Choo Choo Seven: Streetcars, Hashtags, and DC's Best Situation Comedy

Yesterday the Mayor announced that the long awaited DC Streetcar would begin operation next Saturday, February 27. After years of delays, millions in cost overruns, four mayoral administrations, and loss of much public goodwill, the 2-mile long section of track will finally open for passenger service in Northeast DC.

That's all well and good and you can skip to the end of this post for some details of the operation and whatnot. However, I'd be remiss if I didn't address how the Mayor announced the news.

The flyer created to advertise the opening was simple enough. OK, it did feature a mishmash of font styles, font sizes, and incongruent graphical elements. But, the point was made. Be at 13th St and H NE next Saturday morning.

It also made a discombobulated attempt at a clever hashtag, "#Choo/Choo!7" #Choo/Choo!7 is everything. Mostly due to the fact that it can't technically function as a hashtag, I didn't realize it was a play on words until hours after the announcement. Choo Choo = 22 and that shape next to the streetcar is, in fact, the number seven. Choo choo seven. Two two seven. 2/27. February 27. Opening day. OK, finally, it makes sense.

But, 227 also has another meaning for DC. It was the title of one of the great American sitcoms in the 1980s. 227 was a television adaptation of a 1970s play set in Chicago. But the TV version was set at "227 Lexington Place," in Washington DC. The show centered on the everyday life stories of residents in the 227 building, but mostly Marla Gibb's character, Mary Jenkins. You'd probably also recognize Jackée Harry's character Sandra, and Helen Martin as Pearl.

I got nostalgic and started watching 227 episodes last night. An episode from season 3 is apropos to DC's sometimes cruel real estate landscape. "There Goes the Building" (embedded below) touches on the very timely conflicts around tenant-landlord relations, homelessness, rising rents, and displacement of the poor. 227 was a sitcom, but like a lot of the good ones from the 1970s and 80s, it managed to directly confront real life inner city issues in a competent, adult manner. Enjoy.

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As for the streetcar, the initial rides will be free! For how long...? Unknown. I'm guessing for the first year or so. The hours of operation will be 6:00 AM - 12:00 AM on Mon-Thu, 6:00 AM - 2:00 AM on Fridays, 8:00 AM - 2:00 AM on Saturdays and 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM on holidays. Shockingly, there will be no Sunday service at the outset. That's a decision I don't understand at all. Just... why.

The trains will run along H Street NE and Benning Rd NE from Union Station to Oklahoma Ave. It's quite a short route at 8 stops, it runs in mixed traffic, and the route is redundant with the X series buses. All that being said, I'll see you on the 27th! For all the cynicism and nay-saying, I'll be excited to ride and, I don't know, I feel like I'll be riding it more than I anticipated in the past. Of course I'll give a full report and photos from day one. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

What Should Replace the Hoover FBI Building?

Yesterday the General Services Administration announced that it had narrowed the options for relocation of the J. Edgar Hoover F.B.I. Building to three sites. None are in the District. That means the days are numbered for the the iconic headquarters in downtown DC. The building was dedicated in 1975 and is the only structure on the block, bound by Pennsylvania Ave, 9th, 10th, and E Streets NW. It was the first major federal government building to be built on the north side of Penn Ave. With a height of 160 feet (E Street side) and 2.8 million square feet of office space, the Hoover Building is one of the largest single structures on Penn Ave between the White House and the Capitol.

There's no timeline for demolition, but one of the options the government is looking into is essentially a swap with developers: the GSA would get a site to build a new HQ, the developer would get the current FBI building and land. Even if that doesn't happen, when the FBI moves, that block will be up for wide-open development. 

In a perfect world, what would replace the Hoover Building? A hotel to compete with J.W. Marriott and Trump Hotel nearby? A new flagship library for DC? Apartments only available to those making less than 60% of the area median income? Park or open space? Site for a new museum like the National Women's History Museum? Lots of options. The site is quite large, so my guess is that it will serve more than one purpose. What do you think? You can choose more than one.

What should replace FBI headquarters on Pennsylvania Ave NW?

