Life in Mount Vernon Square

My First ANC Meeting?and My Impressions

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:00:03 -0700

I was born in DC, I live in DC, I work in DC. Maybe it is time for me to get involved in what is going on in DC.

With that in mind, I decided the first step would be to attend my local ANC. After all, the District website says ANCs are the body of government with the closest official ties to the people in a neighborhood. Why not go see how I was being represented?

Here is what I came away with:

1) Robert’s Rules of Order might need to be required reading

2) Just about anyone could do a better job as a commissioner than half of the people up there (there were 4 Commissioners, you do the math)

The Commission appears to be split down the middle between members who seem to accept that change is coming, and it needs to be directed in a positive manner…and members who are trying to hold back the inevitable tide of a transforming neighborhood.

Now you can find many quotes online about ANC2C such as “No wonder progress in Shaw has been slow with idiots like her running the community” and “This woman absolutely must be voted out”…but I’m not going to pile on. In fact, I’d rather look at the bright side.

A little research reveals the Commission, as hard as it is to believe after actually attending a meeting, is better now than it has been in the past. Change has affected ANC2C, and it will continue to evolve, hopefully giving the Commission more legitimacy and us a more powerful voice.

I may not be represented as I care for right now, but Change is happening. And Hope is already here waiting for it.

2010 Census Needs You!

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:42:45 -0700

The 2010 Census is hiring for part-time temporary field workers in their communities in the District. These positions are critical for our community in Mount Vernon Square because for every Census form not returned, our District loses an estimated $3,000 per resident each year for public services(hospitals, schools, etc.) until the next Census (10 years from now!). These jobs are excellent for people who want to work part-time, those who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community. If you know someone who is looking, please pass this information along. Pay starts at $20.00 per hour.

Apply today by calling 1-866-861-2010 to locate your local Census office in DC .

searching for place to live!

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:19:18 -0700

Hi! I was referred to this website by a current resident of Mount Vernon Square. I am searching for a place to rent beginning in August of 2010. I currently live in Arlington and the girl that I would be moving with lives in Reston. We are moving to D.C. around August and are open to any assistance in finding a place to rent. If you are anyone you know is looking to sublet/rent a two or three bedroom, please let me know and we can discuss details. (We are open to other areas in D.C. as well). Thanks for your time and consideration!

February Events at MCC-DC

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:16:36 -0700

Here are some of the things going on at MCC-DC (474 Ridge Street NW) in February. As always our Sunday services are at 9am and 11am. We continue to celebrate the arrival of our new Senior Pastor, Rev. Dwayne Johnson. His Sunday messages have been inspiring and thought provoking. Please join us for either of these events or any Sunday. All are welcome!

Ash Wednesday Services

The season of Lent begins on Wednesday, February 17. Join us for Ash Wednesday services at 12 Noon and 7:00pm.

Annual Black History Month Concert

MCC-DC's fantastic music ministry celebrates Black History Month in music with our annual concert "Feel Like Goin' On"

Sunday, February 28 - 3:00pm. Free, no tickets required.

For additional information on these events or other happenings at the church, please visit www.mccdc.com.

Is the 5th & N Market ever open?

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:30:47 -0700

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.

Parking Space for Sale

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:18:44 -0700

My company is developing the 451-453 Ridge St lot. We look to complete the project in March/April and will sell 2 2br/2ba condominiums, both about 1050 square feet, with outdoor space, and parking. If you're interested in getting a sneak preview before we take them to the market, please email me at Lindsay@ReishmanRealEstate.com.

We also have one extra parking space in the alley, which we share with the 400 block of N St. If you're interested in purchasing the parking space, it is separately deeded and we are ready to sell it! Price is negotiable.

Lindsay

2010: Membership, Board & Elections

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:58:52 -0700

As we enter 2010, I hope you will consider renewing your membership in the Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association. Currently, dues are set at $20 for individuals / $40 for households. You can also choose to give a larger or smaller amount. Funding for MVSNA is critical. Membership dues pay for production of our newsletter, including paper and toner. It also supports neighborhood events, such as the picnic in Mount Vernon Square, and helps provide supplies for clean-ups when needed. Finally, there are routine administrative expenses, such as our incorporation fees. Contributions are not tax deductable as MVSNA is not a registered 501(c)(3) with the IRS. We are in the process of completing that paperwork, which involves filing fees that will also be financed by your contributions. You can download a membership form here. The mailing address is provided on the membership application/renewal form.

