RSS FeedThe FBI (Building) Story
Whenever anyone mentions the possibility of the FBI leaving their Pennsylvania Avenue headquarters for bigger digs (and the Hoover building disappearing with them) we never let it get our hopes up. We’ve seen how slow bureaucracy moves and are well aware of the web of obstacles that exist.
However, against our better judgment the recent news of an FBI move has piqued our interest. Could it really happen? Will the FBI site be transformed from no man’s land into a bustling city block? Soon???
Just in case our Federal neighbors really make an exit out of PQ we wanted to present our top five things the FBI should do at their DC HQ before they leave (we should have spent more time working on a catchier title).
- Number 5…. Host a half marathon through the maze of hallways
- Number 4…. Earn money for the new HQ! Restart the famed tours as a going out of business sale (top dollar for anything in the rumored Hoover-Tolson library)
- Number 3…. The employees could have the greatest Laser Tag game EVER
- Number 2…. Invite all the former FBI Directors back for a James Bond themed karaoke night*
And the Number 1 thing the FBI should do a their PQ HQ before they leave?
- Host a New Years Eve Party to including shooting off stockpiled munitions at midnight (take that Times Square Ball)
* Ok so Bond is a British Secret Agent, but there are no fictional FBI agents famous enough (if there are any at all) to compete here; Heck Bond’s US comparable was Felix Leiter (CIA) and he loses a leg to a shark (skip to 3:30).
Dog Portraits With Santa At Penn Camera This Sunday
The E Street Penn Camera (840 E St NW – now part of Calumet Photographic) is hosting its annual dog portraits with Santa session this Sunday, December 9 from Noon to 3 pm. Bring your dog for the free session and get the first 4 x 6 print gratis. You might bump into some of your neighbors too.
Donations to the Washington Humane Society including cash/checks or gently used physical goods such as leashes, bowls, collars, food, or other pet items will be collected. 100 percent of all items collected will go to the WHS.
Call ahead to schedule a session at 202-347-5777.
History on Foot: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (619 10th St., NW)
According to the history provided on the Church’s web site and the plaque displayed at the entrance:
St. Patrick’s was first established in 1794 to serve the Irish immigrant population helping to build the White House and Capitol building. It was one of the first church buildings erected in the new Federal City.
The first pastor, Father Anthony Caffry, was brought over from Ireland, apparently at the suggestion of a parishioner, James Hoban, the architect of the White House who also would provide the design for the church’s first reconstruction in 1809.
In 1804, Father William Matthews, the first American to be ordained a priest in the United States, became St. Patrick’s pastor. He held the post for fifty years and was a notable leader in the Catholic community and the developing Federal City. During his fifty-year tenure, He was also President of Georgetown University, Administrator of the Philadelphia Diocese, co-founder of the D.C. Public Library, long-time member of the D.C. Public School Board, as well as founder or promoter of innumerable institutions.
The present gothic style church was begun in 1872 and finally dedicated in 1884. The present rectory and school building were completed in the gothic style in 1904 and dedicated by Cardinal Gibbons and President Theodore Roosevelt.
Over its long history, St. Patrick’s has hosted a number of Presidents and dignitaries and championed many worth causes. I encourage you to visit the web site to learn more about how this beloved neighborhood Church helped support our community throughout the incredible events of U.S. history.
Penn Quarter Link Roundup: Heard In The ‘Hood
Photo Above: Music act at the Downtown Holiday Market
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Here’s what we were reading recently about neighborhood news in DC. Have something to add? Leave it in the comments!
Tips? Send them in confidentiality to: pqliving [at] gmail.com
Chinatown – Is PS7’s Restaurant closed? The phone is on, the web is on but the OpenTable slot is offline and a sign is on the door. Maybe…maybe not. [Washington CityPaper]
Mount Vernon Triangle – Tel’veh (401 Massachusetts Ave NW) has a new menu, new managers, and a new website. We like the vibe and recommend the Six Clones Merlot from Peirano in Lodi. [Tel’veh website] & [Tel’veh Twitter] & [Tel’veh wines by the glass [PDF]] & [Tel’veh Happy Hour Tweet]
Downtown – Four people were stabbed at 14th and L St NW over the weekend after a fight. [WUSA 9 TV]
Golden Triangle Penn Quarter – Cafe Atlantico gets its replacement from Chef Federik de Pue at 405 8th St NW. It will be called Azur and feature European style seafood. [Eater DC]
Northeast – DC’s first Costco opens up this weekend and Joe Biden visits. 154,000 square feet located in Ft. Lincoln at New York and South Dakota Ave NWNE. [WaPo]
Penn Quarter – The GSA proposes trading real estate sites so the FBI (935 Pennsylvania Ave NW) can consolidate operations. This means they would move out of Penn Quarter. Interesting renderings of a replacement edifice included. [WaPo]
Downtown – Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken will open at 1308 G St NW next to the Laughing Man Tavern. [Eater DC]
NoMa – Central Union Mission will be moving to 65 Massachusetts Ave NW, the former Gales School, just down the road from Penn Quarter. We first mentioned the Gales School in 2008. [Borderstan] & [DC Mud] & [PQ Living]
Chinatown – The Metropolitan Police Department moves its Asian Liaison Unit out of Gallery Place. [DCist]
Penn Quarter – We are designating this 3 bedroom, 3 1/2 bathroom condo with roof deck for sale in the Clara Barton (616 E St NW – Apt 1154) as our cool crib of the week – MLS DC7947758. It’s like having a rowhouse embedded in the side of a condo – great amenities and a great location top it all off. [Redfin listing]