firehouse info

info pirated from the bloomingdale listserve.
;)


Old Firehouse / EC-12 and XM Satellite Radio

Brian Brown and Mike Benson gave a brief presentation on the plans for the old firehouse at North Capitol Street NW and Quincy Place NW. The EC-12 restaurant will be on three levels. The third floor will be for private dining. The second floor space would be shared with XM Satellite Radio, which will be doing occasional simulcast broadcasts. There would be no cover charge when the XM guest artists would be performing. When XM is not there, that space would be for dining. Mike advised that the restaurant would be working with DC Central Kitchen. Graduates of DC Central Kitchen would work in the EC-12 kitchen. (Currently, Mike uses DC Central Kitchen graduates at Café Saint-Ex.) Brian mentioned that they were working on parking, such as negotiating with existing nearby parking lots for peak periods. Brian also said that they would be obtaining a Class C (restaurant) liquor license. They won’t be running a nightclub! No secret switcheroos at the last minute. Regarding the restoration of the firehouse building – Brian advised that he plans to do a full-period restoration. EC-12 will be open for lunch and dinner. It would close at 2 AM. There was mention of having off-duty police around. Brian said that they would be settling on the property in a month or two. The potential EC-12 menu? Brick oven pizza is the primary venue, with hamburgers and pasta. Mike said that his Cafe Saint-Ex would also be the EC-12 chef. The prices would range between $5 and $20. The 2nd floor could be used for community meeting space, too.

FIREHOUSE!

i just got this from the city:


Historic Firehouse Disposition Awarded to Local Development Team
Project expected to generate substantial sales tax revenues and benefits to the community



(Washington, DC) Today, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development selected NC Firehouse, LLC to develop and restore Old Engine Company 12, located at the corner of North Capitol Street and Quincy Place NW. Built in 1897, the historic firehouse is one of the District's 29 pre-World War II firehouses.

Vacant for nearly a decade, Old Engine Company 12 will transform into a full-service, sit-down restaurant named "EC-12" with a second-floor cultural and performing arts space programmed by XM Satellite Radio, a marketing partner on the team, who will broadcast live music events from the location. The lounge will also provide community meeting and exhibition space. EC-12 will include a sidewalk café and a renovated roof top deck to accommodate an outdoor seating area.

"We are thrilled that NC Firehouse LLC will transform this historic landmark into a destination for all of the community to enjoy," said Stanley Jackson, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. "We expect that the restoration of Old Engine Company 12 will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and stimulate retail development along North Capitol Street."



NC Firehouse LLC is a local limited liability company whose principal owner is NextGen Construction and Renovation, LLC, a District-based development firm. The Tenant and Co-Developer for this project is Novel Foods Hospitality Management, LLC, which manages and operates the popular restaurants Café Saint Ex and Bar Pilar on 14th Street NW.



A superior development plan, skilled development team, strong Local, Small, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and First-Source hiring commitment and solid financial plan made NC Firehouse LLC the preferred developer. Plans for a sit-down restaurant will make the property accessible to the larger public as well as provide for a much needed community gathering spot on the North Capitol Street corridor. A sit-down restaurant was identified by community members as a preferred use for the site.



The EC-12 restaurant proposal will also create significant job opportunities for local residents. The new development program is expected to produce 60-80 full or part-time jobs and 6-10 additional temporary jobs during the restaurant startup phase for the final build-out. The development team will collaborate with the DC Central Kitchen to form a job training alliance and create a new culinary internship training program. In addition, the project is expected to generate substantial sales tax revenues and benefits to the community.



As a result of this selection, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development will enter into exclusive negotiations with NextGen Development on the terms of the disposition. Once an agreement is reached, the Mayor will submit the sales contract to the Council of the District of Columbia ("Council") for its approval and grant of authority to dispose of the property to NC Firehouse, LLC on specified terms

In Progress Shots of EC-12.

Flickr user and neighborhood blogger Sergey took these shots of the ongoing renovation of the future EC-12 on North Capitol at Quincy NW.
 

click here and here and you can read the many entries posted on this blog about the firehouse and the starts and stops of the project for the last handful of years.

update on EC-12, the firehouse.

Saw this in a neighborhood email



Dear Engine Company 12 Neighbors,

As part of our ongoing efforts to communicate with our neighbors and friends as to the status of this historic neighborhood landmark, we're going to start producing some short newsletters to let all of you know the status of Engine Company 12's major redevelopment into a restaurant and destination in the North Capital area.

