The snowblown February ANC 6D meeting finally went off tonight, and here's the Near Southeast-related bullet points:
*
The Bullpen will be back in action this season, in its same spot on the northwest corner of Half and N across from
the ballpark. There were two requested changes to the voluntary agreement between the ANC and the owner: that the bar be allowed to operate until 1:30 am (with alcohol sales ending at 1:00), and that liquor in non-frozen form be allowed alongside the already approved beer, wine, and frozen drinks, both of which are already allowed under the liquor license. The discussion was more contentious about process than it was about content (with commissioner David Sobelsohn arguing strongly that the motion should be tabled until the next meeting, which none of the other commissioners were interested in), but in the end the commission voted 6-1 to approve the extended hours, and that mixed drinks could be served during private events. There were some concerns from commissioner Rhonda Hamilton about the noise at the bar on weeknights, but owner Bo Blair said that live music will always be cut off by midnight.
* There is a move afoot by commission Bob Siegel to carve out some of the curb space in front of
Capper Seniors #1 at 900 Fifth Street (which it must be noted is also across the street from his house). The street, which is one way in the block in question (between K and Virginia) gets clogged on a regular basis thanks to shuttle buses, vans, trucks, and other vehicles double-parking while at the building, and the residents want a portion of the curb cut out to allow vehicles to pull out of the traffic lane (like the one in front of the Courtyard by Marriott entrance). DDOT initially rejected the request because it was called a "curb cut," which means something different in traffic parlance, but DDOT's Ward 6 planner Jamie Henson was in attendance and pledged to help the ANC work with the engineering side of DDOT to see what could be done without taking away the sidewalk or the ADA ramps to the building.
* There was supposed to be an update from the Nationals, but no reps from the team were there; ANC chair Ron McBee did report that
April 23 will be "Neighborhood Night" at the ballpark, with the first pitch and national anthem being performed by nearby residents and other goodies as well. (I imagine discount tickets will be part of the deal, but nothing was said. The game is against the Dodgers.) McBee also said that the ANC has requested a meeting with DDOT about the
Traffic Operations and Parking Plan for this season, to check on how it's all going, but no specific concerns were mentioned. (With the Nats Express no longer shuttling fans to and from parking at RFK, there probably will be a noticeable uptick in traffic this year, even if attendance remains steady.)
* The next 6D meeting will be on March 8 at 7 pm, and it'll be held at the Courtyard by Marriott at New Jersey and L, so if you've been dying to go to a meeting but haven't felt like venturing across South Capitol, you'll get your chance. It's also worth mentioning that ANC 6B's meeting the next night includes an update by CSX on the Virginia Avenue project on
its agenda.
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lovethehood says: (Feb 26, 2010 12:04 PM)
I keep hearing mumbling about the Velocity looking for a buyer with the possibility of moving towards a mixed condo/apartment model. Probably just rumors...
MJM says: (Feb 26, 2010 02:01 PM)
Sources?
Michael says: (Feb 26, 2010 03:33 PM)
For whom exactly is Rhonda Hamilton concerned that music will be a disturbance? It's empty lots around the "Bullpen."
Also, why didn't any ANC members go to the parking meeting several months ago where the performance parking was discussed, as well as metrics, money brought in, and the way ahead. JD, you were in attendance. Were any 6D members there?
JD says: (Feb 26, 2010 03:49 PM)
There are residences on and just past South Capitol Street a block west of the Bullpen. The sound does carry.
There was I think a big Southwest-related meeting that same night as the parking meeting (maybe on Safeway). The previous parking meeting had at least two commissioners there.
SE_Resdnt says: (Feb 26, 2010 04:09 PM)
I've heard that those rumors are completely untrue and that it isn't even possible for them to switch to apartments once they've started closings. I also heard that sales have improved quite a lot in the last couple of months.
Dave Matthews says: (Feb 26, 2010 04:10 PM)
Maybe I can buy a place at Velocity to help. In the meantime, tickets go on sale this Saturday. You still remember me right? I sang that Ants Marching song. I am only 63 years old...I was on the radio...I have records...Someone...Anyone...
JD says: (Feb 26, 2010 04:11 PM)
I count about 22 units (might be a couple more) closed on at Velocity as of about a week ago, according to land records.