Our Board of Director elections are also quickly approaching. At the January 19 meeting, the Nominating Committee put forward the following slate: Cary Silverman, President; No nomination, 1st Vice President; DeeDee Slewka, 2nd Vice President; Rickey Williams, Treasurer; Si Kailian, Corresponding Secretary; Jefferson Parke, Recording Secretary. At-Large (5 Positions): Rob Amos, Jonathan Cohen, Merc Fox, Lydia Goring, Warren McBroom, John Thompson. Anyone who would like to serve should contact the Nominating Committee appointed by the Board of Directors: Merc Fox, Si Kailian, or Jonathan Cohen. MVSNA will hold elections at the next membership meeting on February 16 at 7:30 pm at the Yale Laundry Lofts.

The Convention Center Strikes Back

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:15:17 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, January 21, 2010 Contact: Chinyere Hubbard

chubbard@wcsa.com

(202) 439-5133

WASHINGTON CONVENTION AND SPORTS AUTHORITY FILES LAWSUIT OVER HEADQUARTERS HOTEL PROJECT

(Washington, DC) – Today, the Washington Convention and Sports Authority filed suit in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia against JBG Properties, Inc., Wardman Investor, L.L.C., CIM/Wardman, L.L.C., JBG Managing Partner Benjamin R. Jacobs and JBG Chief Development Officer Kenneth F. Finkelstein. The complaint, which contains six claims, alleges that the defendants unlawfully attempted to extort concessions from Marriott Hotel Services, Inc., in connection with the Wardman Park Hotel. The Authority further alleges that the defendants' actions have caused significant injury to the Authority’s rights and interests in the Convention Center Headquarters Hotel Project, located at 9^th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW, adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

The Authority also has requested to intervene in a case currently before Superior Court Judge Natalie Combs Greene in which Wardman Investor and CIM/Wardman challenged aspects of the headquarters hotel, a planned 1,174-room Washington, DC Marriott Marquis.

"We intend to be aggressive in protecting the Authority’s interest to make this shovel-ready headquarters hotel project a reality,” said Gregory A. O'Dell, president and CEO of the Authority. “The new hotel is key to our ability to continue to compete as a premier convention destination. In addition, the District of Columbia will see immediate economic impact once this 40-month design-build construction project breaks ground.”

# # #

Bussuto Delayed, Yale II Moving Forward

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:46:36 -0700

Buzzuto Development Company is asking District's Historic Preservation Review Board for a two year delay on its planned residential development at 460 Block New York Avenue NW, according to DC Mud. Construction was slated to begin on the project, on the west side of the block, in 2010. The planned 13-story building would include 87 residential units for a total of 85,555 square feet. The plan includes demolishing the deteriorating small store/residence (known as the "Boner building" for its graffiti) from the 1870s and literally picking up and moving westward the other remaining three-story residential property dating from 1902.

Next door, however, construction on Yale Laundry Lofts II has resumed after IBG secured a $50 million Housing and Urban Development loan, as reported in the Washington Business Journal. After the developer had excavated the site, leaving a massive hole, construction stopped for several months. Now, completion of the second building, which will deliver 218 apartments, is expected in late 2011.

The Squeezable Reasonable Rent Quest!

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:45:50 -0700

Dear Residents of Mount Vernon!

My friend and I are relatively new to the area and we are looking for a place to rent near or around Mount Vernon (we really like this part of town!). This task might prove itself easier if I (in particular) was not such a budget. Thus comes our request! If you or someone you know happens to have an empty house/room/attic or basement apt available we would very likely be interested in living there! **Also, if it's a space in dire straights both of us have a lot of experience on fixing up places as well! If you'd like to strike a deal on making a particular space more livable and thus easier to rent in the future (if desired) then please email or call me! Along with really low rent ($700 or less for both of us...) We are looking for approx. a 6 month time span.

A little bit about us: Both of us are from Asheville, North Carolina. I (Roxanne) graduated from UNC Chapel Hill this past May with degrees in Photojournalism and Studio Art and am trying to create a start with freelance photography. I could also do an art trade for partial rent if someone happened to be interested in custom paintings (on or off the wall). My friend Hana went to school at Vanderbilt and is currently an international intern for the Alliance to Save Energy; she also speaks Russian, has worked in the green building industry and can cook yummy thai food.

My email is roxanneturpen@gmail.com and you can reach me anytime at 919.923.9849 -we are looking to move in by Feb 1st (if not sooner) so please don't hesitate to contact me with questions or quotes if you know of anything!

