Mini-Walk to Help the Homeless

I hope all of us in the neighborhood can join together to support this worthwhile effort to benefit the Homeless.

When: Sunday November 2, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Where: Meet at the corner of 20th Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW
Cost: $15 for those up to age 25; $25 for everyone else.

Sponsored by the DCCA. See link for more information (link to flier).

Support our Local Businesses

STA71281.JPG,
originally uploaded by mr.doug.rogers.

I support excellent retail establishments along 14th Street and U Street. If the owners of the warehouse at 1840 14th Street NW (corner of 14th and T) had no other alternatives, I could understand them selling their property to a national furniture chain.

However, it is my understanding that the owners of the building had two potential buyers: 1) A national furniture chain OR 2) A group of local business owners who wanted to build a coffee house, restaurant, comedy club and yoga studio…a development that would bring vitality to the west side of 14th Street.

When given a choice, I believe our community should support local independent businesses for a host of reasons: A) Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made by local people who live in the neighborhood and who will feel the impact of those decisions. B) Locally owned businesses build strong communities by linking neighbors together and contributing to local causes. C) Small businesses select products based on the needs of local customers which guarantee a broader range of choices. D) In an increasingly homogenized world, neighborhoods that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an economic advantage (example: Pulp on 14th Street…try finding a card at CVS that gets bigger laughs). I also support the local businesses that are here today in our neighborhood. They took great risks to locate along 14th Streets and U Streets and helped turn around this neighborhood. I’ve spoken with the local owners, and they are VERY CONCERNED about a national furniture chain store moving into our neighborhood at such a prominent location.

This past weekend, I handed out a flier in the neighborhood appealing for the community to support our neighborhood's independent and local businesses. (see it here).   The back of the flier had a copy of a City Paper article related to the project (link to article).  On his newly created web site, my opponent WRONGLY accuses me of saying that he (or ANC 2B) disapproved of the project by the local group.  The flier made no mention of him (or ANC 2B), although others do appear to indicate that my opponent was less than fully supportive of the idea (see Washington Blade article 10/24/08).  I am for supporting our local businesses that are owned by our neighbors, friends and family.  I encourage the owners of the warehouse to give the group of local business owners the opportunity to build something truly unique for our neighborhood.

Press coverage of the Dupont ANC 2B09 Race

Here's a link to a Washington Blade article on the race for Dupont ANC. (Link to Blade article).

Here's a link to the Greater Greater Washington Blog article (Link to GGW article).

The Dupont Current also wrote an article on the race this past week.

Sad News - Big Box wants to move in...

14th and T Streets NW (West Side),
originally uploaded by mr.doug.rogers.

Late today, I found out from the City Paper that Room and Board, a national chain, has signed a contract to purchase the warehouse at 14th and T. Sadly this chain will push out several local business owners who want to buy the building for an independent coffee shop/restaurant, comedy club and yoga studio. (see City Paper Article).

Some national chains are desirable at times. And if the owners of the owners of the building had no other offers for it, I could understand their decision. But when the owners of the building at 14th and T have a great local alternative, why shouldn't we encourage them to go with the proven local independent business people?

In addition, what will this do to the independent furniture stores on 14th Street and U Street? These business owners took a HUGE risk by coming to our neighborhood years ago when no national chain would even consider it. Now the national chains want to come into the neighborhood to feed off the local independent businesses who helped make the neighborhood what it is today. Where is our community support for these people who took risks early on?


I also believe in the importance of retail diversity. We need dry cleaners, hardware stores, restaurants, clothing outlets, bakeries, book stores, etc. Do we really need another furniture store along 14th Street?


Again, I am sure the owners of Room and Board would be a nice addition to the neighborhood IF there were not any other alternatives and if we did not have many other local furniture options already in the neighborhood. But given the local alternative, I would hope the owners of the warehouse at 14th and T would reconsider their choice.

If you would like to express your thoughts to the Founder and President of Room and Board, here is his contact information:
John Gabbert, Founder and President
c/o Room & Board, Inc.
4600 Olson Memorial Highway
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55422

Or email the CFO at : mmiller@roomandboard.com

Improved Bus Service coming to 16th Street?

16th Street Bus,
originally uploaded by mr.doug.rogers.

I support improved bus service along the 14th, 16th and U Street corridors. WMATA and DDOT are currently studying ways to improve Metrobus service along 16th Street NW. It's about time! These buses are usually packed by the time they reach our neighborhood. According to WMATA, the 16th Street Line has the 3rd highest ridership in the Metrobus system.

