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The U Street Neighborhood Association met November 12th, 2010 at the Source (1835 14th St).  At the meeting Llewellyn Wells of Living City Block explained their current efforts in the area around 13th Street to 15th Street and U to V Street.  Duffy's Irish Pub asked for a letter of support.  Andrea Doughty spoke on the current state of the Arts District Marketing Project.

November 2010 • Regular Meeting Minutes 
Thursday, 11 November 2010 • 7 PM
Source Theater • 1835 14th Street, NW • 2nd Floor Classroom
www.ustreet-dc.org

Welcome and Introductions

• President’s Remarks: Christine Szathmary, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
  • Christine welcomed folks – and she allowed the nominated officers for 2011 U Street to speak:
    • Sharon – expressed her desire to continue on as treasurer, has also been filling in and doing membership roles –
    • Christine – has been officer/committee chair last 5 years.  Hope to do another movie series next year and continue her efforts as President in this year into next year.
    • Jon Cardon – Vice President – Big accomplishment this year was leading the movie series, helping do the U street neighborhood association name change, hopes to continue current efforts.
    • Brian – expressed desire to continue to serve as Secretary
    • Christine said at next meeting we will try for a voice vote for the full slate of candidates, and if not successful will do paper ballots.
  • Holiday part is our regular meeting at Dec. 9th 7pm at Marvin’s.  Marvin’s will provide food and drink specials.  She has been working on list of businesses we will request items from for silent auction.  She would like to get up to $300 approved for postcards to members; letters to businesses, and postage.  Motion made to approve (all present voted yes).

Committee Reports and Discussion

• Public Safety - Brian Card, Chair: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Brian discussed most recent PSA meeting (November 9th) in which Assistant Chief Groomes & Councilmember Graham were present along with a larger than normal attendance.  There was a lot of discussion about an increase in incidents in Ledroit Park area such as an daylight robbery in which a front door was kicked in at 3rd/T Street.
  • There was discussion of the 901 Westminster homicide which involved a youth from NE.
  • There was also discussion about the incident at DC9 in which a man died.  Currently charges against the 5 DC9 employees have been dropped.
  • There was also a disturbing report on a bias crime (hate crime) in which a gay male couple was confronted leaving Nelly’s late in the morning of October 31st.  They were confronted by a group of 6 guys who punched them and called them “faggots”.  A resident nearby had heard these 6 guys state “we are going to beat up some faggots”.
  • Discussed increased problems with the corner of 8th/T St – drug use, break-ins etc;
  • Assistant Chief Groomes encouraged folks to use the tip line (text 50411) to pass on information.
  • Crime has increased from last month, more detailed notes are on the U Street Neighborhood Association website.
• Treasurer’s Report - Sharon Dreyfuss, Treasurer: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Sharon reported that the balance as of November 1st was $16,847.96 and the current balance is $16,847.96.  The Harrison Recreation balance was $1,112.64 as of November 1st and the ending balance was $1,112.64.
• Historic Preservation and Development - Sheryl Walter, Chair: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Sheryl not here.
  • Christine pointed out that 1421 Florida Avenue, NW, HPA #10-438, concept/construction of a six-story multi-unit building came before HPRB.  The HPRB approved the staff report, but directed the applicant to refine the ground level to increase the prominence of the main entrance, add green space, and refine the garage entrance.
  • JBP had groundbreaking and naming of “District Condos” at the development in the 1800 14th St (west side – old Whitman Walker).
• Green - Scott Pomeroy, Chair: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Scott said that Lew will be speaking on work at 14/U St. NW at end of meeting.  Will be looking at this as a means of coordinating a series of programs on the PSA boundaries.
• Transportation and Parking - Cheryl Cort, Chair: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Cheryl was not at meeting.
  • New routes being considered for the Circulator (extension of 14th St route among others, adding U St into the route that goes thru Dupont to Georgetown).  They are taking feedback on the proposed routes.   See http://www.dccirculator.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=111 for more details.
  • Preparing construction on the Sherman Ave Streetscape plan.  This will go on for two years.
  • 15th St bike lane will be made into 2 directions (the lane existing on the west side)
  • Office of planning meeting november 15th for discussion on bicycle/parking in high density areas. - http://app.dcoz.dc.gov/content/schedule/ViewFile.aspx?fileId=349&fileName=PHN 08-06 (11 15 10) (Parking).pdf
• Business Development  - vacant: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Andrea Doughty (part of the Arts District Marketing Project/NIF $200K grant) presented their current state of their effort for the light pole banners.
    • They will be taking this to the ANC 1B Design committee next week and the ANC1B next month.  They have plans to put100-150 banners throughout the arts district area (roughly 16-7th st; FL to Massachussets Avenue).  Andrea provided a list of the major intersections within ANC 1B where they banners would be installed (14th/S/Floriday; 9th/S/Florida; 7th/S/Florida; U between 16th & 7th St.; and Florida between 16th & 7th St).  Ten to 15 specific locations would be chosen from these areas and 3-6 banners installed.
    • Andrea showed the graphics that are being considered – DC map with a bulls-eye; Street map with a bulls eye; and an abstract with multiple circles.  Brand names now have U Street/Shaw/Logan (without a Mid City reference) – except for areas within the Dupont boundaries (which means that 14th St west side will not have any neighborhood names).
    • Designs can be viewed at www.dcartsdistrict.blogspot.com
    • Andrea stated that Shaw/Logan/Dupont have expressed their support to DDOT for public space permit for the banners
    • They will be seeking an extended time that banners can be installed in the DC.  Current policy is 180 days.
    • Jon Cardon reiterated a point that U Street Neighborhood Association sent in their letter that the number of banners doesn’t seem to be sufficient for coverage of the areas.  Andrea stated that the minimum number of banners installed in one location will be at least 4.
  • Duffy’s Irish Pub on Florida Ave – Andy Duffy.  Stated that his current VA forces him to close by midnight weekdays; 2 weekend nights, no live entertainment, no use of front space.  He will be requesting the ABC board to remove the VA restrictions.   He is requesting USNA letter of support.  Motion was made “to offer a letter of general support for Duffy’s Irish Pub, and to encourage the ABC board to consider a renewal of ABC license without restrictions, similar to other local establishments.”  Motion carried with all voting in support.
• Friends of Harrison Recreation Center - Manisha Modi, Chair: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Had a successful Halloween party Friday of Halloween weekend at the Recreation Center.

Presentations - Living City Block Project – Llewellyn Wells – www.livingcityblock.org; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Living City Block – founded out RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute).  They are focused on creating sustainability at community level – Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy and water usage.
• Small/medium sized urban buildings not getting a lot of attention, they are looking to find solution for these type buildings.  They are trying to group these buildings so that together they can do some of these efforts as a collectively.
• They want to focus on area between 13th -15th St./U & V St. area includes restaurants, new condo buildings, a church, several residential homes, and the Reeves Center.  They want to look how to make these two blocks as sustainable as possible and doing so that it is profitable.
• Looking at innovative financing.  They will start the process by organizing and getting the different individuals.  7/8th of December they will be holding design workshop.
  Hopefully if they can do this with these two blocks then they could take this to a larger part of the U Street area.
• Stated they are working with Midcity Business Association in how to do these things in the Hospitality Industry.