For posterity

I recently moved out of Brightwood, so I must retire this blog. I will leave it online (I often receive emails from potential new residents who are looking for information about the neighborhood and who tell me that the blog has been a good resource, so I would like for future residents to be able to refer to it).

Thank you all for reading. I hope following this blog has strengthened your understanding of what’s happening in this community, which is rich in stories yet underrepresented in the media.

I’m still happy to answer questions you may have about the neighborhood and Ward 4; I can still be reached at thebrightwoodian@gmail dot com

Now off I go. It's been a wonderful stay, Brightwood.

Best,
Rebecca

MPD's Beat the Streets block party today from 3:30 to 7:30, 5500 block of Illinois Avenue NW

The Metropolitan Police Department is holding its Beat the Streets event today from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the 5500 block of Illinois Avenue NW (between Georgia Avenue and Kennedy Street). The Beat the Streets project is a collaboration between MPD and various community organizations and aims to dispel violence and encourage people to live more peacefully by making community services accessible. Nonprofits and agencies that plan to have representatives attend include HandsOn Greater DC Cares, Daddy's Corner, Washington Humane Society, DC SANE, US ARMY, US Marshalls, Samaritans Feet, DC Water, the Department of Health and Human Services (Family Services) and more. I hear there will be music and food as well, but I was unable to obtain a list of performers, so you'll have to just swing by to hear for yourself.

Summary of the Bicycle Advisory Council's Ward 4 bike accessibility tour

Jameel Alsalam, the D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council's Ward 4 representative, led a tour on June 23 that focused on ways to improve bike facilities and connectivity in the ward. Among the areas explored were the roads surrounding the site of the planned Walmart development at Georgia and Missouri avenues and the area surrounding Walter Reed. Tour participants also assessed the signed bike route on Eighth Street NW and other streets that run parallel to Georgia Avenue that are often used as alternatives to that main arterial by cyclists. Additionally, they evaluated the challenges that crossing Rock Creek Park presents to Ward 4 cyclists needing to access Ward 3.

The summary, which includes the committee's recommendations for improving bicycle connectivity at the sites mentioned above, can be found on the Bicycle Advisory Council's blog.

SMD meeting for 4B04 residents Wednesday, June 20

An SMD meeting for ANC 4B04 residents will be held this Wednesday evening. The owner of Chez Aunty Libe restaurant (6115 Georgia Avenue NW), who has recently applied for a Class D liquor license, has been invited to attend and answer your questions regarding the application. (ANC 4B will vote on the application at its meeting on June 25.)

Where: Emery Recreation Center, 5701 Georgia Avenue NW, Room 200
When: Wednesday, June 20, 7:00 p.m.

Bicycle Advisory Council's Ward 4 tour set for June 23

Have ideas for improving bicycle access and facilities in Ward 4? Here's a good opportunity to express them. From Jameel Alsalam, the Ward 4 representative on the DC Bicycle Advisory Council:

Please join the Bicycle Advisory Council's Facilities Committee (BAC-FAC) on a ride or 'rolling meeting' on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The ride will begin at 1:30 PM near the Capital BikeShare station at the corner of 9th Street and Upshur NW.

On this ride, the Committee will examine bike accessibility and connectivity to commercial areas in Ward 4, particularly along Georgia Avenue NW and including the Walter Reed and Walmart development sites. BAC-FAC would like your thoughts on what bicycling facilities should be considered for this area and your concerns about road safety, signage or other issues.

Please contact Jameel Alsalam or Jeanie Osburn if you have questions about the ride.

Why is Walmart still distributing promotional materials asking for support from District residents?

I came home on Saturday to find this postcard wedged into my storm door. It's a condensed version of the mailer that Walmart sent to D.C. residents just over one year ago, in May of 2011. One neighbor mentioned that she saw a small group of people gathered at the Curtis Chevrolet site on Saturday afternoon carrying clipboards; it looked as though they were about to set out canvassing in the neighborhood. I assume they were the ones who left the postcard at my door, and had I been at home I might have had the pleasure of speaking with them face to face. If anyone reading spoke to the canvassers directly, I'd be interested in hearing what was said.

