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Warning: This article is totally biased. But, it’s only a blog – lighten up.
Several neighbors wrote in requesting that we post an article about the upcoming ANC elections in our neighborhood. Requests ranged from explaining how Penn Quarter spans 2 Wards to detailing each candidate running for all of the ANCs. We covered some of this info a few months ago, but since the general election (where the ANC votes are cast) is on November 7th, a refresher is appropriate.
ANC 2C or 6C?
ANC2C contains Mather Studios, Ventana, The Artisan (coming soon), Residences At Gallery Place, Terrell Place. ANC6C contains just about everyone else. The article we did in the past has a map of the ANC lines.
Registration in our condo buildings is very low
GPLiving had a look at the spreadsheet of registered voters in ANC 2C03 and the contents were a little disappointing. Several apartment buildings had almost 100% voter registration, while newer condo buildings had registration around 30% of total units. Check to see if you are registered. If you are not yet registered to vote, the deadline is 10/10/2006 to be able to vote in the General Election (the Primary deadline has already passed). We vote for the ANC in the General Election.
The ANC2C imbalance
While researching ANC2C, a common theme cropped up. Several of the apartment buildings around the Convention Center (most of which are owned by the Universal House of Prayer, others are co-ops), in recent history, made up the majority of registered voters in the ANC. These voters would vote for the same candidates year after year. And in turn the elected ANC commissioners would appoint the same individual, Leroy Thorpe, as the chairperson. Strong opinions fly when Leroy Thorpe’s name is mentioned, we’ll just let Google do the talking (note the corruption article). In recent years, ANC 2C01 elected Alex Padro, who is considered to be a balancing power of Thorpe. However, 2C03 (Doris Brooks) and 2C04 (Barbara Curtis) still unconditionally support Thorpe as chairperson and the ANC remains unbalanced. PQ residents should note that the lines for ANC 2C03 are drawn such that ANC commissioners that reside outside of Penn Quarter are in the position to make significant decisions in our neighborhood.
ANC6C in a league of their own
The lines for ANC 6C09 were drawn to include current and future condominiums to be built in the Penn Quarter neighborhood. This part of the neighborhood seems to be well taken care of by Charlie Docter, the ANC 6C09 commissioner. Where Docter has been present at a majority of neighborhood residential meetings, Brooks has been notably absent.
Matchbox And Hardware Store News
Two WaPo articles explain it all:
Building Permit Updates: PS7’s Signage and 455 Mass Ave
We have these following approved building permits for you today:
Home repairs water damaged walls
- 08/14/06
911 F ST NW
REMOVE AND REPLACE SHEET ROCK. WATER DAMAGED WALLS.
DOUGLAS DEVELOPMENT CORP.
PS7’s restaurant gets new signs (Anticipated opening in Sept. 2006)
- 08/18/06
777 I ST NW
REPLACE SIGN
PS7s
455 Mass Ave NW (pdf) office building (pictured above) gets the go-ahead from a third party review! The odd numbered side of the 400 block of Mass Ave NW also hosts the Dumont Condominiums (425 & 401 Mass Ave NW), the Ledo pizza building and a large victorian building (seen in the artist’s rendering of 455 Mass Ave).
- 08/21/06
455 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW
CONSTRUCTION OF 12 STOREY OFFICE BUILDING WITH 4-LEVEL GARAGE. THIRD PARTY REVIEW.
Square 516 Office Venture
Pic courtesy of Penzance Companies
Coyote Ugly Begins Transformation, BodySmith & E Street Info
Coyote Ugly
Walking by Coyote Ugly (717 6th St NW) a couple of days ago, we noticed that the neon sign and other window ornaments were missing from the building. We’ll post a pic in the next 24 hours. As far as we know, the theme of the new bar is still up in the air, but we think that it will be more of a neighborhood bar.
BodySmith
We walked by the BodySmith (575 7th St NW) storefront and we noticed that the interior wall had been removed to reveal: nothing. Looks like the rumors that it may be opening are false. An anonymous comment also explains how BodySmith wrote him/her a letter saying that they were abandoning plans.
E Street Repaving
Jeff wrote in on the E Street article to note that when E Street is repaved and remarked, it will feature a quite different configuration than in the past. E Street will feature bicycle lanes running from North Capitol to 13th as well as several turn lanes to try to alleviate traffic congestion. Read more about the Downtown Bike Lane Network.