Spring is here. Well, more or less, anyway. As flowers begin to pop up across the city, so too will local farmers markets.
Wondering when the market near you will open? Here’s a helpful guide:
BBQ Joint could be slinging pulled pork, ribs and turkey at 14th and U streets NW as early as this Friday.
Company representative Tricia Barba said Chef Andrew Evans was “playing it by ear” but hopes to soft-open the barbecue eatery on Friday. BBQ Joint was previously slated to open by March 1. (more…)
(Updated at 11:55 a.m.) A slice of the bustling intersection of 14th and U streets NW is available for lease after the closure of a cell phone store.
Workers yesterday put up “space available” signs on the windows of the former Cricket shop on the southeast corner of 14th and U streets. It wasn’t immediately clear when the store shut down.
Commercial real estate company CBRE is advertising online almost 4,000 square feet of street-level space for lease, as well as about 7,500 square feet available on other floors.
The space for rent appears to include Edges barber shop, Why Not Boutique and other businesses. But the fate of those stores wasn’t immediately clear.
The popular farmers market at the corner of 14th and U streets NW will stock its carts with cherries, and several types of berries as well as pasta from local producer Cucina Al Volo this weekend from 9 a.m to 1 p.m.
Other newly added foods include apricots, red currants, spicy amatriciana sauce, fennel, and radish kimchi.
The market will also stock its normal supply of local fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese and herbs.
The market’s director, Robin Shuster, says the market will additionally sell a large number of freshly harvested whole carrots that can be used in a wide variety of dishes.
“Don’t throw away fresh carrot tops,” says Shuster. “You make pesto and other things from it.”
Photo via Facebook.com/14UFarmersMarket
Crane tower at the Louis removed this past weekend. (Luis Gomez Photos)
This past weekend JBG removed the tower crane from the Louis project at 14th and U NW — although the complex is far from done. Construction on the Louis started a year ago and reached the top floor about two weeks ago. As JBG Cos. begins work on the facade, installation of a covered walkway for pedestrians gets under way.
The historic façade of what used to be El Paraiso Restaurant has now been supported and façade restoration work is underway. Brick and window installation for the buildings will be well underway by the end of the month. The Louis project is on schedule, according to JBG Cos., and they hope to finish the entire project by the end of 2013.
The Louis will have nine floors (seven floors on the southern end of the 14th Street side) and 268 rental units, with a mix of floor plans that runs from studio apartments up to two-bedroom units — and several penthouse units on the top level. The three-level underground parking garage will have 40 spaces for retail customers and 110 spaces for residential renter.
Topping off the entire building will be a pool. The Louis has already secured some tenants for its retail space: Trader Joe’s, The Wydown Coffee Bar and Tico from Chef Michael Schlow.
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Sidney. (Dafna Steinberg)
From Dafna Steinberg. Follow her @AlizaySteinberg. Email her at dafna[AT]borderstan.com.
Borderstan is sorrounded by fashion and fashionistas up, down and all around. Here we showcase their style.
Fashion Friday: Street Style showcases fashionable people in Borderstan. After I photograph them, I ask them what they were thinking when they got dressed.
This is Sidney. I met him while shopping around Martha’s Outfitters one spring day. When I asked him what inspired his style, he told me:
“I like the 30s and the 40s. Thats how I dress.”
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From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
Construction at the Louis. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Construction on the Louis at 14th and U streets NW has kicked into high gear.
The building, designed by architect Eric Colbert & Associates, will feature 268 luxury apartment units (a mix of studio, one- and two-bedrooms) and approximately 42,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. In addition, the Louis will have an underground parking garage with 148 spaces.
The developer, JBG Cos., released some updates on the mixed-use development and here are the details:
- The concrete is up to the fifth floor, and the developers expect the structure to top out around the first week of April.
- Work on the skin of the building will begin this month.
- Electric Vaults are being installed. Developers expect permanent power to the property in May.
- Plumbing has begun in the garage levels and will begin on the above grade levels this month.
- Interior masonry has started in the garage.
Louis is scheduled to be completed by December 2013 and will also feature a rooftop terrace with grilling stations, fire pits, lounge-style seating, an outdoor movie theater, a pool, a spa-quality fitness center with a yoga room and a business center with meeting space.
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From David McAuley. Email at david[AT]borderstan.com
ANC 2B discussed growler sales the the 14th and U liquor license moratorium. (David McAuley.)
