edge-of-the-woods-to-eckington-edgewood-civic-blog

Edgewood Commissioner Marshall Phillips Featured in WHC Newsletter

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:42:59 +0100

Via Scott Roberts Bloomingdale DC

Washington Hospital Center’s Fall 2010 Community Health Links newsletter came out this week.

On the page back of the newsletter in the Community Spotlight column is a profile of Edgewood resident and Ward 5 ANC commissioner Marshall R. Phillips Sr.

A Man With a Mission

As an active and well-known member of the District`s Edgewood community, Marshall R. Phillips Sr., has partnered with Washington Hospital Center on a wide range of community initiatives over the years.

But his bond with the Hospital Center grew even stronger two years ago when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Now cancer-free, he has taken on a new mission – to raise awareness about prostate cancer and the importance of men getting regular checkups.

``I am here today because my cancer was caught early,`` he explains. ``Too many men are dying from this dieases, because they won’t go to the doctor.``

Phillips acknowledges that prostate cancer is something men don`t want to talk or think about. So he intends to reach as many men as possible through his everyday work: he serves on Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C, a post he has held for 18 years; he is founder and director of the Edgewood Youth Development Center, and he is a minister at the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church. He also plans to use a mobile health van owned by his church for community outreach and hopes to partner with the Hospital Center to conduct screenings.

``There are a lot of reasons that men don`t go the doctor,`` he adds. ``For many, it`s because they don`t have insurance or the money to see the doctor. But there are organizations that want you to stay healthy and have programs to help you do that.``

He notes that embarrassment also keeps some men from the doctor. ``My advice to men is to get over it, and get a checkup,`` he says. ``The people doing these screenings are health care professionals.``

Philips has high praise for the Hospital Center for providing District residents with the best quality care, even in the toughest circumstances. ``When DC General closed it doors, the Hospital Center stepped right up to the plate,`` he says.

He also praises members of the Community Relations department for partnering with outside organizations on initiatives ranging from its Youth Mentoring program to various food and gift drives – program with which he has first-hand experience. ``Johnette Wilson, Ruby Price and Khay Bullock Henry are truly dedicated to their work and are assets to the Hospital Center,`` he says.

While We Were Out

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:00:40 +0100

While ECA was on break there has been tons of exciting news within the Edgewood and Eckington communities. Here's an honest attempt to recap the happenings over the summer. Feel free to suggest events that were left out.

New Trees Coming to Edgewood: This fall Edgewood will be getting 27 new trees through a partnership with local non-profit Casey Trees and ECA. The trees will be planted in the Edgewood park located at 4th & franklin st's NE. A subsequent blog entry will follow with more details.

Summit at St. Martins nears completion: The long anticipated and often time contentious development located on Tst in the Eckington community will soon be completed. The development is in its final stages, landscaping and paver's are now being installed. When its all completed the apartments will boast a library, cyber cafe, gym and roof top decks. A viewing will be held sometime this fall. For more info visit their site http://thesummitdc.com/index.htm

Edgewood Gets a Brewery: This is great news for beer enthusiast and small business supporters in the community. The micro brewer will be called "Chocolate City Beer" and will be located just off the MBT. The brewery will have the capacity to produce 150 kegs a month in the beginning. Chocolate City Beer will add a new business to the community and give new life to a historic building. Heres the link to the Prince of Petworth blog on the brewery http://tinyurl.com/2gxvs7u

Chancellor's Row at St. Paul's Breaks Ground: The 230 home community situated on the grounds of St. Paul's college in Edgewood broke ground yesterday and it's already selling fast. Over the last couple months the development has sold 22 homes making it the fastest selling community in the region. Despite EYA's marketing of the development as a Brookland community it is with out a doubt a new edition to Edgewood. The community will have 28 affordable housing units, 13 to be completed in phase 1. Edgewood Civic is the beneficiary of amenities from the development through a process that was not vetted or negotiated through our executive board. For more info on the community visit EYA's site http://www.eya.com/Chancellors_Row_at_Brookland_Metro.

Still No Grocer at Rhode Island Plaza: Months after Safeway bailed out of the Edgewood community residents are still without a grocery store. Other than the building being gutted there has been no movement at the site. I know... Its disappointing right! ECA will remain an advocate and active participant in the negotiations for a new grocer in the shopping plaza.

