Author Archive for Stephanie Liotta Atkinson

14
Feb
12

Woodridge is about to get sweeter

By stephanieliottaatkinson 11 Comments
Categories: Redevelopment

By Stephanie Liotta Atkinson

Woodridge is about to get sweeter.

In May 2011, two storefront properties in the Woodridge Main Street (2026 and 2028 Rhode Island Avenue NE) were purchased by an entity called “DC’s Chocolate Bar and Bakery LLC.”  The owners of the Chocolate Bar, it turns out, are two long-time Woodridge denizens, Dr. and Mrs. Larry and Tahiti McNair.  (If the name sounds familiar, Dr. McNair has a successful dentistry practice on Hamlin.)

In the 2026 RIA retail space Mrs. McNair will open a storefront for her existing organic soaps and skincare products business called Tahitian Treats.  With a BS in Biology and Chemistry, Mrs. McNair personally crafts her own line of hypoallergenic offerings for those with sensitive skin.  Tahitian Treats has been operating online for quite some time, and the Woodridge storefront will be the brick and mortar evolution of an already successful enterprise.  In addition to organic body products, Tahitian Treats will offer seated massage.

Next door in 2028 RIA, the McNairs are planning a veritable Wonkaland for Ward 5’s chocolate lovers.  DC’s Chocolate Bar and Bakery will feature organic chocolates, baked products (including cupcakes and breads), ice cream, smoothies, coffee, and light meals.  At least at the moment, the McNair’s have no plans to serve liquor on the premises (although some of their chocolate products will feature liquors).

Last night I got a peep at the Chocolate Bar’s spectacular design plans.  The McNairs are awaiting a permit to bump out the storefront windows, where they will ultimately install window-facing counter seating.  An entire side wall of the cafe will feature a countertop with stools (think 1950’s malt shop), behind which ice cream and shakes will be served up.  With additional tables, the Chocolate Bar will seat 35.  The McNairs are focused on creating a family-oriented environment suitable for kids and adults.  The tentative hours are 6:30am-9pm.  With the addition of free WiFi, Woodridge residents might actually have our very own place to have a cup of coffee, read the paper, check email, and hang out.  Imagine that?

We can anticipate a grand opening in June.

++————–++

Edit: the above post is edited to reflect the notion (addressed in the comments) that family-friendly does not preclude serving alcohol. I agree that an establishment can do both, and Argonaut is a perfect example.

09
Feb
12

You can testify in favor of economic development on Rhode Island Avenue NE

By stephanieliottaatkinson 5 Comments
Categories: Redevelopment

By Stephanie Liotta Atkinson

On February 21, 2012, 6-9 pm, at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, Council Chairman Kwame Brown, on behalf of the Council’s Committee of the Whole, will host a Public Oversight Roundtable on Economic Development Projects and Programs in Ward 5.

The public oversight roundtable has two purposes:

  1. to allow the District government witnesses to inform Ward 5 residents about the economic development projects and programs occurring in their neighborhoods, and
  2. to provide an opportunity for Ward 5 residents to testify on economic development matters and recommend areas for improvement.

I plan to testify and will advocate for targeted economic development on Rhode Island Avenue NE.  If you’d like to testify, sign up HERE.  Registration will be open until close of business on Monday, February 20, 2012.  You also need to submit an electronic copy of your testimony (see the FULL NOTICE for details).

Things to think about if you testify on behalf of Rhode Island Avenue NE:

  • Streetscape improvement (provide money for facade improvement, tree-planting, green the medians that separate the lanes, repair cracked sidewalks, add trash cans and planters, replace the gray “cobra” street lamps with the new black lamps and add more lamps, repaint and add more crosswalks, etc).
  • Increase police presence to reduce violent crime, drug-related crime, prostitution, and illegal sign-posting.  Certain RIA business owners report that they won’t improve their facades out of a fear that a spiffy storefront indicates to thugs that the business has money, which will increase robberies.  Reduce crime, incentivize facade improvement.
  • Provide incentives for specialty grocers, restaurants, dry-cleaners, and other neighborhood-serving small businesses to locate on RIA.
  • Find a solution to the RIA parking issue that scares off potential business owners.
  • Create bike lanes on the Avenue and install Bikeshare stations.
  • Provide a more dedicated source of transportation from 4th & RIA to the Woodridge Main Street.  Move us up the street-car wait list. Or add busses.
  • Penalize cab companies that won’t serve Ward 5 residents.
  • Moratorium on auto-related businesses.
  • Improve the pitiful appearance of the RIA gateway at Eastern Ave.
  • Revise the zoning immediately surrounding RIA to allow for increased density.  Encourage developers to build reasonably-sized multi-family buildings along the Avenue (and make sure there’s adequate bus service to get these folks to the metro).

What else should we be advocating for?

