Park View, D.C.

Kalorama Park on Columbia Road officially reopened on Saturday, June 4th, after months of work that included redoing the plaza and upgrading the playground equipment. A day of activities included opening remarks by Mayor Bowser (see Tweet below).

To provide an idea of how large this project was, below are the budget details from the DGS Website:

• Anti-Erosion and soil remediation: $450,000 (Complete)
• Plaza and Landscaping Improvements: $500,000 (May 2016)
• Playground: $800,000 (May 2016)

I was particularly interested to take a look at the grounds as I still believe the Park View Recreation Center isn’t currently where we need it to be. While they have some things in common (both include playground equipment, both are historic sites, both have recreation buildings), they are also very different. Kalorama Park is a 3-acre triangular lot that is twice as large as Park View. Also, much of Kalorama Park is just that, a park.

All-in-all, Kalorama Park looked good. As I posted when I provided an overview of the project last year, the scope of work included the following:

• Site-work
• Tree Protection and Remediation
• Storm-water Management Improvement
• Landscaping Improvement
• Hardscaping Improvement

Storm water runoff and erosion were particularly important. I noted as I walked up the sidewalk from 19th Street that the sidewalks now incorporate a drainage system to prevent the water runoff that formerly used the sidewalks there. The video below provide an idea of the runoff issues that needed to be addressed.

I’ll have to visit it again soon when I have a little more time. Below are a few photo from my visit.

DDOT has been doing a lot of work in the neighborhood in addition to their ongoing tree planting schedule. Most importantly, all the streetlights were out for four days on Luray Place at the beginning of this week, creating a significant public safety issue. After sustained involvement from ANC Commissioners Rashida Brown and myself, as well as assistance from Councilmember Nadeau’s office (in addition to all the residents who called 311 repeatedly), the lights were finally on again last night. This wasn’t a matter of out lights, but rather power wasn’t getting to poles #11492 (in front of 3400 Warder, St, NW), #11643 (in front of 438 Luray Place), #11642 (in front of 414 Luray Place), and #11644 (in front of 455 Luray Place).

Outside of Luray’s unexpected service disruption, DDOT has also been doing sidewalk work around the neighborhood. On Lamont Street east of Georgia Avenue, the sidewalks and granite curbs are being replaced (see below).

(New sidewalk and curbing on Lamont Street.)

While over on New Hampshire Avenue between Park Road and Princeton Place, all the crosswalks have been rebuilt and now meet DDOT’s current standards.

(Above and below, new crosswalks along New Hampshire Avenue, NW)

(Bruce-Monroe @ Park View Elementary, located on Warder Street.)

As a follow up to my January 21st post where I shared news that the school currently has a budget of roughly $5.7 Million to put towards design and construction for improvements, DCPS now has a Web site devoted to the project that you can find here. The Web site includes minutes and presentation materials from the School Improvement Team (SIT) meetings (a request is required for access). Currently, DCPS is evaluating a cafeteria kitchen expansion project that would increase the dining area for students and cooking space for staff. One of the questions before the team is whether $5.7 Million is enough for that project — although if the current funding is short I doubt it is by much and feel confident that this project will be successful.

The school was built in 1916 to designs by Snowden Ashford. The origin of the school can be traced back to the efforts of the Park View Citizens’ Association and their persistent appeal to Congress for funds to purchase the land and build the school. Ashford designed the school in his preferred style of Collegiate Gothic using red tapestry brick with trimmings of Bedford limestone and was built on some of the highest ground in the City. The interior is notable for the wooden truss that supports the auditorium roof. In 2012 the building received a Phase 1 modernization.

Wall of Books will be opening next to the Post Office on December 12th.

Thanks to Petworth News for alerting me that a new bookstore — Wall of Books — is coming to Park View and will open on December 12th! Wall of Books will be located next to the Post Office at 3325 Georgia Avenue.

According to their Web site, the store’s “mission is to support those reading and writing communities by providing a family friendly environment where people can attend culturally diverse events, participate in community centered programs, and buy and trade affordable books.”

The store will have 2,400 square feet of space and plans to offer more than 30,000 affordable books to the neighborhood as well as a “wide selection of Melissa & Doug® children’s toys.”

This all sounds great and I look forward to checking them out.