JD says: (Feb 26, 2010 04:12 PM)
Actually, Dave, tickets went on sale this morning. Getting senile in your old age....
MJM says: (Feb 26, 2010 04:23 PM)
Complete false rumors!!
He is probably the same one saying that Oynx is being convereted (back) to condos. JD is about right, plus units are being cleaned/readied on my floor so I expect to see some more peeps soon.
On another note, Justin's is clear of 'construction' material (minus the giant crack in the floor) and looks like they are ready to make the place ready for business (hopefully sometime in Mar).
Finicky Frank says: (Feb 26, 2010 04:26 PM)
I wouldn't be so sure with Velocity. A birdie has told me that the developer is beyond nervous and they've scaled-back all of their marketing efforts.
Michael says: (Feb 26, 2010 05:00 PM)
@JD Another question...
Do you have any thoughts on the significance of the loan repayment for the stadium being delayed because taxes were redirected to cover the budget deficit? Does this matter for the neighborhood at all? (I don't really care if businesses in general across DC as a whole are annoyed, only wondering if this has impact on us here in Near SE).
JD says: (Feb 26, 2010 05:10 PM)
Doesn't matter for the neighborhood at all, as best as I can tell.
MJM says: (Feb 26, 2010 06:02 PM)
So the "Dare to Compare Event" at Velocity 13 & 14 Mar must not fall under marketing then?
LOVETHEHOOD says: (Feb 27, 2010 02:00 PM)
Yikes,
Thanks for the responses! I too have heard
-things- :). The whole mess reminds me of the failed Dumont Condo project on 425 Mass. That project was in a death spiral for months, but you would have never have known it talking to the sales peeps or reading the trade publications. This is the old site, but its still active. I think the project is still sitting empty.?. --complete but empty...
link
On the other hand, I haven't seen anything in the WBJ concerning the issue. But, the WBJ is lacking in allot of areas when it comes to "biz scoops" in the area (they are way to political to be relevant). ((I think JD has even scooped/corrected them a couple of times. LOL way to go JD))
About the Onyx, they are over 98% leased. I don't see them going condo's for at least about 3-5 years... if ever...
Plus, right now they have 1 bedrooms, plus den/ parking for $1700. That's a deal in this city. :)
If I was a betting man I would hold on to your $$ at least until 2011. Before you move on any "condos" in DC.
Thoughts,
LTH
Mike McEleney says: (Feb 27, 2010 03:09 PM)
Breaking news this morning: CSX has postponded their brief to ANC6B until April.
LJ says: (Mar 1, 2010 08:20 AM)
Saw an agent in the elevator on Saturday at Velocity. Her client was about to make an offer. From what I've seen they are still selling units, albiet slowly.
Mike says: (Mar 3, 2010 05:40 PM)
I actually talked to a Nats ticket rep today. He mentioned that the Nats are planning their own bar outside the stadium along the lines of The Bullpen called The Third Base Bar or something. He wasn't too sure of the details but it sounds like it will be in the parking lot across from the metro that they own. Anyhow, perhaps that the news they were going to announce?
Michael says: (Mar 3, 2010 05:44 PM)
Isn't that nice of the Lerners to contribute to the neighborhood... with an outdoor beer pit...
JD says: (Mar 3, 2010 05:47 PM)
Alas, there's no land other than at 20 M Street that the Lerners own in the neighborhood (other than at 1000 South Capitol, which is pretty far away). Perhaps they're going to lease space from one of the other landowners, but they'd have to be getting all this done pretty quickly to have anything in place by Opening Day. (On the other hand, the Bullpen didn't open until mid-May of last year.)
JD says: (Mar 4, 2010 03:29 PM)
I asked the Nats about the "Third Base Bar" that commenter Mike mentioned hearing about from a ticket rep, and this is the response I received: "Currently we do not have any such plans. We continue to explore ways to enhance the fan experience both within and around Nationals Park."
MJM says: (Mar 5, 2010 11:00 AM)
I love all these rumors coming true :)
Finicky Frank says: (Mar 17, 2010 09:45 AM)
A little disappointed in velocity's event this weekend. Stopped over to see what all of the fuss was about and it wasn't really an 'event' like it was billed. I expected more folks, maybe a DJ/band, finger food, etc. You know, festive open-house atmosphere.
Oh well, here's hoping that they sell the place out and we get more folks living down here.
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