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NPS To Install Signage at Woodson Site Soon

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

The National Park Service is proposing to permanently install two exterior interpretive wayside panels in front of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson Historic Site in the Shaw community. The site was named after Dr. Woodson the “Father of Black History” and is located in a heavily trafficked urban community near Rhode Island Avenue, the Washington Convention Center, and several neighborhood schools. The panels will stand on the sidewalk in an unobstructed location in front of the home of Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the future visitor complex area at 1540 9th Street which the NPS currently owns and plans to restore and operate as a staffed park unit with tours and visitor service.

The two panels are to be placed in front of the historic site on the sidewalk, in approximate alignment with the projection of the existing entry stairs. Two alternative locations for the panels are being considered. The first location is centered between the two window bays in front of the Woodson home. The second location is centered between the two window bays in the adjacent NPS property at 1540 9th Street, NW, which would be in between the historic home and the future entrance to the visitor services facility to be located at 1542 9th Street, NW. Because it will be several years before the visitor services facility is opened, the NPS prefers the first alternative, to locate the signs directly in front of the Woodson home, so that there is a more direct and straightforward connection to the historic home.

This project seeks to provide a limited interpretive experience for pedestrians, visitors and the tour groups who visit the site so that they may understand how Dr. Woodson, the Shaw community, and the organization he founded, Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, changed the nation and world. Until the home is completely restored and opened to the public, these wayside panels will interpret the site’s significance. The National Park Service hopes to install the panels between the second week of January 2012 before the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or by the end of February 2012, Black History Month, which Woodson started in 1926.

Sneak Peak: 934 N Street, NW

2012-01-24T11:45:00.001-05:00

If all continues to go well, 934 N Street, NW -- currently an empty lot near an entrance to Blagden Alley -- will soon be developed by HRYDesign Build. The HPRB Staff Report summarized the design (by Workshop T10 Design Studio) as follows:

The proposed flats would take the form of a traditional projecting bay rowhouse. Three stories tall and three bays wide, it would be clad in limestone panels of large coursing dimension. A two story projection bay of limestone and composite panel would provide a balcony space for the third floor. The façade cap is a collection of simple flat runs. At grade, a shallow areaway will provide light and egress for the basement rooms. A small penthouse, setback 20 feet from the front parapet, would provide access to rooftop decks both front and back.

See report here (PDF).

HRYDesign President of Internal Operations Gerry Coates promises this will have the bells and whistles as well as a Green Conscience. The interior will be finished using Non-VOC paint from Premier Eco Paints on Capital Hill.

Stay tuned as this beautiful building moves along!

Logan Circle Laundromat Now Open

2012-01-18T11:31:00.000-05:00

I received a postcard in the mail yesterday about the newly re-opened Logan Circle Laundromat at Eleventh Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW. The remodeled business features:

All new stainless steel 2011 Dexter high efficiency washers and dryers
Fully renovated interior and exterior
Quality wash and fold service
Affordable pricing and ample parking
Full time attendant on duty

It’s open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offers wash and fold service (something that is pretty tempting to me…). Check out their website for pricing.

You may recall the laundromat closed for renovation in March last year, prompting speculation about redevelopment of the site.

Logan Circle Laundromat
1100 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
202.506.6607

Valor's Vision for Seventh, P and Marion

2012-01-04T09:55:00.000-05:00

In case you missed it yesterday, check out the City Paper's post about Valor Development's plans for the empty lots across from the Kennedy Recreation Center at Seventh, P and Marion Streets!

DC GuestHouse Closed; Estate Sale January 12 to 15

2012-01-03T16:21:00.000-05:00

Our neighborhood's quirky and beloved bed and breakfast at Tenth and O, the DC GuestHouse, has closed. According to their website:

DC GuestHouse Closes The last day of operations for DC GuestHouse was December 26, 2011. The DC GuestHouse family has decided to move on to new ventures and to a new home.