NC Firehouse, LLC. is proud to announce that we have just achieved a significant milestone in the redevelopment of Engine Company 12. We have just received the officially signed and executed contract for the purchase and redevelopment of EC12 from the city.

What does this mean?

Now that we have a signed contract, we can begin the work of renovating this old building into the beautiful landmark it deserves to be. We understand the visual blight an abandoned building brings to the neighborhood and we will work to reduce that as much as possible.

As part of our contract, the city has agreed to cooperate with us in expediting the permit process which can be very lengthy. Settlement of all fees and title transfer is keyed upon issuance of the permits or end of fiscal year, whichever is sooner. Construction drawings have to be completed and approved before we can apply for permits.

We’ve already done some cleanup on the outside of the property, and we would like to press on to some cosmetics for the building as well. While this is only a short term situation, at the moment we cannot do anything that requires permits. We also can’t make substantial improvements to a building that doesn’t yet officially belong to us.

While we continue working on basic cleanup, we will also be working with the architects and engineers to turn our conceptual drawings into construction plans. When these plans are complete, we can apply for permits from the city and then the construction side of the project can begin.

We are extremely proud and excited to have been selected as the developer for such an important project and we wish to thank the city, Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas Jr., and of course the neighbors of EC12 for the amazing support and cooperation we have received so far.

We look forward to working with you to rebuild and preserve this beautiful old building and create a place that we will all be proud of when it is done.

Thanks for reading this newsletter and we'll keep you in the loop as we proceed.

Sincerely,

Brian Brown
NC Firehouse, LLC

purchase your tickets TODAY for this Saturday's "Come on Baby, Light Your Fire" North Capitol Main Street fundraiser at Engine Company 12

See this message from Truxton Circle resident and North Capitol Main Street Executive Director Lonna Hooks:

Want to see the nice formatted version of this message? Then go here: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=tp9zhzcab&v=001ritck83OfZljf50v9N-HQ6xnk8nptDhQwh0qTelftjsm8I0ugHE4GgEVzs86oeUkalOdoZxExQm7LOZzobT65TRVF1wHUJGR_6OkpIg6q4VZh5zBIVadVYmMHeDeKadlh26YkQ64z8M%3D

Come on Baby, Light Your Fire!

Jump-start your summer. . .

Engine Co. 12 is coming . . . and for many, the wait has been just way too long. So North Capitol Main Street with permission from the owners and support from business partners, is hosting an Adult Spring-break of sorts with a sneak preview party on Saturday, May 21, 2011.

Just imagine, EC 12, at the apex of three great neighborhoods in D.C. -- Truxton Circle, Bloomingdale and Eckington -- coming soon. Wow!

Get a sneak-peek this Saturday, May 21st
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Buy your tickts online now! (http://www.ncmsinc.org/?p=398)

(Proceeds of fundraiser go to the continued support of the Green Team and NCMS projects)

some weeks nothing, some weeks a lot..

theres been a lot of stuff to write about this week. maybe i'm just listening more post Christmas, new years, etc...

Here an article about the Old Engine Co. #12. you know the places that has many of us all euphoric.

Historic Firehouse in Bloomingdale
To be Restored and Given New Uses

[from February 2006 issue]

By P.L. Wolff

The restaurant, to be known as “EC-12,” will include a sidewalk café and a renovated rooftop deck.

EC-12: Is there a restaurateur in the house?

Here is a sad and frustrating message from Konrad Schlater, Special Assistant in the
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development

All:

We had hoped to close on the sale of the fire station to NextGen Development by the end of the 2007. Unfortunately, due to lack of performance by the developer under our sale contract we did not proceed to closing on the sale as planned.

The developer has been spending a lot of time, money, and effort to push this project forward. However, the developer has failed to execute an agreement and lease with a restaurant operator - a necessary pre-condition for our sale of the building. As you may know, the original proposed operator, Mike Benson, moved back to North Carolina and abandoned the project a little over a year ago leaving the developer without a restaurant operator. Over the past two months, NextGen has been in serious negotiations with Twyla Garrett of IME Services, an LSDBE firm headquartered on North Capitol Street, to act as the restaurant operator. Ms. Garrett is just now preparing to open a restaurant with a very similar restaurant concept in Cleveland, Ohio. I have spoken with IME Services and they are very serious about this project.

