Titan Of Trinidad

The District Department of Transportation has begun installation of streetcar wires on H Street NE, so look for new wires going up in the next week or two.  The overhead catenary wires will carry electricity that power the streetcars once they are in operation.

Newly-installed support wires on H Street NE

Streetcar crew installing support wires

Hydrant

Snapped this photo over last weekend.  The fire hydrant has apparently been leaking at the intersection of Maryland Ave NE and Neal Street NE (near Atlas Flats), but it’s now marked as “out of service” and someone diverted the stream of water using a well-placed construction cone.

 UPDATE: Reader Cooper writes that “I live right there, and this has been leaking for a solid month now. Passersby all try and divert water away from tree into street.”  So, it’s possible DC actually hasn’t taken any action on this long-leaking hydrant and that citizens installed the cone to divert water away from the tree.

Conceptual rendering of the new movie theatre at Union Market.

Union Market continues its redevelopment from warehouse district to a swanky, hip glass-and-steel destination.

Now, EDENS, developer of the renovated parts of Union Market, announces that it’s building an 8-screen movie theatre with “luxurious seating and pristine digital projection with immersive sound systems.”  The movie theatre will be near the newly-renovated market and should open in 2015.

From a press release:

EDENS, one of the nation’s leading retail real estate owners and developers, announced today that they will partner with Reading International, Inc. (NASDAQ: RDI) to open an Angelika Film Center in EDENS growing Union Market district in 2015.

Today’s announcement about Angelika’s opening furthers EDENS’ commitment of investment in this district.  The Angelika, which operates the leading dedicated arthouse in the US, opened a state-of-the-art cinema at Mosaic in Fairfax, VA in September 2012.  Exhibiting a range of film and alternative programming, the Angelika has become an important part of the cultural community in Northern Virginia and metro D.C.

Reading International and EDENS have been working to create a unique Angelika Film Center venue that will combine cutting edge presentation technology with elements of luxury and comfort in a stylish ambience capturing the rich and creative spirit already apparent in the Union Market district.  This multi-screen cinema will offer luxurious seating and pristine digital projection with immersive sound systems.  In keeping with its other cinemas, the Angelika will strive to offer Washington, D.C. the most interesting quality programming available.  And, in keeping with Union Market’s progressive food offerings, the Angelika will serve a food and drink menu designed by Food Network/Cooking Channel veterans, Bruce Seidel and Chef Santos Loo.

Union Market, located a short walk from the NoMa/Gallaudet metro, is a 45-acre district that is planned for over 7 million square feet.  EDENS has a clear vision to create one of D.C.’s most vibrant, interesting, and thriving neighborhoods.  Since opening in September 2012, The Market at Union Market, with over 40 local artisan food and beverage vendors, now averages 10,000 – 15,000 visitors per weekend and has held over 100 events.  John Mooney, one of the country’s leading sustainable chefs, will open a new restaurant concept at The Market before the end of the month.  Over the last several months, the Union Market district has also become a unique and alternative entertainment destination.

This past summer, EDENS sponsored a “Drive-In” movie series that delighted thousands of filmgoers by exhibiting classic movies on Union Market’s 3-story wall.  Two weeks ago, teaming up with Politics & Prose, one of the nation’s leading independent booksellers, EDENS sold out a book-signing event at Union Market for the book, The World Atlas of Wine.   And this Thanksgiving weekend, EDENS will be launching its retail efforts with Thread, a three day shopping experience in the Dock 5 space at Union Market featuring 30 local and national fashion brands.

The renovated Union Market at dusk.

Starting today, the renovated part of Union Market will be open 6 days a week: from Tuesday through Sunday.

Form Edens, developer of the renovated part of Union Market:

Union Market, the highly acclaimed food market redeveloped by EDENS, one of the nation’s leading retail real estate owners and developers, will officially be open Tuesday through Sunday beginning November 12^th.

