Mount Pleasant DC Forum

[dsachdev]

This was a post that I originally put up on the Mount Pleasant mailing list and it was suggested that I put it here. I'd love to hear that answer to the question:

WHAT DOES YOUR IDEAL MOUNT PLEASANT LOOK LIKE?

Is it perfect as is to you? If not, what would you change?

I'm curious to know what the Mount Pleasant five years from now looks like?

Often the general consensus I see here (the mailing list) is that change is bad, and lets keep change from happening. But my two thoughts on that is 1) there is some change I'd like to see and 2) change is happening, so may as well help shape it.

Those who say that there is no need for change, I'll point out a few of the things I'd love to see change. Everything from the petty theft (breaking into cars, etc) to the violence that has led to the loss of human life - to other quality of life type of things. Like fixing up some of the alley's around here (My request about a year ago to the city still goes unanswered). And having some of the unsafe abandoned houses that are not boarded up being taken care of - and making the owners take responsibility or have the city take over the properties.

With the changes that are happening in Columbia Heights we will definitely see change (both good and bad) and I wonder what effects it will have on retail in Mount Pleasant. And I can't say that I wouldn't like to see some change there. I think we have 4 markets here for food - yet it is rare for me to purchase from them. And many of the people I talk to say they wish this is true for them as well. It seems that the cleanliness of the stores is generally the reason why.

I'm sure that new development in Columbia Heights will bring increased safety which also means that more people will be more likely to walk to the metro after dark. Making the neighborhood as accessible to public transit is something I see as good. I have to say that when someone first posted news of a possible light rail/trolley cars linking neighborhoods such as Mount Pleasant, Adams Morgan, and other neighborhoods not directly served by metro I thought it would be really great. (Whether that is financially feasible/beneificial is something that I do not know at this point.)

I'm curious to know what the Mount Pleasant you envision looks like?

David

[Nippyfish]

Mostly, I'd love to see crime drop way down. I'd like to be able to walk around after dark and just be more relaxed outside in general. I'd like to see the streets and alleys clean from trash. I think a bookstore would be really great too. And since we're dreaming up things, I would really much prefer the ambient air temperature to top out at about 85 degrees in the summer time.

What?! too much to ask?

[dsachdev]

A bookstore would be great. And that 85 degrees.....I think it is most definitly something that we should request immediately.

[HobartNeighbor]

Mount Pleasant is a great and diverse neighborhood. Do we want to see that diversity fade away, no. Would we like to see Mount Pleasant street welcoming to everyone who lives in the neighborhood, yes. Does this mean we need a Starbucks or other chains, not necessarily, as it would be great if we could maintain independent store owners. I'm not sure if real estate prices and steep retail rental will continue to allow for that however, which is a shame. It would be wonderful if there were more restaurants, cafe's and stores that met the needs of all who live in the neighborhood. Retail that gave Mount Pleasant Street a safe and welcoming feel to all. I agree with the previous reply post about the 4 grocery stores on Mount Pleasant Street. Most of the people that I know do not shop there because of the questionable cleanliness of the store (not to mention some very scary looking meat products). It is inevitable that change is taking place and will continue to take place. We should all be involved with that change to be sure that all voices are heard and that the changes incorporate the real voice of the neighborhood, not just a few.

Safety is another big issue in Mount Pleasant. Those who are not 100% familiar with the neighborhood count safety as one of the main reasons why they wouldn't want to live here. Break-ins, car vandalism, muggings, and homicide are still way too prevalent here. Neighbors need to be vocal about these issues and continue to voice concerns to Jim Graham and the MPD.

[Marnie]

