tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post2298231157703906207..comments2023-10-22T10:53:07.976-04:00Comments on 14th & You: Adams-Morgan comes to T Street, Courtesy of the Post Office Bistro14th & Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401615764637283832noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-10727300867061338302011-05-19T12:49:54.924-04:002011-05-19T12:49:54.924-04:00@Tom,
Thanks for your post Tom. I agree with you ...@Tom,<br /><br />Thanks for your post Tom. I agree with you on pretty much all points. I would support their entertainment clause as well, because I like the concept as implemented by Masa, Busboys, and Saint X. It's not a deal breaker for me either way though.<br /><br />And thank you for being involved in the process. More of us should be.CJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-21153194416825180122011-05-18T14:20:12.112-04:002011-05-18T14:20:12.112-04:00I regret not attending the ANC meeting but I was o...I regret not attending the ANC meeting but I was out of town. I have some thoughts though that I would like to share and I figure this is one of the best places to do it.<br /><br />1) This is a city. Cities have a larger population than the suburbs. People need places to eat and drink. That's exactly what this is.<br /><br />2) I have lived directly across from this building for 4 years now....its about time something goes in there. Yes there have been a ton of proposals but nothing other than a restaurant that derives a majority of its revenue from alcohol can afford to go in there. Is it ideal? No! But what is less ideal is a building that sits vacant because local mom and pop shops can't afford it.<br /><br />3) Stop using parking as a tactic against businesses. We live in a city and as we develop parking will continue to disappear. It totally sucks but its the product of our growth. As we continue to grow we should find creative ways to work with businesses so it is less of an issue. But we need to prepare ourselves for the inevitable. A luxury we once enjoyed will not be here forever.<br /><br />4) The main developer owns several reputable RESTAURANTS...not clubs in NYC. It appears that is exactly what they are looking to do here.<br /><br />5) YES on their ABC application they asked for an extremely large capacity, very long hours of operation and a DJ. There is a flip side to this. The two investors from DC have never run a restaurant or negotiated with an ANC. In that spirit they hired a lawyer who advised them to ask for more and settle for less. Makes sense right? Well....neighbors were clearly pissed with the hours and these guys held a meeting with neighbors prior to the ANC meeting and asked what we want. Unfortunately this meeting was not productive because rather than providing constructive feedback neighbors attacked! I decided to provide feedback and it was the following: If you are not going to be a club then limit your hours to midnight since nobody goes out for a fine meal after that point in time. Furthermore remove the concept of a DJ. You don't need one if your not a club, although Masa 14 has a DJ in house and they are not a club. In regards to parking offer incentives for people to leave their cars at home.<br /><br />6) Stop the scare tactics people! This will not be the next Adams Morgan. We have some of the finest restaurants in the city opening up in this area, its a far cry from ADMO. <br /><br />7) BE HEARD! I have spoken with a lot of people in this particular ANC and have heard that they support the idea of the restaurant within reason. If you support the concept become as active as possible in the process so we don't have to continue looking at a vacant building.<br /><br />In conclusion you know what I think and what I want to see. I believe if we stop yelling and protesting we can work together with these new tenants to reach an amicable agreement which will serve the neighborhood well! I think the developers have the best of intentions and I would like to see this move forward. As we all know from the Space saga...if something does go wrong with the VA we can always fight to revoke the liquor license.<br /><br />-Tom LewisTom Lewisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-59464379090127484612011-05-16T18:45:34.530-04:002011-05-16T18:45:34.530-04:00I appreciate all the feedback. Yes, I've spoke...I appreciate all the feedback. Yes, I've spokenw with the owners. Yes, Caroline is within the radius but I hardly think they'll hear the noise over there (altho with a club I may be wrong about that one). Perhaps I'm overly skeptical because we went through this with Policy. They put all our concerns to bed -- it was going to be a nice Asian fusion restaurant sushi takeout. Ooops, it became another club that mostly uses food for a front. Then we agreed to the rooftop if they agreed not to try to expand onto the T side Street. Oops, they're now seeking a permit to put tables and liquor on T Street. <br /><br />I don't want to be alarmist but I still feel if it looks like a club and quacks like a club, then it prbly IS a club. I really don't believe what owners say in pre-meetings any more. They'll say anything to get that invaluable liquor license and then do what they want. <br /><br />On another note, for those of you who have more faith than I, I'd like to point out that studies show that restaurants, coffee shops and bistros tend to increase property values and are low-impact on parking and noise. More clubs tend to have the opposite effect. Something to think about if you're willing to wager your credulity. I'd like to see it developed too, but not at any cost.<br /><br />Thanks again for this spirited debate and the differing points of view.Rikihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13281511601700931628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-50241272355593678382011-05-16T12:44:37.087-04:002011-05-16T12:44:37.087-04:00and further to the point -
