Light Snow Causes Traffic Nightmares, Chaos — Many people spent hours stuck in traffic last night after about 1 1/2 inches of snow fell in D.C., and some say local government agencies seemed unprepared. [Washington Post]
Metro Shifts Bus Service to ‘Light Snow’ Plan — Metrobus is operating on its “light snow” plan today, with all buses running and some planned detours. [WMATA]
Matchbox Begins Expansion on Barracks Row — Barracks Row eatery Matchbox has posted a liquor license placard announcing plans to expand into the former Las Placitas location next door, adding 45 dining seat, 14 bar seats and six patio seats. [PoPville]
More Details on D.C. United Buzzard Point Stadium Plans — D.C. United submitted more detailed plans for its new stadium on Buzzard Point, noting that the stadium will have a “contemporary-industrial” design and 233 bike parking spaces. [SWTLQTC]
New York City Pizza Chain Two Boots Planning H Street Corridor Location — Two Boots, a cajun pizza chain in New York City is planning to open its first D.C. location in May at 1025 H St. NE. [Washington Business Journal]
ANC Approves of Mixed-Use Development Near Potomac Avenue Metro Station — Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B voted to support a new development at 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SE that will have 19,000 square feet of retail space and 174 residential units. [Capitol Hill Corner]
D.C. United Release Renderings of Buzzard Point Stadium — D.C. United released three new renderings of its new stadium planned for Buzzard Point. [Washingtonian]
Uni Bistro on H Street NE Introduces New Menu — Uni Bistro at 403 H St. NE introduced a new menu that includes beer and wine. The eatery formerly known as Batter Bowl Bakery is also developing a cocktail menu. [District Cuisine]
Vendetta Bocce Bar to Become Brewpub Later This Year — The owners of Vendetta Bocce Bar and Italian restaurant at 12 12 H St. NE have partnered with the owner of Granville Moore’s and the founder of the Maison Dixon Hot Chicken pop-up to turn the eatery into a brewpub later this year. [Washington City Paper]
Another Residential Project Planned for Buzzard Point — Developers have submitted plans for the Stadium District Lofts at 1542 1st St. SW in Buzzard Point, an 8-unit infill development near the site of the future D.C. United Stadium. [Urban Turf]
Designers Behind Maketto Install Pop-Up Installation on Florida Avenue — Design firm septcarrés, who designed Maketto on H Street NE and plan to open a furniture showroom and store on Capitol Hill this year, built a pop-up art installation at 1231 Florida Ave. NE. [Washingtonian]
Concessions Provider to Hold Job Fairs at Nationals Park — Levy Restaurants, a concession provider at Nationals Park, is holding multiple job fairs at Nationals Park this month to prepare for the coming season. [JDLand]
Man Sentenced to Prison for Break-Ins at Two Northeast Homes — Tavon Barber, a 20-year-old D.C. resident was sentenced to 40 years in prison in connection with two burglaries committed nearly two years ago. The first burglary happened in NoMa on the 1100 block of 6th Street NE. [Washington Post]
Hill East Residents Express Concerns Over Proposed Substance Abuse Recovery Center — About 40 Hill East residents et with the District Department of Behavioral Services and the leaders of Andromeda Transcultural Health Services to voice their concerns over a planned recovery center at the intersection of 15th Street SE and South Carolina Avenue SE. [Capitol Hill Corner]
Watchdog Group Questions Pepco Deal for D.C. United Stadium Naming Rights — The Chesapeake Climate Action Network and watchdog group Public Citizen released a research paper arguing that Pepco’s $25 million deal for naming rights near the future D.C. United stadium on Buzzard Point is unprecendented and possibly connected to the Pepco-Exelon merger. [WAMU]
36-Unit Residential Building Planned for Hill East — Developer Pecar Properties is planning to raze three rowhomes and a church on the 1300 block of K Street SE to build a 36-unit residential building that will finish in late 2017. [Capitol Hill Corner]
Warm Weather and Rain Leads to Melted Ice at Canal Park — The Canal Park Ice Rink had to close for part of the weekend after days of warm weather and rain melted the ice. [WTOP]
Multiple Residential Projects Set to Transform Area Around 13th and E Streets SE — The area around 13th and E streets SE is transforming from industrial to residential with multiple proposed apartment projects in the works. [Washington Business Journal]
D.C.’s Last Scrap Yard to Close on Buzzard Point to Make Way for Soccer Stadium — Super Salvage, the last remaining scrap yard in the District, is closing the Buzzard Point location it has occupied for more than 60 years to make way for the new D.C. United stadium. [Washington Post]
Bowser Denies Link Between Pepco Stadium Deal, Merger — Mayor Muriel Bowser and Pepco representatives both denied rumors that Pepco’s agreement to pay $25 million for naming rights of the future D.C. United Stadium and other properties influenced Bowser’s decision to back the Pepco-Exelon merger. [WUSA 9]
Capitol Hill-Based Beer Brand Looking Past Local Markets to China — Meet the owner of a new Capitol Hill-based beer brand 888 Lucky Beer, who is focusing on selling his brew in China. [Washington City Paper]
