February 4, 2009
Topic – Public Realm/Road Construction Projects
Presentation by Scott Hammons and AJ Guy, co-owners of Social Restaurant
Social is new restaurant/bar to be opened at the southwest corner of 14th and Meridian, NW, just north of Allegro Apts.
Building currently under redevelopment.
Third owner is Tim Korzep
Trio is very experienced in the restaurant/hospitality field – opened Hotel Helix in Logan circle, Houston’s Restaurant, etc.
Social will be “an extension of your home and living room”, a “comfortable alternative to upscale restaurants”.
Focus will be on small plates and shared dishes,
Also entrees for one, aka “self indulgence”, will be available.
Larger sizes for groups available.
Not to be confused with tapas – not necessarily a strictly Spanish influence.
Influences from all over the world
Sample dishes include Short Rib Sloppy Joe Sliders with Port Reduction and Jumbo Shrimp with Cajun Cocktail Sauce
Also serving brunch
Pricing – small plates around $8 each
Plan on liquor/beer/wine – currently pursuing liquor license
Focus on high quality, but reasonably priced
Will occupy two floors of building
Also sidewalk café, patio off second floor
Seats 75 inside, 25 in sidewalk café (maybe less), 25 on patio (maybe less)
Hours – TBD, likely not late
Please direct questions to Social14thStreet@gmail.com
Presentation by Clark Ray, Director, DC Department of Parks and Recreation, on status of 11th and Monroe Park
DPR has been receiving lots of community feedback on the 11th and Monroe park.
Parents complaining that kids cannot go to park, as it is not safe.
Defacation/urination in park
Currently, there is no capital funding available to fund a project for the park
Over the past few years, there has not been an increase in capital funds available for projects
2010 is likely the earliest that work could possibly begin on the park, but there would need to be funding made available in the 2010 budget.
The deadline for this is October 2009.
Recommended that the community get in touch with Jim Graham to ask that funding for 11th and Monroe be set aside for the 2010 budget
Another avenue to make funds available for the park is a Neighborhood Investment Fund (NIF).
There are currently NIF funds available.
Graham can designate the 11th and Monroe park a NIF project, which would allow this available funding to be used.
Currently, there are funds set aside for “14th Street Parks”
Includes 14th and Ogden/Oak, 14th and Girard ($2 Million)
These could be redirected to help with 11th and Monroe, but this would have to be ordered by Graham.
There are park rangers on staff of DPR
They do not have authority to make arrests, but they can kick people out or call MPD
Fence and lock seem to have helped somewhat, but there are still a lot of issues.
Basic redesign of park would include new flooring and playground equipment – likely would cost a minimum of $850K.
Extensive engineering, including drainage redesign included
Unable to begin any design until funding is available (design team costs $$)
Design will have to include community meetings, incorporating all stakeholder groups. Neighbors, current users, families with kids who want to use the park, etc.
Questions should be directed to:
Clark Ray – clark.ray@dc.gov (cell: 202-550-5889)
Bridget Stesney – 202-671-0453
Next NCHCA Meeting – Wednesday, April 1, 2009 (Topic TBD)
Email Jeff Zeeman, President NCHCA or Adam Aaronson, Secretary NCHCA with ideas/recommendations
Jeff Zeeman – zj2000us@yahoo.com
Adam Aaronson – Adam.l.aaronson@gmail.com
April 1, 2009
April 1, 2009 Meeting – “Public Transit”
Presentation by Owners/Managers of Tynan Coffee
Dan/Elise Bloodwell – managers, residents of Highland Park
Brian/Jim Sullivan – owners
Will be located in Highland Park, between Five Guys and Commonwealth
Open – June/July
Traditional coffee house:
Increased focus on teas (all loose leaf)
Expect 15 or so tea options (blends/tea lattes/seasonals)
Various food options (salads, quiches, soups, sandwiches, desserts/cupcakes)
Breakfast options TBD
Prepackaged coffee/tea for sale; supplies for sale (mugs, tea accessories, etc.)
Limited alcohol menu (3-4 wine/beer options)
Interested in community input on menu, etc.
All products locally sourced
Focus on “in store” experience
Local neighborhood theme
Free wifi
Fireplace
Soft seating/counter seating/tables for 2/4/6
Total 40-50 seats
Hours:
Mon-Thurs – 6:30am-9pm
Friday – 6:30am-10pm
Saturday/Sunday – 8am-10pm
Other locations to be opening in DC area – Petworth, etc.
Presentation by Councilmember Jim Graham on Public Transit Issues
Also presenting:
Jonathan Kass – Transportation Advisor
S. Hernandez – Legislative Advisor
Can email at jim@grahamwone.com with questions/concerns
New bus services announced:
S9 Express Bus – 16th St to McPherson Square (peak hours only)
New Circulator Route – northern expansion
Woodley Park/Adams Morgan/Mt Pleasant/Columbia Heights (14th and Irving)/U St/Logan Circle.
Runs every 10 minutes
Weekdays until midnight; weekends until 3am
43 – Columbia Road to Connecticut Ave; now goes under Dupont Circle to save 10 minutes.
S1, S4 lines – no cuts
The most bus line cuts are in PG County
Most bus lines changes are done to prevent bus bunching
Signal Prioritization:
Allows busses to extend green lights to keep moving, prevent delays
Currently on Georgia Ave, exploring other locations
Considering making changes to parking on 14th Street between Irving and Kenyon – to encourage more use of DCUSA parking garage
Columbia Heights Performance Parking Zone:
Protects residential parking – only residents can park, no more 2 hour spots
Meters – higher prices for short term to encourage used of DCUSA parking garage
DPW moving ticket enforcement to 9am, rather than 7am.