At its meeting last night (February 13), Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2B‘s discussion on the controversial 14th and U Liquor License Moratorium was limited to procedural issues. No public comment, for or against the proposal itself, was solicited or accepted by the committee. No members of the public attempted to speak about the moratorium during the part of the meeting when the Commission addressed it.
“Look for public meetings in late March,” said Kevin O’Connor, commissioner for ANC 2B-02, and chairman of the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) Policy Committee — referring to a previous proposal to hold a joint committee meeting of the ANCs that fall within the boundaries of the proposed moratorium. This proposal for a joint committee was first passed as a resolution at the meeting of Logan Circle area ANC 2F on February 6. It was discussed and characterized as a “super-committee” at the U Street area ANC 1B meeting on February 7.
“It sends a better message if we coordinate,” O’Connor also said.
Commissioner Noah Smith (ANC 2B-09) said that calling the joint meeting a “super-committee” was inaccurate. He said that the joint meetings should be considered “listening sessions”, in which the commissioners will hear the opinions of the community. No votes would be taken at the joint meetings, Smith said.
Smith also disagreed with an opinion expressed by supporters of the moratorium. Supporters, said Smith, had asserted that local communities would not be effected if it did not fall within the proposed boundaries of the moratorium. Smith said that communities near the proposed moratorium will be effected as well.
Dupont Circle is currently the site of two existing liquor license moratoriums, one at Dupont West (centered at the corner of 21st and P Streets NW), and the other on 17th Street NW. The 17th Street liquor license moratorium is due to expire in September 2013, according to the committee.
Earlier in the same meeting, ANC2B voted unanimously in favor of widening the availability of growlers in the Dupont area. Owing to a gap in DC’s recent omnibus ABRA legislation, local liquor and grocery stores in certain parts of DC were not allowed to sell growlers without local ANC permission. ANC2B’s vote means that all liquor and grocery stores in its jurisdiction that have already received permission to sell single units of alcohol in other forms will now be able to sell growlers as well.
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Daniel Mahdavian. (Dafna Steinberg)
From Dafna Steinberg. Follow her @AlizaySteinberg. Email her at dafna[AT]borderstan.com.
Borderstan is sorrounded by fashion and fashionistas up, down and all around. Here we showcase their style.
Fashion Friday: Street Style showcases fashionable people in Borderstan. After I photograph them, I ask them what they were thinking when they got dressed.
This is Daniel Mahdavian. I met him over the summer. When asked what he was thinking when he put his outfit together, he said:
“I was thinking ‘beach’.”
Which is what I think we are all dreaming about now in this cold weather. Hopefully, Daniel’s great color scheme and attention to perfected detail can get us all in the mood for new upcoming spring looks! Notice the ring on his finger? That’s sterling silver Versace!
The proposed liquor license moratorium for 14th and U Streets NW.
From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
The heated debate over liquor licensing between some local residents and neighborhood businesses is nothing new to the Borderstan area. However, a recent push from two neighborhood groups to establish a liquor license moratorium zone for the 14th and U Street NW corridor added fuel to the already lit fire.
The proposed moratorium appears to be the reason behind a new anti-NIMBY website, In My Backyard. This site, whose owner is only given as “Michael,” is “a group designed to counter the small-but-powerful NIMBYs in your neighborhood,” according to a message on the landing page.
“What an amazingly stupid idea,” wrote one commentator, in reference to Borderstan’s piece about the proposed moratorium, posted January 22. “Let’s distort the market and discourage further development. If these people need something better to do with their free time, maybe they could do some volunteer work around the area. I’m sure there are some kids who could use tutors.”
Another commentator wrote, “Harming and estranging local small businesses takes away both their incentive and the financial wherewithal to meet the expense burden of sustaining a business-oriented entity such as a BID.”
One commentator posted a link to an opposing petition on the matter. So far there are 775 supporting signatures. (See New Citizens’ Organization Seeks Different Path for 14th Uand Online Petition Opposing Liquor License Moratorium Draws Support.)
Of the 22 commenters on Borderstan’s story, none spoke in favor of the moratorium.
In My Backyard
In My Backyard says, “It has been too easy for small groups that do not represent most DC residents to derail any kind of new development in DC,” says the website’s homepage. “With just a few signatures and some complaining, these groups successfully stop businesses and homebuilders from serving the needs of DC residents. It’s my opinion that DC will be better off with more options for consumers, not fewer.”