• Residential: Shelter
• Other
• Museum Site
• New Flagship DC Library
• Shopping Center or Mall
• Embassy
• Office Building: Private
• Open Space or Park
• Residential: Apartments/Condominums
• Exact Replica of Current HQ (in LEGO)
• Office Building: DC Government
• Name Brand Hotel
• Residential: All Affordable (<60% AMI)

Created on Jul 29, 2014

View Results

poll by twiigs.com

Groundbreaking for Deauville/Monsenor Romero Apts is Today

Monsenor Romero Apartments - 3145 Mt Pleasant Street NW

Will this be the beginning of the end? After numerous fits and starts, it looks like the sad real-life saga for dozens of residents at 3145 Mt Pleasant Street NW may be about to come to a close. The building formerly known as the Winston or the Deauville was destroyed in an overnight fire on March 13, 2008. The last five+ years has seen inaction, rumors, plans and delays, but virtually no physical changes to the half torn down shell  of a building. The new name for the building is Monsenor Romero Apartments. 

I'd always hoped that the original residents would get a chance to move back in with similar rents, as opposed to totally new construction of condos or apartments with no regard to those displaced by the fire. If your home burned in a fire, wouldn't you want the option to move back into the same space? I would. Even 5 years later, yes.

Very strange that this news came over the national PR news wires. But, that it did yesterday. This article in the Wall Street Journal relays the basics: 

"The National Housing Trust-Enterprise Preservation Corporation (NHT/Enterprise), elected officials, local dignitaries, community leaders and Capital One Bank will celebrate the groundbreaking of the Monsenor Romero apartments on July 2, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.

The $19 million Monsenor Romero Apartment project located at 3145 Mount Pleasant Street, N.W. will replace the previous Deauville apartment building that was destroyed by fire in 2008, the most destructive fire in 30 years in Washington, D.C. The building is named in honor of the assassinated El Salvadorian Catholic Church Bishop who was a champion of the poor and spoke out against poverty and social injustice. The new construction of 63 affordable homes will fulfill promises made to residents by city officials that one day they would return to their homes..."

Reportedly, 47 of 63 total units in the new building will be made available to former residents at "lower rental rates." At the time of the fire the Deauville was home to 93 units and had over 200 residents. So, there's a bit of a discrepancy there - 20 fewer units. However the new construction will include some 3 BR units as well as laundry facilities, community space and a computer lab on the basement level. Here's one rendering of the rebuilt structure. And below, floor plans via DCRA and Wiencek + Associates.

2nd floor plans via DCRA.

East and west elevations via DCRA.

Housing for 18th Street Jubilee Property

The empty property at 2448 18th Street NW has been successfully permitted for historic preservation review, an elevator, and changes for electrical, fire, mechanical, plumbing and zoning. Jubilee Housing Inc. is the current owner and is making structural changes in order to convert the building into "6-ROOM BOARDING HOUSE ON 2ND - 4TH FLOORS & OFFICE ON 1ST FLOOR"; essentially affordable housing for low wage earners or fixed income residents.

Jubilee does great, great work and has several properties in the neighborhood already. At 6 units, the housing at 2448 is small compared to the others. Their smallest current property is 12 units and the largest is 60. The total property size of 2448 18th St NW is 3,800 square feet.

Teach-In for Affordable Housing This Sunday

This is great. A topic that is in need of much discussion and action --especially in the District-- is affordable housing. Some of our Mount Pleasant neighbors are hosting a teach-in about just that. You won't have to go far; it's in Lamont Park this Sunday June 24, from 12PM until 9PM. Have a great weekend!

From the organizers:

"TENT CITY TEACH-IN for Affordable Housing

SUNDAY, JUNE 24TH 12-9PM

AT LAMONT PARK (Corner of Mt Pleasant St &Lamont St NW) RAIN OR SHINE

Teach-in's!   *   Tent Exhibits!   *     Music!   *    Food!    *   Fun!        

Please join us at Lamont Park for this unique event. Bring a picnic and come learn about affordable housing in the park! Get inspired by the powerful stories! Explore the interactive tentexhibits! Have your face painted! Enjoy meeting neighbors and other DC residents who need affordable housing!