Through the years our guests have enriched our lives. For this we must thanks you. We have hosted people from all walks of life - celebrities, politicians, activists, religious leaders, business people, tourists and families. Many of you will stand out in our minds as individual, having become friends that we have anticipated returning to our home on a regular basis. After the first of the year, we will be moving to another fabulous house in Washington. Our family will be staying together, and we hope that you will stay a part of our extended family.

We also want to say thank you to everyone who made the DC Guesthouse such a success. To our staff and our friends, we say that we could not have done it without you. We hope, and know, that you will support us in the next chapter in our lives.

Our family wishes you much happiness and success in the coming new year.

Per the above flyer, the Guest House will host an estate sale from January 12 through 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Rogue 24 to Host Ten Star Chefs

2011-12-30T11:46:00.001-05:00

While Chef RJ Cooper is out for heart surgery for ten weeks starting in January, ten amazing chefs will take the helm of Rogue 24's kitchen for a series of "Rogue Sessions." Sounds like a great concept -- sign me up!

Best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery to Chef Cooper.

Rogue 24

922 N Street, NW (Rear/Blagden Alley)
202.408.9724

Rent Me: 818 Rhode Island Avenue

2011-12-29T13:22:00.001-05:00

Work continues full steam ahead at the once notoriously vacant properties at the intersection of Ninth, Q and Rhode Island (check out my previous post about the property here). The awesome gut-renovation seems to be nearing the final stretch, and it looks like they're getting the structure ready for a fantastic and detailed new exterior paint scheme (if you walk by, take note of the intricate paint scheme that's begun on the cornice on Q Street frontage).

Recently, banners went up advertising for lease the retail component of the project.

Here's to hoping something great fills the highly visible corner spot in the heart of Shaw!

Redevelopment of 1109 M Street

2011-12-29T10:18:00.000-05:00

On my walk to work this morning, I noticed construction activity at the former Laogai Museum at 1109 M Street, NW.

After doing a little digging, I learned that the property is being redeveloped by the CAS Riegler real estate development company (the firm behind such great projects as The Flatiron of Bloomingdale and Lionel Lofts on Fourteenth Street).

According to the project website, the all-residential project will deliver in Summer 2012. It will have eleven unique units, all featuring private outdoor space. To be known as "Standard Eleven," its rendering indicates that the bright red/orange facade of the former museum will be replaced by a less jarring, more appealing aesthetic:

Early Look at JBG's Florida Avenue Development

2011-12-20T11:33:00.004-05:00

The City Paper has an early look at JBG's impressive plans for its Florida Avenue parcels (acquired from WMATA this summer). Check it out here!

From SMS: Fun with Festive Flowers at Convention Floral Saturday

2011-12-16T17:21:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow (Saturday, December 17) from 12:30pm to 6:30pm, Convention Floral will host a "Fun with Festive Flowers" open house. A Facebook event page has been set up here.

Shaw Main Streets forwarded details of the event:

Convention Floral is transforming the shop into a winter wonderland and they want to help you do the same in your home!

Sit with Nubia, the owner of Convention Floral, and learn to create your own beautiful centerpiece for a personal touch to your holiday decor.

They'll provide the flowers and supplies plus light refreshments—just bring yourself and some holiday cheer. This is a fun way to kick off the season and your finished arrangement will be even more special because you made it yourself. Plus, Nubia will share extra tidbits on easy but eye-catching ways to decorate every room of your home.

The cost to participate will be 40% off the store value of your arrangement. This covers the sitting fee, cost of supplies, and refreshments. You can have your arrangement delivered anywhere in DC for an additional $11.95, or you can simply take it home with you.

Session times are 12:30, 2, 4, and 5:30. Each session will last about an hour. SEATING IS LIMITED; they can only accomodate 10 participants per session. Please call 202-939-0510 if you have any questions.

Convention Floral
1920 Ninth Street, NW
202.939.0510

From SMS: Tasting at Chatman's on Sunday!

2011-12-16T17:07:00.000-05:00

This Sunday (December 18) from 1pm to 4pm, Chatman's D'Vine Bakery and Cafe will host a "Holiday Treats Tasting." Check out the Facebook event page here.