Recap
Event: Public Oversight Roundtable on Economic Development Projects and Programs in Ward 5
Date: February 21, 2012
Time: 6-9pm
Location: Turkey Thicket Recreation Center 1100 Michigan Avenue NE, 20017

19
Jan
12

A New Ward 5 Woodridge Library in the Pipeline

By stephanieliottaatkinson 8 Comments
Categories: Redevelopment

By Stephanie Liotta Atkinson

Last night I attended what is sure be the first of many community meetings regarding the reconstruction of the Woodridge Library (1801 Hamlin St NE (corner of RIA and 18th NE)).  If you haven’t mapped out DCPL’s locations recently, allow me to summarize: the Woodridge Library is not remotely near any other library (2.5 miles to Shaw), so if you live in Woodridge, Langdon, Brentwood, or Brookland, you should care about this.

Photo Courtesy of Jaime Fearer

PRESENTERS

  • Chief Librarian, Ginnie Cooper
  • Director of Capital Construction, Jeff Bonvechio
  • Intergovernmental Affairs Officer, Archie Williams
  • Communications and Community Outreach, Martha Saccocio
NOTES 
Back in the early 2000s the powers that be decided that all of DC’s libraries needed to be modernized.  The order of redevelopment and funding for each project was determined by DC Council in 2004-2005.  Woodridge was plopped at the back of the line, and initial plans were to start the modernization effort in 2010.  In the mean time 13 other projects have been undertaken to modernize DCPL facilities in the District.  Enter Mayor Fenty, who pulled funding for the Woodridge renovation in 2010.  Then enter Mayor Gray, who reinstated Woodridge in the capital budget.  So, we’re behind schedule, but at least we’re getting a new library.  Thank you Mayor Gray.
The first step DCPL took was to determine whether Woodridge would get a renovation or a total rebuild.  To make this decision DCPL commissioned a Building Condition Assessment and a Cost-Benefit Analysis.  The assessment scores a library on a scale of 0-100.  The Woodridge Library scored a 24.  In layman’s terms: our library is a hooptie – from the HVAC to the electrical system, to the out-of-date ADA compliance.  Given the remarkably low score, DCPL has decided to demolish the existing library and build a new one.
The Woodridge Library project is budgeted and fully funded at $16.5M (over several years). $12M covers hard construction costs, while the rest goes to design, project management, fixtures, and interim space costs.
Timeline:
  • An RFP was issued on Nov 28 2011.
  • 20 proposals were received by Jan 8 2012.
  • An internal evaluation of the proposals will be conducted and completed by DCPL in February 2012.  From there the top 3-5 firms will be identified.
  • The top firms will be asked to make presentations to DCPL’s evaluation committee in late February/early March.  It’s not exactly clear who is on this committee, but it will include two members of the public.  Sharon Turner, President of the Friends of Woodridge Library, was selected by former Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.  A second person will be selected by Vincent Orange some time next week.
  • Once the committee selects a design contract, that contract will go to the DC Council for approval in mid/late March (it needs approval because the contract is worth more than $1M).
  • The specifics of the design process will be hashed out from spring through late fall, and will involve quite a bit of community engagement (assuming this is done right).
  • In late 2012 or early 2013 the library collection and staff will move to an interim facility.  The facility needs to be 3000-5000 sq/ft and could be a storefront space.  (Hello, Rhode Island Avenue…)  It’s also possible that DCPL will lease a 4200 sq/ft modular space.
  • The construction process will start in Jan 2013 and is predicted to last 15-18 months.
  • If all goes according to plan, expect ribbon cutting by Fall 2014.
Specs:
  • The current building is 19500 sq/ft (gross, counting furnace space, etc.).  The new library is slated to be 22500 sq/ft.  It remains to be seen whether the library will remain one floor or expand upward.  When I asked whether there would be a mixed use component, as has been done in other parts of the city, the notion was pretty much shot down.  (I will still bite some ankles before I let that idea die…)
  • When I asked whether the design will interface with Langdon Park, which forms the southern boundary of the Woodridge Library, DCPL was quite enthusiastic about the idea.
  • The redesign will focus on space that is flexible, welcoming, and open.  Check out the list of “Completed Projects” to get a sense of where we are probably going with the aesthetics.  The new libraries are all modern, airy, and open.
  • Other details:
    • The new building should have a 50 year lifespan (at a minimum)
    • Space for 80K books (minimum)
    • 200+ reader seats
    • Technology: 24 adult computers; 8 for teens; 8 for children
    • Meeting room that can hold at least 100 people (in chairs)
    • 2 conference rooms that will hold 12-16 people (can be reserved thru library webpage)
    • Study rooms (4-6 rooms, hold at least 2 people)
    • Children’s program room
    • Listening system for hearing impaired
    • Will have more plugs so that laptop use is easier
    • The Friends of Woodridge Library space will be significantly reduced to 100-150 sq-ft, which apparently adds $50K to the budget.
      • Sidebar:  Really, seriously?  You can buy a pre-fabbed Home Depot shed of the same dimensions for $2K…
    • The library currently has, and will continue to have, free WiFi, from which you can Skype, etc.
    • Parking is up in the air and will depend on the design proposals.
    • There may be a cafe cart big enough to house two “big” vending machines or a counter for coffee service.
    • The library will have a security system that includes cameras.
  • Sharon Turner pointed out that the library needs a business center type facility (equipped with copy machines, fax, etc.).  I agree with her, especially given Ward 5′s unemployment rate.  I will probably write a separate post on this idea.  DOES and DCPL should consider a joint venture job placement center at the Woodridge Library.

