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jack
Joined: 23 Mar 2004
Posts: 4425
Location: 19th & Lamont
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 Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:07 pm Post subject: Mount Pleasant Library renovation/expansion |
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The completion date for the renovated and expanded Mount Pleasant Library has slipped a bit:
The Mt. Pleasant Library is closed for renovation and expansion. Work is on schedule to be complete in the summer of 2012.
http://www.dclibrary.org/node/608
The library expects to depart from its temporary location on Mount Pleasant Street by May 31. So I guess May is the planned transition month, moving back into the original building.
-- Jack
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ilana-mtp
Joined: 01 Aug 2007
Posts: 201
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| Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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Does it mean that whoever was trying to get the new library shut down and destroyed (or whatever they were trying to do) has definitely been brought to reason?
I am remembering a long saga on that move. Are we in the clear now??
Ilana (who can't wait to get back to the renovated library...)
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jack
Joined: 23 Mar 2004
Posts: 4425
Location: 19th & Lamont
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| Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:01 pm Post subject: Mount Pleasant Library renovation/expansion |
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| ilana-mtp wrote: | Does it mean that whoever was trying to get the new library shut down and destroyed (or whatever they were trying to do) has definitely been brought to reason?
I am remembering a long saga on that move. Are we in the clear now??
Ilana (who can't wait to get back to the renovated library...) |
The objection was only to the expansion, which was of debatable necessity, and which had consequences for the neighboring apartment buildings. The library had to violate zoning restrictions to put on the addition, and so needed a zoning variance. (They first tried to evade the zoning restriction by declaring the side of the building to be the rear, and the rear to be the side. They didn't get away with that.)
The matter came to an end last September, when the BZA voted to allow the library a variance from the zoning regulations. They weren't very happy about it, worrying about the precedent that an institution could nullify zoning regulations by deciding, years after first construction, that they had developed "new needs" that made the existing zoning regulations a "hardship". (You try that gambit to build beyond your zoning restrictions. Hey, my family's gotten larger, so I've got to build beyond the R-4 limits! Good luck with that.)
In my September 2011 newsletter, I summarized the outcome in this manner:
The BZA met on September 13 to consider the library's response to their questions, in particular, was this really a “necessity” for the library to be able to do its job, or was this merely a “wish list” for what they would like to do. The Board voted 4 to 1 to allow the variance. I think they were quite unhappy about it, disliking this principle that zoning regulations have to give way to “new needs”. But they also knew that denying the variance was going to cause severe problems for the library, which has already built on that portion of the lot. They also disliked the fact that the library was calling for complete occupation of that 15-foot space, not just a portion of it. And one BZA member expressed her concern that the library has encountered strong neighborhood resistance again and again, not just here in Mount Pleasant, even though one would think that neighborhoods would simply be grateful for enhanced libraries. Something's wrong with the way the DC Public Library has been going about this business.
But that's that – the variance is allowed, construction will continue, and as far as I'm concerned, that's the end of the matter. We've spent way too much time and energy on this issue.
And that, five months ago, was that.
-- Jack
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ilana-mtp
Joined: 01 Aug 2007
Posts: 201
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info.
Somehow I missed it in your newsletter.
Glad it's over now and we can move on.
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Rieux
Joined: 17 Oct 2011
Posts: 46
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| Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Does anyone know what is going to go into the temporary library location? Seems like it would be a nice, renovated location for something new for the neighborhood. I, for one, would like to see an organic grocer, or another nice-ish restaurant similar to Cork.
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Cory
Joined: 31 Mar 2010
Posts: 100
Location: 17th and Park
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| Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 10:40 am Post subject: |
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| That would be amazing! I sent a message to some contacts at DCPL asking if they have any info. Last year, I talked to some folks at Yes! when I was still hopeful about what became McCormick Paints. The owner of the Diner/Tryst had also looked at that space but said he had some problems negotiating the lease. I've talked to others too. There doesn't seem to be a lack of interest in the neighborhood - maybe all it needs is a little encouragement.