How many clubs and ba...and further to the point - <br /><br />How many clubs and bars to you frequent that produce their own in house artisinal sausages and a contemporary Southern influenced menu? <br /><br />Busboys has a STAGE that is used almost every day of the week. If you go there, you've heard a DJ, and live music, unless you only go for lunch. I've been to Eatonville when they had a DJ. St. X has one every week, and they spin for later hours than those proposed by the Post Office owner.<br /><br />I'm beginning to believe that you don't actually frequent these establishments at all.CJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-69676919487687950202011-05-16T12:36:35.410-04:002011-05-16T12:36:35.410-04:00@ Riki,
I am your neighbor, and I've spoken t...@ Riki,<br /><br />I am your neighbor, and I've spoken to the future owner. Have you? Blake Kimbrough says that they have no plans for live entertainment beyond what other establishments in the area already host. You've already said you're fine with those establishments' policies. <br /><br />Do you have ANY substantive information that would lead me to distrust the owner's word? Because I have 10 years of experience with Estrada and I have every reason to distrust his.<br /><br />By the way, those folks of Caroline street are within the circumference of impact, and within the ANC. They have every right, as do I, to voice their opinion, and for it to have the same weight as yours.<br /><br />Welcome to the city.CJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-44284894926758842662011-05-16T10:55:44.301-04:002011-05-16T10:55:44.301-04:00@Riki - even if an establishment wants to host a p...@Riki - even if an establishment wants to host a private or charitable event just once a year, this requires it be a part of their license to operate. You are wrong about the opeating licenses of other businesses in our neighborhood. You are trying to influence neighbors by using false and mis-leading information and creating fear. Work with the city, our neighbors, and the business owners on establishing an mutually agreeable VA so that we can move forward, not backwards with a vibrant neighborhood for all of us to enjoy and prosper.Scottnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-20915961709228085572011-05-15T20:34:03.975-04:002011-05-15T20:34:03.975-04:00Yes I imagine a discussion centered upon heresay a...Yes I imagine a discussion centered upon heresay and other neighborhood scuttlebutt, about a mtg that's over and finished, conveyed by a person who is heatedly anything but objective, would be better than a reasoned consideration of regulatory tools and processes that might benefit the residents to the largest degree possible.<br /><br />(Still looking for advice when someone builds way beyond their permit. I mean, that's almost as bad as someone who goes beyond their VA, amiright? I wish both stripes didn't bother our neighborhoods.)ScuttlebuttNewsNetwork?noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-16317707961320507472011-05-15T18:12:44.207-04:002011-05-15T18:12:44.207-04:00I heard a half dozen folks from the street were pr...I heard a half dozen folks from the street were pretty much drowned out by a dozen folks from around the block (Caroline, etc.) who were in favor of a bar/club/restaurant. Haven't heard more -- am checking and will post.Rikihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13281511601700931628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-20595915727102492682011-05-15T13:45:31.179-04:002011-05-15T13:45:31.179-04:00Unfortunately I just now saw this post today. Is ...Unfortunately I just now saw this post today. Is there any update as to what happened at the ANC meeting?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-19752631939662952522011-05-15T09:01:35.454-04:002011-05-15T09:01:35.454-04:00I have to say I'm a little shocked, since you&...I have to say I'm a little shocked, since you're obviously my neighbor (altho I use my name and you hide yours) -- you really want a 2-story 300 person establishment serving hard liquor to outside tables at 11pm on a weekday night with live music? If so I'd be really interested (pls no more snarks) in why, and what you really believe it adds to our block. Most of the neighbors I've spoken with wanted a low-impact bistro, coffee-bar, etc. But perhaps there are folks who really do want a club and DJ on T.Rikihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13281511601700931628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-31874947774830426152011-05-15T08:59:13.791-04:002011-05-15T08:59:13.791-04:00Neither Busboys or Eatonville is built around a cl...Neither Busboys or Eatonville is built around a club, late night liquur or live DJ. In fact, I go to both 3-4 times a week and I can't EVER recall hearing a live DJ spinning records at either one. Please, be intellectually honest -- tell me you've seen a live DJ and folks dancing at either one.Rikihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13281511601700931628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-52009477853404263442011-05-14T20:50:15.935-04:002011-05-14T20:50:15.935-04:00Riki: How many times do people have to tell you th...Riki: How many times do people have to tell you that both Eatonville and Busboys & Poets have entertainment licenses, and have featured DJs at their many special events, before you cease stating that they do not?