Clybourne Park at Woolly Mammoth Theatre

Part of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's marketing and community engagement campaign for their current production of Clybourne Park has been to enlist neighborhood bloggers to see the show and answer the question:



Frankly, yes it is.

Clybourne Park is the story of a bungalow in the fictional inner-ring suburb of Chicago by the same name. The first half of the show takes place in 1959, and the plot centers around a middle-aged white couple who are moving out of the house to a new home in a further-out suburb. Tensions rise when the Clybourne Park neighbors discover that the family who is moving into the couple's old house is black.

The second half takes place in 2009, when the neighborhood is transitioning from the predominantly black neighborhood it became in the 1960s into a more diverse neighborhood with a Whole Foods. The conflict in the second act? The young white couple that bought the bungalow wants to tear it down and build a larger house, despite protestations by the preservation-focused neighborhood association.

Granted, Anacostia doesn't have a Whole Foods (yet), but the story mirrors the changes that are happening here. Racial accusations, the ever-controversial topic of "gentrification", and neighborhood development character are part of conversations I hear and am part of every week. What should Anacostia become? Who gets to stay? How will its built legacies and histories be preserved?

Like Clybourne Park, Anacostia (Historic Anacostia / Uniontown) was an all-white neighborhood until the 1960s. Its businesses and housing stock saw major declines in the second part of the 20th century. And like in Clybourne Park, today there are many people and organizations here in Anacostia that are interested in seeing the neighborhood develop into something that recognizes history, respects its buildings, and fuses new with old.

If you like the place you live, the people you are used to seeing, and the routines you are used to walking, it's easy to be afraid of the unfamiliar. Clybourne Park, the play, doesn't answer the tough questions about gentrification, racial stereotypes, etc, but it poses them in such a way that makes you want to talk. I think that's the best kind of art.

Want to see Clybourne Park for yourself? Readers of And Now, Anacostia can see any performance of Clybourne Park for only $15. Use this numeric code 789 when arranging tickets. Reservations can be made online, over the phone (202-393-3939), or in person (641 D Street NW, Washington, DC). Clybourne Park runs through April 17th.

Updated Flip't on Prince of Petworth

to read the latest about my U Street SE house renovation, Click Here



Interested in purchasing the house? Click Here for the listing!

Spring Has Sprung!

I love seeing people planting things in the neighborhood. There are no nurseries or garden centers on this side of the Anacostia River (yet, although Ginkgo Gardens and Frager's are just a couple minutes away on Capitol Hill), so it's great to see people going out of their way to spruce up their yards. Spring!

Don't forget about Casey Trees' $50 rebate if you buy and plant a new tree in DC. Click Here for details.

Bar & Grill coming to MLK Ave!

We. Have. Arrived. (or at least with this news we're further along) With a tentative opening of summer 2010, Uniontown Bar & Grill will be the neighborhood's first sit-down non-coffee watering hole.



Its location at 2200 MLK Avenue is within a block of both the Gallery at Vivid Solutions (digital photolab, gallery) and Big Chair Coffee. The building might not look like much now, but don't worry, it's just the before picture for what will be a pretty great project. Despite some complications with the TIF financing the owners were awarded in 2008, the restoration will finally move forward, bringing it back to the future (old design, modern functionality).

What it used to look like:


What it will look like (but probably with different colors):


Tentative Food Menu:

Starters

Crab Dip
Chips & Salsa
Wings
Popcorn Shrimp
Catfish Pieces

Sandwiches

Gourmet Grilled Cheese
Maryland Style Crab cake
Tuna Melt
Turkey Burger
Signature Burger
Roast Turkey Sandwich
Chicken Salad Sandwich
Cajun Chicken Sandwich

Salads

House Salad
Caesar Salad
Green Salad

Soups

Baked Potato Soup
Seafood Gumbo

Sides: Fries, Salad, or Sweet Potato Fries

The local entrepreneur opening Uniontown Bar & Grill decided on Anacostia because of its strong population of daytime workers with no place to relax with a cold one after work, as well as the exciting promise of Homeland Security moving close by. The restaurant bar will have a total seating capacity of 153 spread across a large bar, booth seating, and tables. Woohoo!

unacceptable home "improvements"

Fortunately, a large part of the Anacostia neighborhood is a designated historic district. This means that exterior renovations and new buildings have to follow certain guidelines (e.g. no vinyl windows and siding on visible elevations, no chain link, etc), and designs have to fit within the context of the historic district's "period of significance". For Anacostia, that period is roughly between 1850 and 1930.