Edgewood Featured in the Times: The Washington Times recently covered the Edgewood community in a article on D.C neighborhoods. The article highlights the active civic life within the Edgewood community as well as it's reasonable home prices.Great to see this advancing community showcased in a positive way. ECA board member Jioni Palmer and neighborhood note taker Michael Henderson were both quoted in the article. Check out the complete article here http://tinyurl.com/39ddtxj

Rhode Island Station Upgrade: Although its not in our direct community the Rhode Island station development is a project to watch. The development will consist of rental units and ground floor retail. Construction is moving at a rapid pace it only took two days for them to plow down all the trees on the property and they were off from there. WMATA has chosen to use Bethesda based Bozuto management to develop the site. The plans are available in our development section.

A Win for the Residents: Maybe a win is a understatement. The long battle to have the negligent owner of 329 Rhode Island do something with his property may be over. After the much appreciated persistence of former neighbor Steven Conn the abandoned building was eventually tagged blighted by the city. Shortly after the building was ruled blighted the owner engaged in talks to sell the building he found a developer and sold the property. The new owner has some lofty ambitions for the location. He plans on bringing high end condo's to the neglected corner of 4th & Rhode Island. How high end? Well the condo's will range from $250,000-300,000, with a rooftop deck and ground floor retail. We will keep the community in the loop on specifics as they come.

Well that sums up the major events over the summer for the Eckington and Edgewood communities. We look forward to sharing more great news in the future.

Early Voting

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:11:32 +0100

Starting today you may vote early at:

One Judiciary Square
441 4th Street, NW

8:30AM – 7:00PM

Starting on September 4th, and running through September 12th, except for September 5th, you can also vote early at:

Turkey Thicket Recreation Center
1100 Michigan Avenue, NE

8:30AM -7:00PM

C.O.V.E Interviews September, 1st 2010

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:09:15 +0100

COalition for Voter Empowerment

Co.V.E.

MAYORAL POLLING . . . WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

As you have undoubtedly read by now, a new Washington Post poll of registered Democrats in the District of Columbia, with just over two weeks left in the campaign, shows the following polls over the last year in the race for Mayor:

	Gray	Fenty	Undecided
Nov 09 Clarus Research Group	41	37	22
Dec 09 Metropolitan Labor Council	43	39	18
Jan 10 Washington Post	35	31	20
Aug 10 BUDPAC	42	34	21
Aug 10 Clarus Research Group	41	36	21
Aug 10 Washington Post	53	36	11

What is clear from this polling is that 11% of likely voters have not decided who their candidate of choice will be.

Don't let the polling pundits decide your candidate for you. You get to say what polling means to you -- everything, something or nothing at all.

This Wednesday, CoVE is offering you yet another opportunity to take a look at a candidate in a new and different way: One-on-one (the candidate and the voters) in a question and answer session.

This week's line-up:

Vince Gray for Mayor
Dorothy Douglas for Chair
David Schwartzmann for At Large Council
Tim Day for Ward Five Council

(To hear what the mayoral candidate has to say, you must arrive on time; Vince Gray is scheduled to participate in another debate scheduled that night.)

Get answers to questions you have and be informed. Your vote is your power.

When: Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Where: Community Academy Public Charter Schools (at the former Armstrong Adult Education Center)1400 First Street, NW (First & P)

Time: 6:15 - 8:30 pm

(Stay tuned for Adrian Fenty`s interview date and time as well as other candidates!)

coalition for voter empowerment

Bloomingdale Civic Association
Bates Area Civic Association
Eckington Civic Association
Edgewood Civic Association
Hanover Civic Association

For more information email: Jim @ jamojam@msn.com

Development Coming to 329 Rhode Island

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:51:31 +0100

Rhode Island Avenue Northeast: Development "Hotspot"

Posted by Brooks Butler Hays on 8/24/2010 03:27:00 PM
Labels: Marcus and Millichap, PERS, Rhode Island Ave., SGA Architects