To kick-off Tuesdays at Union Market, Chef John Mooney, Harvey’s Market and Rappahannock Oyster Bar will host cooking demonstrations throughout the day on Tuesday, November 12^th at 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Union Market is an artisanal, curated, year-round food market featuring over 40 local vendors.  Through a highly selective process, Union Market is composed of the finest food artisans ranging from up-and-coming entrepreneurs to well known restaurateurs all creating a unique culinary experience. Union Market vendors include: Rappahannock Oysters Co.; All Things Olive; Buffalo & Bergen created by well-known mixologist Gina Chersevani; Salt & Sundry, an Amanda McClements’ lifestyle boutique; Righteous Cheese; Peregrine Espresso; Lyon Bakery; Trickling Springs Creamery; Harvey’s Market; Almaala Farms; DC Empanadas and TaKorean, among many others.

Top PBR sales award (courtesy Rock & Roll Hotel)

In case there was any doubt, it looks like H Street is officially hipster-approved.  Local bar and music venue Rock & Roll Hotel recently took home quite the honor: they’re the one of the highest sellers of PBR by volume nationwide, coming in at number 41.

Congrats, Rock and Roll Hotel!

600 H Street NE, Current home of Murry’s Fine Foods (via Google)

In the Washington Post, Jonathan O’Connell reports that Whole Foods will open as soon as 2016 in the space currently occupied by Murray’s:

Not two weeks after inking a deal to open a store in a $443 million development on New Jersey Avenue SE, near Nationals Park, the grocer’s regional president said the store has signed a lease to open another on H Street NE between 6th and 7th streets.

The stores will be the high-end grocer’s fifth and sixth in the District. On H Street, the company plans a 39,000-square-foot store between 6th and 7th streets, in the bottom of an apartment complex targeted for a stretch that presently includes a Murry’s grocery store.

 

Read more details at the Post.

Snow plow this morning on 17th Street NE

What the world?  Why are there snow plows deployed on a 70-degree day?  You’ll see a number of snow plows on city streets today, but fear not- it’s just a way to prepare for this winter’s weather.

Today, the Department of Public Works and the Department of Transportation are working together on a sort of “dry run” to ensure they’re prepared for snowy weather, with about 700 personnel participating in the exercise.

The construction of the H Street streetcar line continues.  In the above photo, contractors work this morning to continue installation of the infrastructure for the overhead catenary wires that will power the streetcar.

Today at 5pm, DDOT will shift traffic from 4th and H Street NE to the top of the Hopscotch Bridge to continue construction, and all westbound traffic will be detoured onto 5th Street NE.

From the DC Streetcar team:

On Thursday, October 31, 2013 at approximately 5:00 pm, traffic on H/Benning between 4^th Street NE and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) entrance on Hopscotch Bridge will shift to tie in the Western Destination and Western Turnaround track work, install the tuck track and complete the permanent traffic barrier.

As the DC Streetcar construction team moves into the final stage of construction along H/Benning before streetcar delivery, all westbound lanes between 3^rd Street NE and 4^th Street NE will be closed. Traffic will shift from the north side of H Street NE to the south side, and westbound traffic will detour on 5^th Street NE.

Eastbound and westbound traffic will split at the approach of the Hopscotch Bridge and travel along the curb lanes. The work zone – just east of 3^rd St to west of the platform on Hopscotch Bridge – will be in the middle lanes and temporary barriers will be installed to protect the work zone. Traffic will continue to flow one lane in each direction throughout the shift.

Crosswalks at 3^rd Street NE and H Street NE will be closed, and pedestrians will use the south crosswalk located between N. Capitol Street NE and 3^rd Street NE near the first entrance to the Union Station garage.  Pedestrians may still at cross at the intersection of H Street NE and 4^th Street NE in the north/south direction.

All current 3^rd Street NE detours and turn restrictions will remain in effect.  Traffic signals will continue to flash yellow and lane-control devices will restrict any turn movements at the 3^rd Street NE intersection.

Effective Monday, November 4^th, the eastbound bus stop for D8, X1, and X2, will be moved back to the west side of 3^rd Street.  The westbound stop remains at 4^th Street, on the portable base until further notice.

We ask that motorists and pedestrians use caution as they travel through or near the work zone, and follow all restrictions. All construction activities are contingent upon weather, material and equipment availability and other unforeseen conditions. We encourage you to contact us at any time to share concerns or request more information at construction@dcstreetcar.com or (202) 210-3700. Thank you for your patience!