Prolem is, not everyone pays attention to the rules. They claim ignorance of its existence (despite that fact being made clear whenever property is purchased), financial hardship, or just recklessly make improvements hoping nobody will notice. (I'll admit, even I used the wrong windows the first time ... still wood, but wrong historic period in the windowpane design)


2024 14th Street SE, with illegal new windows that now must be replaced

So when someone tries to pull a fast one and does all the wrong things, people notice. 2024 14th Street SE is a great example. Owner lets the house go to rot. Doesn't care that his tenants are living in terrible conditions as long as he is getting paid. House catches on fire. Tenants safe, but now house is officially unlivable. Owner starts renovation, but uses standard size vinyl windows and doors. Owner has illegally done this before, too. I call up historic preservation (on speed-dial at this point) and make a report. Stop work order issued.


new windows carelessly fit into old trim and framing

With the stop work order came a letter from the DC Office of Historic Preservation. Excerpts:

...you are required by the DC Preservation Law to replace the pre existing (illegally installed) vinyl windows on your home damaged by your recent fire with 1 over 1 wood windows that are sized to fit the original historic openings. Vinyl replacements are not acceptable or allowable. No reduction in overall size to use standard catalogue windows is acceptable. The windows need to be sized according to the original historic fabric.

...Finally please remember that ANY work done on the exterior of the building MUST be approved by our office as part of your required permits and prior to your implementing the work. Any work implemented on the exterior of the building with-out permits may result in additional fines and penalties. ...

Historic districts exist for a reason. They are like little jewel-boxes of neighborhood and architectural history. The rules are there to make sure that the neighborhood is preserved with integrity, and that the neighbors who do it right aren't brought down by the ones who do it wrong. If you suspect that someone within the district has disregarded the rules, please email me or our Historic Preservation Office representative Michael Beidler (michael.beidler@dc.gov).

I know it can seem cruel, especially in less-rich areas, to enforce these things. But most of the time it's the out-of-town landlords that don't follow the rules. For Anacostia to really become a nice place, everyone needs to value the way it looks and the way it is improved.

Vote for Anacostia as Best Up-and-Coming Neighorhood!

Today is the last day to vote in the City Paper's "Best of DC" poll. You know about Anacostia: it's starting to take shape, it's got some great character, and it's on the verge of something pretty cool.

Click Here to vote! (for those of you in feed readers)



And yes, thank you The Advoc8te of competing (and very complimentary) neighborhood Congress Heights for giving me the idea!

THREE at Honfleur & Vivid Galleries Opening Tonight!

Exhibitions Open 3/12/10 @ 7pm in Historic Anacostia

In Honfleur’s main gallery, Three features paintings by artists Wesley Clark, Lance Wiggs & Jonathan Royce. The work by this younger cadre of local abstract painters features intense color, experimental techniques and an overarching predilection for the art of layering. Stop-action video and works on canvas, panel and found objects will be included.

Honfleur’s upstairs exhibition space will highlight a new body of portraiture in the solo show Now And Then. John K. Lawson returns to Anacostia with his signature collaged encaustic works using salvaged materials.

The Gallery at Vivid Solutions presents Brad Ulreich’s large-format renderings in La Femme da Vine hit upon a topic long targeted in the canon of art history, the depiction of the female body. Digitally fusing imagery from anatomical drawings, fetishism, renaissance masterworks, and spiritual images, these women are a revamped take on classical imagery of madonnas and venuses.

Honfleur Gallery is located at 1241 Good Hope Road SE, and Vivid Solutions at 2208 MLK Avenue SE. Come on out!

Anacostia Neighborhood Library Progress

The new library at 1800 Good Hope Road is nearing completion! I think it's going to look fine, though I question the heavy use of concrete block (starting to get sick of it over here...) and stainless steel panels. The landscaping around this building will, if done well, make all the difference.


the view up Good Hope Road looking northeast


the view looking west, down Good Hope. Notice the "beacon" tower that will be lit up


U.S. Embassy in Iraq? Nope, just the side view of the library. Again, landscaping will be Key


I like this bright green more than I thought I would. It lends a playful crown to the heavy parts of the building


this large oak tree was saved in the west yard, which will also include a new rain garden

Completion is still estimated for this spring. Can't wait to take full advantage of this neighborhood amenity (said like a true son of a librarian)!