The corner of 4th and Rhode Island Avenue, NE, may be one of the District's least celebrated corners, but an area hitherto untapped by real estate developers, is finally getting attention. Thanks to PERS Development, a plan to remodel an abandoned 32-unit building at329 Rhode Island Avenue NE will soon be underway, making way for "hip, boutique, luxury condominium homes." Just a few blocks east of the Rhode Island Ave - Brentwood Metro, the project will build off the local momentum of Baltimore-based A&R Development Corp's 8.5 acre, $108 million project (including 274 new residential rental units and 70,000 s.f. of ground floor retail) thatbroke ground this spring on the former WMATA parking lot, making the vicinity a "transit oriented developer hot spot." PERS Development is a young and ambitious team with four completed projects under their belts, and now two more in the works. All four of their finished developments have sold out, the last being Sky DC in Randall Highlands. On their four previous projects, PERS has specialized in small, moderately-priced condos. But as advertised, this endeavor seems destined to be slightly more high end than the units sold in Randall Heights for $200,000. However, while PERS President and CEO, Ramin Bassam is promising a "very, high-end boutique product," a price point between high $200,000s and $350,000 proves value also remains a priority. Marty Zupancic of Marcus & Millichap brokered the deal that sees the property travel from the reluctant hands of the previous owner Byung S. Shin of BSS Partnership to the more purposeful and enterprising hands of the developer.

The development will come as welcome news to local residents, but especially so for bloggerDan Silverman who several months ago compiled a slide show of evidence in an effort to convinceDCRA that the building at 329 Rhode Island was a hindrance and hazard to the community, and therefore should be classified as "blighted." The District was in the midst of designating the building as blighted and condemned only two months ago, but PERS was able to step in, usher through the necessary building improvements, and remove said designations, enabling the financing and property transaction to go through, and development plans to move forward. The top floors of the building were significantly damaged by a fire that raged in the evening hours of July 31st last summer. While the neglected building, singed, dirty, and windows boarded, is an eyesore at the moment, its proximity to the metro and its location on a highly visible island-like street corner, makes the property apparently attractive to real estate developers. In a press release, Bassam stressed that: “This project represents a great opportunity to fulfill the growing demand for luxury condominiums in the District of Columbia by delivering a high end product in an under-served submarket at a time when supply is getting tight. It has just the type of character and location that we have been looking for.”

SGA Arcitects have been contracted for the design, and initial renderings should be finalized later this week. The building will transform from a sordid blemish of a property into ultramodern, highly-wired chic condos. Each unit will be outfitted with wi-fi and iPad docking stations. Other amenities include a state-of-the-art glass-enclosed gym, a rooftop deck outfitted with a European shower, and various community lounges. Units will be planked with natural bamboo flooring. The bottom floor will reserve room for five retail tenants, an amenity that new owner Bassam says is desperately needed in the neighborhood. "A late weeknight trip to the McDonald's across the street is an at least twenty minute wait in line, there are not enough retail options at the moment," explains Bassam. The often elusive project financing of the acquisition and needed construction, normally the last piece of the development puzzle, is already in place, compliments of Bethesda-based Monument Bank.

Washington D.C. Real Estate Development News

Wednesday, August 25, COVE Forum

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:59:06 +0100

COalition for Voter Empowerment

C.O.V.E.

INTERVIEW THE CANDIDATES

Have you heard about the C.O.V.E Candidate Interviews? Who is C.O.V.E., you say? Well, first, C.O.V.E. is a community of neighborhood civic associations who came together to support the idea of having a forum for voters to engage in substantive dialogue with candidates that are running for public office in the District of Columbia.

This is a critical election year and in today's economy, it's important to be engaged in the process to ensure the city is being governed by competent, committed public servants who understand who they work for.

Already, several candidates have been interviewed and many of the audience members have remarked they have gained new and helpful insights about a candidate which will aid them in their voter decision-making process.

This Wednesday, COVE is offering you another opportunity to meet three front-runner candidates:

- Kwame Brown, Candidate for Council Chair,

- Kenyan McDuffie, Candidate for Ward Five City Councilmember and

- Clark Ray, Candidate for At-Large City Councilmember.

