Cardozo-Shaw Neighborhood Association Newsletter
February 1999

President's Message

To judge by weather alone, spring seems to have arrived already. A more rational person than I would say that's nonsense, that we still have two months (at least) of winter before us. All right, calendar watchers, that may be true' but I still love these deceptive few weeks which we get just about every year. Unseasonable warmth, with each day a bit longer than the one before it. One can't help but think of the projects awaiting the time when we can come out of our caves and enjoy the annual renaissance.

This year in the District promises to be even more exciting than usual, with tremendous potential existing in the fact that we have not only a new mayor, Anthony Williams, but also a new Ward One Councilman, Jim Graham, and a number of new faces in other At-Large and Ward Council seats. No matter whether you are supportive or dismissive of this new crowd, the undeniable fact is that they are new, they are untried, and they aren't the crew they were elected to replace. They are undoubtedly looking for direction from us as we are looking to them for accomplishment. Keep after them to ensure that we have a first year filled with change for the better.

As for CSNA, we too are seeking your input of ideas and priorities for what our group wants to accomplish this year. Fill in the form on page 4 and bring to the meeting or send with your dues. Make your voice heard.

ANC Oversight Hearing

Councilman David Catania (At-Large), chairman of the Council committee on local, regional, and federal affairs, has scheduled an oversight hearing for the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions of Ward One. This hearing is aimed at "stop(ping) the misspending and help(ing) the ANC's to function" according to a Catania staff member. ANC's throughout the District have come under increased scrutiny in recent years for misuse of funds and poor accounting practices. The Committee hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m. Monday, 22 February at the Council Chamber at One Judiciary Square (441 4th Street, NW).

Minutes of November and January Meetings

November 12, 1998

Police Report

5-6 Police Officers were present for the meeting; Officer Bolling Smith reported on current police activities including placing assistant Chiefs out in the field. The Third District is to become full service (i.e., all divisions will be represented, homicide, prostitution, etc.,) by December 29th.

Members inquired about the homicide at 12th and U. Officers in attendance had no information. This corner was identified as a hot spot by many members, who asked that police pay particular attention to drug dealing known to exist there.

The Officers in attendance promised CSNA that they will work with DCRA to close down 1210 U Street, an open abandoned building with various squatters and drug dealers residing there.

Committee Reports

Historic District: expected to be approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board at their Nov. 19th meeting. Paul will update for newsletter.

Treasurer's Report: Chuck reported that the Oct 1 st balance is $1,001.81. Membership receipts were $45, and expenses $179.50 (newsletter, post card mailing, PO box rent, and Augustana meeting space rent). Graffiti abatement was disbursed at $228.63, leaving a balance of $638.68.

Christmas Party: Derek is gathering items for the silent auction, and encourages members to donate. Chuck's anti-graffiti video will be shown. Executive committee will work on sites for Christmas party, and inform members via newsletter.

Old Business

Rezoning Issue for 1900 block of 9th Street (Dana and Palmer Jackson) Public hearing scheduled for November 23rd; third presentation to CSNA. Westminster Neighborhood Assoc. took no position on change of zoning from residential to commercial. Further discussion of issue ensued with issues of past and current use, precedent setting, and arts overlay. CSNA voted to take no position on issue: Scott Pomeroy made the motion, Jay Murphy seconded. Vote passed.

New Business

Nominations of Officers

The nominations of the slate of officers as presented by Buck Clarke follows. Additional nominations and vote to be taken by Christmas Party/meeting in December.

President: Buck Clarke
Vice President: Jay Murphy
Secretary: Jennifer Dhore
Treasurer: Chuck Baxter

Announcements and Comments

Involvement of Members: Kamal Jahanbein discussed the involvement of members in CSNA activities, and how to encourage others to get active. After much discussion, Clarke suggested that a list be compiled that reflect activities and members with experience (i.e., pay phone applications and procedures). It was suggested that the newsletter might be a great place to initiate the list, and encourage members to network when similar problems exist.

Outside Presentations

"Project Change" — Polly Stamatopoulos presented to the membership their current efforts to restore and convert the Howard Theater into an interactive multi- media center through various grants being written and presented to a variety of foundations. They will keep the membership informed of any progress in the upcoming months.

Charter School: David Domenici did not attend to present update.

NEWS AROUND U

Historical Society of Washington Historic Signage Project for U Street

The HSW received a grant late last year for a historical signage project focusing on U Street and the Greater U Street Historic District. Up to 16 local landmarks will be included, and Paul Williams will be coordinating community outreach efforts to ensure that your ideas, concerns, and feedback are part of the process. The project will serve as a model project for other historic districts in the city, and will be integrated with the new Business Improvement District (BID) city- wide standard signage project currently underway. Initial plans call for a self guided walking tour of the U Street corridor, with a combination of sidewalk kiosks with maps and information on our historical landmarks. Stay tuned for more information and notification of the kickoff meeting in which you can be involved!

Historic District

The Greater U Street Historic District is all official, and the process of review by the Historic Preservation Review Board staff is underway for projects located within our borders. We need to form a local review committee to assist in this process, and I would like to hear from those of you interested in joining this once-a-month committee; I'll have a time and place announced at the next CSNA meeting to hold an initial meeting early this years. This should prove to be an interesting and worthwhile aspect of our being the newest historic district in the city! Contact Paul Williams at 462-6251 if you would like more information or are interested in serving on the committee.