I'm really surprised that Walmart is still distributing promotional pieces like this, as all of the conversations I've had with the developers have led me to conclude that Walmart fully intends to build stores at both of its chosen sites in Ward 4 (the Curtis Chevrolet site at Georgia and Missouri Avenues NW, and the planned Fort Totten Square development at Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue NE). However, the distribution of this postcard indicates that the company still feels it's necessary to try to assuage community opposition to their projects. Are both Ward 4 Walmart plans really done deals, as the company has been insisting they are?


Side 2

3 Stars Brewing grand opening tomorrow

We’ve been waiting a long time for 3 Stars Brewing’s facility to arrive, and we’re finally there. Their grand opening celebration will be held on Friday, June 1 from 3 – 8 p.m. at 6400 Chillum Place NW.

In addition to brewing its own beer, 3 Stars’ facility will include a home brewing supply shop. According to dcbeer.com, "the shop has all the ingredients, supplies, and specialty items to make any brew day great." Very happy to welcome them here!

Edit: Dave Coleman of 3 Stars clarifies: "We are having the Grand Opening of our Homebrew Shop tomorrow. The brewing operations for 3 Stars should commence within a week or so, so that launch (the brewery, not the homebrew shop) will actually be in the beginning of July. Tomorrow we are opening our homebrew retail space at 3 o'clock. This will be DC's first homebrew shop and will provide local homebrew enthusiasts a shop that is metro accessible instead of requiring a 30 minute drive to one of the shops in MD or VA."

Ward 4 State of the Schools meeting tonight at Takoma Education Campus

DC Public Schools chancellor Kaya Henderson and Ward 4 councilmember Muriel Bowser will host a State of the Schools meeting this evening.

When: Thursday, May 24, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Takoma Education Campus, 7010 Piney Branch Road NW

From DCPS:

Parents and other interested community members will have an opportunity to:

• Hear what DCPS plans to accomplish next year and over the next five years in our public schools
• Learn more about the progress and areas of growth for schools in Ward 4
• Interact with central office and school leaders in Ward 4
• Meet fellow parents and community members.

New Upper Georgia Avenue Business Assistance Program launches

Good news for businesses in our area that have been hit hard by the closure of Walter Reed: the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development and the D.C. Chamber of Commerce Foundation have announced the launch of a new business assistance program for Upper Georgia Avenue, from Fern Street to Eastern Avenue NW.

According to a press release, the program will help area businesses "identify challenges to retaining and expanding their businesses; offer consultations with subject matter experts to help business owners improve their operations, expand their markets, and reposition their goods and services to remain competitive; improve storefront appearances to strengthen their brand; market businesses to increase sales; and promote the commercial district to target markets."

Upper Georgia Avenue businesses interested in participating in the program should contact Margaret Singleton at the D.C. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Walter Reed small area plan community meeting Thursday, May 17

Walter Reed Small Area Plan Community Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, May 17, 6:30-8:30pm
WHERE: Shepherd Elementary School, 7800 14th Street NW

Background:
On January 17, 2012, the Office of Planning hosted a Community Workshop to present the Small Area Plan (SAP) components for the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center site (Walter Reed), including urban design principles to guide future development, as well as obtain additional community input on the Base Reuse Plan. On January 25, 2012, the Walter Reed Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) Committee made final recommendations to the Mayor and Council on the Homeless Assistance Submission and Base Reuse Plan by motion. The approved land use program was then presented by the LRA at a Town Hall meeting on February 2nd. The Base Reuse Plan has been submitted to the Council, and a Council Public Hearing is anticipated in late May.

The Small Area Plan process is ongoing, as the SAP is required to determine Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designations for the site so that zoning can be established for future development. While the SAP will not propose any zone categories, it will focus on characteristics that a zone should have, such as building form, setbacks, height and stories, and Floor Area Ratio (FAR).

Please attend the May 17th Community Meeting to:
* Review and provide input on the proposed urban design guidelines for each Sub-Area of the site, and
* Review proposed Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map Designations for the site

Stolen bike dealer operating out of Brightwood

Read the full story on DCist.

A D.C. resident says he stole back his bicycle after it was taken from his friend's porch Sunday night and then posted for sale on Craigslist the following morning. And the vendor who attempted to sell that bike is also listing several other cycles for amounts well below their suggested retail prices.

