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Here is an announcement from Shaw Main Streets (from Renewshaw):
Shaw Main Streets will present its fifth annual Community Forum on Development Projects on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 6:30 PM in the Executive Orders area at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW. Developers with major projects planned or underway in central Shaw will present their plans or update the community on the status of their endeavors with illustrated PowerPoint presentations. This is also an opportunity to ask developers questions about their activities in the neighborhood and how their projects will benefit the community. Developers invited include Marriott Hotels (Marriott Marquis Convention Center), Douglas Development (600 block of New York Avenue, NW and Wonder Bread Factory), Banneker Ventures (700 block of Florida Avenue, NW), Roadside Development (City Market at O), Broadcast Center Partners (Broadcast Center One), Howard Theatre Restoration (Howard Theatre), and Hines Interests (City Center). SMS will also announce the latest results of the annual survey of new business development preferences for the neighborhood. This event is free and open to the public, and no reservations are required. For more information, call SMS at 202-265-SHAW or visit www.shawmainstreets.com.
It would be great if people could attend this because a lot of this development will shape the neighborhood going forward due to its proximity or outright inclusion in the case of Douglas... (I won't be able to, unfortunately)
Comments
I went to this meeting tonight. The meeting started 28 minutes late then had 16 minutes worth of introduction of people in the room.
Douglas Development was the first presenter. But the "update" on 600 block of New York Ave was basically: "We realize there was a recent article in WBJ about this development. But there is no movement on the project at this time". The Douglas presenter then moved onto the Wonder Bread Factory.
Posted By FourthandEye / At 9/23/08 4:54 PM
Douglas Development was the first presenter. But the "update" on 600 block of New York Ave was basically: "We realize there was a recent article in WBJ about this development. But there is no movement on the project at this time". The Douglas presenter then moved onto the Wonder Bread Factory.
Posted By FourthandEye / At 9/23/08 4:54 PM
Alex Padro must've needed a transporter to get there on time, he was at the BZA. I was glued to my computer screen all day - long story. but i posted an update for that case on the yahoo group:
Sendar's property at 9th & Q...smelly whore cafe...
Result: decision delayed until the Oct 7th BZA hearing. Record is closed except for submission of potential resolution from ANC 2C due by Oct 3rd. (they meet Oct 1) This was because of the late hour and the time deliberation would take, the schedule was very backed up. ANC 2C happens to meet before the next BZA session so the timing worked out.
Sendar claimed he had 3yr old plans for 2 retail spaces. claims marketing hardship for only residential. his marketing "expert" who has been on the job since Feb this year, claimed he had 11 commercial offers on the property. Sendar touted SMS/Padro, Chapple, Evans support. Proposed excepting primary alchohol businesses (liquor store, bar/coctail lounge). Said he tried to get Curtis & Brooks, they were ultimately unresponsive. (Brooks said she doesnt like to open all her mail?)
Leroy Thorpe sent a letter demanding BZA delay the case to allow ANC 2C to hear it. alledged fraud...
board was not amused by ANC bringing its issues to the BZA, Thorpe is not a commissioner.
OP (planning) supports conditional variance, C-1 uses, neighborhood serving retail, no primary alchohol. accessory use possible (restaurant, grocery?) concurred with residential difficulty. conceded sticking point is unknown retail.
Sendar never considered a grocery that sold alchohol but would like to have the option.
Board expressed concern about neighborhood outreach. Sendar claimed a "sense" of what the neighborhood wants.
Alex Padro gave good testimony, wants neighborhood serving retail, believes the property should be commercial. presented regarding neighborhood surveys for retail in general, gave examples of desired businesses. said no one would be willing to invest in a liquor store, there is too much competiton. one board member good-naturedly disagreed. Alex also described the deadlock situation with ANC 2C.
Ray M. gave impassioned testimony, natch. he does not oppose a business use. venting is an issue for (restaurant) . doesnt oppose accessory alchohol. (opposes brown bagging) Does not trust Sendar at all because of long history of bad tenants, squatters & no maintenance. (Sendar claimed Ray never complained about trash or weeds to him in 8 years!) Does not support a variance unless a specific business is specified. Otherwise its rewarding many years of neglect with increased property value. Sendar intends to sell.
Thats about it. I submitted a letter of opposition too, roughly for the same reasons. I totally understand Alex's position too and I think its the one he should take for both hats he wears. If ultimately the BZA grants a restricted variance it'll end up good for the community. I just wish we could back bill Sendar for 10 years of vacant property taxes.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/23/08 7:47 PM
Sendar's property at 9th & Q...smelly whore cafe...
Result: decision delayed until the Oct 7th BZA hearing. Record is closed except for submission of potential resolution from ANC 2C due by Oct 3rd. (they meet Oct 1) This was because of the late hour and the time deliberation would take, the schedule was very backed up. ANC 2C happens to meet before the next BZA session so the timing worked out.
Sendar claimed he had 3yr old plans for 2 retail spaces. claims marketing hardship for only residential. his marketing "expert" who has been on the job since Feb this year, claimed he had 11 commercial offers on the property. Sendar touted SMS/Padro, Chapple, Evans support. Proposed excepting primary alchohol businesses (liquor store, bar/coctail lounge). Said he tried to get Curtis & Brooks, they were ultimately unresponsive. (Brooks said she doesnt like to open all her mail?)
Leroy Thorpe sent a letter demanding BZA delay the case to allow ANC 2C to hear it. alledged fraud...
board was not amused by ANC bringing its issues to the BZA, Thorpe is not a commissioner.
OP (planning) supports conditional variance, C-1 uses, neighborhood serving retail, no primary alchohol. accessory use possible (restaurant, grocery?) concurred with residential difficulty. conceded sticking point is unknown retail.
Sendar never considered a grocery that sold alchohol but would like to have the option.
Board expressed concern about neighborhood outreach. Sendar claimed a "sense" of what the neighborhood wants.
Alex Padro gave good testimony, wants neighborhood serving retail, believes the property should be commercial. presented regarding neighborhood surveys for retail in general, gave examples of desired businesses. said no one would be willing to invest in a liquor store, there is too much competiton. one board member good-naturedly disagreed. Alex also described the deadlock situation with ANC 2C.
Ray M. gave impassioned testimony, natch. he does not oppose a business use. venting is an issue for (restaurant) . doesnt oppose accessory alchohol. (opposes brown bagging) Does not trust Sendar at all because of long history of bad tenants, squatters & no maintenance. (Sendar claimed Ray never complained about trash or weeds to him in 8 years!) Does not support a variance unless a specific business is specified. Otherwise its rewarding many years of neglect with increased property value. Sendar intends to sell.
Thats about it. I submitted a letter of opposition too, roughly for the same reasons. I totally understand Alex's position too and I think its the one he should take for both hats he wears. If ultimately the BZA grants a restricted variance it'll end up good for the community. I just wish we could back bill Sendar for 10 years of vacant property taxes.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 9/23/08 7:47 PM