Come out and check out these candidates, get answers to questions you want answered and be informed. Your vote is your power.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Community Academy Public Charter Schools

(the former Armstrong Adult Education Center)

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

1^st and P Streets, NW

coalition for voter empowerment

Bloomingdale Civic Association

Bates Area Civic Association

Eckington Civic Association

Edgewood Civic Association

Hanover Civic Association

For more information email: Jim @ jamojam@msn.com

Cove Forum

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:02:52 +0100

COalition for Voter Empowerment

C.O.V.E.

INTERVIEW THE CANDIDATES

Have you heard about the C.O.V.E Candidate Interviews? Who is C.O.V.E., you say? Well, first, C.O.V.E. is a community of neighborhood civic associationswho came together to support the idea of having a forum for voters to engage in substantive dialogue with candidates that are running for public office in theDistrict of Columbia.

Over the next several weeks you will have the opportunity to be a part of an interview with many of the leading and not-so-leading candidates for office. This is a critical election year and in today's economy, it's important to be engaged in the process to ensure the city is being governed by competent,committed public servants who understand who they work for.

The COVE interviews are not your typical political debate-style forums -- the gotcha' politics and reporting that is so common today. Instead,C.O.V.E. Candidate Interviews are designed to give the voter an intimate look at the candidate through thoughtful and relevant questions about your neighborhood specifically and the greater Washington community at large.

This Wednesday, COVE is offering you another opportunity to meet two front-runner candidates: Harry Thomas, Jr., Candidate for Ward 5 City Councilmember and Phil Mendelson, Candidate for At-Large City Councilmember. Come out and check out these two candidates, get answers to questions you want answered and be informed. Your vote is your power.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

McKinley Tech

Amphitheater Room

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
2nd & T Streets, NE

coalition for voter empowerment

Bloomingdale Civic Association
Bates Area Civic Association
Eckington Civic Association
Edgewood Civic Association
Hanover Civic Association

ANC5C Resolution of Opposition to Big Bear Liquor License

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:55:07 +0100

Here is a copy of the resolution ANC5C voted to support last night.

Government of the District of Columbia

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 5C

PO Box 77761 . Washington, DC 20013 . www.anc5c.org

RESOLUTION

________________________________________________________________________________________

ON COMMUNITY GROUP OPPOSITION TO BIG BEAR CAFÉ LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION

Whereas, it is the responsibility of residents elected to and that serve in the position of Advisory Neighborhood Commission in the District of Columbia to uphold the laws of the District of Columbia, and that the Commissioners have the authority to exercise great weight on the decisions of government agencies, specifically with regards to zoning and alcohol and beverage laws and regulations, therefore the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C shall inform regarding the current application for a liquor license by the Big Bear Café which is located within the boundaries of 5C;

Whereas, the Big Bear Café, located at 1700 First Street NW has operated as a commercial business since 2007 in a residential zoned property that according to DC law is illegal because of non compliance for the operation of a commercial business in a residential zone, however the matter came before ANC 5C in March 2007 when 5C voted to support a DC zoning “change of use” amendment that in effect would change the residential zoning (R4) to commercial (C) zoning;

Whereas, at this date the Big Bear Café failed to apply for the “change of use” zoning and therefore has continued operation without proper zoning, only to recently make the necessary application for the required zoning change as required by DC law and in accordance to regulations of the DC Alcohol and Beverage Administration to enable approval of a recent application to serve alcoholic beverages at the establishment;

Whereas, at this date the Big Bear Café establishment has extended to include an outside café or garden area that fronts the 100 block of R Street, NW and 1700 block of First Street, NW without the required DDOT public space permits;

Whereas, the Big Bear Café has been pursuing an ABC license since January 2010, when ANC 5C was notified, and has only within the past two (2) months have reached out to the immediately impacted residents that reside within 600 feet of the establishment when informed of the protest in opposition to the liquor license application;

Whereas, “the Big Bear Café has held events at their location which included alcoholic beverage service without a full or temporary ABC issued liquor license during wine tasting, art shows, musical gatherings;

Whereas, the Big Bear Café has failed to notify neighbors within 600 feet of the establishment about musical shows, band appearances, etc. that generate excessive noise inside and on the “sidewalk café” area of the establishment causing continuous complaints from the immediate neighbors;

Whereas, at this date the Big Bear Café has not resolved differences with its immediate neighbors including concerns raised about noise, parking and trash or made an agreement to remedy the circumstances;

Therefore be it resolved that ANC 5C shall inform the Alcohol and Beverage Administration that it does not support the Big Bear Café application for a CR liquor license at this time.