Metrobus and Streetcar That Collided Yesterday Sustained Minor Damage — An accordion-style articulated bus and a streetcar both sustained very minor damage when the bus crashed into the streetcar on H Street NE yesterday. [Washington Post]
Canal Park Ice Rink Opens for Winter Today — The Canal Park Ice Rink in Navy Yard is set to open for the winter at noon today after a week-long delay due to unusually warm temperatures. [Hill Now]
Capitol Hill Starbucks Vows to Fix Trash, Rat Problems — The Starbucks on Pennsylvania Avenue and 3rd Street SE vowed to take steps to improve their trash management, which neighbors complained was bringing rats to the area. The efforts were enough for the location to secure ANC approval for a liquor license to sell beer and wine. [Capitol Hill Corner]
Activists Question Link Between Mayor’s Support of Pepco-Exelon Merger, Pepco Funding for Soccer Stadium — Opponents of the Pepco-Exelon merger met at the site of the future D.C. United stadium on Buzzard Point to question whether there was a connection between Mayor Muriel Bowser’s support of the energy company merger and Pepco’s agreement to pay $25 million for naming rights of the new stadium. [WTOP]
Gay Rights Pioneer, World War II Veteran Honored With Headstone at Congressional Cemetery — Members of the military and local gay and lesbian activists gathered at Congressional Cemetery on Veterans Day for the unveiling of a new headstone honoring Frank Kameny, a WWII veteran that many consider the father of the gay rights movement. [NBC Washington]
Uptick in Robberies Has Changed Daily Routines for Capitol Hill Residents — The Washington Post looks at how Capitol Hill residents have had to change their routines and lifestyles in response to a recent uptick in robberies. [Washington Post]
Flash Flood Watch Issued for Friday, Saturday — The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Friday and Saturday in anticipation of 2 to 4 inches of rain. [Washington Post]
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Set to Open in Waterfront Station — Enterprise Rent-A-Car is planning to move into a retail space in Waterfront Station at 1100 4th St. SW. [SWTLQTC]
District Files to Seize Part of D.C. United Stadium Land — Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office filed for eminent domain to take over the final two acres of the future D.C. United stadium location on Buzzard Point after failing to reach a deal with the land’s owner. [Washington City Paper]
New App Created to Promote Barracks Row, Navy Yard Businesses — CSX, the railroad company that is replacing the Virginia Avenue Tunnel, released a neighborhood guide app intended to help workers and residents find local businesses. [The Hill Is Home]
D.C. Still Hasn’t Made Deal With Lone D.C. United Stadium Land Holdout — The District still has not reached an agreement to purchase two acres at the site of the forthcoming D.C. United Stadium on Buzzard Point, making the District’s use of its eminent domain authority likely. Today is the last day for D.C. to secure all of the land under an agreement with the soccer team. [Washington Business Journal]
Developers Planning Four-Story, 150-Unit Apartment Building on Capitol Hill — A development group is in the early planning stages of building a new residential building at the site of Bowie’s Trash Facility and the Collision Body Shop on the 1300 block of E Street SE. [Urban Turf]
11th Street Bridge Park Gets $1.2 Million Grant — The non-profit developing a park along the unused 11th Street Bridge across the Anacostia River received its largest donation yet in the form of a $1.2 million grant from the Kresge Foundation. [Washington Business Journal]
Navy Yard Resident Discusses Leaving Congress to Join D.C. Council Staff — Keenan Austin, a Navy Yard resident who recently left her job as a congressional aide to become At-Large Councilman David Grosso’s chief of staff, said she looks forward to less gridlock and more hands-on policy work. [Roll Call]
Plans for Navy Yard Oyster Eatery Scrapped — Navy Yard Oyster Co. has backed out of its lease to open a new restaurant along the Capitol Riverfront. [Washington City Paper]
Man Arrested for Jumping Over Capitol Bicycle Rack — A man was arrested for jumping over a bicycle rack on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol yesterday. [WUSA9]
Nationals Park Architects Hired by D.C. United — D.C. United has hired Kansas City-based architecture firm Populous to design the team’s new stadium in Southwest. The architects also designed Nationals Park and Camden Yards in Baltimore. [Washington Post]
Spike in D.C. Crime Due to Staffing Shortages, Police Union Says — District officials should have seen an uptick in crime in the District, according to the D.C. Police Union. Delroy Burton, the union’s chairman, said a shortage of staff is responsible. [WTOP]
Residents and business owners in and around Southwest have a chance to voice their opinions about a forthcoming stadium in their community.
The D.C. United soccer team earlier this week released a survey seeking feedback from residents and businesses owners near where their new stadium at Buzzard Point.
The survey asks participants about their interest in attending D.C. United games, as well as what they think about ticket prices and public transportation. Survey takers also are asked about potential stadium features such as local craft beer, mobile phone ticketing systems and an in-house Spanish simulcast.
