It was amazing to see the community come together last night for Neil Godleski’s vigil in Sherman Circle. I don’t think I describe how sad the evening was. It gives the term a ‘senseless death’ a whole new meaning to me. There were so many recollections of Neil’s life and nearly every single speaker mentioned how he never judged anyone and welcomed all he encountered. I never had the good fortune to meet Neil but I couldn’t help but get choked up hearing these stories. I don’t think it’s fair to say, I hope something good comes out of this tragedy like lighting in Sherman Circle. I do hope Sherman Circle gets lighting. And I’m glad the community came together to mourn during the tragedy. But I can’t help but think unless our community including our elected leaders come together outside of times of tragedy this will not be our last vigil.

Rest in Peace Neil Michael Godleski you moved many and shook a community and at the end of the day those who knew you well, remembered you not only with tears but also smiles.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

It’s not as exciting as a French bakery but I still thought folks would be interested in the update. I’ve just learned that the newest tenant coming to DC USA will be a SportsZone. They are a sports and apparel company with locations in MD, VA and DC. They’ll be located between the Lane Bryant and Staples on the 14th St, NW side. They are looking to open by the end of Nov.

The IHOP also aims to open by the end of Nov. and they’ll be located on the Irving St, NW side.

Finally I’ve been getting tons of reader inquiries about Ellwood Thompson’s grocery store. Last we heard they planned to start construction sometime in July with a target completion date of Mid-January. Sadly that did not happen. I am hearing that all the ducks are in a row but that more investors are being sought. I’m not exactly sure what that means but I’m certainly not going to hold my breath for a January opening, sadly. More updates as they become available.

How does one brick go missing?

This is from the little triangle green space off of New Hampshire Ave, NW by Randolph. I know it is WMATA owned and has something to do with metro. But what exactly? Anyone know?

“Dear PoP,

In addition to proving DC residents green collar job training, DC Greenworks also designs and installs residential and commercial green roofs in the area. I’m including a few pictures of the beautiful mixed use green roof DC Greenworks installed this June on my garage off Sherman Ave. in Columbia Heights.

The 600 square foot installation features a flagstone seating area (perfect for coffee and mojitos), 300 square feet of perennial beds, an herb garden, extensive sedum ground cover, and a LOT of happy wildlife. This once unused and ugly garage roof is now actively employed as our back yard, while at the same time reducing run off by nearly 400 gallons in a typical 1″ rain storm. An attractive incentive through the DDOE’s RiverSmart Rooftops program really helped get this project off the ground.

I couldn’t have asked for better expertise and assistance from DC Greenworks and I will be out tonight supporting them at this benefit. Any PoP’er that dreams of more green space should look into a green roof!”

This great one is from Columbia Heights and has three great aspects – the flowers, the pots on the stairs, and the flowering vine on the post. Nice.

This house from north Cleveland Park is more unusual than one of my favorites. Though I am a huge fan of the stairs:

If you have an event, fundraiser or happy hour you’d like featured on the 5pm Post, please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com

Don’t forget the vigil for Neil Michael Godleski is this evening, Wednesday Night August 25th at 8:30 PM at Kansas Avenue, NW and Sherman Circle, NW.

From an email:

“You can view the video of E.L. Haynes students and teachers and an interview with Jennie Niles (E.L. Haynes Founder and Head of School) about DC’s successful Race to the Top proposal.”

Congrats!

Back in Dec. ’09 we heard that the renovated building at the corner of 3rd and P St, NW in Truxton Circle was going to become a wine store and/or market. The building looks great though it still sits vacant. I did notice a for lease sign has gone up. The owner has always intended to lease the downstairs space out to another business. Anyone heard any rumors of movement either on the wine store or other tenants looking at the downstairs space?

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And Ozio located at 1813 M St, NW is looking to open a roof deck. From an alcohol application permit:

“LICENSEE REQUESTS THE FOLLOWING SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE TO THE NATURE OF OPERATIONS:

New Roof top Summer Garden. Occupancy load is 110.”

Below the reader, Steven Conn, details the process he took to encourage the property owners improve or sell the blighted property.

