By richard rogers / At 11/27/07 6:06 PM
I'm pretty sure that there wasn't a meth house on M St. From what I heard at the neighborhood meetings, it was just a matter of an anti-gay police strike force led by Brett Parsons. Does that sound far-fetched?
Posted By lee / At 11/28/07 7:34 AM
Posted By lee / At 11/28/07 7:34 AM
brett is gay and lead the gay MPD unit. r u saying he's anti gay?
Posted By richard rogers / At 11/28/07 12:36 PM
Posted By richard rogers / At 11/28/07 12:36 PM
Sorry, I was being totally sarcastic. That's what the two guys who lived in the house claimed. They made quite a scene at my very first neighborhood meeting.
Posted By lee / At 11/28/07 2:39 PM
Posted By lee / At 11/28/07 2:39 PM
oh, i remember them. that's tommy and adrian. their picture was featured in MW a few weeks ago at the most recent Blowoff Party held at the 9:30 Club on V St. NW.
Posted By richard rogers / At 11/28/07 4:51 PM
Posted By richard rogers / At 11/28/07 4:51 PM
just saw the spot on the news about the collapse...nice work!
Posted By mel / At 11/28/07 5:04 PM
Posted By mel / At 11/28/07 5:04 PM
Whoa that had to be the most memorable meeting ever. Although I had the worst splitting headache after the 20 min screaming tirade, was sitting way too close.
Here are the media links, we got some good vacant property news coverage:
ABC 7-
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1107/476277_video.html?ref=newsstory
Examiner - http://www.examiner.com/a-1075101~D_C__owned_row_house_collapses.html
Also Cary Silverman was on 89.3FM this morning and covered the house and the issue very well. Unfortunately they dont have online archives.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/29/07 9:28 AM
Here are the media links, we got some good vacant property news coverage:
ABC 7-
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1107/476277_video.html?ref=newsstory
Examiner - http://www.examiner.com/a-1075101~D_C__owned_row_house_collapses.html
Also Cary Silverman was on 89.3FM this morning and covered the house and the issue very well. Unfortunately they dont have online archives.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 11/29/07 9:28 AM
Ha! Nice to fially see who Cary Silverman is.
Hahahaaaaaaaaa!!!
Posted By Nicholas McKenna / At 11/30/07 6:44 AM
Hahahaaaaaaaaa!!!
Posted By Nicholas McKenna / At 11/30/07 6:44 AM