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jack
Joined: 23 Mar 2004
Posts: 4425
Location: 19th & Lamont
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| Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 11:35 am Post subject: 3162-64 Mt Pleasant Street |
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| Rieux wrote: | | Does anyone know what is going to go into the temporary library location? Seems like it would be a nice, renovated location for something new for the neighborhood. I, for one, would like to see an organic grocer, or another nice-ish restaurant similar to Cork. |
A new tenant is being sought. If anyone knows someone who might be interested, have them contact Greg Nicklas. -- Jack
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Rieux
Joined: 17 Oct 2011
Posts: 46
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:42 am Post subject: |
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Is our ANC or business association doing anything to try to get a good tenant in this space? It seems to me that in other neighborhoods the business authorities take an active role in trying to make entrepreneurs aware of good spaces like this. Has anyone been in touch with My Organic Market or local restaurant groups?
And, who is Greg Nicklas and how does one contact him?
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jack
Joined: 23 Mar 2004
Posts: 4425
Location: 19th & Lamont
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:10 pm Post subject: 3162-64 Mt Pleasant Street |
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| Rieux wrote: | Is our ANC or business association doing anything to try to get a good tenant in this space? It seems to me that in other neighborhoods the business authorities take an active role in trying to make entrepreneurs aware of good spaces like this. Has anyone been in touch with My Organic Market or local restaurant groups?
And, who is Greg Nicklas and how does one contact him? |
The ANC has no proper role in this. Our job is to respond to District Government agencies concerning their proposed actions in the neighborhood, and secondarily to request actions from DC Government agencies. If there are zoning or permit issues associated with a new tenant, then we would have a role, judging the consequences of issuances on the neighborhood.
I have no idea what the business association is doing about this. Most of our business owners are so preoccupied with their own businesses -- keeping them solvent! -- that they have little time to spare for seeking a new tenant for a property being vacated.
Greg Nicklas is a longtime Mount Pleasant property owner and onetime business owner (Tonic Restaurant). He also has excellent business acumen and good judgment, so I'm confident that he'll do the best he can for our neighborhood.
Attached, his flyer advertising the location.
-- Jack
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Download |
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Proposal to Lease - Flyer.pdf |
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497.02 KB |
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125 Time(s) |
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kelly5612
Joined: 17 Jun 2008
Posts: 265
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't see this info on the flyer but Prince of Petworth posted the rent as $10,080 a month, which, in my opinion, seems pretty reasonable. It's just that the size will eliminate most start-ups.
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Cory
Joined: 31 Mar 2010
Posts: 100
Location: 17th and Park
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:46 am Post subject: |
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| Also not noted on the flyer is the fact that Gregg Nicklas is offering a $5000 finder's fee to anyone who helps him secure a new tenant. I've shared the info with a few local entrepreneurs. Constantine Stravapoulos of Tryst/Diner/Margot's Chair said he would share with the executive director of Think Local First, which is a local dc business association that includes companies like Tryst, Ben's Chili Bowl, Local 16 and many others. Also, one of the commenters on Prince of Petworth mentioned something about having a business plan to start up a local butcher. I'm really hopeful that outreach like this will help bring some commercial diversity to the main street, which has so many redundancies already.
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Harry
Joined: 22 Jan 2010
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Cory - Keep up the good work and how bout an ANC run? Would love to have a decent restaurant close by. A real butcher would also be awesome.
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kelly5612
Joined: 17 Jun 2008
Posts: 265
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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| The poster who mentioned a butcher also mentioned he has no money. (I know him -- he'd do a bang-up job.) So if people are willing to pony up for his (or another) business plan, speak up!
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ross
Joined: 19 Apr 2010
Posts: 23
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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| i know other people interested in a butchery in the area, just that the space offered is just too big....
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Rieux
Joined: 17 Oct 2011
Posts: 46
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| Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 8:47 am Post subject: |
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| What about the spot next to the best world for a butcher? It's for lease.
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