Baby Boom
The Growler has learned that Meade Memorial Church is going to be offering day care soon.
Their SUP request was submitted to the City in late March and is still being reviewed, so the Growler can't tell readers yet if the church will accommodate infants as well as toddlers.
However, the historic church (located at 322 N. Alfred Street) will be holding an ice cream social from 12 noon to 3 p.m. next Sunday, May 23 in their parking lot at Princess and Alfred to publicize their plans. Church leaders will be handing out flyers about the proposed day care center and how to get further information.
Good news for the neighborhood, given all the baby bumps and strollers the Growler has spotted recently. Is there something in the water here?
Coffee on Queen
Neighbors who miss the late lamented Firehook Bakery on N. Fayette Street are rejoicing at the opening of Cafe Nicole last Friday at 1125 Queen Street.
Youthful entrepreneur Nicole Burlimann, previously on the staff at St. Elmo's Coffee House in Del Ray, has set up shop in the former Sargent's Restaurant, which has been empty since a fire in 2007. The new restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and serves coffee, espresso, juices, pastries from Bread and Chocolate, and light lunch items like wraps.
Welcome Nicole!
Sweet Home Alabama
Alabama Avenue LLC -- which has been doing the work of the angels by buying, rehabbing and selling derelict homes in the neighborhood -- has purchased attorney Bobby Stafford's property at the southeast corner of Queen and N. Henry Streets.
The building at 1026 Queen Street once housed a hair salon but has been empty in recent years. Late last month Alabama Avenue LLC received the last green light from the Board of Architectural Review to remodel the structure and build an addition.
The same group finished rehabbing the home at 1105 Queen Street earlier this year and quickly sold it.
So the question is this: is Queen Street finally on the upward swing?
38 comments:
"So the question is this: is Queen Street finally on the upward swing?".
Yes & No. To my knowledge, the city hasn't spent a dime of it's money (3 Million) which was earmarked for improving businesses on Queen Street.
But that makes sence since our part time Mayor said on our last walk that he wanted to see the Queen Street corridor return to its busy self like it was decades ago.
The loitering will continue there, but I love seeing the private sector making all these positive changes which the Growler just mentioned.
Now if our part time council would give Mr. Cromley the go ahead on the Legion (before he goes broke or gets too fustrated with the process), that would make rethink my yes/no answer.
"So the question is this: is Queen Street finally on the upward swing?"
Yes, I would like to think so. But this is all in part due to the slow natural progression of our neighborhood.
Not a single thanks or ounce of credit should be issued to our city officials for any of the improvements mentioned here.
Wow, 2 really good points.
What has the city really given us? The ugly oversized building like the Monarch & a few black iron garbage pales.
Oh, I almost forgot. Their biggest gift they've given us of all. The gift that keeps on given, broken promises !!!
It's a shame that we must be constantly negative, even in the wake of good news, but this cityies stupid, outdated, racist policies leave us with no other choice.
All we want is what the city preaches to us about over and over again, then wastes money with studies and focus groups in order to shove unwanted development down our throats.
Dreams of a safe, walkable community with a little retail that caters to everyone is obviously asking for too much.
Rome wasn't built in a day, but all I see is the city green lighting projects we don't want and stalling on projects we do. They continue to support a failing, school that belongs back in the era of Jim Crowe and an old and outdated resolution, which confines the social and criminal problems of the 60's, to one specific area.
Patience is being tested and I'm tired of our complaints falling on deaf ears. The same ears that listen to us at civic meetings and then call us racists behind our back. Like they did when a stand up citizen refered to the loitering dealers human blight.
All this labeling of a concerned community while they are the ones getting re-elected off of the policies which continue to keep the poor helpless.
Fair share policy is a pipe dream. We must vote for individuals who truly want to assist us change this neighborhood for the better.
A deep hearted thank you goes out to all the developers / investors who alone are bringing positive improvements to the neighborhood.
We have such a chance for potential in this community so it is always good to hear when it starts to come to fruition.
Long time lurker, first time poster...
I recently moved to the neighborhood fully aware of the problems with the city government and this area in particular. Please add my name to the list of people who want to work and vote to get our issues addressed, but still very happy to be part of this community.