According the website, its primary function is to submit petitions and comments to City Council, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and the Alcohol Beverage Control Board in support of the new developments that “can provide homes and jobs for our growing community.”
So what say you, Borderstan? Are these comments and is this website representative of the majority of the neighborhood’s feelings? Or is the issue of liquor licensing a divided issue in the neighborhood?
And “Michael,” email me — we’d like to interview you.
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From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com.
Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.
An assault with intent to kill took place in the 2000 block of 14th Street NW early Saturday morning and the Metropolitan Police Department is asking for assistance in locating the suspect. According to a release, the incident occurred at approximately 3:40 am on January 19 near U Street NW. An adult male victim was stabbed in the stomach (Man Stabbed in Stomach Near 14th and U NW). His injuries from the stabbing were not life threatening and he was in stable condition at a local hospital after the assault.
Police have posted a YouTube video of surveillance footage from a restaurant showing the alleged suspect just before the incident. The suspect is described by police as a black male in his late 20s or early 30s about 5’10” to 6″ tall and weighing approximately 175 to 190 pounds. He has a light complexion, a beard, and a large bush hairstyle.
Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police at 202-727-9099.
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The intersection of 14th and U Streets NW. (Borderstan file photo)
DC Police reported early Sunday morning, December 16, that two men were stabbed at the intersection of 14th and U Streets NW, at 3:48 am. Both men were conscious after being stabbing, one in the chest and one in the arm.
From DC Police Alerts: “Stabbing 0348 hrs 2000 14th St NW/ 2 Victims/ No lookout DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20120629369, Sent on: 12/16 04:48.”
From DC Police Twitter feed: “3D Dbl Stabbing-2000 blk 14th St NW/ 2 Adult males, 1 stabbed in chest, 1-in arm. Both conscious & breathing/ No Lookout// 2495.”
Police Alerts, More Information
You can sign up for alerts through Alert DC and get alerts by e-mail, cell phone, pager or wireless PDA. When signing up, you can select alerts on crime, transportation, utility outages/issues, government closings, breaking news, DC-sponsored events and Amber Alerts. You can follow the DC Police on Twitter @DCPoliceDept.
You can get more information about crime in the Borderstan area through the MPD listservs for the Second and Third Districts on Yahoo! Groups.
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14th & U Farmers Market. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
The warm weather is weaning and so is the summer and early fall’s bountiful harvest. This Saturday, November 10, is the next-to-last week of the 14 and U Farmers’ Market.
Stop by the market this weekend to checkout its seasonal variety of squashes, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, Brussels sprouts and more. Whether you are gathering some inspiration for your Thanksgiving Day spread, or just simply picking up your produce (and baked goods) for the week, the 14th and U Farmers Market has what you are looking for.
And if you need some food inspiration, be sure to browse the market’s Facebook page — it has lots of yummy recipes for fresh and seasonal dishes.
The market will be open from 9 am until 1 pm. If you’re still looking for a market to visit this winter, the Dupont Farmers Market is open Sundays 8:30 am to 1 pm April through December, and Sundays 10 am to 1 pm January through March.
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Meoux on 14th Street NW. (Dafna Steinberg)
From Dafna Steinberg. Follow her @AlizaySteinberg. Email her at dafna[AT]borderstan.com.
Borderstan is sorrounded by fashion and fashionistas up and down and all around. Here we showcase their style.
Fashion Friday: Street Style showcases fashionable people in Borderstan. After I photograph them, I ask them what they were thinking when they got dressed.
“I’m an architecture student, so I think proportion. And volume. And I wanted to look cute.”
Diala and Laila at Peregrine Espresso on 14th Street NW. (Dafna Steinberg)
From Dafna Steinberg. Follow her @AlizaySteinberg. Email her at dafna[AT]borderstan.com.
Borderstan is sorrounded by fashion and fashionistas up and down and all around. Here we showcase their style.
Fashion Friday: Street Style showcases fashionable people in Borderstan. After I photograph them, I ask them what they were thinking when they got dressed.
Here are Diala and Laila. I met them in Peregrine Espresso on 14th Street. They had matching Marc Jacobs handbags.
- Diala: “I just like the bright pants and the polka dot combo”
- Laila: “Just day off comfort, I guess.”
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