New Sheriff in the 3RD District, PSA302

Here is some news that should interest anyone in Park View and Northern Columbia Heights. Inspector Edward Delgado has been replaced by Inspector Jacob Kishter, who will be taking over command of the Third District Sub-Station (PSA 302).

Inspector Kishter has been on the Department for 19 years and has served in a variety of different units. As a result, he is a well rounded leader who will use his experience to enhance police service in the Third District.

His past assignments include Patrol, Vice, Internal Affairs, Forensic
Science, and Police Communications.

Sunday Comics

(Click on image for larger view)

This Date in History

May 31, 1930: A total of $704,572 was the estimate required to carry out plans for extension of public library service during 1932, as reported by public librarian George F. Bowerman to the District Commissioners when submitting his new budget.

DDOT Completes Phase One of Eastern Market Streetscape Work

According to the DDOT announcement I received below, 7th Street will reopen on Monday. From the photo below, it looks great. The pavers were a great choice.

Here’s the DDOT release:

7^th Street, SE to Reopen on Schedule

Phase Two to Begin on Monday, June 1

(Washington, D.C.) – The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) completed phase one of the Eastern Market streetscape work on schedule. DDOT committed to finishing phase one by early June.  Work began in early March and DDOT closed 7^th Street SE from North Carolina to C Street to help expedite the construction.  The road will be reopened on Monday, June 1.

“Closing the street was a key factor in completing the project on time,” said DDOT Director Gabe Klein. “We want to extend our appreciation to the community, residents, and businesses for their patience during the construction.  The end result befits such an important historic icon as Eastern Market.”

The new streetscape included total removal and upgrade of the existing roadway and bed, installation of new Colonial cobblestones, stamped concrete at crosswalks, brick sidewalks, granite curbing, new lighting and utility upgrades.

Phase two (7^th Street, SE from C Street to Pennsylvania Avenue) will begin on Monday, June 1 and is scheduled for completion by September 30, 2009, weather permitting.  During phase two only one half of the roadway will be closed. Two-way traffic will be maintained with one lane in each direction during weekdays.  There will be no work conducted on the weekends.

The remaining work consists of furnishing and installing a new 8-inch water main with service connections to the adjacent properties, installing new curb and gutter or resetting historic blue curb stone, new molded brick sidewalks, new historic globe and tear drop street lights, and ADA compliant ramps.

To accommodate weekday 7th Street customer needs, new public parking is available at the Hine School lot between Pennsylvania Avenue, SE and C Street, SE from 6 am to 7 pm. This parking will not be available on weekends.

Artomatic: Take Me To Your Leader

If Artomatic where to have a theme, three things jumped out at me this year: Death, Tits, and Robots. Nudity and skulls almost seem to be a prerequisite in any large art exhibition. Robots … that is something I wasn’t expecting and wonder if it is our modern day equivalent to the prevalence believe in gremlins that occurred during World War II.

Those themes aside, if you get the opportunity to go to Artomatic I advise you to do just that. There is more than enough to interest, delight, and contemplate. Some work is more traditional, but most is in the contemporary vein. There is also a lot of photography with varying degrees of artistry.

I’m including some images below to give a better idea of what you can expect, and of course, you can always check out the Artomatic Web site.

This Date in History

May 30, 1901: Beneath the spreading branches of green trees, upon the historic battlefield of Fort Stevens, a loyal company gathered to do honor to the memory of two score Union dead who sleep beneath the sod on which they fell in defense of flag and country. The little Battle Ground Cemetery is a beautiful spot, and a bit of brightness was added to the solid banks of green foliage there yesterday by several large American flags and battalion pennants.(Image Courtesy Wayan Vota)

Then and Now: Northwest Corner of 16th and I Streets, NW

Then: The home occupied by Justice Horace Gray. Gray was on the Supreme Court from 1882 to 1902. This structure later became the location of  a Christian Science Reading Room.

Now: The Brutalist Third Church of Christ, Scientist. The church was built in 1971. Since opening, the building has not been well suited for the church, which has experienced declining attendance at its services. It currently has received the green light for demolition.

Acacia Griffins

The Griffins in front of the old Acacia Life Insurance building, now home to Jones Day, includes two griffins created by Edmond R. Amateis in 1936. The two mythological creatures consisting of the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. These two sculptures flank the steps that lead up to the entrance of the building. The griffin on the left is a female and the griffin on the right is a male. Each holds a nest of eggs between its paws which symbolizes the defense of their home. The image below is of the male griffin.

A Lesser Known Building at Soldiers’ Home

The Italianate Renaissance Revival style building that is currently used as the Visitor Education Center for President Lincoln’s Cottage on the grounds of the Old Soldiers Home was originally constructed in 1905 as part of the Soldiers’ Home complex.

President Lincoln’s Cottage opened to the public on Presidents’ Day, 2008, and in addition to providing gift shop, introductory film area, and exhibition space, the building incorporates administration space for the Trust administering the historic site.

While the highlight of a visit is surely Lincoln’s Cottage, I did enjoy some of the architectural details of the visitor center as well.

14th Street Bridge Commuters to Encounter New Traffic Pattern Monday Morning

DDOT has issued the following announcement about 14th Street Bridge lane changes:

Washington, DC – District-bound 14th Street Bridge commuters should expect substantial delays starting Monday morning, as they encounter a new traffic pattern. The four lanes of the northbound bridge will be narrowed and shifted to the left, and shoulders no longer will be available. Additionally, the speed limit will be reduced to 35 miles per hour through the work zone. These changes are necessary to enable the first major phase of repairing and resurfacing the bridge deck to commence on the far-right side of the crossing (see below graphic).
For more information about the construction or to sign-up for construction email or Twitter alerts, visit www.ddot.dc.gov/14thstreetbridge.