Cool space on Florida Ave NE

Last year Conner Contemporary Art renovated a building at 1358-60 Florida Ave., NE, right around the corner from the H Street Playhouse. This leading DC gallery is using the first floor and is looking for a simpatico tenant for the second floor space - about 4,300 SF, great light, tall ceilings, concrete structure - asking $18/foot. It includes a ramp to the alley!!! (At one time this 2nd floor space was used to paint cars at Singletary's Auto Body Repairs.)
For more information, contact gallery owner Leigh Conner at info (at) CONNERCONTEMPORARY.com.

Gallery/Studio space available at 14th and T

The folks behind LISTOPAD, a style and culture emporium, are looking for a gallery or artists to join them at 14th and T NW. The third floor space (above) is located in the same building as Trina's Hair Gallery and SOM Records. Rent is $1400/month for the third floor - 900 SF. (Listopad will be occupying the second floor.) The third floor is perfect for a studio or small gallery - it is a swell, open space with great light and has a bathroom with shower. It needs some work but not too much.

Here is a link to more INFO, including a way to contact LISTOPAD.

Kennedy Center to Help Arts Programs in Economic Trouble

From the Washington Post -

The next act in Michael M. Kaiser's quest to make all arts organizations smart and healthy is about to begin.

After a string of successes rescuing arts groups from near-death, Kaiser is now enlisting Kennedy Center managers to help nonprofit arts organizations that are reeling from the recession.

"Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative" was announced this morning. Essentially, the program is a high-tech support service through which arts administrators can talk to the center's personnel about shrinking income, budget-conscious audiences and other difficulties in keeping the doors open.

Full article HERE.

N. Capitol St. Fire House for Sale

The Fire House at 1626 North Capitol St. NW is for sale - listed at $1.5M.

Recent plans included a restaurant by the folks behind St. Ex and a sound stage for XM radio. And then another restaurant operator from Ohio was scheduled to come in to run the restaurant.

It would make a great art space. I toured the building back in 2007 and it needed a lot of work, but it has good bones and will make for a cool finished space.

Artist Studios - 57 N St. NW has an opening

Artist Studio for Rent, 3 blocks from NY/Florida Ave Metro

400 sq ft artist studio for rent in NW, just 3 blocks from the NY/Florida Avenue Metro stop. This space includes a reception area and office with a large walk in closet. There is a hallway bathroom that is shared with other tenants on the floor (3 people).

It is a bare bones studio on the top floor of a warehouse. There are concrete floors, brick walls and plenty of windows. And it is very spacious. It also looks out over the skyline of North Capitol Street, with easy access to the roof, and a beautiful view.

The price is $500 and includes all utilities.

For more info, give them a call at 202-309-3695

RE-THINKING RHODE ISLAND AVENUE NE

MEETING OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS AND POTENTIAL DEVELOPERS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2009
7:00 to 9:00 P.M.
Washington Center for Aging Services
2601 18th Street NE

RE-THINKING RHODE ISLAND AVENUE NE
SUB-AREA PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS

The four sets of sub-area concepts below represent preliminary thoughts of the project team based on consultation with the District, community, commercial property owners and invited developers. They are intended to spur responses about re-development and to highlight locations with the most significant amount of potential for change which benefits the stability of the corridor.

SUB-AREA 1 CONCEPT:
4th TO 12th STREETS NE

This illustration of Sub-Area 1 shows significant opportunities which would transform this section into "Downtown Ward 5"- similar to what has happened in Columbia Heights and what is planned in Wards 7 and 8. This sub-area would be a "town center" with a significant and vibrant mixture of high-quality national and local retail, offices, and mixed-income residential development at densities which take full advantage of the immediate proximity to Metro. Proposed development would complement the Rhode Island Station project planned to the east of the metro station. Residents here will likely prefer easy access and to live "in the mix" while being in a non-central business district, neighborhood setting.

