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The NorThwesT CurreNTWednesday, February 10, 2016 Serving Communities in Northwest Washington Since 1967 Vol. XLIX, No. 6
Calendar/16Classifieds/22 District Digest/2Exhibits/17In Your Neighborhood/14Opinion/6
Police Report/4Real Estate/13School Dispatches/12Service Directory/20Sports/9Week Ahead/3
INDEXSHERWOOD
Gray eyes comebackFormer mayor seeks road to redemption in retaking Ward 7 seat on D.C. Council / Page 6
DISTRICT DIGEST
Marshal nominationWhite House nominates MPD assistant chief to serve as U.S. marshal for D.C. / Page 2 Tips? Contact us at [email protected]
SPORTS
Eagles win titleGonzaga star swims through injury to help team dominate swimming championship / Page 9
Brian Kapur/The CurrentA diverse field of competition at the Washington National Cathedral’s annual pancake races including clergy members, police offices and even Darth Vader battled for the honor of winning the golden skillet. The event was part of a Shrove Tuesday celebration in the nave of the building.
THE PANCAkE STRIkES bACk
by MARk LIEbERMANCurrent Staff Writer
American University’s new Washington College of Law campus at Tenley Circle opened to students and faculty for the first day of a new semester on Jan. 11. With minimal promotion or fanfare, the campus’ new Pence Law Library opened eight days earlier. At 10 a.m. that day, numerous students were already making use of the library facilities, according to director of collection operations John Smith. “The tables hadn’t even been wired at that point,” he said.
Students were in a rush to take advantage of the brand-new facilities at their disposal after years of struggling with the tight quarters at the law school’s old Spring Valley location at 4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW. American University still owns that building and plans to use it for administrative purposes going forward, accord-
ing to law school spokesperson Franki Fitterer. But the new campus, which The Current
toured during a presentation to the media on Thursday, offers a wider range of classroom facilities, a full-service dining hall and more
office space, in addition to more modern and sleek surroundings. The new location at 4200 Nebraska Ave. NW also sits just a block from the Tenleytown Metro station, so transit users won’t need to take a university shuttle to get there.
The school will celebrate its first semester at Tenley Campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremo-ny on Friday at 2 p.m. in the Claudio Grossman Conference Hall, featuring Mayor Muriel Bowser and Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The eight-and-a-half-acre campus includes three main buildings totaling 312,000 square feet: Capital Hall, with administrative offices and study space; the Warren Building, the school’s center for research and technology with the library and other academic and office spaces; and the Yuma Building, the main home for classrooms and faculty offices. The campus
American University set to cut ribbon on Tenley law school
Photo courtesy of Maria MikeyThe long-planned project brings law students to modern facilities close to a Metro station.
by MARk LIEbERMANCurrent Staff Writer
An overnight demolition per-mit for the former Washington Post complex was thrown out yes-terday, with an administrative judge ruling that there was no convincing justification for exceeding normal construction hours for 90 days. The permit had allowed con-struction crews to work on the demolition of 1150 15th St. NW for 24 hours a day from Jan. 18 to April 18, excluding Sundays and holidays. The Department of Con-sumer and Regulatory Affairs issued the permit in December and modified it twice, with the latest version allowing for noise of up to 80 decibels. Residential neighbors challenged the decision at a con-tentious hearing Jan. 29, com-plaining about the impacts of late-night noise and other disruptions. Judge Paul Handy from D.C.’s Office of Administrative Hearings determined that the 90-day permit violates D.C. code, which limits
permits for temporary exemptions from noise regulations to 45 days. In his written verdict, Handy concludes that regulatory agency officials at the hearing did not adequately explain why they dou-bled the legal duration. According to the ruling, when Handy asked about the issue, the agency’s Clar-ence Whitescarver replied, “That’s a good question.” Residents at the residential cooperative The Presidential have been agitating for weeks about the disruption the project would cause to their sleep less than 500 feet away from the construction zone. The co-op’s board hired lawyers Douglas Fierberg and Doug
■ Development: Neighbors fear results of narrow rulingby MARk LIEbERMAN
Current Staff Writer
Mayor Muriel Bowser set in motion the next phase of her plan to close the D.C. General Family Shelter yesterday, announcing the locations for new homeless shel-ters that she intends to open across the city in each ward.