My wife and I cannot say enough good things about the Alabama Avenue folks. Honest, trustworthy, hardworking and caring are not words always associated with developers and their crews, but they certainly fit here. They have done great work in the neighborhood and we are thrilled that they continue to see opportunities here.
We are also thrilled to have Nicole's open up. First reviews are promising and we would encourage everyone to check it out, spread the word and take the time to fill out their surveys and let them know what you think of the cafe. They seem very open to suggestions.
We are looking forward to a great summer in Parker Gray.
Alabama Ave LLC is also listed as the applicant for the lot at 804 Pendelton St. on a proposal going in front of the BAR on 5/26 - http://dockets.alexandriava.gov/icons/pz/bar/pg/cy10/052610/di05.pdf
"A deep hearted thank you goes out to all the developers / investors who alone are bringing positive improvements to the neighborhood."
With all due respect, most of the credit for bringing change to this neighborhood belongs to a core of citizen activists who for many years have routinely taken the time to do their research, petition politicians, testify before city council, write letters, and initiate petitions, as well as to our local citizen association (formerly the ICCA and now the West Old Town Citizens Association). Change happens by citizens getting involved and we are lucky to have a number of individuals in this neighborhood who have been willing to get involved. Image what we could accomplish if everyone who reads this blog were to get involved to an equal degree! It is not my intention to preach, but everyone is busy, has jobs, obligations, and lives. That's not really an excuse for not getting involved and actively working to improve our neighborhood.
"Alabama Ave LLC is also listed as the applicant for the lot at 804 Pendelton St. on a proposal going in front of the BAR on 5/26"
That's hopeful. I'd also like to see the properties across the street redeveloped. The fish market, dollar store, and the very poorly maintained house on the corner on Pendleton and Alfred. They're all for sale now.
I also agree that both the neighbors and developers have improved the area and I thank them. But let's give a special thumbs down to the greedy slum lords who hold property here. It's their right, of course, but they really bring the neighborhood down. The house on the corner of Pendleton and Alfred has been for sale for years now at an outrageous price. In the meantime, it looks worse an worse. I'm told the owners also hold other properties in the area, which are similarly poorly maintained, but that's just gossip.
"if everyone who reads this blog were to get involved to an equal degree"
I agree that everyone needs to get involved, but I think that is also the source of so much frustration that is vented in this blog. It takes so much effort to get anything done in this neighborhood, we have to drag people into the 1980's (forget 2010) kicking and screaming about how things used to be and the need to preserve that. We spend 1/2 of our lives working hard, doing our best to raise our kids and generally doing the right thing; we shouldn't have to spend our free time convincing people of the perfectly obvious. It would be one thing if we were asking for the old post office to be turned into a farm or a playground, but instead we fight the Englins and their hoard of merry know-nothings to allow the police to issue no trespass notices. How many of those soon to be or just became parents will still be around in 4 or 5 years and how many will decide its too much and leave for Arlington or Fairfax?
Coffee on Queen
I stopped by to check out Cafe Nicole today. it's cool! Just the sort of place needed to perk up the neighborhood. She sells coffee drinks, pastries and sandwiches and breakfast food. Definitely a nice place to stop on the way to metro or a project on King St! There is wifi for techies and plenty of electrical outlets for your laptop or (i'm my case) Ipad. The old building looks freshly renovated, and unlike Sarge's, everyone is welcome!
Now if the city could make those grubby warehouse buildings across the street go away, replaced by some town houses and maybe bit of nice commercial real estate, things would quickly improve on Queen St.
Now if the city could make those grubby warehouse buildings across the street go away, replaced by some town houses and maybe bit of nice commercial real estate, things would quickly improve on Queen St.
How does the redevelopment of the 600 block of N. Payne & N. Fayette help Queen Street improve?
Dropped in with the wife to Cafe Nicole this weekend and had some nice sandwiches. It was a real P-G neighborhood moment!
"How does the redevelopment of the 600 block of N. Payne & N. Fayette help Queen Street improve?"
Why must you be nasty?
Can you really not conceive of how replacing an empty rat infested warehouse (three blocks away) with hundreds of market rate units (filled with nice people who buy Nicole's coffee, eat her sandiwches, and walk down Fayette past Queen to the other restaurants on King Street) would improve the current situation on Queen???
Using your logic, the construction of the Monarch should have transformed Queen Street. Obviously it didn't.