SUB-AREA 2 CONCEPT:
12th TO 18th STREETS NE

This illustration of Sub-Area 2 shows opportunities to re-envision this section as "Montana-Franklin Neighborhood Center". This sub-area would include a mix of competitive local retailers with some regional and national chains and mixed-income residential development at medium densities in new buildings that are 4 to 7 stories in height-the latter, depending on location and approvals through a planned unit development (PUD) process. Proposed development would complement the Brookland Square project planned at the northeast corner of 13th Street and Rhode Island Avenue. Residents here would seek proximity and affordability, but prefer to be in a much more neighborhood oriented district.

SUB-AREA 3 CONCEPT:
18th STREET TO SOUTH DAKOTA AVENUE NE

This illustration of Sub-Area 3 shows development opportunities to convert this section into "Langdon Park". This sub-area would include a series of fashionable loft-like residences in new buildings that are 4 to 6 stories in height near adaptively, rehabilitated existing structures (20th to 24th Streets) which welcome new eclectic and neighborhood serving retail uses, galleries and services. Proposed development would take advantage of immediate proximity to the District's Langdon Park and its outdoor swimming pool, gymnasium, athletic fields and courts, among other amenities. The US National Arboretum is only minutes away as well. Residents here would be motivated professionals with active, athletic lifestyles and a penchant for meeting friends or working out of quirky coffee shops and diners.


SUB-AREA 4 CONCEPT:
SOUTH DAKOTA AVENUE TO EASTERN AVENUE NE

This illustration of Sub-Area 4 shows opportunities to re-imagine this section as "The Portal." This sub-area would include new housing and retail which may be attractive to artists who prefer a District address over ... another. New construction will be 4 to 6 stories in height. Proposed development might seek to complement the Mount Rainier Arts District just across Eastern Avenue .... or it may take on its own distinctive "gateway" appearance to celebrate this prominent easterly entrance into the Nation's Capitol. There will be a unique mix of residents.

Schools - Meeting Summary

Over 100 people packed the Community Room at the Reeves Center this afternoon to listen to a brief presentation about the disposition of closed DC schools. Most in the crowd were connected to the Real Estate community - Developers, Architects, etc. There were a few arts-related individuals.

Tours of the schools will happen during the week of Jan 26. Submissions are due at the end of February.

This round seems to be geared toward established Developers. Proposals require significant experience with similar projects and the proof of access to financing.

I will post the Site Visit schedule when it is announced.

Reminder - Pre-Offer Conference on Schools is Tomorrow, Jan 9

A reminder that the Pre-Offer Conference for the current round of school disposition will be held at the Reeves Center tomorrow at 1pm.

Excess Schools - Grimke

The Grimke School, located on Vermont Avenue NW near U St., is one of the most desirable locations for potential arts use in decommissioned schools. The school is right across the street from the METRO stop at 10th and U and is currently used by Fire/EMS and the Department of Corrections.

Several years ago the DC Office of Planning crafted the DUKE Plan, a framework for a Cultural Destination for Greater Shaw/U Street. The full report can be found HERE and the pages specific to the Grimke area, labeled the African American Civil War Memorial Sub-district, can be found HERE.

I was able to tour the space back in the summer and found an intact gymnasium space that could easily house a large performance space. The gym floor has substantial water damage, so the roof might need replacement, but otherwise its in good shape. The rest of the school has been carved up into offices for the Fire Department, etc. Artist studios would be an easy retrofit.

The African American Civial War Museum, headed by Frank Smith, is also a potential tenant.

DC Gov. Orders Auction

On January 30th Alex Cooper Auctioneers are auctioning over 30 vacant residential buildings located throughout DC. Buildings are located in all four quadrants and most look like they need a lot of work.
More information at the Cooper web site HERE.

Buyer's Seminar is scheduled for Thursday, January 22 at noon at One Judiciary Square - 441 4th Street NW.