Due to NextGen's failure to meet their commitments to the District under the sales contract, we have notified them that they are in default of our contract. The developer has 30 days to cure its default under the agreement. If the developer is not prepared to close on the sale, the District will have the option to terminate the agreement, restructure the terms, or find an alternative solution. It is our sincere hope that we can proceed to closing on the sale with the developer shortly. Brian Brown of NextGen Development has already completed designs for the project, obtained permits for the exterior work on the building, and lined up the necessary financing - and we are tantalizingly close to starting construction work on the firehouse. A deal between NextGen Development and IME Services represents the best hope for a prompt and successful development of the firehouse.

I can assure you that the Deputy Mayor's office along with Councilmember Thomas and his staff have been giving this project close attention and we will not take our eye off the ultimate goal, which is removing the blight of the abandoned building and replacing it with high quality neighborhood-serving retail.

I'd be happy to provide ANC5C with an update any time. Please give me a call if you have any questions about this email or the project generally.

Thanks,

Konrad Schlater
Special Assistant
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
(w) 202-727-6934

Old Firehouse for Sale- updated.

ec-12. nope.
martini 2020. nope.

but now its for sale


1626 North Capitol Street NW, Washington DC 20002
Map
$1,500,000

Incredible space! Approx 12,000+ sq ft. This was once the old fire house. Total renovation needed. The first floor is restricted for RESTAURANT use only! All plat, plans, drawings convey with this property. Please call for appt.


i did see a new sign on the old savemore grocery store.
i guess that might be opening soon.

From the eckington yahoo group:
I would like to give the neighborhood an update on the Firehouse restaurant project. Since many people joined this list midstream I will backtrack a little so everyone is on the same page.



Several years ago Nextgen Development was awarded the Firehouse via RFP where we were to be the developer and Mike Benson (operator of St Ex bar and café) would be the operator. Near the end of a year planning stage Mike Benson and his partners dropped out for personal reasons. Over the next 14 Months we met with approximate 20+ qualified operators and while there was interest from many operators, most were frankly afraid to take the chance of opening a restaurant in an untested neighborhood. Near the end of the 14 months we met Twyla Garett of Martini 2020 who upon looking at the site and the neighborhood potential rapidly moved forward to commit to the project. Nextgen proceeded to complete the acquisition and moved forward on the project. Unfortunately for Nextgen Twyla signed that agreement just as the financial mess hit nationwide. As a result four or five months after she signed the agreement the financing she had lined up disappeared and she defaulted on her agreement.



In spite of that default Nextgen made the decision to move forward on the project while we looked for a new operator. We committed to spending between $500,000 and $750,000 of our own funds while we searched for a new operator. (Note: this does not include the $100,000 in interest payments we have made to date while we carry this project) The work performed to date on the site is as follows:



95% completion of the exterior building restoration.

We addressed some environmental issues we became aware of

We completed 90% of the non-structural demo required for the project

We spent $250+k completing the architectural and structural plans.

We initiated structural stabilization of the building

Bid out most aspects of the critical systems so we could move quickly when we find the right operator.



During the time we were doing the above work we have continued to search for operators. While we have gotten close to signing a new operator over 7 times, each time something would surface near the completion of the deal that undid it. I will share two such situations here. One operator we found was in a financial cash position to move forward however one of the conditions they were looking for some nominal help from the city for their first 5 years of operation to make their numbers work.. Unfortunately while we had every indication from the city that this would happen (including legislation being introduced to that effect) however the deteriorating local economy killed the city’s ability to deliver that help in fiscal 2008 and that deal died. Subsequent to that opportunity collapsing we signed a letter of intent with another operator, and started working through the operating agreement, however 1 week after we signed that agreement their financing partner collapsed. (Their financing partner was Lehman Brothers)



During the time we have been have been marketing the space we have gotten a number of operators that expressed interest only if they could purchase the building as part of the transaction. In the past we declined to consider that because we wanted to make sure that we could fulfill our commitment to the community of delivering a restaurant on the first level of the building.



After discussion with several bankers regarding how restaurants are currently being financed we have come to realize that in today’s financial instability that the only likely way that a restaurant will get financing on this type project is if they use the building as collateral to complete the build out. While this was not true in the past the problems banks are having has resulted in it being nearly impossible for any other option.



To that end we have changed our marketing strategy to bring this project to market. Shortly you will see a lease/sale sign appear on the building. This is also being placed in Co-star, Loop net as well as the MLS as a sale/lease. The hope is to bring in an operator that previously might have rejected it because they could not lock in their costs by purchasing part or majority ownership of the project at the time they build-out the restaurant. It may be that we may just become general contractor on this project. Our intent is to still to find a way in spite of the financial environment to try to move this project forward. We are trying to think outside the box to keep this process moving. We have also reached out to the Council members’ office for advice/options also. Thank you for your understanding and patience.



