The Express has a good article about the new restaurants coming to Columbia Heights as a part of the DC USA development. Honestly, I’m a bit envious that they (i.e., Columbia Heights) have a Potbelly Sandwich Works. Don’t ever let me hear they get a Chipotle! That would be like rubbing salt in the wounds. I know U Street is full of “unique” spots and all, but a Chipotle somewhere in the corridor couldn’t hurt…
It was a beautiful Saturday, indeed! I do a lot of errands, grocery shopping, and walking around on Saturdays. So, while I was back at Columbia Heights’ DC USA, I decided to finally check out the much-panned Marshalls; the place was talked down before it even arrived. I didn’t have high hopes to begin with, but it didn’t even meet those expectations. First off, I have never liked Marshalls at all. Ever. Anywhere. But, with a little patience, I can tolerate it, if I find something worthy of purchasing. Heck, over the years, I’ve acquired a couple items of clothing from a Marshalls or two (I can deal with Ross a wee bit more, just a wee bit). But, this one, located on the lower level of DC USA, was really depressing. It seemed smaller and more cluttered than your typical huge Marshalls. The so-called shoe “Mega Store” seemed like a total bust. I was expecting rows and rows and walls upon walls of shoes everywhere–that’s what mega store brings to mind for me. The furniture, knick-knack, and other stuff was just there, seemingly out of place and not enticing. And, most importantly, the clothing was soooo unimpressive. I took a gander at both male and female clothing, just because I was that disappointed; I had to see everything. But, there were enough devotees shopping in there, so I won’t totally denounce Marshalls. If you are really pressed to shop at a Marshalls and scour the place for a “bargain,” while squeezing past other customers in aisles that are waaayy too small, go for it. I don’t think I’ll be going back. Any one have a more favorable impression of the Columbia Heights’ Marshalls?
From Council Member Jim Graham
Dear Friends:
Beginning Monday April 7, warning tickets will no longer be issued for violating the new parking restrictions in Columbia Heights.
DDOT worked very quickly to implement new restrictions to protect residential parking prior to the opening of Target.
To give residents time to learn about the changes, I required warning tickets to be issued for the first 30 days. This warning period ends Monday. Real tickets will soon be issued for all violations.
As a reminder, some enforcement may have been premature. If you received a ticket for a new restriction during the warning period, or know someone who has, please contact me for the ticket to be voided.
For more information please visit www.grahamwone.com/parking
27 March 2008
Subject:
Dear resident:
As you know DDOT has been spending time reviewing the public realm plans for
Last week, we held a meeting with the Columbia Heights Public Realm Project Community Leaders group to provide a briefing on the status of the plan and its implementation. The community expressed deep concerns over DDOT’s proposal to incorporate the plan without the curbside extensions along
After much discussion and review, DDOT has determined that it will proceed with the Columbia Heights Public Realm Plan and will include the
DDOT will continue to meet with the community on a regular basis throughout construction to discuss and review schedules, construction and traffic plans to ensure minimal impact to the residents and businesses in the area.
Sincerely,
Emeka Moneme
Director
District Department of Transportation
Best Buy, the electronics retail giant, will open on Wednesday, March 26, at 6 PM in Columbia Heights’ new mall DC USA. I’m pretty happy. Best Buy is a great place to buy some many things, like cameras, mp3 players, software, cell phones, televisions, etc., so this store should generate almost as much excitement as Target, but not quite as much because that would be sacrilegious and utterly wrong. Just wait until the next Black Friday. All of DC USA will be a total chaotic mess! Can you imagine hordes of bargain hungry people packing the stores at 4 am and lines of people streaming out of the mall? It’s going to be ugly! That’s my prophecy. I don’t know that Sibling and I would be willing to brave that mess.
We should all be ashamed! We showered DC USA’s Target with so much attention, praise, and honor, yet the opening of Marshalls, yes “the” Marshalls, came and went with a whimper. Shame! Honestly, despite walking past signs in the U Street Metro Station announcing the grand opening at 8 am on Thursday, March 20 (as in yesterday), and I tried my best to create a registered and retrievable mental note, I plum forgot. In fact, I’m not even sure why I remembered later on in the evening. Perhaps Marshalls isn’t a store that elicits unbridled excitement, although in most cities in the United States, neither is Target (only Walmart can be an institution). There was controversy, and likely still is, about the inclusion of Marshalls in the DC USA line up to begin with. Some felt it was not upscale enough for gentrifying Columbia Heights. Coupling a Marshalls with its infamous rival Ross would just lead to disaster many thought (I actually prefer Ross!).
Anyway, Marshalls may not be anyone’s “dream” store, but it is not so bad. Who doesn’t like a bargain? It won’t be high on my list of places to frequent, but who knows, a Marshalls bag might just make its way in the pile of plastic bags that I have building up in my kitchen. Welcome to DC, Marshalls! Sorry I forgot about you. Stay clean, have good inventory, and excellent customer service.
I didn’t say when, just that it’s in the works. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will build a triangular civic plaza, as a part of a $20 million reconstruction of the neighborhood’s curbs and sidewalks, including the installation of benches and tree plantings. The plaza is between Kenyon Street and Park Road, right across from DC USA. When complete it will have benches, trees, and a fountain that children can play in (who needs a trip to Ocean City, then?). The plaza is designed to bring the residents of diverse Columbia Heights together (how civic!). If this is the pebble-laden spot across from DC USA and right by Citibank, Rita’s, and Pollo Campero, I’ll be happy when the plaza is complete, so that all the civic-minded people can sit, let their children bathe in the fountain, and gaze upon the wonder that is Target. Apparently, once construction starts, it will take between nine months and one year to complete the plaza.
In my inevitable conversations about the new Target in Columbia Heights (it is only the single most important thing to happen to DC EVER!), questions about parking have come up. Normally, I wouldn’t care, since I am a walker and/or Metro rider, save when I am headed somewhere not nearby with Sibling or with friends. There is confusion about the parking garage at DC USA. Here’s some information:
There is an underground garage on 3100 14th St NW that can hold 1,200 cars. The garage charges $1 for each of the first four hours. City officials and Columbia Heights residents would much appreciate it if you opted for the parking garage rather than the limited residential parking.
Jason on the CSNA listserve recently said that outdoor retailer REI and organic grocery Ellwood Thompson’s could be moving into DC USA. They may both need a little coaxing and convincing that us urban peoples want them around. Check out Jason’s message, and try to call or e-mail REI and Ellwood Thompson’s if you’d like to have them at DC USA. Ellwood seems game, but REI seems to be a bit wary of coming to DC USA. See below: (more…)
Everyone relax! Everything is going to be just fine. The illustrious DC Police Department will have extra patrols and undercover police in Columbia Heights since crime didn’t poof and go away after Target opened on Wednesday, March 5. There were several assaults (including a shooting) and robberies in the vicinity of the mall this week, which police believe were likely committed by the same people. This too shall pass (hey, I didn’t say when). Keep hope alive people! Remember, this still a recovering city and Utopia wasn’t built in a day. Even that had to undergo gentrification.