And are you unaware that the Payne Street condos will have its own coffee shop?
"And are you unaware that the Payne Street condos will have its own coffee shop?"
I am not sure when you think those might go up but they were scheduled for March demolition and still not a peep from Erkiletian.
"Using your logic, the construction of the Monarch should have transformed Queen Street. Obviously it didn't."
Thats a separate problem. Monarch isnt even full yet nor is there really anything on Queen St for people at the Monarch to visit.
Have you seen the Starbucks or LA Boxing or Shanghai Peking in the Monarch?
They are booming.
"Why must you be nasty?"
i don't have a clue as to why my question would be considered nasty, but thanks to the Growler for backing my point. The starbucks at the Monarch is far from booming. The main guy Sal said he may be cutting the stores hours back a little due to lack of business after 6pm.
I agree with the Growler. Using your logic, the Monarch, the Prescott, and Cromley's condo's would have done great things for Queen Street. Open your eyes, walk down to the corner, and then apologize for calling me 'nasty'.
"Open your eyes, walk down to the corner, and then apologize for calling me 'nasty'."
So what do you believe will revitalize Queen St?
"I agree with the Growler. Using your logic, the Monarch, the Prescott, and Cromley's condo's would have done great things for Queen Street. "
I live in the Lofts and I would agree with Growler. The Monarch is certainly not horrendous but it has not added anything to Queen St.
Most people dont look at Queen St as a "commercial" destination because there is nothing there to frequent. Cafe Nicole sounds like a nice add and I certainly cant wait to stop in.
Just like most Loft residents understand that Payne Condos or the Artist Formally Known as the Madison are not in and of themselves going to do all that much (if they even ever get built).
It takes a village, not a tall building.
In all likelihood nothing will revitalize Queen. If Trader Joe's, as an anchor store with a lot of foot and vehicle traffic, has difficulty keeping shops going on St. Asaph, the city's energies and $ should be to keep King St. going strong. King attracts locals and tourists.
The city should look to purchase the used car lots on King for upper King Street parking. That would help the independent operators at that end who get so little help from the city.
Queen Street is not well designed as a modern commercial corridor even on a small scale.
I was not talking about Fayette and Payne Sts. I was talking about the grubby shops directly across from Nicole's, on Queen Street. There is a whole block of them, catering primarily (I am guessing here..) to non-homeowners. Ah, answered my own question. Redevelopment of the 1100 block of Queen Street would cause mental trauma to folks living in the neighborhood, much the same way the demolition of the American Legion building does?
Does anyone bereft actually sit down and talk with city council members one on one in person? It would be interesting to hear their thoughts on redeveloping this part of Old Town.
"Queen Street is not well designed as a modern commercial corridor even on a small scale."
Hey Hamer! You and Dixon listening?
"Does anyone bereft actually sit down and talk with city council members one on one in person? It would be interesting to hear their thoughts on redeveloping this part of Old Town."
Its actually one of the most wasteful exercises you will ever undertake
Lets not blame or not blame the Monarch for Queen St or anything else. Fact is it doesnt really matter what got built there, its not enough to generate economic development.
Case closed.
Sad too because it seems Hamer and Co seem hell-bent on racing to do the same thing in Potomac Yard - the ol' "build it and they will come"
"It would be interesting to hear their thoughts on redeveloping this part of Old Town."
You obviously! did not attend the Braddock Road charrettes.
"A deep hearted thank you goes out to all the developers / investors who alone are bringing positive improvements to the neighborhood."
Now, now, don't get too excited. Development has slowed with the economy, but prior to that it got us the Monarch - you know, that big red block of bricks that stands half-empty, where the Harris Teeter never moved in (despite the attorney's shady insinuations).
Don't start screaming that "just anything is better than the way it was/is now."
Nobody will care more about your neighborhood than the taxpaying residents who live there.
"That's hopeful. I'd also like to see the properties across the street redeveloped. The fish market, dollar store, and the very poorly maintained house on the corner on Pendleton and Alfred. They're all for sale now."
Have you seen the price tags attached to these properties? Last I checked - about one week ago - they were $950k and $650k, respectively.
