Sometimes I go off on tangents while doing taxes and start reading all kinds of IRS publications...but this caught my eye.  take it with a grain of salt as I am no expert and not a CPA - consult a professional:  Did you know that the Mount Vernon Triangle is an enterprise zone?  For tax purposes (check out form 8844) certain 2000 census tract sections of DC with 20%+ poverty (page 11) are classified as Empowerment Zones.  Why is this important?  well if you have a business in the Triangle (or one of the other sections) and you employ DC residents (who live anywhere in DC), you may qualify for a big tax credit - up to 15k per employee if i am reading that right.  There are also other benefits, like some sort of tax exempt financing and increased section 179 deduction.  this is part of form 3800 General business credit.  I hope all of the new & exisiting Triangle businesses know about this, its pretty neato.  but it wont last for long...this year is census year and its pretty evident that the demographics downtown have been severely altered.  One more thing, if you look at the map, PQ & parts of Shaw are included.

First the FANTASTIC news that Mandu is coming to the space next to Kushi in City Vista!!! This means KOREAN BBQ in the hood!! (Mandu has a current restaurant at 18th & S) Ok now that I've finished my happy dance, the meat n potatoes...

The Stuearts are coming soon so they promise.  The committee voted to support their zoning appeal which was hugely confusing but in a nutshell they want to build: a 400 unit residential building on the 400 block of NY Ave/L and a commercial/retail building on the 500 block of NY/K.  the appeal has to do with transferring residential sq footage and the confusing nature of the zoning code, bonus densities and all sorts of crazy things that made even me (who normally geeks out to this stuff) utterly cross eyed.  check out Rob's explanation from the meeting announcement post below, he does a much better job.  Anyhoo if they dont get their way, they will "re-examine the project" which could very well mean parking lot for all eternity.  They arent seeking to do 100% office so thats really good that they are embracing mixing it up.  No concepts as of yet.

One of the committee members gave em some hell for their crappy nonexistant snow removal for all of their properties during the blizzards.  I also tried to convey that it was also the issues with weeds, trash, hookers etc plus the semi recent murder on their property that the neighborhood has a problem with.  And of course the long history of silence from them which we would like to change.  So I asked them to come visit us in April or May which they were amenable to, and we look forward to dialog with this major Triangle landowner.

also got a look at NPR's new building on North Capitol, It looks pretty neat but imho teeters on brutalism.  Its hard to tell but it could be really neat.  They are also toying with the idea of putting a giant light saber or flagpole or somebig red stick thing on the corner of L.  Will be interesting to see what that turns out to be.

The committee also discussed some things pertaining to the new comprehensive plan but I had to bug out 20 min into that.  I do have to say that Rob Amos is doing an absolutely fantastic job chairing this committee!  They are a very knowlegable bunch and he leads them in a well and even tempered manner.  y'all should check out this meeting on occasion, very interesting content.

DCMud has reported that The Arts at 5th and Eye is officially (at least temporarily) dead:

• "The District and the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) are, at least for now, giving up on the Arts at 5th and Eye, the Donohoe Companies and Holland Development project, and installing a parking lot on the undeveloped District-owned site. Though the project team won the right to develop the promised high-end hotel, retail outlets and jazz club in September of 2008, no final agreement has been reached on the land exchange with the District Government since that time."

So I guess the community is left with a pretty website and, soon, another surface parking lot.

There was a great deal of competition for this site with some fine proposals.  Even in the wake of the credit and real estate collapse, the bidders pledged that they had the financing to move forward.  Many neighborhood residents attended the public meeting on the site and provide their input.  I attended the outdoor press conference at which Mayor Fenty and Councilmember Kwame Brown announced the winning bid.

The community did a lot of work to clean up the 900 Block of 5th Street NW -- shutting down Fun Fair Video, working with detectives to substantially reduce drug dealing and prostitution -- it enabled the 5th and Eye Project. 

Hell no.  That would have been the answer had the DC government asked the community whether it would support using the now grassy, secured lot as a surface parking lot - even on a temporary basis.

Either move the project forward, revisit the previous proposals, or reopen the RFP.

As someone relatively new to the area, can anyone tell me the deal with the store at 5th & N?  There are a number of times I've wanted to go there to do some light shopping, but it feels like in the last few months they've only been open maybe a couple of days.

I bought a tree from OCG and their site mentions that they have sign-up for pickup on Dec 30th and January 4th.  I cant for the life of me figure out how to sing up for this.. I called their number but it says they are closed January through February.  Anyone know how to sign up?

Alternatively, anyone know if DC recycles trees?

Via PQLiving comes the good news of an art gallery and bar opening on the 1000 block of 7th Street.

The Civilian Art Project is opening at 1019 7th Street the old location of the Warehouse.  Details and pictures from DCist.  Civilian Art Project web site. 

In the same space but not connected is the opening of The Passenger according to the Washington Post a "neighborhood bar and lounge".  Read the Washington Post article for a mini review and interview with the owners.

Some very positive news for the area.

5th Street Ace Hardware started offering a free personal-shopping program last month. Email your order to shop@acehardwaredc.com by noon and it will be ready by 5 pm that day. For more details, http://acehardwaredc.com/pdf/press%20release-5th%20St.%20Shopping.pdf

Mt. Vernon Square Bed and Breakfast (MVSBB) is the new business venture for Lydia Goring and her husband, Keith Byrd.  Located at 400 M St. NW.  Our hard work for the last six months  decorating, renovating and upgrading has culiminated in the opening of Mt. Vernon Square's own bed and breakfast.  We have four bedrooms, two with private in-suite bathrooms and two share a hallway bathroom.  Wireless internet connection is available throughout the property and an optional wireless laser printer (B/W) can be provided for in-room use.  Most bedrooms have king size beds, flat screen TV's, cable service, access to refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers.  Each room is decorated and furnished with the goal of providing an elegantly comfortable setting.  Please connect to our website www.mvsbb.com for more information or call us at 202-399-6345.

No, not that but a trio of wines we're tasting this Thursday (10-22, 6-8pm) at Good Libations.

Folie à Deux Winery- Nappa Valley

Ménage à Trois Red- This wine exposes the fresh, ripe, jam-like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Three saucy grapes make up the blend. Zinfandel adds a juicy character, Merlot mellows and Cabernet adds backbone. Forward, spicy and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect trio.

Ménage à Trois White- Three different grapes add up beautifully in our Ménage à Trois White. Chardonnay lends its firm, rich character, while Muscat shows up wild and exotic, and Chenin Blanc plays a soft supporting role. Together they produce one show-stopping wine.

 Charles Smith  Wines-Washington State

"The Velvet Devil" Merlot- Bringing SEXY back to Merlot.. Balanced, rich and explosive. Think red plums, bittersweet cocoa with hints of smoke and cedar. SO SMOOTH, SO NAUGHTY, AND SO VERY, VERY NICE.  

Also if you are having or going to a Halloween function try this:

SCORPION Silver Mezcal (Yes it has a scorpion in it)- This mezcal is produced in Oaxaca, the traditional area in Mexico for mezcal. This is the youngest expression of this particular mezcal line - all of which are single barrel bottlings of 100% agave.

A dry bouquet, hints of lime, citrus, cucumber salt, and savory herbs, and on more warming: char, creosote, some spiciness, and a faint trace of balsam. 

Taylor Gourmet Deli has opened on 485 K St in what looks a very cool spot. More Information from their blog and a huge set of photos on Flickr

At 1065 5th St a T-Mobile Limited store has opened. These seem to be T-Mobile stores run by independent business owners. More information on that program.

Let us know your thoughts on these two exciting new additions.