DSCN6641, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I saw this team removing graffiti from street signs on 11th Street. It looked like absolutely miserable work. They basically spray some god awful chemical on the graffiti and scrub like hell. I’m going to give props to the folks who perform what could be one of the most thankless jobs in the city.

Sweet house numbers, originally uploaded by danmillerlists.

Marion Street (in Shaw) represent! On Monday a different reader submitted a door of the day from Marion Street.

DSCN6752, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I’ve gone on record with my weakness for bungalows…

What do you think about the stone columns and chimney on this one?

Back in September I did a quick update on this corner. But since then it seems a new developer has taken over. This is an old picture so I believe the fence is now down and there is more empty space.  Many thanks to a reader for tracking down this update:

“A new, big, permanent looking sign was put up today. It has the exact same plan as the previous signs but this one is from Sperry Van Ness. They specialize in condos and retail spaces.

I did some digging and found this http://www.svn.com/aspx/pws/Template2/default.aspx?TranID=71467.

It looks like they are still looking for investors. $3,000,000 for .18 acres of land plus building permits seems pretty steep to me.”

If you click on the link – what do you think about the rendering?

Car repairs? How would one get a car into the park in the first place?

We first looked at the Moderno located at 12th and U back in September but it wasn’t quite completed yet so I thought it was worth another look. I think it turned out pretty well. What do you think about the big windows?

This shot was taken by jsmjr.  I posted this one because I’ve never actually seen a bus look like this in DC.  I think it looks pretty sweet.  Has anyone else seen or ridden one of these new buses?  Are they better than the regular ones?

Submit your photos to the PoPville flickr pool here.

As you’ve seen I spent some time in 16th Street Heights last weekend so I thought for sure I’d find a good house porn selection. Right away I was excited about this stand alone house located at 4615 16th Street, NW:

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The flier says:

“Elegant Italianate-influenced center hall brick colonial with deep front and rear yards. Includes four finished levels and features high ceilings, crown moldings, french doors, stone fireplace and great hardwood floors. Generous size rooms including sunny den and sitting rooms on 1st & 2nd levels. Estate property in good livable condition selling “As IS”.”

More info and photos found here.

This house actually isn’t too far from yesterday’s GDoN post. But I thought this one was worth noting because it’s a stand alone and I was taken with the front porch. You may recall I qualify house porn for homes over $1 million. This home is on the market for $699,000. Suffice it to say I was pleasantly surprised. In addition to the price what do you think about the house itself?

There’s another nice one for the same price a couple blocks north at 4834 16th Street if you want to compare the two.

Our discussion on Columbia Heights development got me thinking about Panda Express. The last few weekends when I’ve walked through Columbia Heights near the metro (14th and Irving), Five Guys, Pete’s and Potbelly’s have all been packed. But Panda Express always only has a handful of customers. As far as fast food is concerned, it’s pretty decent. I mean it’s no Szechuan House for sure. But as far as fast food is concerned are there any Panda Express fans out there? Or if you’re getting fast food are you always going to hit potbelly’s, Five Guys, or grab a slice of pizza at Pete’s?

Last weekend I had one of my usual cravings for Taco Bell. Instead of hitting my usual spot on 14th Street I decided to hit the one on Connecticut Avenue in Van Ness. I had a beef mexi melt and a nachos supreme washed down with a Dr. Pepper. Delicious. But I mention this because I ended up stumbling down Tilden Street in post T-bell ecstasy. What amazed me was that ten minutes ago I was on busy Connecticut Avenue and the next thing I knew I wound up in beautiful Rock Creek Park. I often hit the park in the warmer months but it was so refreshing to explore a bit in near solitude. The creek itself was amazing. I even spotted a little waterfall that had me mesmerized.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

JBG_13thandU_project, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Thanks to a reader for alerting me to this info. Proposed image of the hotel courtesy of the developer, JBG. The Cardozo Shaw Neighborhood Association has lots of info:

The JBG Companies are currently working on a project proposal to develop a transit oriented, LEED Silver certified mixed-use hotel to be built at the corner of 13th and U Street, NW, replacing the existing building at this corner. This proposal, named by JBG as the “U Street Hotel,” has been the focus of much discussion in the neighborhood; JBG has provided information to CSNA about the current status of this project.

According to JBG, plans call for an approximate 4-Star hotel, best described as boutique and independently managed. The hotel will consist of as many as 250 guestrooms, 4,500 square feet of meeting space and 23,000 square feet of retail space. The hotel will include a signature restaurant, a rooftop bar and swimming pool and a proposed rotating art exhibit which will all be open to the public.

Holy cow a roftop bar and swimming pool sounds beyond cool. Do you think a hotel would be successful at this location? What do you think of the rendering?

DSCN6668, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

You can find last week’s winner here. Your caption in the comments and winner announced Friday. I’m anticipating some good ones…

DSCN6762, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Wuh? I hadn’t heard about this before. Back in May the original Mocha Hut (coffee shop) in 14th Street Heights reopened. Well, now I’m really confused. Does anyone know if they just changed names or if ownership changed? Who’s got the scoop?

Trash Truck Decorations, originally uploaded by Karol A.

“My 4 roommates and I are relatively new to the area (1 year in Columbia Heights, 2 years in the Columbia Heights/Petworth area) and we have run into a bit of a hurdle that we are hoping others in the area might be able to help us with. We live on the 2800 block of Sherman Avenue and have now gone about 4 months of battling with the Department of Public Works. It is important to note here that we are the only house on the block that receives trash/recycling pick up from the city. Every Tuesday/Friday morning, with the exception of maybe 4 times, DPW has skipped our block for trash and/or recycling. When we come home to find the trash/recycling still there, we call the number they provided to complain, they give us a confirmation number, and they tell us to leave it out it will be picked up in the next 48 hours. They never come. We call again, and they tell us they will make a note for our trash/recycling to be picked up for the next scheduled day. As you might imagine, when they do not come several times in a row, our trash and recycling gets very backed up. We are often reduced to piling it all into the car and driving it around to find a dumpster (recycling included). This has become a weekly ritual and our neighbors have grown so angry at the trash/recycling being left out that they have called the inspector on us and have contacted our own landlord who is now threatening to fine us. Of course, we wish they would have come to us so we could explain the situation before contacting our landlord, but obviously this has escalated and we are lost as to how we can remedy this situation. Anyone else ever have this problem? Any advice on how to deal with our neighbors who have yet to approach us about this issue?”

Wow, that is unbelievably frustrating. First and foremost you should contact your Councilmember (Graham). One thing that made Fenty such a successful Councilmember was his attention to constituent services. Other Councilmembers recognize how important responsiveness to these issues have become. I was also look into your ANC representative, they too can be helpful in resolving city service issues.

As far as approaching neighbors, I think it would be perfectly fair to knock on their doors at a reasonable hour and explain to them the situation. I think if you are respectful and apologetic they will be very understanding. You can also tell them the steps you have already taken as well as the steps you will take (ie contacting the Councilmember). Has anyone else encountered a situation like this? How was it resolved? Any other suggestions?

DSCN6723, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

This is located outside the Embassy of Mexico. I’m gonna guess Pancho Villa?