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City Vista and more
Responding to blog and e-mail listserv:
The credit goes to a number of residents who had to work hard over the years, showing up at all kinds of meetings, to quash the stadium, the parking/tour bus hub, support the earlier versions of City Vista, all in Mount Vernon Triangle area.
We really need more time to cross New York Avenue. I had to cross with a bad ankle today and it was close. I can only imagine what it will be like for older residents with carts during rush hour. Can we get this fast-tracked??
As Darren says in his e-mail, we could use a lot more focused, practical, and visible support from Jack's and neighboring councilmembers' offices to help Cary and Si and others who have been working hard on vacant properties in our neighborhoods and the crime it attracts.
What can we do to get an arts/crafts supply store/gallery/class space, a bike store/rental/repair shop, a hair salon/day spa into some of the empty storefronts/new developments in MVT? The rent may be too high...I would say bookstore, but maybe Busboys and Poets will fill a little of that need. I think some niche bookstores might work, say for foodies and children...could this be on the agenda of our next MVSNA meeting on the 16th? Perhaps an update on restaurant/retail development around MVS and MVT from City Vista and the BID and then a discussion on what we would still like to see here and how to get it here...
See today's Post section, Style & Arts, check out pp. M16-17, entries for Juliuanne Brienza (Fringe Festival) and Anne Corbett (Cultural Development Corporation).
Cary: When you recuperate from the hangover, altho' you looked great walking your dog yesterday, I'll buy you some champagne...
Deborah
Comments
Vacant retail inventory:
City Vista does have some vacant retail space for lease along K Street beneath the Results Gym. Also, eventually the City Vista condos will sell out and the Sales center could be converted to a retail use.
Other retail space is available at 455 Mass. That property had strong negotiations with Lawry's steakhouse that ultimately fell through. I believe they are still looking for a similar "white table cloth" restaurant to fill the space. They feel they need that type of dining establishment in the Triangle to fill their office building with tenants such as a law firm. They also may fill part of their first floor with a UPS Store.
I'm assuming Jemal isn't going to fill any of his vacant properties with tenants as he's more in assemblage mode.
That really doesn't leave any other vacant spaces in the Triangle to my knowledge. But their are a few across the street from our boundaries. 400 Mass has a vacant storefront as does Mass Court (300 Mass).
Posted By FourthandEye / At 9/14/08 10:58 AM
City Vista does have some vacant retail space for lease along K Street beneath the Results Gym. Also, eventually the City Vista condos will sell out and the Sales center could be converted to a retail use.
Other retail space is available at 455 Mass. That property had strong negotiations with Lawry's steakhouse that ultimately fell through. I believe they are still looking for a similar "white table cloth" restaurant to fill the space. They feel they need that type of dining establishment in the Triangle to fill their office building with tenants such as a law firm. They also may fill part of their first floor with a UPS Store.
I'm assuming Jemal isn't going to fill any of his vacant properties with tenants as he's more in assemblage mode.
That really doesn't leave any other vacant spaces in the Triangle to my knowledge. But their are a few across the street from our boundaries. 400 Mass has a vacant storefront as does Mass Court (300 Mass).
Posted By FourthandEye / At 9/14/08 10:58 AM
Thoughts on possibilities for vacant retail:
A few of the items Deborah mentioned:
* Bookstore - Busboys will sell books among all the other things it will offer. I'm unsure of how broad the selection will be. But considering Olsson's has closed down several locations in the past few years including Penn Quarter - I think downtown bookstores has trouble affording the rents. Amazon.com is just undercutting them too much.
* Bike Shop - one of the finalists for the 5th & Eye project has a letter of interest from "The Bike Shop" division of District Hardware.
* Salon - solid choice in terms of serving needs, but I'm hoping for restaurants - I'll explain below
My thought is that businesses that are open late but aren't rowdy noise makers would be good for the retail spot below Results gym. Why? I think we need more eyes and activity on the streets after dark to aid safety. More eyes and more activity means our residents walking home late from Safeway or Results will be far less likely to be alone. A hair/nail salon would likely close at 7 or 8pm and not provide the same benefit. I would suggest at least one restaurant go beneath the Results gym. A restaurant that is geared towards dining not being a pub. Shouldn't be too high end as Penn Quarter already fills that niche. Suggestions could range from a Thai place, a Hard Times Cafe, a burger place, a cafe that stays open late, etc..