Sunbelt Rentals Coming to 2204 MLK

Here's some retail news for ya: Sunbelt Rentals, a construction equipment rental store, recently signed a one year lease at 2204 MLK Avenue. The owners had been holding out for a restaurant user, but decided to fill the space in the meantime.



This will be a good use for all the construction that is going on in the neighborhood. Plus, the more recognizable retail that moves into Anacostia, the more likely it is that other retailers give us a chance.

2345 MLK Rendering Reveal

Boston-based architects Höweler + Yoon sent me an updated rendering of their project at 2345 MLK Ave:

"I updated the older rendering. Its not a polished rendering, but it gives you a sense of the scale and materials. Cement board panels on the ground floor. Corrugated metal panel on the upper volume. The concrete masonry units are only on the partition wall that abuts the neighbor, for fire code reasons."

I like some parts of it and think it misses the mark elsewhere. I loved the old rendering, pre-community meetings where people apparently hated it. What do you think?

2345 MLK Starting to Take Shape

this great little building (we hope .. final designs have not actually been viewed) on the corner of Talbert and MLK is really coming along. It looks like it will top out at two stories.


I like when buildings fill in empty corners

It's nice that this development doesn't take up a whole block. Sometimes it seems like small buildings don't get built anymore, but it's usually the neighborhoods with smaller building footprints (and by smaller I mean thinner .. like not taking up the whole block. Think Georgetown and Barracks Row) end up being the most loved.


this corner always has a few people hanging out .. wonder if that will change


check out the line of windows. eyes on the street, baby!


from the back ... I think this end will be shorter

I'm excited to see this building progress. Does anyone know what material they are using for the exterior?

Talking Anacostia on ReadySetDC

Last night I got to talk up Anacostia and the blog at District Lounge in Adams Morgan. Here's an interview I did for ReadySetDC the same day:



It was great meeting some of you there - loved hearing the questions and getting juiced about what makes our hood great.

The Art of the Blog_ ... this Friday

this Friday I'll be part of a panel on neighborhood blogging at DISTRICT, a club in Adams Morgan. Dan from Prince of Petworth will also be there.

Click to Enlarge


ReadySetDC knows how to put a party together: Drinks, music, art, ... and bloggers. 6-8 PM. No cover. (Click Here for the facebook event page)

Clark Ray Meet & Greet at Big Chair

This isn't an endorsement, just letting you know what is going on. However, I have been impressed with Mr. Ray's interest in Ward 8. Not something you see in every candidate.



for more information, contact Moulin Desai at 202-487-3102.

Ward 8's Most Public Embarrassment

Today’s release of attorney Robert S. Bennett’s report on the financial misdoings of Ward 8 Councilman Marion Barry comes as a breath of fresh air in the what seems never ending saga usually referred to by the public as “what has Marion Barry done this time?”

Bennett found that Marion Barry personally benefited from a contract that he gave his ex-girlfriend Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, and that “substantial financial benefits” were given to close friends and allies through the use of Council earmarks, many to illegitimate groups formed by Barry’s employees and friends.

Although these findings do not surprise me, they make me long for a day when Ward 8 leadership is elected on the basis of who plans to do the most Good for the ward, rather than who will best perpetuate a lazy and uncreative status quo.

I have been in Anacostia for almost three years now, and have done my best to bring the neighborhood and the city up via social media, good press, community involvement, and hammer to nail construction. When I talk to people about this part of the city I usually highlight the positives – the galleries, the reviving housing stock, the coffee shop, the development plans – while also acknowledging the negatives. Stereotypes exist for a reason, but it is our responsibility to stand for a more just representation of the statistics, images, and people that make up a collective reputation.

This is why it is so difficult to be part of a ward that unabashedly allows for the continued political leadership of ruthlessly selfish people, Marion Barry and many others included. But no matter how hard it is, this city Will. Not. Get. Better. unless new people keeping running for office, keep answering the same old questions about why someone should move to Ward 8, and keep fixing the broken windows that are giving us a bad rap. Change does not happen on its own. It takes a long, patient practice of moving small stones to finally move a mountain. These things take time.

I am a proud Ward 8 resident, but I am not a proud Marion Barry constituent. I believe in forgiveness, but I do not believe there is a right to political longevity, especially in the face of legitimate charges or felony convictions. I hope you that you will join me in publicly condemning the way that Marion Barry has relentlessly embarrassed the District of Columbia, and fought more for his own preservation than for the benefits of those he has sworn to serve.