Some of the proposed alternatives are 1) placing more accordion-like extended buses on the line 2) Express Service 3) Limited Stop Service (i.e. at U and P Streets) 4) Increased Frequency and capacity with additional buses. You can leave your comments and learn more about this study at WMATA's web site for the 16th Street Line Study.

Gas Station at 15th and U St NW

Gas Station at 15th and U St NW,
originally uploaded by mr.doug.rogers.

First let me say that I like having a convenient gas station near my house. But couldn't the owners of the Sunoco station do something to improve the look of this corner in ANC 2B09 (15th and U St NW)? I've seen better-looking gas stations in the suburbs, and this is a HISTORIC DISTRICT.

Couldn't the owners paint the station with more muted colors instead of NASCAR themed bright colors? What about installing landscaping between the sidewalks and the station to hide the unattractiveness of a gas station that does not "fit" within a historic neighborhood? What about better plantings in the tree boxes along 15th and U Street?

I realize that a franchisee most likely owns this station, and Sunoco probably just lends its name to the owner. But I would think a company that had revenues in 2007 of $44.5 Billion would want to give a little back to the neighborhood that sees Sunoco's corporate logo unflatteringly splashed accross this corner everyday. Just a thought...

I want the Dupont side of 14th Street to look more like this...

East Side of 14th St NW,
originally uploaded by mr.doug.rogers.

I want the Dupont side of 14th Street to look more like this...diverse and independent retail. The east side even has several sidewalk cafes. Which side of 14th Street would you rather walk along? Which side feels more vibrant?  The east side of 14th St NW (between S and U) falls within the Greater U Street ANC.  

So what's the Dupont ANC doing along west side of 14th Street? (see pic #1, pic #2).  They're coming up with lists of demands for businesses to follow before they even sign a lease.  They're making retail in Dupont economically unviable.  Just ask the developers of the Utopia project...They've tried working with my opponent for the last year and a half.  Even after the developer accommodated his demands, he's still blocking the project by opposing minor zoning changes.  

Is this what we want on 14th Street NW? (see picture)

West side of 14th St NW (between T and U St NW),
originally uploaded by mr.doug.rogers.

My opponent claims he supports the Utopia project at 14th and U Street NW, but does he really?? As one ANC Commissioner remarked at last night's ANC meeting, the developer has made presentations to the ANC on numerous occasions (at least 10 times in the last year and a half), and has patiently worked with the ANC in good faith.    The developer has worked with neighbors and historic preservationists to alleviate their concerns about the architecture, height and density of the project. Both the Dupont Conservancy and Historic Preservation Review Board SUPPORT this project going forward. (FYI: The Dupont Conservancy is dedicated "to preserve and protect the architectural character of the greater Dupont Circle neighborhood").

HOWEVER, My opponent continues to put obstacles in the way to BLOCK this project.  At last night's ANC meeting, he offered and strongly supported a resolution to OPPOSE the slight zoning variances the developer needs to go forward with this project. He CONTINUES to "nit-pick" the development to death to the detriment of our neighborhood.  I believe his 'concerns' are an effort to mask his personal opposition to the project.  The project is literally in my opponent's back yard (A true NIMBY).  

Again, my opponent is NOT looking out for YOUR interests or the interests of the environment, city, region or country. Our society needs smart-growth initiatives like the Utopia project near major transportation hubs.  And all the better if they can be pleasing architecturally and friendly to neighborhood concerns.  For major projects like Utopia, the residents of ANC 2B09 should have easy access to information and a better vehicle to voice their opinions to their ANC representative.  This blog will provide such a forum if I am elected to be YOUR representative.  

Last chance to Register to Vote for November election

DC residents have until Monday night October 6th to register to vote for the November 4th general election.  The DC Board of Elections and Ethics will be open until midnight to accommodate potential voters who want to sign up in person.  Voters can also register by mail as long as the applications are postmarked by Monday October 6th.  You can pick up an application at DC libraries, police and fire stations.  If you'd like to visit the board office in person, it is located at 441 Fourth St NW, Suite 250 North.

More Signs

STA71268.JPG,
originally uploaded by mr.doug.rogers.

My friend Carolyn and partner Chris helped me put up a few more signs in the neighborhood today. If anyone would like a sign for their business, yard or window please let me know.

Please send me any pictures of creatively placed signs (please no defacing of public property, etc. Remember this is for public office). I'll post some of the more creative pictures later.

Signs go up!

Signs go up!,
originally uploaded by mr.doug.rogers.

I spent several hours yesterday putting up signs around the neighborhood; then it was off to DC Office of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to file my paperwork for the signs (surprisingly easy...you'll be glad to know the DC government continues to improve itself). I know people don't exactly love campaign signs, but I promise to take them down in a month!