From Shaw Main Streets comes word of this great seasonal gathering:

You are cordially invited to Chatman's Holiday Treats Tasting this Sunday, December 18th! The shop will be open especially for you to taste-test Chatman's biggest holiday sellers:

Coconut-Pineapple Cake

Banana Pudding Cake

Egg Nog Pound Cake

Red Velvet Cake

Apple-Gingerbread Crisp

The event is FREE and open to all. It's a great opportunity to chat with owner Debra Chatman and your neighbors, and try a few d'vine treats you may not have had before. There will be music, refreshments, and fellowship.

Chatman's D'Vine Bakery and Cafe
1239 Ninth Street, NW
202.290.3681

Week In Review

2011-12-16T17:01:00.000-05:00

I spent the past week in Austria (as evidenced above, Austrians go all out for the season), so I haven’t had much of a chance to post about the happenings of our great neighborhood. It seems I missed a lot of posts about Shaw while away, including:

Shaw’s Tavern has new owners (Prince of Petworth)
The Wonderbread Factory continues to spark interest (InShaw)
Changes in the neighborhood’s demographics have been the subject of thought and comparison (Urban Turf)
The Carter G. Woodson Site continues to inch toward renovation.(NPS)

Exciting stuff!

Go Caroling This Sunday

2011-12-09T11:59:00.001-05:00

This Sunday (December 11), ANC 2C04 Commissioner Rachelle Nigro invites all ANC2C residents to join her for an evening of caroling! Meet in front of Good Libations (1201 Fifth Street, NW, at the intersection of Fifth and M Streets) for an evening of caroling around the area.

Contact the Commissioner with questions at 202.670.1732, on Facebook at nigroanc2c@gmail.com, on facebook.com/votenigro, or on Twitter at @nigroanc2c.

From SMS: Holiday Party Monday!

2011-12-01T19:00:00.000-05:00

From Shaw Main Streets comes a reminder about its annual holiday party, which will take place on Monday:

It's that time of year, once again. Shaw Main Streets and the businesses of central Shaw invite you to celebrate the season at the annual SMS Holiday Party, featuring food and beverages from neighborhood businesses.

This year's party will take place on Monday, December 5, 2011, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Old Dominion Brewhouse, 1219 9th Street, NW, in the private party room.

Come enjoy food, wine and beer from new businesses and old favorites, meet neighbors, business owners, developers, and others who are helping to transform Shaw, and dance the Electric Slide, Shaw's official party dance.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted. No reservations are required.

Shaw Main Streets Holiday Party 2011
Monday, December 5
7PM to 9PM
Old Dominion Brew House
1219 Ninth Street, NW

Maruka Presents Michael J. Singletary

2011-12-01T09:54:00.001-05:00

"Chocolate Mess 2," Michael Singletary

The Maruka Gallery is currently exhibiting the prolific genius of New York City's cultural provacateur, Michael J. Singletary, with his Chocolate Series. His Chocolate Series is an unapologetic romp through our romance and decadence of this addiction. Through the visual metaphor of chocolate, Michael draws upon generational culture, using acrylics and collage in collision with abstract realism to define a new artistic medium for the millenium.

Tonight (December 1, 2011), Maruka will host an artist's reception for the show from 6 - 9 pm. Meet the artist, enjoy his creativity, and explore his motivation with this addicting pleasure. Refreshments will be served.

For mor details, visit Maruka's website or contact them at 202.745.1881 or info@marukadc.com.

Maruka Gallery
1300 Ninth Streeet, NW
202.745.1881

Kelsey Gardens Raze Notices, Jefferson at Market Place

2011-11-23T10:46:00.001-05:00

I got a tip this morning that raze notices have been posted on the old Kelsey Gardens apartment complex, which was recently acquired by Jefferson Apartment Group ("JAG") and which finally should see the long-planned and approved redevelopment commence soon.

JAG now has the project listed on their website under the name "Jefferson at Market Place." JAG describes the project as follows:

Jefferson at Market Place is a mixed-use development located at the corner of 7th and P Streets in Northwest Washington, DC. The project will include 281 luxury apartments, 230 below-grade parking spaces, and 13,400 square feet of retail space.

