Vermont Garden Party
Gallery Coming Soon!
Meet Lt Harrington & Sgt Jackson
of the MPD’s PSA 305

Welcome!

Thursday, May 10 General Meeting Information

U Street Neighborhood Association will have its general meeting on May 10, 2012 at the Third District Pollce Station community room at 7 pm.  DDOT will give updates on the U Street streetscape.  The office of Planning will be providing an overview of the PUD process.  JBG will be providing updates and describe the variances they are requesting for the project at Florida/8th Street.  Hiba Abdallah will be presenting on a facility planned to be built at 9th/S St NW for individuals aging out of the foster care system.  Also Zahir Rahimi (owner of Mila 2015 14th St) will describe his desire to change this clothing store to a restaurant.  We will also be discussing the U Street Neighborhood Harrison Recreation Center film series starting in May.

 

 Click here to see the agenda.

 

Home

Print
Email

2011 - February General Meeting - Minutes

The U Street Neighborhood Association held its monthly meeting on February 10, 2011. Which included an update on the District Condos development project at 14th & S Streets, NW; and many other updates on activity in the Greater U Street neighborhood.

Please click Read more... below for the complete meeting minutes.

February 2011 • U Street Neighborhood Association 
General Membership Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 10, 2011 • 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Source – 1835 14th Street, NW
www.ustreet-dc.org

Welcome and Introductions

  • Christine Szathmary (President) was unable to attend so Jon Kardon led the meeting.
  • Brian Card (Secretary) was also unable to attend so Sharon Dreyfuss took notes.
  • Notice of appointment of Jay Murphy to Membership Chair - Jay spoke to his goals as chair. He has walked the 38 blocks in the association area, and now wants to do a membership mailer to every household – with meeting dates, time and location, and asking for membership dues.   Jay expressed desire to reinstitute a Membership Newsletter.  As a real estate agent who gets sales info, he wants to target a mailing to all new neighbors.  Appointment to Membership Chair was approved by members.
  • New Education Committee - Purpose of committee is to develop relationships with families, DCPS, and the DC Charter School Board.  Committee would work with parents, DCPS and DC Charter School Board to improve education and advocate for any of the education needs of our community.  Two people from the U Street Neighborhood Association might be interested in acting as committee chair.
ANC 1B update
DC Council Update
  • John Detaye (from Councilmember Jim Graham's (Ward 1, D) office provided news from the councilmember’s office.  Jim is now heading Human Services Committee which includes homeless, disability services.  He is still doing ABRA.  He will be overseeing Juvenile Justice System – which needs oversight with  repeat offenders and people killed under their supervision.  Ward1 Green Team has been defunded – Jim tried to get funding in many places with no success.  It provided 26 jobs in Ward 1, jobs filled by many ex-offenders.  Green Team is supplemental to DPW.   Sharon motioned for writing a letter in support of Green Team – 7 supported, 1 abstained.

