Vandalism of Rock Creek Market Delays Opening

Vandalism of the Rock Creek Market, first with graffiti on June 18th (right), and later with the breaking of two windows (below), has caused concern to the owner and developer of the store. Having to deal with senseless vandalism prior to even being open has fortunately not ended this great addition to the neighborhood before its even begun.

While everything is still on track to open, the date has now been moved to the middle of August. This will allow for the repair of the recent damage and the inclusion of additional precautions against property crime.

Bittersweet Corner Store Update

I was hoping that my last update on the store being renovated at the corner of Rock Creek Church Road and Warder would be more positive than this, but I guess  sometimes you have to take the good with the bad. It is the goal of the owners to have it opened in the next couple of weeks. As you can see from the one image, the interior is coming along. It looks like its going to be a nice, open area.

Now for the bad, within the last 24 hours, vandal have damaged the glass of the front door and one of the windows. While this validates the recent addition of bars on the windows, I think its sad that the store was targeting before its even had a chance to open. You may recall it was also the victim of graffiti back on June 19th.

Fence Repair at Old Soldiers’ Home Continues

Following up on my earlier post that the Old Soldiers’ Home is finally repairing their fence that was struck by a car on July 4, 2008, yesterday workers were on site installing the fence itself.

Old Soldiers’ Home Repairing Fence

One day shy of a year, the fence is being repaired at the Old Soldiers’ Home along Rock Creek Church Rd.

On the evening of July 4th, 2008, a SUV lost control and hit the fence. Until now, it’s been nothing but a pile of scattered brick and bent ironwork.

I noticed the iron fencing is gone. I presume it is being straightened and restored for installation.

But, the stone and brickwork is currently being restored. In talking with the guys from P and P, they had to rebuild everything because the mortor was no longer holding.

From what I saw of their work, it is very good and historically accurate.

I thought it was also a good sign to see P and P doing the work. They have a good reputation in town and generally do good work from what I’ve seen and heard.

Rock Creek Market News

At last night’s Park View UNC meeting, the owners/developers of the Rock Creek Market attended to tell the community about their progress, and ask the neighborhood what kind of market they wanted.

They clearly stated that the goal is for the market to belong to the neighborhood. They want it light and accessible, and they want to carry items in support of the neighborhoods needs. To that end, a sheet was passed around to attendees so that they could write down their top three items that they want the market to stock, which gives the owners a better idea of what to carry.

One member at the meeting suggested they take a look at the market in Le Droit Park at 4th and T, as that sounded like the type of market they are attempting to create.

It was also mentioned that they have applied for a licence to carry wine and beer, but that would not be in place for their opening … which is still on track for the end of July or early August.

Another idea that was floated was to have outdoor seating. It was well received and is something that will be considered. Again, that will not be in place when the market opens.

The hours are currently planned to be 8 am to 1o pm. Depending upon community support and demand, those hours may change, but the market will not be a 24 hour establishment.

Lastly, as to the structure, they have decided to put bars on the windows. As you can see below, I think they are tasteful and it was a better option that leaving the windows boarded up like they were.

Then and Now: 519 and 521 Rock Creek Church Road

Then: 519 and 521 Rock Creek Church Road, NW, newly completed and offered for sale in this ad from May 29, 1910. Ranging from $4,950 to $6,250, the only major differences in these homes besides the price is the size of the lot and the choice of smooth stucco, textured stucco, and red brick.

Now: 521 Rock Creek Church Road sold on March 26, 2009, for $525,000. It was originally listed nearly a year earlier for $703,500, if memory serves.

Get Your Fireworks!!! While They Last

The firework stand on the corner of Rock Creek Church Rd & New Hampshire Avenue is finally open for business … so get them while they last!

Washington Fences

They say fences make good neighbors, and I’ll tell you, if I had this fence between me and my neighbor I think it would be an improvement. You just can find anything this nice anymore. If I recall correctly, this is on the 700 block of Rock Creek Church Rd.

Interesting Iron Gate

I saw this iron gate on Rock Creek Church Rd. and just wanted to share. One thing I like about several of the old fences around town is how individual they are. Today we would just go to Home Depot or some such place and get some standard design off the floor. From what I’ve seen that doesn’t seem to have been the case 90 years ago.I think what really makes this gate so special is the detail at the top.

Will Speed on Rock Creek Church Rd Ever Be Checked?

This is disheartening to me, but perhaps its only a metaphorical speed bump. In less that two weeks time, MPD has gone from the portable speed equipment on Rock Creek Church Rd, to the smaller black box with the cable across the road, to nothing.

To me, there can only be two reasons … but as has happened before, others may know more and be able to provide a better answer.

1. The temporary monitoring on speed was merely to calm residents complaints about the problem, and the data they collected did not support neighborhood concerns, or,
2. The data collected in the two week period overwhelmingly showed there was a problem and there was no further need for monitoring. I would hope this was the case.

What I do know is this is a major concern, and a difficult problem to address. Starting with the intersection at RCCR and 5th/Park Place, speed accelerates east on RCCR and south on Park Place. That means that to truly solve this, it will take multiple jurisdictions to coordinate and work together, and that isn’t easy.