The marketing for the house was suggesting that a new owner to a complete tear down and rebuild on the site (note: it is built on two lots). Wow, I wonder what the total price tag would be after all that suggested work is done! I know this much - it will be way above the price that this part of the neighborhood can sustain. By the end this price tag would total more than the worth of any current home in any direction for a block or more. Try selling that to someone else someday.
I'm not familiar with commercial real estate but this fish market has a lot of foot traffic go by everyday. It's also across the street from a bus stop (Pendelton is the route for several bus lines). Maybe a restaurant could make it in that space. If not then at least a commercial entity that would make good use of the property.
"By the end this price tag would total more than the worth of any current home in any direction for a block or more."
I agree that the owner is being totally greedy by asking that much for those properties. They obviously don't really care much about selling, since the place on Alfred has been for sale for YEARS now. We've half joked with the neighbors that the real estate agent/owner should have to go before BAR for her for sale sign b/c at this point, it's permanent.
However, there are two houses being built a block away (on Wythe) which are $1.575.
"The marketing for the house was suggesting that a new owner to a complete tear down and rebuild on the site"
The seller must think the new owner wont be aware of the complete nightmare it is to make any type of modification to your property; the myriad of forms and bureaucrats and approvals needed would make the money issue trivial.
Greeting All,
I only post this here because it tends to be more progressive than the original "recycling" post from the growler. This post is a little more optomistic and thought provoking (kind like the link I'm about to post). While visiting my sister in Rock Hill, SC over the weekend, I found the most obvious solution to our problem here in Alexandria in regards to the recycling. And the best part, it's already a proven, working program. Watch for the political nay-sayers to begin. Here's your link : http://tinyurl.com/ydaq326 .
It's a program that uses the people who are in jail to recycle. They rumage through the garbage and pick out all the material that can be recycled.
Problems solved. Have the city's trash pick through the residents trash and we don't have to buy these new cans with chips in them, AND my tax dollar goes further by giving the inmates something to do!
"Problems solved. Have the city's trash pick through the residents trash and we don't have to buy these new cans with chips in them, AND my tax dollar goes further by giving the inmates something to do!"
Very good idea. However, I would be worried having convicted criminals looking through my garbage this day in age with identity fraud.
Why don't we ask UnderSheriff Tony Davis that questiin at the next WOTCA meeting and get his thoughts on it.
"I'd also like to see the properties across the street redeveloped. The fish market, dollar store"
Hopefully no one will deem these businesses as having "cultural significance" and decide that redeveloping them would rob the african american community of the "story of a brave community who fought the evils of segregation and won."
"Hopefully no one will deem these businesses as having "cultural significance" and decide that redeveloping them would rob the african american community of the "story of a brave community who fought the evils of segregation and won."
Saw this article in today's Post. Also got an email from the City yesterday that Boyd Walker has an application to open a gelato store on Commerce St.
Got me thinking. Perhaps we should organize a neighborhood boycott of the gelato store to protest Boyd's lawsuit over the American Legion building?
"Saw this article in today's Post. Also got an email from the City yesterday that Boyd Walker has an application to open a gelato store on Commerce St."
The sight of Boyd Walker causes me emotional damage and aesthetic loss.
"The sight of Boyd Walker causes me emotional damage and aesthetic loss."
I have a friend that lived in one of his rental properties. He moved because the house was in dire need of code improvements, which he refused to fix.
Baby Boom
The Growler has learned that Meade Memorial Church is going to be offering day care soon.
Their SUP request was submitted to the City in late March and is still being reviewed, so the Growler can't tell readers yet if the church will accommodate infants as well as toddlers.
However, the historic church (located at 322 N. Alfred Street) will be holding an ice cream social from 12 noon to 3 p.m. next Sunday, May 23 in their parking lot at Princess and Alfred to publicize their plans. Church leaders will be handing out flyers about the proposed day care center and how to get further information.
Good news for the neighborhood, given all the baby bumps and strollers the Growler has spotted recently. Is there something in the water here?
As a resident of the 900 block of Princess and Alfred, this is a horrible idea. The day care facility across the street at Third Baptist cares for 99 children daily. Of those 99, 90 of those kids are picked up by parents twice a day from different areas Del-Ray, D.C., Maryland and beyond. The license plates tell all. The hours of 5:30-6pm are a traffic and safety nightmare. Most of the customers of this new one will do the same. "It's not your neigborhood day care facility anymore".
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