Schools - Pre-Offer Conference - January 9

A Pre-Offer Conference will be held on:

Friday, January 9, 2009
1 pm-2:30 pm EST
Frank D. Reeves Center
Community Room, 2nd Floor
2000 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

Please RSVP to dcbiz@dc.gov

I will be there, so look for me if you have any questions.

In the first go-round, the Warehouse Theater joined with the Washington Project for the Arts to submit a proposal for the Cook School. We are currently planning our re-submission.

Excess Schools Solicitation for Offers

More information about the Solicitation for Schools -

The Government of the District of Columbia (“District”), through the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (“ODMPED”), invites qualified development teams (“Offerors”) to respond to this Solicitation for Offers (“Solicitation”) for the development, redevelopment, or adaptive reuse of the following sites (each individually, a “Development Site”):

Backus Middle School
Grimke Elementary School
Hine Junior High School
Langston School
M.M. Washington High School
Randle Highlands Elementary School (historic 1911 school building only)
Rudolph Elementary School
Slater School
Slowe Elementary School (unoccupied portion)
Stevens Elementary School
Young Elementary School

Find the rest of the information HERE.

Schools on the Block - Post Article

From the 12/23 edition of the Washington Post -

The administration of D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty said yesterday that it is seeking to redevelop 11 now-shuttered public schools, inviting developers to submit proposals that can include retail space, offices and high-priced and affordable housing.

Read the rest of the article HERE.

Shared Space - The Soundry in Vienna, VA

There is a new shared artist space in Vienna, VA called The Soundry. Located in a former auto body shop that is being converted into a shared space for artists and musicians, The Soundry is all about sharing and cultivating creativity across their membership. Its an interesting concept, with a monthly membership fee ($99) and access to the entire building. There is no dedicated studio space but secure storage is available. They envision a broad range of users, from visual artists to musicians to actors, etc.

For more info, check out their web site - The Soundry.

Grimke School - A new RFEI coming soon?

Rumor has it that the DC Office of Property Management is going to release another round of "Requests for Expressions of Interest" for a few schools, including the Grimke School on Vermont Ave. NW, just off U St.

Back in the summer, OP put out an RFEI for about 8 schools (including Grimke) but then narrowed the process to exclude all proposals except charter schools.

Artist Studios - 52 O

OCCUPYING 28,000 SQUARE FEET, over four floors, 52 O Street Studios is one of the largest and oldest buildings dedicated to the practice of Fine Arts in DC. Located just off North Capitol Street, the building is occupied by painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers, woodworkers, and video artists who seek to continue and advance the guiding principle behind its opening in 1979, "to create an affordable working space for artists in Washington DC." More information, including contact information for the owner Marty Youmans, can be found at 52ostreetstudios.org. The website lists these resident artists:

Stevens Jay Carter
Betsy Damos
Matthew Scott Davis
Adam Eig
Cianne Fragione
Andrea Haffner
Peter E. Harper
Matt Hollis
Micheline Klagsbrun
Raye Leith
Kendall Nordin
Holly & Ashlee Temple
Lisa Marie Thalhammer
Gabriel Thy
Ben Tolman

Church for Sale - 13th St. NW

The church at the corner of 13th and Irving NW is for sale - $2.5M. The sales price includes the 3 story annex on Irving.
The Sanctuary seats 175. Zoning is R-4, so most commercial uses would probably require a special exception.

Shared Office Space - H Street NE

The H Street Greenhouse Incubator is a 1,500 sq. ft. facility that houses 12-16 business suites / desk spaces. Suites range in size from 70 – 170 sq ft., and are individual private offices with doors, or are single desks in an open flexible floor plan. The small business tenants share a wide range of office facilities and services as part of their lease, including landlines, voicemail, fax, high-speed Internet access, conference room, kitchen space, cleaning services, on-site recycling and storage space. Furnished or unfurnished spaces are available, as well as paid use of copiers, scanners, printers and the like.

