Posts from — February 2008

Dupont Circle Update 02/28/08

by Update

G-Star Raw replacing Sisley store (1702 Conn Ave).
Sesto Senso has bought the Childe Harold business.
See “Countdown for Chaos? The decade-old 17th Street
gay nightspot is forced to halt its entertainment and
now faces an uncertain future,”
http://www.metroweekly.com/gauge/?ak=3241
Current reports Chaos is closing.
Chop’t now open at 1300 Conn Ave (N St).
See “Dupont Circle ‘Main Streets’ Organization
Credited for Programs Helping Merchants; $5 P Street
Valet Parking Starts March 1,”
http://www.intowner.com/2008/02/08/dupont-circle-main-streets-organiz…
See “DDOT may restore two-way traffic on 15th Street,”
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=541
See “Candida’s World of Books is closing down,”
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/02/11/daily27.html
New “beer-forward and wine-friendly” restaurant to
open in old Dakota Cowgirl space (1337 14th St) on
April 15. Will have a dining room on the ground floor
and a spacious bar upstairs. See “Dish,”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/05/AR200…
Owners of Timothy Paul (rug shop at 14th & RI) plan to
open new beddings & bath shop in the Matrix, next to
Universal Gear.
New shop Icon replacing View 14 sales center at 1821
14th St, selling “design tools for architecture,
interiors and lighting.”
Baltimore’s City Café is rumored to be looking for a
home on 14th St, potentially the Veridian space.
Arts patron behind http://www.pinkline.org/ is also
looking for a food/art/lounge space on 14th.
Activity seen at shuttered Chinese laundry at 14th &
Q; rumor has it this space might finally be leased.
See “With Sips and Nibbles, Cork Is Pulling Crowds,”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/19/AR200…
See “Miracle on 14th St: Source Theatre Sees New
Life,”
http://www.readexpress.com/read_freeride/2008/02/miracle_on_14th_st_s…
Shelter at 14th & R must vacate its site by October
2009. See “Central Union Mission in Talks For New Site
in Downtown D.C.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/21/AR200…
Washington Blade is moving from 14th & U to downtown.
See “Less parking at 14th and U would solve many
problems,”
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=618
See “No More Hookers at the Washington Plaza Hotel?”
http://dcist.com/2008/02/06/no_more_hookers.php
Maggie Moo’s (1301 U St) was robbed 2/25/08.
Afternoon Ice Cream Shop Robbery Shocks Neighborhood
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0208/498892.html
See “D.C. plans to sell or lease parking lot of
Lincoln Theater,”
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/02/04/daily55.html
Ulah Bistro opening at 1214 U St. See “Crew From
Stoney’s, Tunnicliff’s Preps U St. Bistro,”
http://www.readexpress.com/read_freeride/2008/02/ulah_on_u_street.php
See “Sunday Parking to Be Fully Enforced in Logan
Circle,”
http://dcist.com/2008/02/06/sunday_parking.php
See “Jazzed Up About Reviving D.C. Landmark:
Development Projects Near Howard Theater Aim to
Resurrect Cultural Hub,”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/24/AR200…
New bakery “Georgetown Cupcake” open at 1209 Potomac
St (near 33rd & M). Owners considering new locations,
to include Dupont.
Wednesday, March 19: “Celebrate Our Neighborhood”
2008 Annual Spring Fling & Silent Auction
http://www.dupontcircle.biz/springfling.htm

February 28, 2008 No Comments

Redfin makes its debut in Dupont Circle

by Update

Maybe it’s been here before, but I haven’t seen its presence. Welcome to the disruption of the real estate industry in Washington, DC.

February 2, 2008 No Comments

Spending some time with the 17th Streetscape

by Update

Michael encouraged me to attend a public forum on the proposed 17th Streetscape.

I have limited exposure to both the project, and to residing in Washington, DC. I have visited 17th Street many times over the past 10 years and found it so unique among vital neighborhoods that I have known. With that perspective, the ideas presented brought with them some feelings.

First, I am pretty impressed with the plans as they seek to highlight the vitality of this street, and snapped some photos which demonstrate this. There is a plan to add some color in the form of a colored strip of tile that will parallel the street. In addition, some helpful work on trees that will be sustainable will happen, and a novel plan to include LED signage over the street.

I began to think about what this street is, though, and what it means. It has been home to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community, who have celebrated life and death. It continues to feed the emotions and stomachs of a population that struggles in its identity and for its health every day. As an example, there is a specialized pharmacy right next to one of the most popular bars.

I then began to think of the most thoughtful approaches to respecting the work of this community in other cities, such as:

Chicago, with its brand new Center on Halstead and the Halstead neighborhood in general, that highlights the achievement of GLBT leaders through its architecture.

Then there’s the Homomonument in Amsterdam, which “commemorates all gay men and lesbians who have been subjected to persecution because of their homosexuality”. I have stood in that square and remember the feeling of recognition and remembrance.

There’s Cal Anderson Park in Seattle, recently re-commissioned as a historical monument to one of that communities great LGBT leaders.

I also thought about the work that has been done on U Street, with Heritage Trail Signs, and signs proudly proclaiming the presence of Meridian Hill - Malcolm X Park. What presence should the new 17th Street Proclaim?

I understand that parks are not in scope for this project. At the same time, I ask the question - how would a person be aware that this street and community are home to some of the bravest people in our culture, at times forgotten in life, and in death? How could a streetscape identify the character of the community’s residents in a recognizable way, and beyond the fact that they throw a big party or two every year. What about the daily contribution the residents make to equality for all?

As Michael and I discussed this over lunch, he mentioned the work of Frank Kameny to me. Is Mr. Kameny the equivalent of Seattle’s Cal Anderson.

How would we think of remembering his contribution and everyone who came after him as we apply jackhammers to concrete?