<br /><br />Are facts and honesty not important to you whatsoever?<br /><br />(BTW, when it comes to abiding by the rules, I know of a house in the neighborhood that tried to prevent their neighbor from making an addition, then created an addition themselves, and word on the street is they added beyond what their permits/approvals allowed. Any suggestions on how someone goes about shaving a few elements off an addition?)IntellectualHonestyImportantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-7448792230693922812011-05-14T19:45:30.138-04:002011-05-14T19:45:30.138-04:00The permit is for a two-story 200+ person establis...The permit is for a two-story 200+ person establishment with a live DJ. Does that really sound like a "restaurant" to anyone? Let's see - how many restaurants have a live DJ -- Eatonville (nope), Busboys (nope), Logan Circle (nope), Estadio (you get the drift). It's another club folks, a bar and club. Just what we don't need on our residential street (I live across and down 4 houses). Moreover, the agreements don't mean anything. We went thru that with Policy (which is another "restaurant" that's really a club) -- every time we gave an inch, they came back for more later. Which is their right -- but the point is, a club is a club is a club.Rikihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13281511601700931628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-73244201508250098332011-05-13T15:07:08.215-04:002011-05-13T15:07:08.215-04:00General note:
It seems that Blogger has eaten a ...General note: <br /><br />It seems that Blogger has eaten a bunch of comments that were posted here yesterday--including a couple of mine. I have no idea what happened, but rest assured I am not moderating or deleting comments. <br /><br />If you posted a comment here yesterday and don't see it--sorry. I'll try to bring them back, but can't make any guarantees.Mr. Other Upper NWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12536367497290075887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-43927205510495620382011-05-13T15:03:45.035-04:002011-05-13T15:03:45.035-04:00Blair-
I don't think anyone is saying this bu...Blair-<br /><br />I don't think anyone is saying this business won't have an impact--because it undoubtedly will, for many of the reasons you mention. But that is precisely the reason why it is important to engage in an honest discussion with the restaurant's owners and developers to ensure that an agreement is reached that will help mitigate those issues. For instance, at the ANC2B meeting the owner stated a willingness to agree to scaled-back outdoor hours, and that the entertainment endorsement could be on the table. Things like trash pickup, deliveries, parking and so forth will also all be addressed by the VA.<br /><br />The city's zoning code doesn't make distinctions between a furniture store and a bar/restaurant--they're all commercial uses, and the owner of the building has a right to bring in a commercial tenant of his choosing. So rather than fight the existence of the restaurant itself, which will ultimately be a losing proposition, focus on securing an agreement that will mitigate the potentially negative consequences of its operations on nearby residents.Mr. Other Upper NWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12536367497290075887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-25293992969823816742011-05-13T14:46:41.124-04:002011-05-13T14:46:41.124-04:00THANK YOU for writing this post. Maybe someday the...THANK YOU for writing this post. Maybe someday the west side of 14th street will have representation that supports its growth and development in a way that strikes a balance. Until then, we have Mr. and Mrs. 14thandYou as the voices of reason.Briannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18067119524746127862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-27849461869829413692011-05-13T14:23:29.554-04:002011-05-13T14:23:29.554-04:00Livable city, smart growth, sense of place involve...Livable city, smart growth, sense of place involves compatible pairing of residential and commercial. A post office or antique store adjacent to and alongside residences makes sense.<br />The initial redevelopment plans for this location, which, by the way, has no rear access for trash or deliveries, showed an art gallery and offices, both compatible with the existing neighborhood and bringing little environmental impact. Adding a late-night eat, drink, entertainment venue for 320 people can have a serious impact. Even now, busy, one-way T Street gets jammed when there's a UPS delivery. Imagine how disruptive deliveries and trash services will be, not to mention 320 people late night under the windows of the adjoining condos. Isn't there a better location to operate this type of establishment??Blair M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-13552190524600816282011-05-12T15:52:49.507-04:002011-05-12T15:52:49.507-04:00*commissioner's PARTNER'S poster*commissioner's PARTNER'S posterLancenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-61136145194240305522011-05-12T15:50:51.204-04:002011-05-12T15:50:51.204-04:00@Sick-o-s