SCHEDULE OF TEACH-IN'S:12:00-1pm Welcome and Music

AFFORDABLE HOUSING 101: THE BASICS
1:00-2:00pm What You Need To Know About Affordable Housing

AFFORDABLE HOUSING 201: DIGGING INTO THE ISSUES
2:30-3:00pm Affordable for Whom?: The Affordable Dwelling Unit Program
3:00-3:30pm Making Affordable Housing in DC Inclusive--Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning
3:30-4:00pm A Vanishing Act: The Erosion and Disappearance of Rent Control

CONNECTING THE DOTS TO THE HOUSING CRISIS
3:00-3:30pm From Statehood to the War on Terror: DC's Housing Crisis Revealed
3:30-4:00pm The Housing Crisis Hits Home: Affordable Housing Issues in Mt Pleasant and Columbia Heights

ORGANIZING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
5:00-6:00pm: Let's Stir It Up! Tales of Organizing from Below!

LET'S CELEBRATE!
6:00-9:00pm: Fandango Concert with Son Jarocho Music, Dancing and More!

FEATURED ARTISTS:
Luci Murphy!  DJ Wanako!  Frankojazz!  Son Cosita Seria!  Puppet Underground!  Radio CPR DJ's!  More!

Event sponsored by: the Housing Rights Working Group, the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Assembly, Occupy Our Homes, the Washington Peace Center and the Latino Economic Development Center"

HomeSaver Program to Offer Free Clinics in January

There is, obviously, never a good time to lose one's job or home. But in this economy, in this city, getting back on your feet after a foreclosure seems unbearably daunting. However, there are programs like HomeSaver which can help mitigate some of the angst over getting laid off and possibly falling behind. This program is affiliated with the government of the District of Columbia. They are offering free clinics for those who want to know more about avoiding foreclosure. From the organizers:

"The District of Columbia government, through the HomeSaver Program, now offers forgivable loans to homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgages because of unemployment. If you own a home in DC, are receiving or have received unemployment benefits at any time during the last 6 months, and are behind on your mortgage because you were laid off, you may be eligible for a loan to help bring your mortgage current. Call (202) 667-7006 or attend a FREE foreclosure clinic to find out more about this program and other realistic options for avoiding foreclosure.

When:
Wednesday, January 4—12:00 P.M.
Wednesday, January 11—12:00 P.M.
Wednesday, January 18—12:00 P.M.
Wednesday, January 25—6:00 P.M.

Where:
Housing Counseling Services
2410 17th Street NW
Suite #100"

Shelter Closing, Apartments Planned

rendering of proposed towers

La Casa, the closest shelter to Mount Pleasant, is closing. I first read about the possible closure a few weeks ago in a copy of Street Sense. Obviously they editorialized against the closing noting that as of last year, there were over 6,000 homeless in DC per the annual count. They anticipate that number to increase for 2010.  

La Casa, at 1436 Irving St NW, is a 90 bed facility, houses only men, offers bilingual services and is open 7pm until 7am daily. According to the Street Sense article, there are currently 72 men in the shelter and the adjacent trailers. It will close as of October 15, 2010.

The paper trail on the new project spans a few years and is somewhat contradictory and incomplete.  However, this is my understanding:

After La Casa closes, it will be torn down and replaced with two new buildings: an addition to Donatelli Development's Highland Park Apartments and a community based residential facility.

Highland Park was originally built as a condominium building and went rental, like many other DC projects during the economic downturn. Apartments there currently rent from $1,800-$3,900 per month.

The land under La Casa shelter (and adjacent lot) is owned by the District of Columbia.  They have a deal with Donatelli to allow an extension of Highland Park, but also to build an 82 bed community based residential facility (CBRF) on that land.  What is a CBRF? From the proposal: "Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRFs) are single room occupancy facilities for homeless residents in the District. These facilities combine living quarters with job training, housing placement, case management, and other needed services that promote self-sufficiency."

La Casa is currently operated by the District and the DC Coalition for the Homeless, a non-profit. No indication of who would run the CBRF (the city, another non-profit, a private entity?) or if it would serve any of the same people housed at La Casa. 