Rates are reasonably priced at approximately $500 / month for a flexible open floor plan work space (100 sf), to $1200 / month for an Executive Office Suite of approximately 170 sf. With 24-hour 7 day a week access, this could be the hottest new “green” spot in town.

For more information on the H Street Greenhouse, or to arrange a tour, visit www.hstreetgreenhouse.com

Restaurant for Rent - Cool space near U St.

The old Flamingo Ethiopian Restaurant - 1119 V St. NW - is for rent. $2500/month for the first floor (incl.patio) and an additional $1500/month for the second. And they have (or had) a liquor license. Small space - would make a great neighborhood restaurant and bar.

More Creative Economy - Links

Click HERE to get to the New England Foundation for the Arts and a list of Creative Economy web sites in New England and all over the world.

Click HERE to find out about Creative Clusters, an annual conference going on right now in Glasgow.

Click Here to get to the Creative Economy Resource Center.

Click HERE to get the recently established Center for the Creative Economy at the University of the Arts in Philly.

Click HERE to get to Innovation Philadelphia, the economic development organization that serves 11 counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware and is working to establish the Greater Philadelphia Region as a national leader and world-class destination for Creative Economy industries, businesses and talent.

Mass. Establishes Creative Economy Council

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick recently signed the bill establishing the first Massachusetts Creative Economy Council (MCEC).

The MCEC’s function is to “develop a statewide strategy for the enhancement, encouragement, and growth of the creative economy in the commonwealth and to promote through public and private means responsive public policies and innovative private sector practices.”

More info here and here.

Arts District - Hyattsville

DCMud has a nice post about the "Arts District" in Hyattsville, just across the DC line. EYA is developing several parcels on both sides of Route 1. According to the blog post, the economy has slowed progress, but people are gradualy moving into the live/work spaces. Read more here HERE.

Ultimately Rhode Island Ave could be an extensive art corridor, running through NE DC all the way out to the University of Maryland.

Ontario Theater - for lease - Adams Morgan

The lobby and adjoining space of the old Ontario Theater on Columbia Road is for lease. A CVS occupies the audience chamber of this great old movie theater and a discount store was the most recent occupant of this L-shaped space, but they are looking for a new tenant. Its a pretty big space, about 9,000 SF in total. Needs a lot of work, but will be a cool space when built out. I got a look at it last week and it sprawls from the basement to the 2nd floor, with lots of nooks and crannies.

Artist Inaugural Ball

Rumor has it that some folks are working on a big party on January 20th for artists. Stay tuned....

Yesterday's Artspace Visit - H Street

Yesterday I was part of a discussion about artist live/work housing in DC, led by ARTSPACE, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to creating affordable space for the arts.

The H STREET PLAYHOUSE invited ARTSPACE to help investigate the potential to create an affordable, self-sustaining artist live/work project and to talk about the key elements that determine feasibility, including project concept, site selection, market need, funding and sustainability, and local leadership.

While the conversation was specific to the PLAYHOUSE, it touched on broader themes in affordable housing for artists. Artspace will produce a report from the visit and I will try to excerpt portions here - probably in mid-December.

About the H Street Playhouse
The home of resident companies Theater Alliance and Forum Theatre, the H Street Playhouse houses a 100-seat black box theater, rehearsal studio and Gallery H. Along with city officials, small business owners, and a few other theaters, the H Street Playhouse has been at the forefront of a movement that is now gathering steam to revitalize the historic H Street commercial corridor. More info - www.hstreetplayhouse.com

The Artspace Mission
Artspace’s mission is to create, foster, and preserve affordable space for artists and arts organizations. Artspace pursues this mission through development projects, asset management activities, consulting services, and community-building activities that serve artists and arts organizations of all disciplines, cultures, and economic circumstances. By creating this space, Artspace supports the continued professional growth of artists and enhances the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding community. Find out more at www.artspace.org