Jefferson at Market Place will feature modern amenity spaces that will include a boutique-style lobby with a 24-hour concierge, state-of-the-art fitness center, resident business center, and community lounge with bar and gaming areas. Residents will also have exclusive access to two private courtyards on the ground floor, a landscaped roof deck on the seventh floor, and a large pool deck on the 8th floor roof.

Jefferson at Market Place is located less than three blocks north of the Washington Convention Center Metro Station and two blocks south of the Shaw-Howard Metro Station. The project has tremendous visibility with over 455 feet of frontage along 7th Street NW and will be located adjacent to the future City Market at O, a 1 million square foot mixed-use project anchored by a new 58,000 square foot Giant Supermarket.

From SMS: Small Business Saturday and Open House in Shaw 11/26

2011-11-23T09:49:00.001-05:00

This Saturday (November 26, 2011) is Small Business Saturday, a great excuse to patronize our fantastic local businesses and knock out some holiday shopping. It's also the date of the semi-annual Shaw Main Streets open house, so the day will be full of fun and prizes.

From Shaw Main Streets::

Free Food, Drinks, Shopping Bags, Posters, and Prizes at Small Business Saturday in Shaw, 11/26/11, 1-4 PM

On Saturday, November 26, 2011, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Shaw will celebrate Small Business Saturday, as part of a nationwide shop local promotion sponsored by American Express. This is the second year for the national promotion, but the first time DC Main Streets will participate. Bus posters featuring three Shaw businesses are part of the overall promotional package.

Check out the activities taking place on Saturday and come out and join the fun. Get free reduced size color reproductions of the Metro bus ads autographed by the business owners, and free Shaw Main Streets recyclable shopping bags, while supplies last.

Here's the schedule of events:

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Open House at participating Shaw Businesses. Free SMS Open House Passports available at each location will entitle you to enter a drawing for prizes from all participating businesses. Each business will provide free food samples, refreshments, or special offer coupons. Passports can be picked up at the three businesses featured in the bus ad campaign (see below), and other participating businesses.

1:30 PM: Poster signing at Wagtime Pet Spa and Boutique, 1232 9th Street, NW. Free 11" x 14" posters will be available, while supplies last.

2:30 PM: Poster signing at Cheryl A. Lofton and Associates and A Divine Shine, 719-723 T Street, NW. Free 11" x 14" posters will be available, while supplies last.

3:30 PM: Poster signing at Nellie's Sports Bar, 900 U Street, NW. Free 11" x 14" posters will be available, while supplies last. 4:00 PM: Drawing for prizes, Old City Green, 902 N Street, NW.

Beautiful

2011-11-21T13:40:00.001-05:00

I can't get enough of the construction webcam for CityMarket!

Buh Bye, Old Giant, Welcome, CityMarket!

2011-11-18T12:05:00.001-05:00

I attended this morning's Construction Kickoff celebration for CityMarket at O. Several dignitaries spoke under a tent next to the historic market . . .

. . . and then the fun really started: the commencement of the tearing down of the old Giant supermarket. Each speaker got a turn inside the excavator to take a whack at the grocery store. Mayor Gray took the first swipe. I think Councilmembers Brown and Evans were neck and neck for most impressive/forceful attacks at the 1970's era structure.

Exciting right?!

Shop Local Video Spotlight: Old City Green

2011-11-17T10:01:00.000-05:00

Check out this cool video about our local garden center Old City Green, which was created for the "My Business Story" series.

And don't forget that Old City Green will be selling Christmas trees and holiday greenery starting Friday, November 25!

Old City Green

9th and N Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001
202.412.2489

SMS Development Forum Thursday

2011-11-16T10:11:00.001-05:00

The ever-popular annual Shaw Main Streets Development Forum is tomorrow night (Noveber 17, 2011)! Be a the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, (1630 7th Street, NW) at 7 PM to hear project updates from developers and for the opportunity to ask questions about the numerous projects underway in Shaw. This event always offers special announcements, so be among the first to know the latest answers to the ever-popular question, "What's next in Shaw?" Sponsored by Shaw Main Streets.