Brian Brown

bloomingdale farmers market/ EC-12

i've been away most of the month so i've been slow on the postings. what have i missed?


I saw this message from Stu Davenport, of Big Bear Cafe and ANC fame, concerning the Bloomingdale Farmers Market.



1. We have sent applications to farmers in the area of Gettysburg,
Richmond, and Middleburg, and we are working now on getting R street
closed once a week between 1st and Florida, NW. What was most
important a few weeks ago was to get community input from our surveys
on when the market should open, and then we could write the
applications stating the day the Farmers would show. Now that we have
such a strong response pushing for saturday as the market day, we can
work to get the permit from DDOT to close the street down. We can
then get formal commitment letters from the farmers so that things
will definitely start up in June...

2. In order to close the street down we need signatures from the
neighbors on R street, a letter of support from the ANC, and a traffic
control plan. We met with the ANC last week, and they will vote at the
next meeting to write the letter of support. We have also started
getting signatures from the residents on R by going door to door, and
we met with the head of DDOT who is walking us through thttp://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifhe remainder
of the street closing process. I asked for a meeting with Sharlene
Reed, and when I meet with her on Wednesday I will ask her to help
draft the traffic control plan, and give basic information on DDOT
issues we have to be aware of.



The awaited news from Brian Brown about the firehouse on north capitol wasn't very telling. Basically, its still moving forward. they still expect the XM portion to happen. No ETA.



click here for news about the Big Bear Cafe.

EC-12, the old firehouse.

apparently there will be an official announcement concerning the progress of the firehouse on February 19th.

ec-12

seems the building contract hasn't been finished yet.

anyone know a timeframe?

north capitol main streets website

(ec-12 is gonna get sooo much free advertising!)

anyway click here for the North capitol main street site

rumour is....

that there is a coffee shop in the future @ 1st and florida nw.


on the other end of the block to the east will be EC-12. To the west another block, another coffee shop.

Are things really happening here in bloomingdale?

let's hope.

St. Martin's Apartments "Community" Update from Father Kelley

MESSAGE FROM FATHER KELLEY
Welcome to the first issue of St. Martin¡¯s Apartments Community
Update, a community newsletter designed to keep you informed of
St. Martin¡¯s Catholic Church¡¯s plans to bring mixed-income housing to
our neighborhood. The development of St. Martin¡¯s Apartments is
grounded in the belief that people of all income levels, races and
cultural backgrounds deserve well-designed, safe and affordable
housing. In addition to enhancing the community¡¯s value and helping
those less fortunate, it also addresses the District¡¯s affordable
housing crisis by creating housing for working class people. This
housing will be a sustainable community resource where one might
live, become more established and move on to the next stage. . .
perhaps even homeownership. What is important is that a housing
resource will still be here for the next family in need.

To bring this development to fruition, we partnered with Catholic
Community Services (CCS) and invested more than $28 million to build
184 apartments for working families and individuals. A Neighborhood
Steering Committee (NSC), comprised of neighbors, representatives
from seven area churches, the Ecumenical Council (EC), and civic
organizations, has guided the planning of this project and will
continue to help oversee its management. With St. Martin¡¯s
Apartments, we look forward to bringing the first new affordable
housing to our neighborhood in more than three decades.

ENHANCING THE NEIGHBORHOOD
For more than a 100 years, St. Martin¡¯s has been an integral part of
the community and led the fight to rid the neighborhood of
undesirable activities and blight. Through our partnership with
community leaders, we succeeded in reducing prostitution, crime and
drug activity in the community. Now, we want to give residents who
helped make this a safer neighborhood an opportunity to remain in it.

ENHANCING THE NEIGHBORHOOD
St. Martin¡¯s Apartments will bring neighborhood-enhancing design and
quality to a former convent. Located at 116 T Street, NE, the
structure is a secluded building atop a hill, isolated from the
community and it needs a lot of work. It currently features black
tarmac surface parking and an aluminum Quonset hut. Further cutting
the site off from the neighborhood is the fact that there are no
sidewalks on the Todd Place side, which decreases accessibility.
quality property management and landlord services to 17 formerly
homeless men who are fully employed. This home is so well run that
many neighbors don¡¯t know the building is occupied.

WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED?
In keeping with our core values, St. Martin wants to use the site to
build affordable housing for working families and individuals in the
District who are facing displacement due to increasing rents and the
lack of affordable rental housing in their community. The plan
includes:

¡ñ 134 one and two bedroom apartments renting to individuals whose
annual income is 60% of the District¡¯s current median income, which
is from $30,000 to $54,000 per year depending upon family size.
These units will rent between $869 and $1,039 per month.
¡ñ 50 Jr. one-bedroom apartments renting to formerly homeless
individuals whose annual income is about $18,000. These units will
rent for about $500 per month.
¡ñ Based on community input, we will include some market-rate units.
¡ñ 120-140 underground parking.
¡ñ An exercise facility and community meeting spaces.

HOW WILL IT LOOK?
Our architects have designed a first-class building with quality
amenities and spectacular views of the Capitol and monuments.
Amenities include: in-unit laundry/dryer, fully equipped open
kitchens, direct access from underground parking, and double pane
windows. Our design blends with and complements the historical
character of neighboring town homes. The Todd Place facade is
designed to resemble a series of townhouses and will contain an
internal landscaped courtyard and separate child¡¯s play area, as well
as, two roof terraces to provide solitude and quiet green space. The
two bedroom units will be a spacious 1,050 sq ft with two baths and
one bedroom will be 750 sq. ft. Building amenities will include: an
exercise room, clubroom, library with fireplace, and community
meeting space. A professional management company will manage the
building and maintain the highest standards of property management by
enforcing community rules, adhering to strict rental and occupancy
criteria and ensuring that the building is a good neighbor to the
community.

WHO WILL LIVE HERE?
In keeping with the District¡¯s Comprehensive Housing Strategy and the
Ward 5 Plan, St. Martin¡¯s Apartments is a mixed-income development
for families and individuals and everyone living here will be fully
employed or a retiree with a pension. Also, in fulfilling Catholic
Community Services¡¯ mission, we will make 50 apartments available to
graduates of various CCS self-sufficiency programs. These
individuals will have incomes of approximately $18,000 and will
include the 17 men currently living on the premises who are formerly
homeless and fully employed. (Many Americans are unaware that most
homelessness is due to life circumstances and less than a third of
the homeless have ever experienced addiction.)

The people who will live here are working families, government
employees, fire cadets, library aides, and hospital, hotel, and
restaurant workers. Everyday people like those pictured below.

COMMUNTY BENEFITS
St. Martin¡¯s Apartments will add substantial value to the community
► Job opportunities at a livable wage for District residents
► Local business contract opportunities
► New community meeting room
► Neighborhood enhancing design
► New landscaping along T Street and Summit
► New sidewalks and landscaping along Todd Street
► Improved security with cameras, security screens, and controlled
access
► $28 million investment in the neighborhood

VOICES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
¡°I own a home in this neighborhood and want to make certain that my
property value is protected. I am glad St. Martin¡¯s is making this
investment in improving our community.¡± ---Karen Cotton

¡°I like the idea of having more neighbors because retail follows
density and we need neighborhood-serving retail like a coffee house,
caf¨¦ or a book store.¡± ------Mrs. Alice Turner

¡°We are retired and once operated a deli in the neighborhood. We¡¯d
like to move back. Thank goodness there will be a new decent and
safe place to live.¡± ---Earl and Gertrude
Washington

COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Hundreds of Edgewood and Eckington neighbors and Ward 5 residents and
more than a dozen community institutions support St. Martin¡¯s
Apartments as affordable and workforce housing including AN5C whose
opinion is given ¡°great weight¡± by the Board of Zoning Adjustment
(BZA). The following are a few of our supporters:

¡ö The Edgewood Civic Association
¡ö Eckington Parishioners of St. Martin¡¯s for Workforce Housing
¡ö Manna, Inc.
¡ö Brentwood Civic Association
¡ö Neighborhood Steering Committee
¡ö Ecumenical Council of Churches (7 Local Churches)
¡ö WIN (45 City-wide Churches)
¡ö ACORN

THE FACES OF ST. MARTIN¡¯S APARTMENTS
Like our Eckington neighbors, the residents who will live at St.
Martin¡¯s Apartments will reflect a diverse cross section of the
community. To get to know prospective residents, speak with your
child¡¯s charter school teacher, the one who recently began his career
and wants to serve District children.

Speak with some newly weds looking for a welcoming and diverse
neighborhood.

Talk to a young couple who are just starting their family and want to
live in a safe, quiet community.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS
►Feb. 21 ANC 5C Approved Development
►Feb. 27 Edgewood Civic Association meeting at McKinley, 7 PM
►Mar. 12 Full Community Meeting at McKinley, 3PM

For more information, contact Ward 5 Citizens for Workforce Housing
at 202.316-6451 or email us at WardFiveDC@aol.com.