This resolution was presented for approval at a properly noticed meeting of the 5C Commission

Commission on the date of Tuesday, July 20, 2010. Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C is

composed of twelve Commissioners, therefore seven Commissioners constitute a quorum that

was present and voted. At the July 20, 2010 meeting nine (9) of the ten (10) Commissioners that

were present were eligible to vote on this matter. The nine (9) Commissioners voted

unanimously to support this resolution [Commissioner Stuart Davenport, 5C03 and proprietor of

the big Bear Café, LLC, did not participate in the vote.]

Adopted: July 20, 2010

We therefore certify this resolution to be true and correct.

Anita Bonds _______________________________________________________________

ANC5C Chairman

Silas Grant

________________________________________________________________

ANC5C Recording Secretary

Resolution

ANC5C votes on Big Bear Liquor license

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:57:29 +0100

In case anyone missed it ANC5C voted to *not* support Big Bears liquor license at this time. The vote was based on a resolution created by neighbors to the Big Bear cafe. The Residents in opposition created a resolution that outlined why they deemed it inappropriate for BBC to serve liquor. The resolution spoke to Big Bears illegal operation of a curbside cafe, their violation of zoning laws and events held at the cafe that served liquor without permits. Big Bear as at the last couple of 5c meetings had a strong group of steadfast supporters. One of the supporters stated that public parking is public and for the use of the public its part of DC living. Others echoed each other saying how Big Bear is a viable and welcomed part of the Bloomingdale community. However, those arguments were muffled by a lengthy monologue by commissioner Gigi Ransom. Amongst many things she stated the commission was not racist, or cronies and most of the things posted on the blogs were not true. She then said to the audience "you owe us an apology" At one point Ransom said "I wish Stu had worked more with us." Indicating that the owner and 5c commissioner failed to properly communicate his plans for the shop to his colleagues.

After the meeting the frustration with ANC5C was clear across, twitter, list serves and blogs. A lot of people feel ANC5C is a hindrance to small business growth and they rather have liquor stores and carryouts than wholesome full service restaurants. Many residents still hope that Big Bear still receives their license despite tonights vote.

In other license news , Brian Brown the owner of the firehouse presented his plans for the building located on North Capitol Street. The building will have three levels a full service restaurant, banquet hall and rooftop lounge. Brown stated that they need the commission to provide a letter of support for their liquor license to help secure bank financing. Bloomingdale resident Robert Brannum indicated that the previous commission had already given approval to the project and the license and he didn't see why Mr. Brown would need another approval. Despite having prior approval the commission will have a vote at the next meeting in September.

Since the plans for the firehouse have not changed the commission will most likely vote in support of the venue.

Walk & Roll to Noma Summer Screen 7/28/10

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:51:15 +0100

		metbranchtrail Yahoo! Group

Title:		Wed 7/28: Walk & Roll to Noma Summer Screen

Date:		Wednesday July 28, 2010
Time:		7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Next reminder:		The next reminder for this event will be sent in 6 days, 3 minutes.
Location:		L Street NE between 2nd and 3rd
Street:		L Street NE between 2nd and 3rd
City State Zip:		Washington, DC
Notes:		Join your neighbors for a walk & roll down the Met Branch Trail to see Groundhog Day, the Bill Murray movie where a weatherman finds himself living the same day over and over again. Rated: PG. Meet at the entrance to the trail from the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center, near CVS, at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, July 28. The movie begins at dusk at L Street NE between 2nd and 3rd. We'll also be heading back together after the movie. NoMa Summer Screen is a free, weekly, outdoor film series, featuring local BBQ by Smokin’ Somethin’, popcorn and Italian ice, and music by Fatback. This year’s theme is The Future is Now, films that grapple with the future or the element of time. Bring a blanket, lawn chair, Frisbee and cooler, and enjoy great films under the stars. Subtitles provided. More information at http://www.nomabid.org/movies