Shaw Main Streets Development Forum
November 17, 2011, 7 PM
Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, (1630 7th Street, NW)

Go Rogue on New Year's Eve

2011-11-15T16:11:00.001-05:00

(I know it might be a little early for me to post about New Year's eve, but this is pretty cool....)

Looking for a delicious and unique way to ring in 2012? Look no further! Rogue 24 is throwing a New Year’s Eve cocktail party! James Beard award-winning Chef RJ Cooper and his team will serve some of their favorite dishes from Rogue 24's center-stage kitchen, and acclaimed bartender Derek Brown will sling cocktails and some bubbly selected by Rogue's General Manager and Beverage Director JP Fetherston from 10pm to 2am. Tickets for the event are $150 and are available here. More details here.

Separate from the cocktail event, Rogue 24 will also serve their 24 course dinner from 5-10pm (last reservation is at 7pm) on New Year's eve. Call 202-408-9724 for reservations.

Rogue 24's NYE Cocktail Party
December 31st 10pm-2am
$150 all inclusive
Format: Cocktail Party

Official Construction Kickoff for CityMarket at O Friday

2011-11-14T11:09:00.001-05:00

Don't miss the fun this Friday morning (November 18) at 10 a.m. as we celebrate the official construction kickoff of CityMarket at O! See the flyer below for the exciting details.

Shaw Tweetup Tonight!

2011-11-14T09:30:00.001-05:00

Do you Tweet? Do you follow any Shaw-area people on Twitter? Are you interested in learning (very informally) how Twitter works, and how fun and easy it is? Or are you just looking for an excuse to mingle with neighbors and order some Thai food on a Monday night? If so, then plan on being at Beau Thai starting at 7 p.m. tonight for the first-ever Shaw Tweetup.

Shaw Tweetup
Beau Thai Restaurant
1700 New Jersey Avenue, NW (corner of New Jersey and R)
7 p.m., November 14, 2011

Five Years, One Thousand, and Counting…

2011-11-12T18:00:00.000-05:00

This is my 1,000th post here on renewshaw.com!! And, somewhat incidentally, it falls on the fifth birthday of the blog!

When we bought our house in Shaw in November 2006, I decided I’d begin this blog as a way to force myself to learn more about the neighborhood and as a way to help promote the many good things going on in the area.

Looking back, lot has changed since I started writing back on that November 12th. And some things haven’t changed much at all. Below are a few ramblings on what’s better, what’s worse, and what’s pretty much untouched since yours truly became "Shaw Rez."

New Businesses Abound
A ton of new businesses have appeared since I started blogging, and I think I’ve discussed many of them here. Some of the notable ones to open up shop since 2006 include 1905 Restaurant, Beau Thai, Corduroy, Chatman’s D’vine Bakery, Civilian Art Projects, Dickson Wine Bar, The Eldon Condominium Hotel, Independence Federal Savings Bank, Lamont Bishop Gallery, Maruka, Nellie’s, Old City Green, Old Dominion Brewhouse, The Passenger, Rogue 24, Seasonal Pantry, SUNdeVICH, Touchstone Gallery, Town, and Veranda. A pretty impressive roster, no?!

Public Amenities Everywhere

The improvement of the quality of life in Shaw in the past five years is undeniable. Among the recently added amenities are a new award-winning library on Eighth, a new dog park on Eleventh, a new park on Tenth, a renovated park on French Street, new iron treebox guards up and down Ninth, an overhauled skate park, a renovated Seaton Elementary, community gardens, and so on and so forth. Others are in the pipeline, like a new Shaw Middle School and a new Dunbar High School.

Improved Storefronts Invite Patrons
Several businesses have dramatically improved their storefronts, thus making our commercial corridors a lot more attractive. Wagtime is an impressive example -- its building is so cute and inviting. Queen of Sheba is another (its improvement was facilitated by Shaw Main Streets). The list could go on and on -- Long View Gallery’s new location is the result of an overhaul of a long-neglected vacant building’s storefront, and Axum Ethiopian Restaurant’s makeover completely transformed 1934 Ninth Street.