Danny Lesh said that he loaned his Cannondale hybrid to a friend who lives in the Brightwood neighborhood. The friend attempted to secure it to her porch using a cable lock, but on Monday morning woke up to find that the bike had been boosted. She filed a police report and notified Lesh of the theft.

"It was the first bike I ever bought," says Lesh, who purchased the bike in Chicago in 1998. About midday yesterday, while at his job at a labor organization, Lesh was notified that a bike matching the Cannondale's description was being offered on Craigslist for $100. He took a glance at the want-ad and immediately recognized his old ride.

"I looked at the pictures, there were stickers that I put on the bike," he says.

Lesh called the number on the want-ad and arranged to meet the vendor, who is also located in Brightwood. On the cab ride over from Dupont Circle, he also gave the Metropolitan Police Department's Fourth District a ring, asking if they could spare a plainclothes vice officer to observe and potentially make an arrest. After several phone calls, Lesh says he was told no officer was available.

Disturbing that he was told no Fourth District officers were available to help him.

First the Caribbean Carnival left Brightwood, now it's leaving DC...for Baltimore

Last year, the annual Caribbean Carnival was forced by financial problems to truncate its parade route. The shortened route bypassed Brightwood completely, moving its start point over a mile south, from the intersection of Georgia and Missouri Avenues to the 4400 block of Georgia Avenue, near the intersection of Webster Street.

The 2012 festival came very, very close to being cancelled altogether due to ongoing debt issues. The festival organizers have since found a solution, but unfortunately it involves taking the festival out of the District altogether. According to a press release that was posted on the festival's Facebook page, the program has been "modified" this year: a Pan Jam will be held on the weekend of June 23-24 at the Crossroads Entertainment Complex in Bladensburg, Maryland, and on July 14, the DC Carnival will be held in Baltimore, having been invited by the organizers of that city's annual Caribbean festival.

Festival organizers had tried to negotiate with Mayor Gray in order to keep the event in the District, to no avail.

Horace and Dickies opens this week at 6912 Fourth Street NW

From the Old Takoma Business Association:

Washington, DC Institution Opens New Location at 6912 4th Street, NW, Washington, DC

Horace and Dickies is the latest addition to the growing number of independent restaurants on Old Takoma’s Main Street. Using the formula that has been successful at the original Horace and Dickies, an institution on the H St Corridor in Washington, DC for over 20 years, the new location will open this week at 6912 4th Street, NW in the Takoma neighborhood of Washington, DC.

Owner Simone Shannon, with the blessing from her Dad, Richard “Dickie” Shannon, will be expanding the family business and bringing the same favorite menu to Old Takoma which includes fried fish, shrimp, crab cakes and chicken plus soul satisfying sides like collard greens, macaroni and cheese, french fries, potato salad and slaw. Homemade cakes and pies round out the menu as well as a new addition to the Takoma menu - fish tacos.

Known for their reasonable prices, large portions and quality food, Horace and Dickies has attracted not only the Washington, DC community, but also Adam Richman and Man v Food on The Travel Channel which also helped to develop a steady flow of visiting tourists.

About Horace and Dickies: Horace and Dickies is a family business which has been bringing fresh made food to the Washington area for over 20 years. The original location is at 809 12th St. NE (at H St.) Washington, DC with hours: Mon-Sat 10am-2am and Sun 11am-7pm. The new location is located at 6912 4th St, NW, Washington, DC with hours: Mon-Fri 10am-9pm and Sun 11am-7pm. http://www.horaceanddickies.com. For the latest news, follow Horace and Dickies on Facebook and Twitter.

I've reached out to ask if they have a specific opening day nailed down, and will update this post when I obtain that information.

Update: Opening day will be either Thursday or Friday, according to Laura Barclay of the Old Takoma Business Association.

Police arrest a man in connection with recent assaults in Petworth

From Chief Lanier:

Following a series of assaults in the Petworth neighborhood in the past 72 hours, we deployed several teams of undercover officers to the area. Last night at approximately 9:00 PM, members assigned to our Narcotics and Special Investigations Division, Strike Force was patrolling in the 800 block of Gallatin Street Northwest when they heard someone yelling for help. They observed a female on the ground suffering obvious injury to the head. As they approached the victim they observe a subject a short distance away in the alley, holding a dark colored bag. As the officers made eye contact with the subject, he began running and was pursued by the officers. During the pursuit, the officers observe the subject discard the backpack. The pursuit continued to the 4800 block of Illinois Avenue where the suspect was apprehended.