My ideal Mt. Pleasant--
more resources shared-- wealthy residents hire young people in the
neighborhood during the summer, and connect them to internships at their
jobs through Lincoln and Bell schools. A community vegetable garden at
Bancroft Elementary School with master gardeners who help interested
Bancroft parents and kids to grow and harvest vegetables grown from seed donations and community composting- collected at the farmers' market. Support for minority owned businesses and all businesses on Mt.
Pleasant. A shop-Mt. Pleasant-street-only week. Live music and dancing,
and a summer neighborhood dance party with rad djs organized by
neighborhood youth. A well-resourced tenant rights group- made up of
tenants and homeowners- who actively assist low and moderate income
tenants to improve and keep their housing. A neighborhood based emergency rent supplement program, made up of donations by Mt. Pleasant residents for Mt. Pleasant families in crisis- processed through the neighborhood social service groups. A pro-bono legal service network made up of all the neighborhood big shot lawyers who would provide workshops on street law, tenant/landlord, employment, immigration and civic rights in English and Spanish. Fundraisers in people's homes, businesses and on the street for neighborhood social service non-profits to support these ideas, and other programs- for Family Place, Neighbors' Consejo, Spanish Catholic Center, Life Skills, etc. I'd like to see all residents be able to vote for their ANC reps, and for the ANC members to reflect the socio-economic diversity of the neighborhood. I'd like to see
constructive civic processes in which many more people are involved and
engaging one another-- and outside of list-serves like these. I would
like to see more babysitting coops and support for the food coop. I'd
like to continue to receive many friendly hellos as I walk down the
street and into shops. I'd like lower income young people who see this
neighborhood as their own to be able to stay here, grow up strong here
and feel supported by their neighbors.
-Marnie Brady, Lamont St.

[judd-n-chris-n-pilot]

I'd like MtP to be safer, for sure. I'd also like it to be cleaner...no men pissing on the sidewalk, trash cleaned up, etc. I'd like a few more neighborhood eateries....clean ones with variety of food. A few shops, like a bookstore, would be so fantastic! So, yeah, cleaner.

[John B.]

You know, my "ideal" Mt. Pleasant isn't a whole lot different from how it is now. If there were less trash on the streets and sidewalks, and less crime, I'd be pretty happy. Most of my major frustrations--like inept city services--are endemic to the entire city, not just our neighborhood.

(BTW I'll happily vote for the 85 degrees, if you can throw in lower humidity to go with it!)

[dsachdev]

Since there is talk once again on revitalizing the business district, I thought I'd see if this thread had any interest currently.

I think some of the changes from my perspective since I first wrote this is that I do shop a lot more at the Bestway then I did at that time for fruits and vegetables, and well since then we have seen quite a few stores close down, a few spaces open up on Mt. Pleasant street, and I believe the new Laundromat.

We have had the addition of some restaurants and store such as Marleney's and the Philly Cheese shop.

And of course the big fire at 3145 Mt. Pleasant Street (The Winston) has changed the streetscape quite a bit.

But moreso then what your ideal mount pleasant looks like, I'm also curious to know ways in which we can get there, reasons why business may overlook Mount Pleasant, and what types of things do in fact attract them here.

[Dwight]

I think businesses overlook MtP Street because it is not on a through street so there is very limited visibility and very few who pass by everyday (other than those who live in the neighborhood). The lack of parking hurts as well.

This limits them to serving the very local market, and the local market has many more choices within walking distance (Columbia Heights). I think business contemplating opening on Mt P street have to ask themselves "how can I make money only serving those within a 5-10 minute walk" and they find few viable alternatives.

Also, the diversity that makes this a great neighborhood to live in also makes it a hard one for businesses to serve well.

Quality of life improvements would be very nice, but I don't think they will change the underlying issues for Mt P Street.

[smithdo]

I would like to see a mixed-use group of retail including quality national chains and quality local businesses. Local, when mismanaged, is not my friend and due to mismanagement of local businesses, I cannot suggest that they are "better" than national chains or even preferable.

I believe that a mix of retail that approximates, in whatever way feasible, old town alexandria is what I want in the way of businesses.

Because there are no more independent book stores, I would suggest not pining for lines of business that have been replaced in our current economy. I'd love to see a record store too, but that's silly for me to pretend that amazon.com and itunes don't exist. I would love to see something that reminded me of Old Town's "Video Vault" but that's a store from the 1980s and not something feasible in 2008.

For instance, I would like to see a craft store like Ten Thousand Villages sell object d'art that reflect the multicultural history of the way Mt Pleasant used to be with its more upscale current demographics. Should someone create a locally-based craft or art store that would be great.

I would like to see a high-style hair salon in MtP and I'm a man, I'm not even going to one, but I think the neighborhood deserves an alternative.

I would like to see the junk shops replaced in this transition, meaning both the historic, yet useless, antique store as well as all but the most functional dollar store.

I would like to see a carryout restaurant that reflects the new diversity of MtP such as a pizza counter (yes, we still love you radius), sushi, Indian food, or even a "new American" carryout along the lines of an Eatzis.

I am a vegetarian, but who wouldn't want a quality southern BBQ and/or soul food carryout? I'd even stand for a Horace and Dickies-style lake trout joint.