Corners Have Been Transformed
I know it’s a weird subject to call out, but corner properties really set the tone for a block, and an area can feel particularly depressing if several properties at an intersection are blighted. A handful of notable corner properties have been transformed since 2006. The closest to home and most dramatic change took place at Ninth and Q Streets, which sported a fenced off hole in the ground (evidencing a failed development attempt) on the southeast corner, a boarded up pizza place on the southwest corner, and vacant, muraled, deteriorating properties on the northeast corner in 2006. Today, the hole in the ground has been replaced by a four unit Christian Zapatka-designed condominium building, the pizza place is a fantastic single family home, and the formerly boarded up properties are being completely gutted and restored.

The intersection of Eighth and Q is another example of dramatic change. Two previously/notoriously blighted properties – 1543 and 1600 Eighth Street – were sold in 2009 and are now under renovation into a single family home and a boutique condominium building respectively. The Exchange at Ninth and N was a stalled construction project when I began blogging, and now it’s occupied with residents and businesses.

The gorgeous building at the corner of Ninth and Naylor Court, 1314 Ninth Street went from being a diamond in the rough to being a true diamond, with the excited vision of its owner (who I’ve gotten to know over the years through the blog).

And countless other corner properties have been or are being fixed up and given new life, affecting the feel of the area.

Major Developments Are Indeed Moving Forward
Even before the economy tanked in 2008, people were bemoaning how long it was taking to see movement on the convention center hotel, the O Street Market redevelopment, Progression Place (formerly to be known as Broadcast Center One upon completion), the Howard Theatre project, City Center, and Kelsey Gardens. And while none of these are complete today as some optimistically hoped way back when, all are actually now, finally, seeing movement and will be completed before another five years pass.

Population Boom
Many people have moved into new buildings over the past five years. Eleventh Street has seen a number of new buildings come on line. The Whitman in the 900 block of M Street delivered soon after I began writing. And of course Mount Vernon Triangle’s growth is inspiring, with a handful of huge residential buildings, many with ground floor retail (and even a Safeway).

“Car Lots” Gone
Car lots -- many of which were not legal -- dotted the neighborhood in 2006, cluttering the landscape. And now they’re gone!

The site of Wings Motors at Ninth and P Streets is now under construction to house Mandalay Burmese Restaurant and a condominium above. Other former car lots are sure to see movement soon as well.

We Lost a Few
Sadly, we’ve lost some great assets as well. I loved Vegetate and still mourn its 2009 closing. Be Bar, which became EFN Lounge and Motley Bar, shuttered its doors taking away a unique draw to the neighborhood. Toucan Boutique was a great retail addition in the 1900 block of Ninth that ceased brick and mortar operations last month. Shaw’s Tavern had probably the quickest run of any establishment we’ve ever seen. And there are a host of other small, beloved businesses that sadly haven’t made it due to the economy, rent increases, consumer tastes, and management issues.

We also lost a few bloggers along the way. Back in 2007, we were named one of the "bloggiest" neighborhoods in the United States. We're down a few bloggers since then, so I doubt we'd receive such a crown in 2011. Of course Mari at inshaw, who predated us all, is blogging just as consistently and wonderfully as always.

Some Things Stay The Same
A few things haven’t really changed much. I can’t comprehend why the building at Ninth and O and the buildings at Seventh and Q remain vacant, as they have so much potential. The Flats at Blagden Alley parcels remain untouched. Many of the convention center retail spots have never been occupied (or really even marketed for lease). We’ve yet to see tangible movement on the smaller Marriott hotels planned along Ninth and L. The Carter G. Woodson Park remains untouched.

Community Sense

I tend to cover brick and mortar and commercial topics involving Shaw, but one of the most significant changes over the past five years is how this community has become my home and a source of pride. I've really come to know and love my Shaw friends and neighbors, and can't imagine any other place in D.C. I'd rather live.

Anyway, thanks for reading!