As for your command that we be silent, ...@Sick-o-s<br /><br /><i>As for your command that we be silent, unless we live within just a couple feet of the place: not the rule Estrada and Ferris have abided by, and so no, we will not "shut up." Playing by their rules. See: Saint Ex.</i><br /><br />In all fairness to the commissioner, he has not only a right but a duty to get involved in any of a number of things affecting the quality of life anywhere within his ANC. (And I did say ANC and not SMD). And while St. Ex may not itself be in his ANC, the spill off of noise, traffic and late night pedestrians coming from an ABC establishment there means the quality of life of his ANC had the potential of being affected.<br /><br />The place in question here sounds like it will be a great addition to the neighborhood. And while the commissioner's poster may indeed be 'over the top' and 'fear mongering', it's his right as a citizen to express himself in that way if that is how he expresses himself. And it's our right to just know better. Same thing here. We can find the same kind of vitriol in the opposite direction. It doesn't bother me because I just learn to ignore it and use my own judgement to determine if histerics are required or not ;)Lancenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-87896967482620742262011-05-12T14:35:02.276-04:002011-05-12T14:35:02.276-04:00That's much later than this Post Ofc wants. An...That's much later than this Post Ofc wants. And while I feel for your suffering from the commercial operation underneath your window, only one question comes to mind: when you decided to move there, did you happen to look right beneath your prospective new home and not see a commercial space there? (And have you gone through the ABRA process, and if you did, did you try a grownup approach or the one that we're talking about here?)<br /><br />As for your command that we be silent, unless we live within just a couple feet of the place: not the rule Estrada and Ferris have abided by, and so no, we will not "shut up." Playing by their rules. See: Saint Ex.SickofShenanigansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-90327007173616564552011-05-12T14:26:12.180-04:002011-05-12T14:26:12.180-04:00A bar with an extremely loud outdoor patio just op...A bar with an extremely loud outdoor patio just opened under my bedroom window. It is open until 2am on weekdays and 3am on weekends. I did not protest it because I did not know that there would be an outdoor patio. It is hell. All of you will support new restaurants until they open them under your windows. Let the immediate neighbors make the decisions about new establishments and the rest of you -- shut up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-85971133440608080822011-05-12T13:48:27.779-04:002011-05-12T13:48:27.779-04:00Time to elect a new ANC Commissioner!
Who would r...Time to elect a new ANC Commissioner!<br /><br />Who would rather have an abandoned building than a new spot? This should be a nice addition to the neighborhood. 14th Street can absorb more bars, restaurants, and yes even clubs before it becomes way different. The area still has a number of "dead zones" between places that are open. The flier that sparked this post is over the top. <br /><br />Also, not for nothing, but hating on NY and Adams-Morgan makes you seem like a dolt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-23340803231519269252011-05-12T13:32:14.826-04:002011-05-12T13:32:14.826-04:00@ Riki,
What on earth are you talking about? Eato...@ Riki,<br /><br />What on earth are you talking about? Eatonville, St Ex, and Busboys all have licenses for DJs already. Two of the three have outdoor seating. If they are your examples of good actors, then Post Office should be fine.<br /><br />All three of these establishments are credits to the neighborhood, as is Policy, another restaurant that people like you like to disparage because they serve dinner after dark.<br /><br />By the way, if it is a "Club," then welcome to the neighborhood, I say. Enter into an agreement with us, and welcome. My partner and I will be there with friends late at night, drinking (gasp!) hard liquor.CJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-27594116299305406442011-05-12T13:29:26.670-04:002011-05-12T13:29:26.670-04:00BTW, Riki tauntingly wrote:
"anyone see live...BTW, Riki tauntingly wrote:<br /><br />"anyone see live DJs at real restaurants, like, ummm, Eatonville or Busboys"<br /><br />I'm almost certain Eatonville has an entertainment license, and I know that Busboys does. I've been at several special events at Busboys where a DJ was in action, and other instances where live music was played. "Special events" are another end-is-nigh item in the doomsday flyer, incidentally.SickofShenanigansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-9378950956511838572011-05-12T13:11:59.760-04:002011-05-12T13:11:59.760-04:00Riki might want to have the optics on her crystal ...Riki might want to have the optics on her crystal ball checked. She lauds operations at Saint Ex, which actually shifted to a basically wide-open license (the hysterical maneuvers of Ramon Estrada, Elwyn Ferris, and unpaid/unelected ANC staffer Phyllis Klein notwithstanding).<br /><br />And yet despite all the same doomsday rhetoric about Saint Ex's change of license, Riki says they're operating well and responsibly. I.e., the triumvirate was dead wrong.<br /><br />Meanwhile, this Post Ofc project has applied for a more restrictive license than what Saint Ex has, and the owner just last night told many people at the ANC mtg he's happy to ratchet back operations even further than what he applied, and happy to have that all in a VA.<br /><br />Sorry Nostradamus.SickofShenanigansnoreply@blogger.com