The CBRF would be in the rear of the property (see rendering).  The new apartment tower --dubbed Highland Park West (HPW)-- would front on Irving Street and be physically connected to the original Highland Park, sharing a courtyard.  Both CBRF and HPW were proposed as seven floors tall. They would be separate structures.

Originally, Highland Park West was supposed to have 69 units, top out at 86 feet and have a 64 space underground garage.  There would be a penthouse level rising 9 feet above the roof line as well. 

That may change soon. The developers have a zoning hearing on September 30 in order to propose several changes. They want to increase the number of apartment units from 69 to 143.  They want to increase the roof line from 86 to 90 feet (plus 9 foot penthouse level above). And finally, they want to eliminate the parking garage and alter the façade from what you see in the rendering to an aesthetic that more closely matches the existing Highland Park.

It is not clear if Highland Park West will include ground floor retail like the original building does.  They are just about to fill out that retail space with a sports bar (allegedly). Highland Park is already home to a bank, coffee shop, sandwich shop, pizza parlor, burger joint and gastropub.  

What will happen to the beds eliminated by the closure of La Casa? Street Sense suggests the additional beds will be made available in empty spaces of the DC General Hospital site (near Stadium Armory Metro stop).

Will the CBRF help ease the transition for some of its residents from homelessness to permanent housing?  That is the plan. Will the elimination of beds for the homeless in Ward One make for a more difficult winter for those men (and homeless women, children and families) who will have to travel further for the same services? I hope not. If I find out more about this story I will keep you posted.

For updates on this story and more, follow The42 on Twitter.

Highland Park Apts (left) and La Casa shelter

New Life for 3145 and its Residents

More than two years have passed since a devastating fire disrupted the lives of hundreds of residents of Mount P and left a scar on the main commercial strip.  The fire displaced about 200 people and completely destroyed 3145 Mount Pleasant Street NW, then known as the Deauville Apartments.

A deal has finally been reached which will result in at least some of the residents returning to a newly constructed building on that site.  So sad it has taken this long, but it looks like the end is near for that ugly burned out shell which just happens to exist in the heart of our neighborhood at a time when lots of other properties are also empty because of commercial vacancies.

The city is essentially loaning a group of former tenant-residents money to purchase the property now and secure 40 units in the new building.  The city is also facilitating the financing for construction of the entire building.  In total it will have 67 affordable housing units, the previously mentioned 40 inclusive.  The amount of the initial loan is $4.1 million.  Technically, the loan will be from the Department of Housing and Community Development to an entity of residents known as 3145 Mt. Pleasant Street Tenants Association.

For all you affordable housing haters out there, this is not a "handout," it's a loan.  And there is a need for affordable housing, housing assistance, whatever you want to call it.  Whether that means the market adjusts to real salaries and wages (not happening around here) or that municipalities and non profits step in with a little tenant organizing on the side (what is happening in this situation), it has to be done.  DC can be a livable place for workers of all kinds.  And although the Deauville is but a small fish in the big city, it's so great to see that this story still has legs and looks to be running towards a positive conclusion.

And by the way, we won't have to call it the Deauville anymore.  With a  new building comes a new name, the Monsignor Oscar Romero Apartments.  Romero was Archbishop of San Salvador and known as Bishop of the Poor.  

3125 Mt Pleasant Street Activity

After what seemed to be a few years of delay there is finally some construction (currently DEstruction) happening at 3125 Mt. Pleasant Street. Its the building that houses the Raven Grill and Mount Pleasant Cleaners on the ground floor. Both businesses appear to be operating at full capacity during the work.

Manna, a DC non profit real estate developer, is working to convert 3125 into 12-13 condominium units. At least some of the DCRA permit work goes back to late 2006. It appears there were some delays due to lead paint and other issues. The condo units will be available as affordable housing, District documents show that residents should be within 50-80% AMI (area median income).

Let's hope Manna pulls through with the affordable housing aspect and keeps a few units in our great neighborhood withing range for the average home/condo buyer. Also remember to support Raven and Mount Pleasant Cleaners, although the last few times I've been by the storefronts, they don't seem to be hurting for business because of the activity upstairs.