DCPL expressed interest in soliciting feedback at neighborhood meetings, so you can expect to see them around the Ward over the next 6 months.  I will provide updates as details become available.

17
Jan
12

The old Safeway is becoming a Sav-A-Lot

By stephanieliottaatkinson 21 Comments
Categories: Redevelopment
Tags: ,

By Stephanie Liotta Atkinson

Here’s a bit of gossip for Insider discussion…the old Safeway site at 4th & RIA NE will be tenanted with a Sav-A-Lot.

Save-A-Lot bills itself as “one of the nation’s leading extreme value, carefully selected assortment grocery chains, operating nearly 1,200 value-oriented stores in all types of neighborhoods — urban, rural and suburban,” delivering “savings, up to 40% compared to conventional grocery stores.”

More details are available from Washington City Paper’s Lydia DePillis

10
Jan
12

FoRIA All-Hands 2012 Planning Meeting

By stephanieliottaatkinson 6 Comments
Categories: Redevelopment
Tags: , , , , , ,

Those you who are FoRIA members already received an email about this, but for the rest of the Insider readers, we want to invite you to FoRIA’s 2012 All-Hands Planning Meeting.

Date: January 23

Time: 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Location: Art Enables 2204 Rhode Island Avenue NE.

Agenda

  • Brief introduction of FoRIA
  • Recap of Progress
  • Break-Out Planning Committees: Community Events, Business Development, and Street-Scape
  • Recap of Each Committee
  • Miscellaneous Business

Light refreshments will be served during the planning meeting.

Please RSVP if you can make it at info@friendsofria.org.

Please also join us afterward for drinks at Lace!

09
Jan
12

PART 3: Ward 5: DC’s Craft Brewing Capital: Low Brau

By stephanieliottaatkinson 6 Comments
Categories: Redevelopment
By Stephanie Liotta Atkinson
Three breweries, three different stages of the commercialization process, all in Ward 5.  This mini-series on brewing in Ward 5 now turns to a fledgling start-up: Low Brau.

Steve Sorrell is a Fort Totten resident and long-time home brewer.  For several years Steve has been brewing five gallon batches in his Fort Totten row house, perfecting his recipes and honing his craft.  At the dawn of 2012, Steve is ready to leave the nest for a commercial space where he can brew for wider consumption.  For the past several weeks he’s been on the hunt for a location amongst Ward 5’s CM-zoned (manufacturing) warehouses.  From these new digs, Steve will brew under the name Low Brau.

Low Brau’s motto is “embracing simplicity” – German simplicity.  Steve spent a chunk of his youth in Germany and maintained his connection to German culture when he moved to PG County for high school.  His identification with German culture engendered an appreciation for German brewing techniques.  As a result, Low Brau’s cornerstone offerings feature only the four main ingredients of beer: water, yeast, German noble hops, and malt, without any adjuncts to flavor the beer.  Steve does expect to brew seasonal beers that feature natural adjuncts, but those will be exceptions rather than the norm.

Low Brau’s flagship brew called the Heidi Weiss is a German style Weiss (wheat) beer (it’s named after Steve’s energetic Jack Russell, Heidi).  The Heidi is a session beer meant to be refreshing and in the lower alcohol range (falling somewhere in the 5% range, equivalent to an American Lager).  It has fruity and clove notes with a huge head that adds to the aromatics.  The Heidi is unfiltered, so it has a cloudy deep orange color with tiny effervescent bubbles resulting from champagne and weizen yeast.  It’s delicious, smooth, and hopefully coming to a tasting room near you soon.

Steve is aiming for a 2012 opening of a Ward 5 nanobrewery: a 2 barrel system that will yield 4 kegs per cycle, and a number of fermentation vessels for production.  He has been touring various locations in the Ward in search of a space that fits his size requirements and is in decent shape.  So far he hasn’t committed to a space, but I’ll update the blog when he does.

As the lone brewer, Steve is initially planning to stay small and specialized with his German brewing style.  (Limited partners would undoubtedly increase Low Brau’s distribution capacity.)  He will also feature a weizenbock, called the Totten Bock.  The Totten will be a wheat beer but closer to the 9-10% alcohol range (this is characteristic of weizenbocks).  With caramel malts it will be a bit darker than his Heidi, and will have a sweeter amber flavor and higher alcohol content.  Low Brau will also offer a seasonal apfelwein (hard apple cider) made from local apples that is dry, light and crisp.

Low Brau’s new website is up and running (although still has some holes): www.lowbraudc.com  Stay tuned for updates on where Low Brau finally opens shop.

Note: the two professional-looking photos courtesy of Nubbs Photography.

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