New cigar bar coming to Petworth
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A recent notice from the Alcohol Beverage Control Board (ABRA) says that a new bar is coming to the Upshur area in Petworth, focusing on cigars as well as drinks.
AFRH skips DC Zoning and Comp Plan, goes the federal action route
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A recent article from the Washington Business Journal reports that the Armed Forces Retirement Home (aka the Old Soldier's Home) has decided to bypass the normal comprehensive planning processes in DC for the redevelopment of their property and move forward with redeveloping 80 acres using a "federal action." In fact, AFRH will be the body to give out work permits and certificates of occupancy, not DC government.
Read MoreHelp lower Georgia Avenue blossom by taking a survey on future development ideas
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The Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street program is conducting a community survey about Georgia Avenue in Park View, with a goal of designing strategies for enhancing the stretch of Georgia Avenue from Barry Place on the south, to Kansas Avenue on the north.
If you want to help this area be developed smartly, in cooperation with long-time businesses and fit the needs of the residents who live along the stretch, take the survey and share your opinion.
Read MoreRumor says DC Council considers renaming Pennsylvania Avenue for Trump in bid for Statehood
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The DC Council is said to be seriously considering offering to change the name of Pennsylvania Avenue to honor Donald J Trump, in a bid to finally get statehood.
What do you think?
Read MoreHelp-U-Sell building on Upshur gets ready to expand up and out to offer more office space for rent
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Help-U-Sell Real Estate is beginning a major reconstruction project at their building at 843 Upshur Street, the second time this building has gone through improvements. The tall green building on Upshur, which is also home to Willow Fashion and the Petworth mural, will add a third floor and is expanding into the back of the lot along the alley to add more office space.
Read MoreSeveral Petworth businesses push back on DC Council over Shell gas station moratorium
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The Shell gas station at the corner of Georgia Avenue, Upshur Street and Kansas Avenue has been the subject of recent press due to the moratorium on the sale of service stations in DC. A group of Petworth business owners have sent a letter to the DC Council in support of the redevelopment to create more housing density in the neighborhood.
Read MoreWhat to expect from the Hebrew Home renovation
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Petworth’s old Hebrew Home, which has sat vacant for nearly a decade, is getting closer to reopening as a senior and affordable housing development.
Read MoreReflections on a Petworth full house renovation
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Roshani Kothari bought her Petworth home in 2007, in love with its charm. Ten years later, she's finished a major renovation of the property, a renovation that she undertook acting as the general contractor. Now Roshani plans to rent out part of the house and live in the other part.
Here's the story of the renovation and some tips if you're considering doing something similar to your home.
Read MoreLulabelle's Sweet Shop coming to Upshur Street
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Julie Wineinger, who owns Willow Fashion on Upshur Street, finally announced the upcoming opening of her latest Petworth business, Lulabelle's Sweet Shop at 847 Upshur Street NW. This location has had many different restaurants and businesses call it home over the years, most recently the perplexing "Dinner Lab," and then sat vacant for quite some time. Having an experienced and extremely community-focused resident like Julie give this location new life is outstanding. Expect to find coffee, ice cream, gifts, greeting cards and plenty of sweets.
Read MoreKilroy's Cleaners closing on Upshur, new condos on the way
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In another sign of change in Petworth, long-time business Kilroy's Cleaners (826 Upshur Street NW) is closing up on July 1st and moving to Virginia...
Read MoreUpdate on Rock Creek Church development
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Matt Scorzafava, a partner with ERB Properties, the company developing the Rock Creek Church location, sent me an email with some updated information on the upcoming development.
Church at 8th & Upshur to be demolished, new condos to be built
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The Rock Creek Baptist Church at 8th and Upshur, originally built in the 1950s, had been up for sale for quite some time, as the church prepared to move to Maryland. Now the sale is final and the congregation has moved out, leaving questions in the neighborhood for what comes next. The answer is a developer, ERB Properties, purchased the property and the lot next door, and plans to build four new multi-unit rowhouses.
Neighbor Chris Broderick was kind enough to pass along his notes from a meeting with the developer held Monday, November 28th at Ruta del Vino. I've added additional information as needed.
Read MoreUrban churches on the perimeter of change
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With the rapid development and gentrification of urban cities, along with the skyrocketing cost of housing in walkable communities, many of the people who once lived in the neighborhood have moved out. Most members commute to worship in the churches that they helped to build by raising money to construct and improve the structures. The churches in local communities are a reminder of the culture and history that was once essential and vital to life in the neighborhood.
Read MoreConverting your basement into a rentable apartment? Here's what's involved
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There's a community meeting next Wednesday, November 16th on zoning and what's involved with converting a basement space into a legal rental. With the recent changes to DC's zoning regulations, many homes in Petworth changed from Zone R-4 to Zone RF-1, which allows for Flats or a two dwelling unit use of a property as a matter of right .
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