Washington Business Journal had the scoop this morning:

“Store manager Dion Barela confirmed the impending closing Tuesday, saying the store plans to close its doors around March 15, depending on how soon it sells out of its merchandise.”

We judged the building and the store exactly a year ago. Will folks miss West Elm?

The WBJ also has the scoop on the replacement tenant – Forever 21.

I must be totally out of it because I’ve never even heard of Forever 21. Any fans out there?

This unusual home is being built near all the great houses of the day I’ve been showing in Forest Hills.

I’m super intrigued by the walkway:

Pretty wild, yeah? The project is being done by Travis Price Architects. I’ll be sure to update when it’s completed.

Thanks to a reader for sending from Rock Creek Church and Warder Streets, NW.

“A snowman’s life is short

Once it’s gone that’s it

Life is good

Enjoy ever(y) moment”

This house is located at Snows Court at 25th Street NW.

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Nestled into a quiet old-world court in the middle of the city, this cute small house is an easy walk to the main State Department offices, GWU, IMF / World Bank, Trader Joe’s, The Kennedy Center, several restaurants, coffee shops, and convenience stores, and walking distance to Georgetown, the Mall, and more. Street parking is readily available, and many nearby garages offer monthly rates. This house is ideal for those in town for a few weeks or months on business who are in need of a pet-friendly furnished place.
The historic two-story townhouse [about 600 sf] was built in the late 19th century and features modern conveniences.”

Do you think $2950 sounds reasonable for this unusual 1 bedroom?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Tyrannous.

“Dear PoP,

I’m in the market to expand the landing/deck on the rear of my Petworth rowhouse to a more useful space. The landing currently goes about half the width of the house with stairs to ground level (basically, it provides access to a the main level of the house from the rear – this seems to be quite common in the neighborhood). I’d like to expand it to the full width of the house and bump it out to the maximum allowed depth.

The quandry I’m in is as follows: Can I use the gray area of the “postcard” permit which states that you can perform:
“Repairs of one of the following items: Front porch and steps in a single family dwelling” (http://dcra.dc.gov/dcra/cwp/view,a,1343,q,634854.asp#1)

Or do I have to go with the full-blown permitting route of getting a CAD drawing signed off by a DC-licensed architect, waiting for the DCRA approval process, etc?

If I go with the former (much less cumbersome and expensive route), is the only risk a $2000 penalty from DCRA? http://dcra.dc.gov/dcra/frames.asp?doc=/dcra/lib/dcra/information/publications/residents_guide_to_illegal_construction.pdf

Given the fact that the drawings and permit will cost about $1200 through a contractor, it seems a calculated risk worth taking. What have people in the neighborhood done before?”

We discussed roof decks here but does anyone have any experience with a regular deck?

Today is going to feature some cool unusual shots. Above is from oconnicole from Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park. Below is a super cool shot from Mr. T in DC.

And lastly is a super cool reflection from rosiedawn.

Submit your photos via email or to the PoPville flickr pool here.

This condo is located at 907 Euclid Street, NW:

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The flier says:

“WOW!Finally 1 bed units just off U St. for under $300K that has all the space your buyers are looking for. Stone, SS & all that jazz- the value is here in the size and location. A few blocks from the 11th St. party zone & all the new developments in Columbia Heights. Smart location for the saavy purchaser. other units avail. FHA coming.”

You can see more info and photos here.

I’m not sure this location is “just off U St.” but I don’t think the location is too bad. Do you think $279,450 sounds reasonable for this 1 bedroom/1 bath?

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A couple of readers are wondering what was going on this morning:

“When I left for work a bit before 9am today, there were several squad cars and police tape at the corner of Florida and Sherman.”

and

“On Sherman and Berry this AM (8:50ish), the police had Berry closed through Florida and there was a large group of very well-dressed folks milling around. Is there an event today?”

Anyone know what was going on?

Etete is located at 1942 9th Street, NW. I recently heard someone mention that this where the Ambassador of Ethiopia sometimes eats. Not sure if that is true but Etete definitely got some love when we judged nearby Dukem back in June of ’08. You can see Etete’s menu here. Any fans?

Simply Soles was located at 1438 Park Road, NW. I always thought this was a tough location for a women’s shoe store. In March they will be opening up in a new location at 3222 M Street, NW in Georgetown. Owner Kassie Kempel writes:

“With retail being what it was in 2009 a lot of opportunities came up that I couldn’t ignore. I hated leaving Columbia Heights but I also couldn’t justify staying there and paying the same rent that I could get in G-town. Hopefully a great place will take over the CH location.”

