Open Thread Thursday

Okay, as an experiment, consider this entry to be an open thread.

What issues concern you that have not yet been addressed on this blog?

The comment lines open . . .

Incidentally, these two pictures depict both sides of the short unit block of S Street NE. With a view like this, is it any wonder that the house on the south side of the street hasn't sold yet? But as we learned within the past week, those abandoned buildings are set to become luxury condos.

Vacant Apartment Buildings Portend Future

There is much discussion in the community about the large, vacant apartment building located at the corner of T Street N.E. and Lincoln Road N.E. (click on photo to enlarge). The building is unsightly as it current stands. Residents speculate as to possible uses as office or retail space. Nevertheless, people assume that the apartments will be converted into condos and wonder what impact the new residents will have on the area parking situation.

On the unit block of S Street N.E. (14 S Street N.E.), a small apartment building that had been vacant for the past year this week displayed a large sign announcing "Luxury Condos from $200,000." A luxury condo from $200K? That sounds almost reasonable for D.C. In any event, people wonder where the new residents will park.

At the end of S Street N.E. is a large Victorian rowhouse anchoring the North Capitol Street block. That house has been vacant for two years, but this year it has demonstrated its future life as a condo project.

That's three substantial condo projects within two blocks of one another, all in the shadow of the St. Martin's 178-apartment building. Residents acknowledge that the current plan for the St. Martin's project does not require that residents pay for parking spots in the proposed building.

New Birth Baptist Church

I attended the 11:00 a.m. service this morning at New Birth Baptist Church, located across the street from the far southwest corner of my single member ANC district, at 1200 Kirby Street, N.W.

About 23 people were present, many of them children. Overall, it was a younger congregation than usual.

The interior of the church is much simpler than some other churches I have attended; no stained glass here. Based on other Baptist churches I have attended, I believe that the design is in accordance with the Baptist approach to their buildings. The music portion of the service featured a vivacious percussionist operating out of the rear balcony of church.

During the meet-and-greet portion of the two-hour service, a gentleman told me: "We're family here, you can feel the warmth in this place. I don't like big churches, I like it where the pastor knows your name."