To Ward 8: keep your chins up, revere the good, and raise your voices for positive change. The wave is on its way.

the MLK Avenue small business family

local kindness from Renae's Flower Shop to Big Chair Coffee. "Welcome!"

14th Street Twin Update

So happy to see this house get a high-quality restoration. It has gone from a vinyl-clad facade eyesore to a handsome wood-sided beaut.


but still way too many overhead wires ... wondering if they are all still active


I think they are keeping it white, which I am not opposed to


doesn't the porch look great?

This is the kind of homebuilding we need more of - and are fortunate to be getting - here in Anacostia. I'm excited to see the final product!

Next in Line for Restorations

Gray skies and wintry forecasts got you down? Never fear, the spring renovation / restoration season is near and promises to cheer you up. I've compiled a list of a few houses (I'm sure there are more, but I happened upon these this morning) that are either just starting or soon to commence their makeovers.

This house (on the left) on the 1300 block of W is part of one of my favorite twins. I bet it's going to look great when it's finished:

I mean, how classic are the sidewalk-level front porches?

High Street has, to me at least, always been a bit of a downer, but there are at least three homes on the block that will soon change for the better:


this one isn't falling apart by any means, but will see roof and trim repairs


this solid brick home is getting new windows and a restored wood-columned porch


Haunted? not sure ... but this one is getting a COMPLETE restoration (pretty much a re-build) and is going to look fantastic

the 1600 block of V has been seeing some good progress lately. New condos at the top of the block (yet to be blogged about), and a spattering of good-looking restorations in the past year. This particular house on the left is being completely remodeled and will soon (I hope) look as good as its next door neighbor:


I wonder what color they'll paint this one...

So yes, Anacostia is still very much under construction despite the downturn. Seriously cannot wait for spring.

Big Chair Coffee in the News

photo courtesy of Washington City Paper

So it's been about three weeks now since Big Chair Coffee opened, and the press has been all over it. It's encouraging to see all the websites, blogs, papers, and news shows covering the shop and giving it tons of free publicity. For a neighborhood that is usually misunderstood - or at least not fully understood - in the popular media, this has been a very good thing.

Anacostia Gives Coffee Shop Warm Reception
Washington Post Metro Section

Good to Go takeout: Big Chair Coffee n' Grill in Anacostia
Washington Post Food Section

Big Chair Coffee: Only the strong survive
Washington Business Journal

If You Build a Coffee Shop, Will the Gentrifying Hipsters Come?
Urban Turf

Big Chair Coffee: Big News for Anacostia
Young & Hungry - Washington City Paper

Ethiopian family opens a new Coffee Shop in DC's Anacostia neighborhood
Nazret.com

Grand Opening at Big Chair Coffee n' Grill
DCist.com

Big Chair Coffee—Anacostia’s First Stand-Alone Coffee Shop That Anyone Can Remember—Opened Today
Housing Complex - Washington City Paper

Support Big Chair Coffee in Anacostia!
Anacostia Yogi

Big Chair Coffee!!!
Life in the Village

Freako-licious in Anacostia, Mamis!
The Penn Brangler

Big Chair Coffee & Grill Opens in DC's SE Neighborhood
Cvent

Photos: Coffee and a Chair East of the River
City Desk - Washington City Paper

Big Bear, Big Chair, and the Gentrification of a Neighborhood
in bloom

What to Do This Week
Daily Candy

The Washington Informer’s Blatant Betrayal of its Own Self-Professed Community
The Washington Syndicate

New Businesses: So Far, So Good
River East Idealist

Big Chair Coffee: Coffee From Its Cradle
Thrillist

Big Chair Coffee is Open!
We Love DC

Big Chair Opens Today!
Congress Heights on the Rise

New Coffee Shop to Open in Anacostia
Fox 5 News

Pretty much all great reviews, too! Not bad for a place only open a few weeks. If you still haven't ventured over to check it out, its hours are 7AM to 9PM, 7 days a week.

To Do: Historical Society Reception

The Historical Society of DC and the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum are holding an opening reception for “East of the River: Continuity and Change.” Given all the plans for the future of Anacostia in the coming years, this should be an interesting reflection worth checking out to provide a little perspective of what’s to come.



Date: February 7, 2010
Time: 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Location: Historical Society of Washington, DC 801 K Street NW

photo (building has since been restored) by flickr user ellievanhoutte
cross-posted at DC Metrocentric