Summary:

The Park View School was constructed in 1916 to provide a school for the Park View community. The Park View neighborhood, adjacent to the Old Soldiers’ Home, originated in 1886 with the platting of a former estate known as “Whitney Close” into a residential subdivision. An explosion of rowhouse development in Park View came after 1904, and a new citizens’ association formed in 1908. Development was so rapid that by 1910, the Park View Citizens’ Association began demanding an elementary school for the neighborhood’ s 600 children, most of whom were pupils at the Hubbard and Petworth Schools. Although it took several years, the Citizens’ Association won a commitment for a twelve-room school, to serve some of the then 900 neighborhood children. In 1914, Municipal Architect Snowden Ashford began drawings for a sixteen-room school that was constructed and opened in 1916. The Park View School was designed in a Tudor Gothic style favored by Ashford, particularly for the city ‘s public school buildings.

610 Newton Place as it was in November 2012

In early February, I was able to report that the long empty apartment house at 610 Newton Place was destined to be developed. Along with the large empty lot behind it, the property changed hands in November 2012 from the New Commandment Baptist Church to new owners for $1,425,000. Construction permits for the new one story addition at the existing building with a new three story rear addition were issued on May 14th, so the property should quickly become an active work site.

Newton Street elevation showing addition of third level.

The development as designed is completely as a matter-of-right and will add an addition to the rear of the two-story structure as well as add a third story. According to the plans, the original structure will be converted into two two-story, two-bedroom units. The new construction will add an additional ten units, all two-bedroom, for a total of twelve two-bedroom units. The four uppermost units also have their own roof decks.

Below is the floor plan of the third floor addition. All in all, I think this is a very positive development for this block of Newton Place.

The floor plan of the third floor. Newton Street is at the top of the plan.

3612-3614 Park Place. Both properties have be vacant for over 6 years.

In early March I noted that the long vacant houses at 3612-3614 Park Place appeared to be headed for development but had few details to offer. Now, I have many of the details lacking earlier. According to a BZA Application that I recently received, both properties are planned to be developed into three living units for a total of 6 units. There would be 5 off-street parking spaces in the rear of the property. The zoning adjustment request is for the 6th unit. Five are allowed as a matter-of-right.

The property owner has begun the process of consolidating the two properties (Sq. 3035, lots 837 & 838) into a single record lot, the total area of which will be 4,521 square feet. The two houses have been vacant for several years and are in a severely dilapidated condition and in need of significant structural repair and restoration (read full application and see condition photos here).

Elevation drawing of 3612-3614 Park Place, NW.

The proposed conversion of the two buildings into a six-unit apartment house/condo in an R-4 zone is limited by both minimum lot area and lot occupancy. The minimum lot area must be 900 square feet for each apartment unit. In this case, only 5-units are allowed as a matter-of-right because the property is oddly shaped creating a total of 4,521 sq. ft. The owner is seeking relief from the regulation to include a 6th unit due to the difficulty in restoring the property.

In addition to the before photos accessible via the link above, you can also page through the plan set for a better idea of the proposal. If I am reading the plans correctly, the largest unit would be a two-level, three bedroom located on the first floor and basement. The second floor shows two one-bedroom units — and the third floor contains two one-bedroom units with roof decks. An example of  the first floor plan is below.

First floor plan for 3612-3614 Park Place

Gardens at the Armed Forces Retirement Home

A few of the 22 tomato plants I recently planted at the Soldiers’ Home.

With Mothers’ Day behind us, and warmer weather finally here, community gardening will finally kick it in high gear. I’ve already spent several hours over the last couple of days just tilling the soil and planting tomatoes and cucumbers. I still have so much more to plant its insane.

But will I’m sure many gardening at Bruce-Monroe Park, Wangari Gardens, or the Soldiers’ Home this year are probably focused on getting their gardens in, I wanted to plant one idea that worked really well for me last year — and that is what to do with extra produce. Last year, we had a lot of vegetables that were beyond what two people could eat. This was especially true with the tomatoes and cucumbers. It this happens to you and you don’t plan to can or preserve your excess produce, you can always donate it to the Ward 1 Senior Wellness Center. Our area seniors, many of whom have no garden plots of their own, love it. It’s one way where you can make sure nothing in your garden goes to waste.

The video clips above and below will give an idea of what the class is like.