“Dear PoP,

I am just happy that the building is being returned to being a productive member of society.

1. My community members and I urge DCRA to designate the property as blighted (composed evidence with pictures, etc)
2. DCRA agrees to blight the property after my neighbors and I convinced the Board of Unsanitary and Condemned Buildings at one of their hearings.
3. The building owner panicked, and went back to previous buyers that he previously declined offers from, and asked if they were still interested (so he could sell it before he had to pay the increased, blighted taxes)
4. Before buying the building, Ramin Bassam (principal of PERS Development) reached out to neighbors and I to see if we would support an effort to get DCRA to temporarily lift the “blighted status” so he could get financing to re-develop the building (apparently banks won’t give financing for re-development of blighted buildings).
5. Neighbors and I agreed that if Ramin Bassam would agree to 1) not seek public financing keep all financing private, and not seek public financing which would bring with it Section 8 housing, etc 2) begin construction by 30SEP10, and 3) keep the previous owner from being a going concern in retail planning etc, that we would support the appeal to DCRA to temporarily lift the blighted status of the building so he could secure his financing
6. Ramin agreed to our 3 criteria, and we went forward to lobby DCRA to temporarily lift the blighted status, which they did two weeks ago (tomorrow).
7. Ramin got his financing the next day, closed on the bldg the following day, and started re-hab (first he has to clear out the debris) the following Monday!

So, it turned into a success story (so far so good), that hopefully other communities may use to abate their streets of vacant buildings owned by negligent landlords!”

Here is the article from DCmud about the new developer. Ed. Note: The article incorrectly gives me credit for the power point presentation which was submitted by Steven Conn (who wrote the above note as well).

You can see the original Horse’s Ass Award nomination here.

And a quick update from the Cat Semifinalist voting, there is a fierce back and forth competition between Haywire and Franklin. Voting ends 5pm Friday.

“Dear PoP,

A neighbor of mine has fostered a stray cat for the last month and is hoping Popville readers could help her find a home.

Nikita is a beautiful all-white cat with green eyes is available for adoption. She is about two or three years old. She is graceful and affectionate and absolutely loves to be petted. Nikita would probably be happy to be the only cat, as she is shy around other cats. She has been spayed and is up to date on all her shots. Call Dolores Smith at 202-291-6353, email dolores.smith@gmail.com.

She’s a sweet cat and I’d love to see her find a home.”

This rental is located at 1324 T Street, NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“1324 T Street NW Charming Carriage House great location n the Logan circle area.
1 bedroom duplex/ 1.5 baths available to rent September 1st. Walking Distance to
shopping/restaurants/bars. Two blocks away from the Green Line, U-Street /Cardozo
Metro stop. Unit features hardwood floors on the first level, carpeted second level,
central air, dishwasher, washer/dryer, small balcony, and 1 off street parking space.”

The reader asks:

“Is this a good deal, especially considering it has a W/D in-unit and a parking spot?”

I think I’d need to see it person based on these photos but if the rooms are nice given the location I’m thinking this is reasonable. What do you guys think is $1700 reasonable for this 1 bedroom duplex/ 1.5 baths carriage house?

“Dear PoP,

I’ve been trying to get trash and recycling bins from the District for the past two months without much luck (our recently-purchased house did not have them). I’ve been calling the 311 folks every few weeks to check in. On my most recent call, I was transferred to the Dept of Solid Waste where they told me that the bins have been back-ordered for months and that they have requests from March 2010 that have yet to be filled. Are other folks having this problem? How difficult is it for the District to order enough trash cans?”

Have other folks heard of this Trash Can shortage?

Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

Submit your photos to the PoPville flickr pool here. Follow PoPville on twitter here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user christopher.poole

I think the folks of Bloomingdale have been teased more than any other neighborhood in the city. Ugh. Thanks to a reader for sending the word that the old Fire House at 1626 N Capitol St, NW is on the market again (for $1,100,000).

Last we heard back at the end of July the space was slated to become a three level restaurant. This news may have gotten a bit overshadowed by Big Bear’s liquor license travails.

Keep knocking wood for Rustik Tavern to open up soon…