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the current Bruce Monroe School Demolition schedule and proposed plans. A group has emerged opposing a parking lot. They write:

Dear PoP,

Demolition at the Bruce Monroe Elementary School (bounded by Georgia Avenue, Irving Street and Columbia Road) is now scheduled to be complete in late April. At a community meeting this week, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development announced a proposal to convert the majority of the parcel into a surface parking lot for commuters, who are likely to be employees of one of the large employers on this side of town. The parking lot is to be an interim use, which the District says could last 3-5 years.

Many neighbors of the site think a surface parking lot, for however long, is a very bad idea. This will do nothing to benefit the community, will be harmful to the environment, and the revenue it raises — which the District would share — will not be targeted to any particular use in the neighborhood. By contrast, the Gage-Eckington School in LeDroit Park was nearly the same size as the Bruce Monroe parcel, demolition was begun at about the same time, and yet the residents of that community are about to enjoy a permanent 3-acre park with an urban vegetable farm.

The next community meeting on this topic is March 8. In the meantime, please help strengthen the opposition by visiting http://www.stopthelot.com to learn more and sign an online petition.

Pleasant Plains and Park View deserve better.

– The Stop the Lot Coalition

Does anyone actually support the idea of a parking lot here?

Photo by PoPville flickr user annejuliet

The following was written by PoP contributor Eric Nuzum. You can read Eric’s previous contributions here.

Perhaps I’ve just been too busy with diaper-changing duties for the amazing tiny human being that my wife and I welcomed on Christmas Day, but this news somehow got passed me for awhile. In January, concert megaenormopus Live Nation quietly changed the name of their amphitheater in Bristow, Virginia, the venue formerly known as Nissan Pavilion.

I was driving down the road last week when I heard a radio announcement for an upcoming show there and said out loud to myself, “Did they just say what I think they just said?”

They did.

When I got home, looked it up and learned that Nissan Pavilion is now known as (if this is news to you, please brace yourself):

Jiffy Lube Live.

Yes, you read that correctly. Greater Washington’s largest rock concert venue is now known as Jiffy Lube Live.

It’s such a jawdroppingly ridiculous idea that it almost zaps all the joy out of making fun of the name. I mean, there are probably no two words in the English language with less rock-n-roll cred than “jiffy” and “lube.”

And if that weren’t enough, they somehow decided to “jazz things up” a bit by adding “Live” at the end, as if simply naming the place “Jiffy Lube” wouldn’t do (though that might confuse people who want to go to an actual Jiffy Lube). Some consultant wearing a $200 tie thought the addition of “Live” at the end of “Jiffy Lube” would somehow make it more exciting. I mean, you wouldn’t want to end up with some unexciting name like, say, Nissan Pavilion or Verizon Center or anything.

But most shocking of all is that Live Nation made this change just a few weeks before the Justice Department ruled on anti-trust concerns over their merger with Ticketmaster. If word of this had spread before Justice gave the okay, I’m sure this would have scuttled the deal. Even the most ardent free market zealot has to admit there are some cases where The Man can have too much unchecked power–like the power to call a rock venue Jiffy Lube Live.  Continues after the jump. (more…)

“Dear PoP,

I walked past the Mocha Lounge yesterday and although it was closed, it looked really inviting- lots of pillows, armchairs, sort of a Euro cafe vibe (at least to my caffeine-starved brain). Do you know if they’re actually serving coffee there yet? Yelp says the bar area has opened but I’m more interested in the espresso.”

When I last wrote about Mocha Lounge, located at 944 Florida Ave, NW, a few commenters mentioned that it was open for a new year’s party. Sadly every time I’ve walked by during the day it has been closed. So for those that live nearby, what’s the scoop here?

There is a fenced off vacant lot on the 900 block of S Street, NW that has me baffled. Was this a playground at one point? What’s the metal structure inside? Anyone know what’s going on here? It seems so random on a traditional street filled with classic rowhouses.

“Dear PoP,

I was wondering about the Perseus “14W” development at 14th and W. Any word on its status? Last things I could dig up on the internet about it were from 2008 (supposed to be complete by 2010). Thanks!”

I gave an update back in April, ’09 where they basically said it’s not going forward until the economy gets better. They have not responded to my most recent emails. I’d say that doesn’t bode very well for the near term of this particular project.