Just my two cents. Certainly open to other ideas.
Posted By FourthandEye / At 9/14/08 11:25 AM
A few of the items Deborah mentioned:
* Bookstore - Busboys will sell books among all the other things it will offer. I'm unsure of how broad the selection will be. But considering Olsson's has closed down several locations in the past few years including Penn Quarter - I think downtown bookstores has trouble affording the rents. Amazon.com is just undercutting them too much.
* Bike Shop - one of the finalists for the 5th & Eye project has a letter of interest from "The Bike Shop" division of District Hardware.
* Salon - solid choice in terms of serving needs, but I'm hoping for restaurants - I'll explain below
My thought is that businesses that are open late but aren't rowdy noise makers would be good for the retail spot below Results gym. Why? I think we need more eyes and activity on the streets after dark to aid safety. More eyes and more activity means our residents walking home late from Safeway or Results will be far less likely to be alone. A hair/nail salon would likely close at 7 or 8pm and not provide the same benefit. I would suggest at least one restaurant go beneath the Results gym. A restaurant that is geared towards dining not being a pub. Shouldn't be too high end as Penn Quarter already fills that niche. Suggestions could range from a Thai place, a Hard Times Cafe, a burger place, a cafe that stays open late, etc..
Just my two cents. Certainly open to other ideas.
Posted By FourthandEye / At 9/14/08 11:25 AM
Safeway has great price and good selection on cut flowers. today for example 20 glad stems for $7.00 dollars.
Posted By richard / At 9/14/08 11:36 AM
Posted By richard / At 9/14/08 11:36 AM
Fourth ... You're right about the bookstore - the bookstore on 14th just closed in the last few months and even the larger stores are having problems.
I also agree with you on the need for non-pub restaurants that are opened later in the evening. We need to have the foot traffic in the later evening if we want the area to get safer. Places that close at 6-7 an daren't open on weekends won't do it.
I just want a place to go have a decent meal at a decent price without having to put up with attitude and having to have "entertainment" to go along with it. I've always thought we need a good basic diner in the area.
Posted By RobA / At 9/14/08 2:06 PM
I also agree with you on the need for non-pub restaurants that are opened later in the evening. We need to have the foot traffic in the later evening if we want the area to get safer. Places that close at 6-7 an daren't open on weekends won't do it.
I just want a place to go have a decent meal at a decent price without having to put up with attitude and having to have "entertainment" to go along with it. I've always thought we need a good basic diner in the area.
Posted By RobA / At 9/14/08 2:06 PM
I second the need for more time to cross NY Ave. It's tough to get across, especially if you are coming south on 5th.
I also second the need for a diner type of restaurant in the area. Wasn't the Waffle Shop supposed to move into a Jamal space around 7th St or am I making this up? Nonetheless, a non-expensive restaurant open late would be great for the City Vista-- I actually don't mind if it's a pub-style place like some that are on H St. NE.
Posted By LAS / At 9/14/08 3:00 PM
I also second the need for a diner type of restaurant in the area. Wasn't the Waffle Shop supposed to move into a Jamal space around 7th St or am I making this up? Nonetheless, a non-expensive restaurant open late would be great for the City Vista-- I actually don't mind if it's a pub-style place like some that are on H St. NE.
Posted By LAS / At 9/14/08 3:00 PM
Well, we just came from Safeway a little over an hour ago, and it was nice to see all the foot traffic out. It's nice that this Safeway is open 5a-12a daily!
Posted By Nicholas McKenna / At 9/14/08 10:02 PM
Posted By Nicholas McKenna / At 9/14/08 10:02 PM
I just put in a Service Request reporting that the timing of the pedestrian crossing is too short at 5th Street and New York Avenue. Perhaps if enough of us report the problem, they'll take quicker action.
Posted By RobA / At 9/15/08 3:50 AM
Posted By RobA / At 9/15/08 3:50 AM
good rob, what is the service request tracking number so we can all reference it.