Thanks so much Mt Vernon!

January 2010 MVSNA Meeting Notes

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:32:00 -0700

At this month's meeting:

216 Morgan Street Development
Awning on Old Dominion Pub and neighbors
Update on property just north of 301 M st. on NJ ave.
Discussion of McKenna's Wagon
Officer nominations

Here are the notes.

Winter MVSNA Newsletter & next meeting

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:53:00 -0700

Hey all! its that time again! You will be thrilled (or sad) to know that your favorite neighborhood newsletter has moved to a more manageable quarterly format. Click here to read the Winter edition! Thats right, I will be bugging you all ONLY 4 times a year! But that doesnt get us off the hook for this month;) And so we ask the most hardy of you to please step up and help deliver to your friendly neighbors so that everyone may know the latest goings on and meeting dates! Its not that cold, really!

Speaking of meeting, the next MVSNA meeting is coming up this Tuesday Jan 19th, 7:30pm, at Yale - 437 NY Ave NW. Dont miss it! We've got a new police lieutenant and he will be gracing us with his presence! And 2010 Board nominations! Want to serve? let us know! happy winter!

ANC reminders

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:16:22 -0700

Reminder that ANC 2C meeting is cancelled tonight. Also the ANC 6C Planning & Zoning meeting has been moved to tomorrow, Thursday Jan 7th, 635 Mass Ave, NPR Building. 216 Morgan is on the agenda along with Golden Rule...here is the fulll agenda:

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Environment Committee
Draft Agenda

January 7, 2010 7:00 pm
NPR – Board Room West
635 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

647 C Street NE [BZA #18032] (Area Variance, Special Exceptions) pursuant to 11 DCMR §§ 3104.1 and 3103.2, for a special exception to allow a rear sunroom addition to an existing one-family row dwelling under section 223, not meeting the lot occupancy (section 403) requirements, and variances to allow a second floor addition (for use as an art studio) to an existing accessory garage not meeting the height and story limitations under subsections 2500.4 and 2500.7, in the R-4 District at premises 647 C Street, N.E. (Square 865, Lot 79).Representative: John Graham and Lori Kerr; Hearing Date: 02/09/2010 [ANC 6C06]
216 Morgan Street NW [HPA #10-084] Addition of third floor to a 2-story row house, excavation for new basement apartment, and reconstruction of missing historic 2-storey porch on the front. Representative: Elliot Garber and Dave Garber; Brendan Meyer (HPRB) Hearing Date: 01/28/2010. [ANC 6C02]
318 I Street NE [Formerly BZA 05-15A] Requesting extension of time for development. Representative: Allison Prince, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP; Hearing Date: 02/08/2010 [ANC 6C05]
Golden Rule Apartments “The SeVerna” project update [matter-of-right development] Representative: Elizabeth Askew, MissionFirst Development [ANC 6C02]

Another One Bites the Dust

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:56:38 -0700

Awaken the sleeping activist for just a brief moment to eulogize the latest inanimate, yet long aged victim in our historic semi blighted hood. 1211 4th street NW was known to many of us as one of the crappy 3rd Street Church of God properties for decades. There she stood in her decrepitude, deemed too dangerous to approach:

Even the crackheads stayed away from her precarious innards as they defiled her entrances but the taggers deigned to show her some love, as did the press:

Then, one glorious day, a developer swooped in and bought 1211! And her neighbors! In a show of good faith he gussied her funky fractured facade up while beginning the arduous journey of gaining permissions to make her and her neighbors whole again. Oh she looked so ever so pretty!:

And so time went on...and on. Mr. developer sought the approvals of the community and the ANC and they were given swiftly. The neighbors were eager to see the project come to fruition after living with neglected dumps for so very long. He then went to the city for his Historic Preservation approval and permits. And so time went on...and on...and on. And then the snows came.

And on one frigid winter day, 1211 was no more:

And so we lament at this tragedy. So she goes the way of the O Street Market, and 6 other historic area houses in recent times. They didnt have to perish.

Y.E.onDOMReady(show_notes_initially);

Then Y.E.onDOMReady(show_notes_initially);

Y.E.onDOMReady(show_notes_initially);

4th Street Rubble

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:15:47 -0700

Does anyone happen to know the scoop on what happend to the historic row house on 4th St. (between M and N) that was being renovated, but is now a big pile of rubble?