A claw hammer, believed at this time to be the weapon used in the assault was recovered from the back pack discarded by the suspect.

The suspect has been identified as 19 year old Michael Davis of the 900 block of Emerson Street, NW. At this time he has been charged with one count of aggravated assault.

The victim in this case, who is not being identified, is a 19 year old female. She has suffered a serious head injury and remains hospitalized.

At this time, we are continuing to investigate and process evidence to determine if this case may be linked to the prior three cases that occurred in the Petworth neighborhood over the past 72 hours.

It goes without saying, we are extremely proud of the officers and detectives involved in this apprehension. They have certainly demonstrated their commitment to the safety of our community and the mission of the Metropolitan Police Department.

The 6300 block of Piney Branch Road can be yours for $699,000

Images from SearchDCRealEstate.com

Thanks to Housing Complex for pointing out that the large lot in the 6300 block of Piney Branch Road NW is for sale. This is the lot that has been the site of the Brightwood Day community festival for the past few years.

Plans for temporium spaces in the Central 14th Street corridor taking shape

DC's Office of Planning is preparing to launch a series of temporium projects in vacant spaces along the Central 14th Street corridor, which stretches from Spring Road to Longfellow Street NW. The project is funded by a $250,000 grant from ArtPlace, a collaboration between federal agencies and private foundations that seeks to revitalize commercial corridors through arts-based uses. The same grant money helped to fund the Lumen8Anacostia series of events (which had a very successful opening day last weekend).

The Office of Planning is partnering with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the 14th Street Uptown Business Association on the project, which is being referred to as Summer of the Arts. OP has enlisted the assistance of the arts planning collective Rebar to assist with designing the temporary spaces (which is exciting, as Rebar has implemented lots of innovative projects all around the country).

The project was developed in coordination with the recommendations of the Central 14th Street Revitalization Strategy Plan, which calls for creative uses of the commercial spaces along the corridor in order to spur revitalization.

Two events this weekend will kick off planning for the project. Both are free and open to the public:

When: Friday, April 20, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Where: Sorg Architects, 918 U St NW
Panel discussion on how commercial corridors like 14th Street can use art to bolster neighborhood vitality.
Moderator: Donald Russell, executive director, Provisions Learning Project/Provisions Library
Panelists:
John Bela, founder, Rebar
Liesel Fenner, public art program manager, Americans for the Arts
Julian Hunt, AIA, Hunt Laudi Studio
Linn Meyers, artist
Suman Sorg, Sorg Architects
Harriet Tregoning, director, DC Office of Planning

When: Saturday, April 21, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: The plaza in the 5500 block of Colorado Avenue NW
From the Office of Planning: "Community residents will re-create a temporary art-plaza in the 5500 block of Colorado Avenue and 14th Street (in front of the old Colorado Dry Cleaners). This will be a hands-on and fun activity using chalk, stencils and plantings to create a short term art plaza as recommended in the Central 14th Plan. After the mock-up, everyone is invited to join Rebar and business owners for a hands-on discussion on how street furniture will help with revitalization. The discussion will address the following questions: How are sidewalks currently used? Could street furniture support a more active and engaging street? What are the needs of businesses to attract more visitors? This discussion will take place from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at 5538 1/2 Colorado Avenue (Linn Meyer's studio)."

Zoning variance extension requested for Beacon Center project at Georgia and Quackenbos

Rendering of the Beacon Center from emoryfellowship.org

DC Mud reports that Emory Beacon of Light has requested a two-year zoning variance for the development of its Beacon Center mixed-use project at Georgia Avenue and Quackenbos Street. Construction has been delayed due to changing architects last year (Torti Gallas and Partners took over the project from PGN Architects), resulting in the need for the extension. According to DC Mud, Emory president Hazel Broadnax hopes to break ground by the end of 2012 and complete construction within 24 months.