While reviewing the DRAFT 2016 District of Columbia Historic Preservation Plan that is currently out for comment (HPO is still interested in comments even though the original deadline has passed) and speaking to others reviewing the draft plan, one thought that has come up is the creation of Conservation Districts. Essentially, a Conservation District would have some of the protections of a Historic District, but not all of them. An example could be architectural review for construction before issuance of permits, but no review for things like new windows. The intent of a Conservation District is to provide some protection to the historic fabric of neighborhoods where a full-fledged Historic District is deemed to restrictive.

Reportedly, Office of Planning Director Harriet Tregoning is not in favor of Conservation Districts. Her concern is that if the District includes this option that the City would never have another Historic District again. I’m a little more optimistic. I believe that there are instances when a Conservation District might be a more appropriate approach to some neighborhoods.

I also believe that even should they never come to pass, there are ample opportunities to enhance the District’s existing approach to preservation and maintain the character of our neighborhoods while allowing new development.  I encourage residents who are interested in the fabric of their neighborhoods to take a look at the draft preservation plan and submit comments on what works, what doesn’t, and what can be improved.

Nest DC, located at 3634 Georgia Ave., NW.

It was brought to my attention a few days ago that new signage for Nest DC had been installed near Looking Glass Lounge. This was news to me. In calling them, I learned that they are located on the third floor of 3634 Georgia (just above Looking Glass)  and have been there for about two months.

According to their Website, Nest DC describes itself as a boutique property management company. After clicking on many of the links, it appears that they work with both property owners and those looking to rent a place. They have identified several neighborhoods that I would presume are where they are especially focused (although Park View is not listed among them), and even offer a design service to help owner better market their rentals.

All things considered, I’m happy to have this business in the neighborhood. It’s nice to have one less vacant commercial space on Georgia Avenue.

Field house at the Park View Rec Center in 2009.

A short time ago, Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham announced that $400,000 was appropriated yesterday to renovate the historic 1932 field house at the Park View Recreation Center. Of all the short-term needs at Park View Rec, the field house was the most important and in the greatest need.

I’ve been a strong advocate of renovating the old field house and for a long-term master plan to completely rebuild the entire site in the not so distant future. On March 29th, I testified at the DPR Budget hearings to make a case for funding both. During the testimony, Councilmember Graham briefly attended to lend his support for continuing the work already begun at Park View.

As you can read from Coucilmember Graham’s announcement below, he was successful in working with Councilmember Barry to secure funding to renovate the filed house. Both Graham and Barry deserve a great deal of credit for supporting this project and ensuring it will move forward.

From area listservs: 

Dear friends,

I am pleased to tell you that, on my recommendation, Councilmember Barry took action yesterday in his committee, to appropriate $400,000 to renovate the “little house” at Parkview Recreation Center.  Thank you, Councilmember Barry!

With all the recent much-needed enhancements at Parkview–the rec center itself, the playing fields, basketball courts, shaded area–this will add significantly to our short-term renovation. The steadfast support of Mayor Vincent Gray has made the difference in all of that. And we thank him again!

It is my intention to work with ANC member Kent Boese–who also deserves credit for all his advocacy for this improvement– and other stakeholders to convene a community groups to determine the best approach for the new renovation.

I know there are longer term improvements that are desirable, such as a new, larger Rec Center building, and a consolidation with eth elementary school–but this is solid step forward.

Bests Councilmember Jim Graham

The Park View Playground, 1938.

At last night’s regularly scheduled meeting of ANC 1A, Commissioner Boese introduced a landmark nomination for the Park View Playground. In considering the issue, with 10 commissioners present, ANC 1A voted unanimously to approve the nomination (full nomination here).

The Park View Playground, located on Warder Street between Otis and Princeton Places, NW, was officially established as a permanent community playground in 1921 — making it one of eighteen permanent playgrounds established by 1921. Of these, seven are still active. Improvements in 1932 included a wading pool, tennis court, and a 1 -1/2 story field house based on a Colonial Revival design, but using Tudor Revival-style elements. The main elevation faces the Park View School to the south and the playground was considered an extension of the school property.

The property is also significant for the role Park View Playground played in integrating D.C. recreation facilities. Like schools, District playgrounds were originally segregated. Along with five other playgrounds, Park View was among the first to be considered for integration in 1947 in response to changing demographics within Washington. Park View was not open to all children until 1952, two years prior to the integration of all District playgrounds.

While Park View Playground was not the first, or only, playground to be integrated in D.C. prior to 1954 … it’s role in history is unique.

The landmark nomination, if approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board, will preserve and protect the original 1932 field house. It will also ensure that the playground continues to serve the recreational needs of all children both now and in the future.