Website Updates

David Hartley put up an interactive calendar for U Street events. Please feel free to add your U Street area, Cardozo-Shaw, CSNA, area non-profit, ANC, Police community meetings, etc. and related events. If you need help working the calendar please let me know. Enjoy. David Hartley.

http://www.ustreet.com/csna/calendar.htm
or
http://www.ustreet.com/cgi-bin/weLcal.pl

Telephone Nuisance

Andrea Carlson and Paul Williams scored a success in getting rid of a problem pay phone at the corner of 11th and S Street that has been used for drug dealing. Their success should be an incentive for you to not allow more than one telephone at your corner. It took them 2 and a half years to have it removed!!!

Their first informal complaint hearing in front of the Public Service Commission was on July 31, 1996. The formal hearing was held March 26, 1997. Incredibly, it took PSC 22 months (that's right) to render a decision in the case, and they decided on January 11, 1999 that the phone be removed within 10 days. So be warned that if a phone goes in, it can take a long time to have it removed!

p.s. If you would like to oppose an installation, you can write to:

Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia
717 14th Street, N.W., Suite 200
Washington, DC. 20005

Be sure to include the location of the proposed installation. You can also fax opposition to: (202) 3931389. If you have any questions, you can call the Public Service Commission directly on (202) 626-5100.

In Search Of a Grocery Store

I think everyone should know about ANC commissioner Glenn Melcher's successful efforts at the 13 January ANC meeting. The ANC passed his resolution that, as I understand it, will strongly encourage the city to seek out a grocery store for the site on the northwest corner of 13th and U. This site seems to be our last best chance for getting a grocery store in our neighborhood.

It seemed the only person who had some hesitation was new ANC Chair Nick Eames. He suggested taking another month to study the issue and gauge public support. But overwhelming sentiment in the other direction prevailed.

Jay Heavner
1400 Block of W

Minutes of the January 14th Meeting

CSNA Treasurer, Chuck Baxter, gave a brief financial report for the year 1998 and reported a balance of $875.25 as of January l, l 999.

Buck Clarke announced that the Historic Preservation Review Board had approved the Historic District Application. The Greater U Street Historic District is now in place thus ending a nine year struggle. Our thanks and deep appreciation go out to Paul Williams and indeed all those involved in this project for their hard work and dedication in getting the historic designation.

A debate on how to get the U Street businesses more actively involved in the community was discussed at length. (This issue has also been brought before the ANC on at least two separate occasions recently.) The general consensus was that CSNA should try to work in conjunction with the ANC to encourage active participation by the U Street businesses. Although the ANC has no authority to force participation in such a venture, the ANC is in a position to set guidelines for compliance at the time of liquor license renewals for those businesses operating with a liquor license. Member Kamal Jahanbein also suggested that we explore partnering with groups such as Thumbs Up or Community Impact in our effort to get more business involvement. Member Scott Pomeroy volunteered to lead a task force of CSNA members to work with the ANC on this issue. Members may contact Scott at 667- 6524 or his e-mail address pxleyes@bellatlantic.net

Police Report: Sgts. Rogers and Bigelow provided crime stats for the month of December and the year l 998. The statistics indicated reduction in overall crime in PSA 305 and 306 of 2 l %. Theft from auto continues to be the most prevalent crime reported in the neighborhood. Both officers emphasized that deployment of manpower will be based on the calls for service — those areas requesting the greatest assistance will be the major recipients of new recruits and re-assignment from headquarters under Chief Ramsey's reorganization of the police department.

Glenn Melcher, CSNA member and ANC lB02 commissioner, briefed the association on the previous night's ANC meeting. Of particular interest to CSNA members, the ANC discussed the Metro site located at the corner of 13th & U Streets. He informed the members that he had proposed, and the ANC approved, a resolution encouraging WMATA (in conjunction with Mayor Williams and Councilmember Graham) to draft a development bid which would actively seek development of the site with an emphasis on luring a grocer to the site.

President Buck Clarke closed the meeting by requesting that the group come to the next CSNA meeting with a list of specific needs or initiatives which the Association might address during 1999. At previous meetings, members have suggested initiatives such as eliminating the proliferation of vending machines, public telephones and illegal vendors.

Praises for Republic Gardens

In stark contrast to previous complaints regarding excessive noise levels and widespread litter, residents at the January 14 CSNA meeting enthusiastically voiced support for Republic Garden's recent efforts to clean up litter throughout the surrounding neighborhood. It was also appreciatively noted that Republic Garden's New Year's events were much less disruptive than their previous tented events. Community members expressed their desire to encourage more businesses along U Street to participate with Republic Gardens in their efforts to improve the neighborhood's appearances.

Celebrating Black History Month

The Special Events Committee of The Lincoln Congregational Temple UCC sponsors in concert The Morgan State University Choir on Sunday, February 14,1999 at 3:00 pm at 1701 11th Street, NW (11th and R Streets). The choir is one of the nation's most prestigious university choral ensembles and has been led for the past twenty six years by conductor, Nathan Carter.

Contacts: David Douglass (202) 667-8501
Vivian Coates (202) 396-0850
Grover Bulluck (202) 582-6359

Tickets: $ 10 ($ 12 at the door)

1999 CSNA Projects and Goals

CSNA is an organization which exists to address the needs of its community and constituent members. We'd like to know what's important and what you would like to see CSNA do this year. Please take a few minutes to print the form and jot down your ideas for CSNA goals. Either send the list (with your dues payment if you haven't already paid!) or better yet, bring it to the CSNA meeting this Thursday, 11 February.

Remember, dues for 1999 are due!

To become a member, or to renew your membership, please print the form and send it with your dues payment to CSNA.

Save the Date!