The current plans, according to the Beacon Center's website:

We will be simplifying the project and building in two phases. Due to the current economic climate, we haven't been able to secure $3 million for the 2-story gymnasium. That interior space will now be multi-purpose ministry space (sanctuary level) with housing units above it. In addition to the 5,700 square feet of retail space, 10,600 square feet of office, meeting and classroom space and two-levels of garage parking with 96 spaces there will be a variety of housing needs accommodated:

Building A includes
15 Transitional Family Housing Units and 45 Affordable Family Housing Units

Building B includes
32 Permanent Supportive Housing for Veterans and 17 Transitional Housing Units for single men

Caribbean Carnival organizers: it's not quite over just yet

Posted on the DC Caribbean Carnival's Facebook page:

This morning the DC City Paper wrote an article that states DC Carnival is Cancel(led). This is not true. We attended a meeting last night with the lower Georgia Avenue Business Community to provide an update on DC Carnival 2012. We express(ed) the financial challenges the Carnival is facing with respect to City services and that we are exploring alternatives to Georgia Avenue this year. We never mentioned canceling the Carnival but I guess this makes for bigger and better news. This confirm(s) to us that we are facing an uphill battle to sustain our culture in this ever changing DC community. We no longer can depend on the City to help us. This is a wake up call for us to help oursel(ves). If we do not mobilize as a community and show the City that we are important and we do make a difference then the headlines might prove to be true.

In other words: it might be premature to say that event is cancelled altogether, but if it does happen, it's likely to be very different from the festival we've grown accustomed to.

Caribbean Carnival cancelled this year due to budget issues

At tonight's Georgia Avenue Community Development Task Force meeting, DC Caribbean Carnival organizer Roland Barnes announced that the event will go on indefinite hiatus starting this year, reports Housing Complex:

"Unless someone is able to wave a magic wand in the next 24 hours, there will be no parade on Georgia Avenue," Barnes said mournfully. "The reality of the last few years was that donations and sponsorships were in one direction, and costs were in another direction."

The parade is still about $200,000 in debt to the city, Barnes said, and would need at least that much again in order to put on the parade, which had been scheduled for June 23 and 24. While previous mayors have done what it took to make the event happen, this administration isn't interested.

"We have seen a 180-degree turn in terms of support for this event," added the event's executive director, Loughton Sargeant. "It was only a matter of time before the city was going to pull the plug."

The news comes after the release of a study by the Howard University School of Business quantifying the Festival and Parade's impact on local businesses. Researchers estimated last year's attendance at 400,000 attendees—which seems high—and figured they spent $21,637,166 total, generating $1,298,230 in sales taxes. Needless to say, every single one of the 50 businesses surveyed was in favor of continuing the parade, and even extending its route (it had to be cut short on account of finances last year).

Update: DCist reports that the festival itself may happen, just not the parade.

The 14th Street bus lines are being restructured, and the project team wants your opinions on the plans

Two public meetings that will focus on the planned changes to the 52, 53, and 54 bus routes have been announced.

These meetings will be conducted a little differently than most. ("The meetings will be 'open house' style, meaning that participants may arrive any time between 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm. No presentation will be given; instead, participants will be able to speak individually with the project team about options for improvements that are now being evaluated.") Good opportunities to speak directly with the restructuring team about the changes that are in store.

Here's the full announcement from WMATA:

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is pleased to announce the second round of public meetings as part of the Metrobus 14th Street Line Study.

This study is part of the Metrobus Priority Corridor Restructuring Series, and is being conducted in partnership with the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT).

The first meeting will take place on:

Thursday, April 12, 2012
5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
WMATA Northern Division Community Room
4627 14th Street NW (at Decatur Street)

The second meeting will take place on:

Monday, April 16, 2012
5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Columbia Heights Community Center
1480 Girard Street NW

Both meeting locations are on the 14th Street Line and open to all members of the public. No advance registration is required.

The meetings will be “open house” style, meaning that participants may arrive any time between 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm. No presentation will be given; instead, participants will be able to speak individually with the project team about options for improvements that are now being evaluated.

Metro and DDOT are relying on feedback from participants so that the options can be refined and preliminary recommendations can be made later this spring.

A Spanish translator and visual materials in Spanish will be provided for those who prefer them.

These public meetings are the second in a series for the 14th Street Line. At the first public meeting and focus group this winter, participants offered input about recurring problems with service on the 14th Street Line and made suggestions on how to address them.

The 14th Street Line Study will culminate in a set of recommendations that will be presented to the public and the Metro Board for approval in summer 2012.

More information can be obtained at the project website.