I would like to see the laundromat transformed back into a breakfast diner or I would like to see Dos Gringos hire a professional chef who prepares food with an eye toward taste and quality.

I would like to see a variety of grocery store options on MtP from Bestway, which I shop at more often for staples than 7-11 to a high class grocery store where we can perhaps buy daily from the same suppliers who keep the farmer's market in stock. Naturally the high class store would require a liquor license to keep the cash flow open. I would be happy to see one of the liquor stores close to be replaced by something like this.

I wouldn't mind seeing a deli or cheese shop if I thought it would be supported. Something like a small Rodman's style deli.

Could you imagine MacGruders moving into the 7-11 space?

I want to see shopping which is not represented elsewhere in the immediate neighborhood but has success in DC.

I want more unregulated art, both visual and music, available in the city. Highly-organized art days are welcome, sure, but what about something akin to an Eastern Market where people set up tables and sell their creations?

I want the auto repair shop turned into a gas station and that entire block remodeled.

I want to see neighbors who report crimes to 911 immediately.

and most controversially, I want to see the rentals sold as condos so that the neighborhood creates more stability than we have. We're not awful, but I want to see some rentals, such as the drug-infested area between Park and Newton on 17th st just razed and replaced by townhouses that represent like-infill and not the out of place garden apartments that belong in the suburbs and not in DC. put that in your pipe and smoke it. (and yes, I know this is an obnoxious statement, but there ya go.)

[Dwight]

Now I'm hungry for Rocklands ribs and BBQ, I guess I'll have to drive over to Glover Park...

[RckCrk]

I second every single point made by smithdo.

[kelly5612]

[Laurie]

Right! And on top of that, when NEW businesses look for a location, they take so many things into consideration. For example,

1. Crime: or the perception of crime.
2. Parking: surface versus underground
3. One-Way Streets versus # of 2 way streets.
4. Demographics - level of education.
5. Schools and Metro locations
6. Demographics - Ages of who spends money

[Tina]

I'd like spiffed up storefronts -- Irving Liquor's makeover is very nice. Pfeiffer's looks great too. A number of our current businesses (restaurants included) would be more appealing (and thus successful) if they didn't look so sloppy and unreliable from the outside.

Also, people slumped on the sidewalks or loitering in front of stores is a turn-off and is often intimidating... moving them along should be a priority to encourage people to walk the street, windowshop, and go into stores. And yes, there is a pee smell in many places along the street. The alley by Sportsman's/Heller's...the front of La Casa...is that AC perspiration running down the sidewalk? Doesn't look like it to me.

I agree with other posters that a high-quality, organic grocery would be nice...an extension of our awesome farmer's market is a great idea. But I also think cleaning up and reorganizing a couple of our current groceries would go a long way too. Shopping with kids in a stroller is a nightmare (doors are heavy and not automatic, aisles are very cramped), which is just one more reason to hoof it to DCUSA or get in the car.

I'd love a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean takeout...a hole in the wall like Byblos Deli would suit me just fine.

I miss the pho place that used to occupy the new laundromat's space...would love a Vietnamese or Thai restaurant.

I agree with smithdo that an independent bookstore wouldn't survive here...but I am bummed there isn't a bookstore at DCUSA.

I understand that liquor licensing is the hurdle, but I'd still like a Tryst or Busboy-like place. Seems to me that with all the apparent interest in craft beers and other specialty drinks, a place like Busboys (which also has a cool little bookstore) could make it, but since I don't drink alcohol or coffee, what do I know?

Speaking of things I don't understand, how in the world do palm readers make rent on $5 sessions? Are there that many people who rely on these services? More than that shopped at Yoly's? Or are these all fronts for something else? I can't fathom how these operations stay in business in places like Dupont and Cleveland Park with the rents the way they are...suffice to say I'd like to see other services in their place.

Enough with the crappy dollar/gift stores. Target now occupies the discount goods market and does it better and cheaper...I haven't seen anything in our current dollar/variety stores that would keep me local. Much of the stuff sold is badly made and overpriced, so I don't even think of these stores as "noble" alternatives to Target. A store along the lines of Pulp, maybe combined with quality arts and craft supplies, would be an appreciated addition, IMHO. With the big boxes only blocks from us, our stores have to offer unique, niche-y and/or high quality goods and services to compete.

And on the practical side, what about a business center that offers copying, computer and mailing services? There was one something like that on the repair shop block...close, but no cigar.

As always, my 2 cents.