Committee Reports and Discussion

Public Safety, Sushupta Sudarshan & Brian Card, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • Public Safety – Presented by Sushupta Sudarshan – Co-Chair.
  • Overall crime has dropped except Robberies with guns and burglaries are up.  Famon Clark was arrested, responsible for robbery attempt at 9th/U Street.  Mr. Clark has long rap sheet.  Sushupta provided updates for the most recent PSA 305 meeting including progress due to Lt. Jova’s robbery tactical unit which is focused on making arrests for robbery.  Public Safety Committee is looking at writing community impact statement to influence sentencing.  Sushupta and Brian will be presented at an upcoming Northwest Columbia Heights Community Association meeting focused on public safety in third district (http://www.nwchca.org/).  More detailed notes on public safety meeting are available in the public safety committee portion of the U Street Neighborhood Association website (these are posted every month).
  • Sharon reported that the closing balance after $45 received for dues was $17,117.96.   Balance for the Harrison Recreation Center fund was $1,112.64.
  • Manisha Modi  (Friends of Harrison Rec Center Chair) spent $14.99 more than approved for the Children’s Halloween Party, and spend $87.06 for Service Day. 7 members votes to approve payment.
Historic Preservation and Development, Sheryl Walter, '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text19146 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n
  • Following are the highlights from Tucker’s handout on business activity:
  • ABC Establishments (Bars):
    • Tap & Parlour has opened up in the first floor of the Bohemian Caverns Building at the corner of 11th and U St, NW in the old Hominy Restaurant and Lounge space. I stopped by before the official opening on Friday and the space was looking great.
    • Codmother and Touchdown going in at the old Cafe Nema/MoMo’s space. It was confirmed that the owners of next door Tabaq Bistro are behind the new concepts which also manages neighboring Bistro La Bonne and Utopia. Touchdown will feature 15 high-definition TVs and offer basic sports food fare like as wings, burgers, and ribs. Codmother will stick to the basics of fish and chips. No news of a potential opening date.
  • Restaurants:
    • 1905 Planning for Rooftop Deck in the Spring 1905 informs us he has plans to open a rooftop space this year for us all to enjoy. Let’s hope the permitting process goes smoothly.
    • Reeves Center Deli getting evicted - The Reeves Center Deli, which has been in the Reeves Center for 20 years – has been ordered to vacate their space as they owe nearly $350,000 in rent. Yikes. They have been ordered to leave by February 21.
  • Retail:
    • Bicycle Stations, which had only opened up in Sept. ’09 has closed its doors at 2204 14th St, NW (by W Street). Their Web site says that they moved to 610 Madison St. in Alexandria, VA to occupy a bigger space
    • Rock It Again - Newly opened in the old Nana’s space, Rock It Again comes from the owners of a vintage stall that has been in Eastern Market for years. Most of their inventory is coats and jackets right now.
    • In contrast is Dr. K’s Vintage. Just down the block, this is your get down and dirty, browse for hours to find a gem type of store. There is a lot of variety, from old Ts to ripped jeans to a lot of shoes.
    • Boundless Yoga hopes to open in March - According to Kim Weeks of Boundless Yoga will be opening a new studio at 13th and U, about the progress of the construction. While the original September 2010 opening date has been pushed back a few times, Kim is now confident the studio will open in March. I assume this means that the Georgetown Valet and yet-to-be-named frozen yogurt spot will open around March too.
    • Bar Pilar and Raven Arts – As we learned last month Bar Pilar’s expansion to the second floor of their building is putting Raven Arts, which has long been on the second floor, out of a space. How cool is it that they are teaming up together to open a new art gallery across the street in the old L&N Thrift Store location. They yet to-be-named gallery that will incorporate the a working art studio and framing business (what Raven Arts does now) and add a formal art gallery and education space. No expected opening date as of yet.
  • Other Development:
    • Trader Joe's Rumor – The Foggy Bottom location has started asking customers for their zip code during check out. They never used to which may indicate plans for a new one. Back in June ’10 there was some scuttlebutt that Trader Joe’s was considering a 14th and U St, NW location. At the time some other media outlets inquired with the Trader Joe’s PR department and Trader Joe’s denied any expansion plans in DC. Nevertheless, the rumor has been consistent in saying that Trader Joe’s is indeed interested in a U St, NW location. It could be in one of those projects planned for Utopia or the District.
    • ChiDogo, having opened just three months ago, will be short lived. The building is slated for demolition this fall to make way for Utopia.  ChiDogo isn't the only business on the strip with numbered days: also on the chopping block is the United Supreme Council building, the Domino's location, Taco Bell and Kentucky Fried Chicken. The buildings which house Ace Check Cashing, McDonald's and El Paraiso are historic and will remain intact.
    • It appears that two new offices are getting ready to open along 14th street:
      • The one remaining empty Union Row retail spot at 14th and V will be a Remax real estate office. They’ve taken down the paper on the windows and appear pretty close to opening.
      • In the Solea building at 14th and Florida, it appears that another empty first floor retail space will become a law firm.
    • ATMs on U Street: Some people might be excited to see ATMs put in near the Bank of America on U Street (that is their home loan office). However, on further inspection it is pretty clear to me that these are Bank of Georgetown ATMs, the bank that is opening in the Ellington’s old sales office.
  • Jon spoke for Scott who wasn’t in attendance
  • Clean Currents will be at meeting in March.  Bring utility bill with you.
  • Cheryl wasn’t available for meeting.
  • DC Pride spoke about their desire to change the route for the parade to end at U and Vermont.
    • Extend route from 17th and NH to turn right on U and go down to Vermont.
    • Parade is June 12th.
    • LGBT community has moved into U Street neighborhood so they want to change route to reflect.
    • Asked for a letter of support to close U Street from 3 - 9pm. Parade will hit U Street 5:30 or 6 pm
    • The association asked for a detailed plan on police, traffic, etc before we endorse.  Also asked them to present to Mid-City Business Association as the plan will affect businesses.

Stay Informed

Stay up to the minute in the community through our:

Also check out some other great sites about our community:

Stay in Touch

Name:
Email:

Upcoming Events

JUN
14

General Meeting

JUL
12

General Meeting

AUG
09

General Meeting