In Northwest, the planned loca-tions are at 2105-07 10th St. NW around the U Street corridor (Ward 1); 810 5th St. NW in Gallery Place (Ward 2); 2619 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Massachusetts Ave-nue Heights (Ward 3); and 5505 5th St. NW in Brightwood Park (Ward 4).
The D.C. Council will review proposed legislation to commence the $22 million project beginning this Thursday. At a breakfast meet-ing in the Wilson Building yester-day, nearly every council member announced support for the may-or’s plans, including Ward 3 mem-ber Mary Cheh.
“People are eager to embrace this,” Cheh said. “I know I am.”
The mayor’s office will host ward-by-ward community meet-ings tomorrow to start discussion about the locations for the new shelters. Community dialogues will focus on “good neighbor” principles including maintenance of property, community safety, codes of conduct, communication and mutual respect.
Once these eight shelters — together providing 271 replace-ment units for families, 29 apart-ments for families and 213 beds for women citywide — are com-plete, the mayor said, the city’s homeless population will no lon-ger require the services of D.C. General at 1900 Massachusetts Ave. SE, long considered an inad-equate resource for the city’s widespread homeless residents.
That overcrowded shelter cur-rently houses more than 200 fami-lies with 400 children, and the city spends $55,000 per D.C. General unit per year, for a total annual
Mayor unveils sites for new family shelters
Judge tosses demolition permit for old Post site
Brian Kapur/The CurrentThe project team says delays on demolition would prove costly.
See Demolition/Page 3
See Tenley/Page 2See Homeless/Page 5
Is it possible to get the best of both worlds? The seven-bed-room, four-and-a-half bath
Colonial farmhouse at 4629 30th
St. NW shows the answer is yes, if both worlds means the charm of a 1920s cedar-shake house with key modern enhancements.
This Forest Hills house offers 5,455 square feet for a list price of $2,250,000. Since its construction in 1928, successive owners have made seamless additions and ren-ovations to the classic home.
The wraparound porch imme-diately marks the house as a hub for family and community. The porch stretches across the entire front and runs halfway down both sides of the house, with one side screened in, perfect for parties.
The front door opens onto an entrance hall with a brick fire-place, vintage iron floor grates and an unexpected old-fashioned electrical panel with push but-tons, preserved for a touch of whimsy. These classic elements combine with contemporary con-veniences, such as those in the kitchen down the hall.
This space, remodeled by the current owner, shows off custom-built cabinetry in cherry wood, brightening the deep black granite countertops and brushed steel appliances — a Sub-Zero refriger-ator and freezer, GE Monogram professional gas range and two sinks. Beyond the bar is a spa-cious breakfast area with two walls of windows that flood the whole room with light. The back door leads out onto a new, elevat-ed deck overlooking the backyard.
Pocket doors lead from the kitchen into the spacious family room containing the house’s sec-ond of four fireplaces — three of which are wood-burning — and built-in shelves for the book lover or curio collector. Sunlight from the large formal dining room with a bay window spills into the fam-ily room, adding to the light from multiple south-facing windows.
Beyond the dining room, the formal sitting room leads up to the front of the house, with a glass door and window opening out onto the screen porch. A front-facing picture window with window seat brings in even more light. The third wood-burning fireplace, fronted by circa-1920s tiles painted with Art Deco scenes from mythology and fairy tales,
provides a fun focal point for this room.
The original wood flooring on much of the first level con-tinues up the staircase and onto the sec-ond floor, where two bed-rooms open onto each other, creating a flow perfect for children at play.