Posted By richard / At 9/15/08 4:34 AM
Posted By richard / At 9/15/08 4:34 AM
It's 1911544.
Just make sure that you get a new Service Request number for your request - the more we pound on them that it's needed the better.
Posted By RobA / At 9/15/08 8:15 AM
Just make sure that you get a new Service Request number for your request - the more we pound on them that it's needed the better.
Posted By RobA / At 9/15/08 8:15 AM
It may not be possible to get much more crosswalk timing for this intersection. I can see where 2-3 seconds could be added, but there's no way that much more could be added unless all of New York Avenue was re-timed. Adding much more would cause the already nonsensical DC traffic light timing to be even crazier.
The 23 seconds seems to be enough for younger people that walk at the city pace, but I can see where some others have troubles clearing the entire intersection. If someone slower crosses southbound from the northernmost point of 5th and L Streets NW, they make it about four steps shy of the park/island at the southernmost point of 5th and L Streets--this also works the other way around. The current light timing reminds me of most of the pedestrian crosswalk timings in Virginia!
The drivers along New York Avenue don't enjoy yielding to the pedestrians, and even seem a little bothered by it.
I never understood why idiot drivers look at pedestrians like they're in the wrong when they're blocking the crosswalk during the WALK time. Why is that? The rare time that I get hung at a light and block a crosswalk, I'm embarrassed, and I try my best to clear the way.
I put a request in, but we'll see what comes of The New York Avenue Autostrada. I also requested that a set of light cameras be installed there. Why not make a few bucks for the hungry city while at the same time scaring people with those three flashes!?
Posted By Nicholas McKenna / At 9/15/08 3:29 PM
The 23 seconds seems to be enough for younger people that walk at the city pace, but I can see where some others have troubles clearing the entire intersection. If someone slower crosses southbound from the northernmost point of 5th and L Streets NW, they make it about four steps shy of the park/island at the southernmost point of 5th and L Streets--this also works the other way around. The current light timing reminds me of most of the pedestrian crosswalk timings in Virginia!
The drivers along New York Avenue don't enjoy yielding to the pedestrians, and even seem a little bothered by it.
I never understood why idiot drivers look at pedestrians like they're in the wrong when they're blocking the crosswalk during the WALK time. Why is that? The rare time that I get hung at a light and block a crosswalk, I'm embarrassed, and I try my best to clear the way.
I put a request in, but we'll see what comes of The New York Avenue Autostrada. I also requested that a set of light cameras be installed there. Why not make a few bucks for the hungry city while at the same time scaring people with those three flashes!?
Posted By Nicholas McKenna / At 9/15/08 3:29 PM
i thought 5th/Mass/I was the most f-ed up intersection but 5th/NY/L is really coming close. they closed off the turnoff to bear right to L street on the south end but left it 2 way so cars must do a squiggle if they want to go that way. there is the insane left turn from ny heading north on 5th where a car must sit in the middle of the intersection or run a red light. and of course the crosswalk timing..didnt a neighbor refer to it as frogger when crossing the street? it wouldnt be so bad if we had nice medians like connecticut ave in dupont, north & south of the circle. they really make a huge difference in pedestrian life preservation. werent medians planned in that MVT transportation study they released back in 2005?? Did DDOT ever implement any of it or are they doing yet another costly study?
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/16/08 5:40 AM
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/16/08 5:40 AM
oh wow they are now talking about improving the connecticut ave median:
http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/09/15/story8.html?b=1221451200^1698133
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/16/08 6:42 AM
http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/09/15/story8.html?b=1221451200^1698133
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/16/08 6:42 AM
Most of the drivers on NY Ave are commuters who treat it essentially as a freeway. Stopping for lights and pedestrians and stuff they regard as an out-of-place annoyance. They don't really consider themselves to be in city traffic there -- they're on their takeoff roll to Prince Georges', Annapolis, the Beltway, and beyond and don't really want to stop for anything.
They're wrong, of course. But it's how they think.
Posted By Don Gordon / At 9/16/08 9:13 AM
They're wrong, of course. But it's how they think.
Posted By Don Gordon / At 9/16/08 9:13 AM
