Vigil and Rally at Reeves Center

An email blast to several of the neighborhood lists tips us off to an upcoming rally against violence to be held at the Reeves Center at 14th and U NW this Friday. The event also includes a vigil for Damon Ward, who - if you haven't been paying attention - was an innocent bystander shot on U Street recently. Speakers are to include Mayor Fenty, Chief Lanier, and Councilman Graham.

The event starts at 12:30, so if you're home from work or off on lunch, make sure to stop by!

Logan Circle Community Association Diversity Dinner

LCCA's first membership meeting of the year will be our annual Diversity Dinner on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 7 PM at the Washington Plaza Hotel. (Please note the date change from or regular schedule.) Most of you will remember our dinner last year, which was a huge success. As with last year, we'll have lots of great food donated from area restaurants, and are honored to have DC Council Chair, Vincent Gray and DC Office of Human Rights Director Gustavo Velasquez as our guest speakers. We look forward to seeing you there, and have attached some additional info to the end of this email for you to help us spread the word. For more information please contact Desi Deschaine at desi.deschaine@logancircle.org.

Diversity Reception:
Celebrating the Lives of Logan Circle

Thursday, February 15, 2007
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Washington Plaza Hotel
10 Thomas Circle, NW


Guests of Honor:

Vincent Gray
Chair, DC Council

Gustavo Velasquez
Director, DC Office of Human Rights


Sponsored by:

Logan Circle Community Association

Do You Walk In DC?

If you answered "No," then you are probably confined to a wheelchair, and I'm sorry; but read on regardless!

As reported in the Post, the District is crafting its first-ever Pedestrian Master Plan. And they would like our input. On the Pedestrian Master Plan site, you can find a short survey (about ten minutes) about your walking opinions and habits. Hurry, though, it's only online until tomorrow!

Luxury Hotel on 14th Street

I attended the ANC 2F meeting last night. It ran quite long due to an appearance by MPD Chief Lanier. I am crafting a lengthier wrap-up, and I'll post it later. However, as requested, here is some information on the planned luxury hotel on 14th Street.

The hotel is located on 14th Street, just north of P Street, primarily in the parking lot adjacent to Viridian. As you can see from the concept drawing, it also extends over the top of the existing restaurant building.

The building was intended for thirty condo units, but (as we all know) the condo market softened greatly during the protracted two-year battle for building permits. The extravagant architecture pushed the cost per square foot beyond what the market could reasonably bear for condominiums, and thus they changed their plans. They are in talks with several national hotel companies, mostly of the boutique variety.

Personally, I love the look of the building. It might be necessary, though, to pressure our ANC to craft a voluntary agreement requiring the Jetsons theme to play on continual loop outside on the sidewalk.

ANC2F Meeting - Chief Lanier

From Commissioner Reed:

At this month's ANC2F meeting on Feb. 7, Acting Police Chief Lanier is attending to discuss crime and safety issues and to respond to community concerns. Our agenda also includes a number of liquor licensing issues, and a proposed new luxury hotel adjacent to Viridian Restaurant on 14 th Street, and other items.

New Camera at U Street Metro

From Councilmember Graham:

Dear Friends:

I am pleased to announce a camera is now operational OUTSIDE the U St.Cardozo Shaw African American Civil War Memorial metro station. TheWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority installed the camera aspart of a pilot program for which I pressed. Station managers willmonitor the camera. We want to see how this works out. If successful,more cameras will be installed outside metro stations. Crime camerasare but one element of a good publci safety program.This is a great way to assure riders, and people generally, we aredoing all we can to protect their safety.

Bets,Councilmember Graham

Homicides

All - Another reminder to be vigilant:

At approximately 10:34 p.m. [January 27th] 3rd District officers responded to 1512 7th St. NW, where they found a 29 y.o. male - who had been shot multiple times (he was located in the stairway); This is currently an open case.

At roughly 2:46 a.m., the 3rd District also responded to 1225 11th Street, NW, where a Hispanic Male had been beaten severely with a bat. He later died as a result of those injuries. Arrested in this incident was Herman Melindez (21 years old).

I don't have much more information from homicide about the incidents at this point, but will make this available as soon as it is cleared for release. Anyone with information is encouraged to call our Synchronized Operations Command Center at 202 727-9099.

Inspector Patrick A. Burke
Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department
Third District - Substation
750 Park Rd. NW Washington DC, 20010
Commitment to Excellence!