The U Street Neighborhood Association met on October 14th, 2010 at 1835 14th St NW. ANC candidates within the U Street Boundaries gave short presentations on the candidacy. Also discusseed was feedback to the Proposed Arts District Branding Committee.
Welcome and Introductions – Brian Card provided welcoming comments (Christine & Jon were not present tonight due to conflicts schedule conflicts).
Attendees intorducted themselves.
Patrick Mara was introduced and gave a few brief comments on his candidacy for State Board of Education ward 1 - www.patrickmara.com
Brian provided highlights of upcoming timeline for the 2011 U Street Board Election. He stated the elections committee had come up with a slate of candidates for the next year which were the current president, vice-president, secretary & treasurer. Next month candidates will address the group and an election will be held in December.
Brian highlighted what was discussed at the October 5th PSA meeting where Lt. Jova discussed reduced crime, but still high thefts from auto and thefts of bicycles. Brian also discussed a number of incidents where residents walking on the street have had iphones stolen. Residents are encouraged to close windows and not leave GPS devices in cars. More detailed notes are on the U Street Neighborhood Association website.
Sharon reported that the balance as of September 1st was $16,847.96 which was also the ending balance. The Harrison Recreation balance was $1,666.64 as of September 1st and ending balance was $1,112.64.
Sheryl discussed items on the Historic Preservation Docket are two properties 1936 11th St (residential) – concept rear addition; 1421 florida – new construction for 6 (?) store multi unit building.
Sheryl reported that the committee went to meet with the Dep. Hist. Preservation officer – Steve Calcott and Steve Cochraine (zoning) – discussed activities in the association boundaries. There is no news from JBG Hotel proposed at 13th /U. Sheryl said that they suspect that hotel financing has dried up throughout the city. JBG is focusing on the project that is on 14th Street (1800 block 14th). Demolition will start soon for the 1800 block 14th project.
Someone asked about a hotel to be built on 9th/florida, and response was that WMATA land parcels are being put out to see if any developer interest. No hotel plans that have gone before the Hist. Preservation at this point
The 14th Street Streetscape Plans was discussed the meeting. Graphics at three key locations 14th P/U/Florida – wheels on the sidewalk at 14th/P; reeves center – ribbon like graphics; 14th/FL – diagonal lines on sidewalk. They will do crosswalks with graphic designs similar to 14th/S. They will be using old style globe lamps. They will also be incorporating bulb outs. Will finalize plans be December. DDOT 2011 projected start date; might be some issues on the funding. DDOT contact is
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Brian discussed the 6 recommendations that the committee put together in response to the proposed Branding project currently underway with the $200K NIF Grant. The 6 recommendations were: 1. Encourage a two phase effort that would focus on the area within MidCity Business Association boundaries and then later expand to broader areas in a second phase effort. If such a large area is maintained we encourage efforts to retain the individual character of each neighborhood in the branding. 2. We encourage the use of "MidCity" and "Arts" in the name. We strongly encourage the name "MidCity Arts.” 3. With the focus on arts district there is an overemphasis on arts over the business, retail, residential, and historical interests that in combination with the arts have long defined the area. All interests must be included in any branding effort. 4. Greater support for “arts” must be included in this branding effort. 5. We were disappointed in the process of how partners, leaders, and grant applicants were selected that failed to represent the U Street neighborhood, we were disappointed that the MidCity Business Association, one of our strong community partners, was not engaged in a more active role from the beginning. 6. This effort needs to include a long term plan for the management of street arts projects including a website and maintenance of street branding installations paid for in this grant.
Motion was made to send these recommendations which passed (6 For/1 Against/1 Abstain).
ANC Candidate Presentations
The ANC candidates who have a presence in the boundaries of U street Neighborhood Association were give 5 minutes to address the meeting ANC 1B01 - Myla Moss 3rd term currently. ANC 1B02 - Tucker Gallagher, Peter Raia, William Spencer 10th/W ANC 1B04 - William Gerardo, Deborah Thomas ANC 1B11 - Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness – discussed her ANC 2B09 - Ramone Estrada, Sunit Talapatra