DDOT meeting upcoming in May (day/time TBD) to comment on CH Performance Parking issues
Escalators at Metro:
Work in progress, often long lead time for parts; Graham will have update soon (NB: since meeting, escalator returned to service)
Signage with dates is new effort to increase transparency; downside is that it creates expectations that in this case were not met
Presentation by Mohammed Khalid, DDOT Infrastructure Improvements
www.columbiaheights-streetscape.com
Park Road Streetscape Work – Mt Pleasant to 14th St, July completion
Park Triangle Project:
Fountain – test fit/preparations, July completion, then on to design and construction (DDOT managing)
Arts and Humanities Dept handling tile
Traffic signal at Pine and Park Rd (complaints – too short, traffic builds up)
Sherman Ave Project:
Survey complete
Currently creating steering group
Need to iron out issues with Pepco vault
Very tight timeline – funding is part of stimulus package (construction must start by 2010)
Design by end of 2009/Summer 2010 construction
Lower Georgia Ave Project:
Part of “Great Streets” Projects
Will now be in two phases – Otis to Euclid, Euclid to Florida
Euclid to Florida on hold indefinitely due to Howard University development plans (Howard Town Center)
Otis to Euclid design underway; summer 2010 construction
Presentation by Aaron Oberman, DDOT Mass Transit Administration
11th St Bus Service – changes in late 2008; excludes 11th St bus to Federal Triangle
DDOT looks to consolidate bus service where it can on parallel streets
Off peak Yellow Line Metro service to remain as is – cannot run Yellow at peak; too many Green Line trains, not enough spacing possible for turnarounds.
Columbia Heights Metro had the highest ridership change in 2008 in the entire Metro system.
Miscellaneous Q and A for all presenters
Unlimited WMATA monthly passes – in progress, release TBD
Auto load SmartTrip (like EZ Pass – reload from bank account once reach critical level) – expected 2010
Columbia Heights Target – one of the highest grossing in the country
Bed Bath and Beyond/Best Buy – very strong sales performance
Washington Sports Club – in negotiations to expand current space
DCUSA supposed to be advertising parking rates – Graham to look into why they aren’t
Looking to lease DCUSA parking spaces to outside groups – hospital, etc.
Next NCHCA Meeting – June 3rd, 7pm
Agenda TBD, expect presentation by National Latino Festival organizers
July 1, 2009
I. Presentation by Ted Loza, Volunteer with Fiesta DC Latin Festival
a. Ted also works in Jim Graham’s office, as Chief of Staff
b. Fiesta DC started in late 1960’s/early 1970’s; event didn’t exist between 2000-2003, but has been restarted
c. www.fiestadc.org, info@fiestadc.org
d. Mission of event is to contribute to the preservation, diffusion, and promotion of Latino culture and heritage in the DC Metro Area
e. 40,000 people expected
f. Event will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2009, from 11am-7pm
g. Will be held all along 14th St in Columbia Heights, from Spring Rd to Irving St
h. Numerous events leading up to the big day – see www.fiestadc.org for more info
i. Currently has support from numerous other community organizations, including the ANC and NCHCA
j. Rod Leiva, President, and Roland Roebuck, Vice President, also discussed the event.
k. This will be a family friendly event
i. No alcohol will be served
ii. All music will be family friendly
l. Trash will be handled by a 3rd party, in conjunction with DPW; inspection of area to follow event to ensure proper clean up
m. Private undercover security/MPD will be present at all times
n. Various food vendors will be present, all approved by Dept of Health
o. 14th St will be completely closed from Spring to Irving; DDOT will alter traffic patterns on side streets as needed
p. Parade of Nations – 400 person parade celebrating various countries
i. No 18 wheelers in parade
ii. Golf cart sized vehicles only
iii. Parade route will be marked weeks in advance
q. FiestaDC is recruiting youth to help with festival
II. Presentation from Sergio Herrera, Columbia Heights Day
a. Contact columbiaheightsday@gmail.com with questions, ideas, donations.
b. Columbia Heights Day will be Saturday, August 29, 2009 from 10am-6pm
c. Focus of event will be on Columbia Heights businesses
d. Two stages of music – various genres, including folk, latin, etc.
e. Event will cost nearly $15K, looking for donations
f. This year’s festivities include a petting zoo, carnival games, eating contest, etc.
g. Kenyon Street will be closed from 11th to 13th during the event
h. Various local restaurants/bars will have specials day of the event.
i. Last year’s event had about 1200 people – hoping for 2000 this year.
j. Current sponsors include DCUSA, Wonderland, Chantal Real Estate
k. If you would like to volunteer, contact columbiaheightsday@gmail.com
III. Presentation from Hector Gomez, of Tivoli North Business Association (TNBA)
a. Hector@tivolinorth.com
b. TNBA is focusing on businesses from Monroe to Shepherd St.
c. Includes an overlap of Ward 1 and Ward 4 – working to increase collaboration, despite being in separate wards.
d. 3rd Saturday of every month, there are neighborhood cleanups, next one is July 18th (coordinated with NCHCA)
e. Littering campaign being started in schools – teaching youth not to litter
f. 911 calling campaign being considered – to promote safety
g. Tree box care campaign being started in conjunction with DC Cares; evaluating an option to have local businesses sponsor tree boxes
h. July 28th – there will be a meeting with Mayor Fenty to discuss next steps in these campaigns; location TBD