“As we continue preparations for the new stadium, we are constantly seeking ways to engage our fans and the local community,” said Lindsay Simpson, a representative of D.C. United. “The survey was simply the next step in that strategy so that the input we receive will help us construct a world-class facility that reflects the world-class city we represent.”
The survey contains over 140 questions, but participants only answer select questions based on their answers. The whole survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
“So far we’ve received great responses and we are working with our stadium partners to best implement the feedback we’ve received,” Simpson said.
Photo via D.C. United
Advocates for Southwest, Navy Yard and Near Southeast have a final agreement with D.C. United on how the team will work to benefit the community.
A day after D.C. Council gave final approval for the stadium at Buzzard Point, the team and the local nonprofit the Near Southeast/Southwest Community Benefits Coordinating Council announced this morning (Thursday) that a community benefits agreement is complete.
The team will continue to teach soccer at Amidon-Bowen Elementary, give D.C. United soccer camp scholarships to local youth and work on identifying top local players, the announcement said.
Felicia Couts, CBCC coordinator, praised the deal.
“CBCC is pleased about this agreement and [the] resulting partnership with D.C. United for the residents of ANC 6D,” she said in a statement. “This [agreement] is an example of community benefits done the right way, with a focus on the needs of our community, and an enforcement component to ensure its provisions are carried out over the long term.”
D.C. United and the CBCC also agreed on the creation of meeting rooms in the stadium for community use, participation in a summer jobs program and the creation of opportunities for small businesses and nonprofits.
The benefits will be available for the next 30 years to people who live in the neighborhoods covered by ANC 6D as of its 2013 boundaries, Couts said at a community meeting earlier this month.
The two parties will meet regularly to ensure the agreement is being enacted, the announcement said.
“D.C. United has been steadfastly committed to the District since its inception, and this agreement builds on that legacy,” D.C. United Managing General Partner Jason Levien said in the statement. “Both the team and the Southwest neighborhood are poised to flourish with this long-term agreement in place.”
The team and the CBCC did not immediately respond to requests for additional information on the terms of the deal.
Photo via D.C. United
(Updated at 1:50 p.m.) The D.C. United Stadium deal approved by the D. C. Council last week included a package of benefits for people who live in the neighborhood, and more benefits are being finalized now.
D.C. United and the Near Southeast/Southwest Community Benefits Coordinating Council are ironing out additional concessions, CBCC Coordinator Felicia Couts said last night (Monday) at a community meeting.
The benefits will tentatively provide 24 summer jobs for youth, 25 day camp passes for youth, free community meeting space, match tickets for Jefferson Middle School students and more, Couts said.
“Due in large part to our advocacy, we were able to get community benefits for Southwest,” she said about CBCC, the nonprofit that started working on a deal with team owners this summer.
The benefits will be available for the next 30 years to people who live in the neighborhoods covered by ANC 6D as of its 2013 boundaries. These include Southwest, Navy Yard and Near Southeast.
The benefits deal will be legally binding and an enforcement committee will make sure it’s applied, Couts said. The committee will be made up of representatives from CBCC and D.C. United.
The deal should be finalized within days, D.C. United communications director Craig Stouffer said today.
The community benefits included in the stadium deal approved by the District Council were $4.9 million for the Convention Center-Southwest Waterfront Circulator route, $250,000 for renovation and programming at the Randall Recreation Center and $121,000 for a workforce intermediary program to help locals get jobs in construction, retail and hospitality.
Photo via D.C. United
Diehard D.C. United fans can shop this weekend for gear worn and used by the team.
The annual D.C. United equipment sale is set to be held at RFK Stadium on Saturday. Items for sale from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. inside the Capitol View Club (2400 E. Capitol St. SE) include game-worn player jerseys and shorts, team jackets, balls used in matches and more.
All proceeds benefit the team’s charity, United for D.C., the team’s website says. The group backs recreational and educational programs for needy youth in greater Washington.
At the sale, the club will collect new, unwrapped toys for local children.
For more information, see the team’s website.
Photo via Facebook/D.C. United
As D.C. Council members and developers work to reach a funding deal on the $300 million proposed D.C. United Stadium, a new package of benefits for Southwest residents was announced today (Tuesday)
Updates to the bill discussed this afternoon would fund a Circulator route that goes to Buzzard Point, a workforce intermediary program to connect locals with jobs, and improvements of the Randall Recreation Center.
“There will be new transit opportunities to help support the increased number of people who are living and working there,” Councilman Tommy Wells said. “We are going to have new jobs, not just for construction, but for after this opens.”
The creation of the soccer stadium will spur growth in the industrial southern portion of Southwest, Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser said.
“We know that the investment in this underutilized property is going to encourage other development,” she said. “It makes sense to use public dollars to get our stadium.”
The financing plan for the stadium is still in dispute. Shortly after the Council voted to authorize the construction of the stadium, the D.C. Attorney General questioned the legality of the funding mechanism, as Washington City Paper reported.
The vote today will be followed by another vote later this month.
Photo via D.C. United