The master suite begins with a large walk-in closet, then contin-ues to the attractive bathroom, recently renovated to include modern refurbishments disguised in classic forms, like the claw-foot tub. Double sinks mounted on a wooden table hint at old-fashioned porcelain washbasins, while featuring updated fixtures.
The spacious master bedroom contains the house’s fourth fire-place, refitted with gas logs. One detail that pays big dividends here is that three walls contain windows, dramatically increasing the sunlight.
The third floor would capture the imagination of any child. The single dormer window of the house serves as a play nook, with
a bunked hideaway and tiny lad-der, plus beautiful animal murals covering the walls. A bright spare bedroom sits behind the play nook. Down the hall, a finished attic with exposed rafters could be a playroom or guest bedroom.
The basement is semi-finished and waiting for a creative touch. It’s currently a pantry and stor-age, but an enterprising new owner could transform these rooms and the full bathroom into an au pair suite, or into the man-cave of every dad’s dreams.
The backyard lacks for noth-ing. Family and guests alike can enjoy the above-ground Jacuzzi, then step down onto the custom-cut stone patio and dive into the
full-size swimming pool from the diving stones. The pool patio includes an outdoor kitchen — complete with sink, refrigerator, wine-chiller and grill — and a newly installed pool shower.
This refreshing blend of clas-sic and contemporary sits in the close-knit neighborhood of Forest Hills. All this, plus shopping, din-ing and a Metro station within walking distance make this a location to cherish.
The seven-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath house at 4629 30th St. NW is listed for $2,250,000 by TTR Sotheby’s International Real-ty. For details, contact Jennifer Knoll at 202-441-2301 or [email protected].
A Look at the Market in Northwest Washington February 10, 2016 ■ Page 13
Colonial farmhouse offers old-fashioned, modern touches
Photos courtesy of TTR Sotheby’s International RealtyThis seven-bedroom Forest Hills home is listed for $2,250,000.
ON THE MARKET lee cannon
Selling The Area’s Finest Properties
“True Sears Kit Home”Chevy Chase, DC. Martha Washington model w/4 BRs, 2 updated Bas, 2 half BAs. Updated & expanded TS kit. Sun rm, garage, hrdwd �rs, rec rm. Deck, garage. $999,500.
Linda Chaletzky 301-938-2630
Elegance & Flair�e Foxhall. Rare duplex apt in this sought after bldg. Bright formal rooms on main level open to large terrace. Curved staircase to 3 BRs each w/bath & balcony. Amenities include pool & tennis courts. $1,115,000
Penny Mallory 301-654-7902
Palisades Sweetheart Palisades. Wonderful contemporary w/cathedral ceilings, skylights & frpl. 3 BRs, 2 renov. BAs. Brand new kit. Spiral stairs to loft o�ce. Complete in-law/nanny suite above det 2 car garage. Walk to shops, trails. $840,000
Nancy Hammond 202-262-5374
Modern Meets ClassicDupont/Adams Morgan Spacious 2 BR, 2 BA condo in the heart of three neighborhoods. Chef ’s kit, hrdwd �rs, open �r plan, W/D. Pets allowed. Private entrance & roof deck. $630,000
Leslie Suarez 202-246-6402
Live In �e ParkBethesda, MD. Spacious & sophisticated end unit TH near Canal & Crescent Trail. Secluded enclave in close-in Brookmont. 3 BRs, 3.5 BAs, approx. 4000 sf. Open �r plan, rear stairs, multiple decks. 2 car gar. $1,034,000.
Patricia Lore 301-908-1242 Ted Beverley 301-728-4338
Grand TraditionsTown of Chevy Chase. Impressive 1920s manor w/ dramatic spaces has been renovated from top to bottom. Formal LR & DR, 5 BR, 6.5 BA, dazzling Kit, 3-car garage, and inviting deck. $2,499,000
Eric Murtagh 301-652-8971 Karen Kuchins 301-275-2255
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