Neighbors, the Atlas promised again that the event " So You Think You Can Dance" at the Atlas in conjunction with Fox Network would be well managed, including security, cleanup, transportation and crowd control. In a phone call with the executive director of the Atlas on Wednesday evening I was told that the participants would be on H Street. I specifically asked how the event was organized and where people would be lined up (including a parking plan). The answers were vague and only indicated that people were encouraged to park on H Street and that off duty Metropolitan Police were hired to staff security in addition to the security personnel that the Atlas uses (Metropolitan Security Services). At 3:30am and at 5:30am there were a line of people along H Street, down 13th Street and back toward Maryland Avenue on G Street. People were excited and yelling very early in the morning with no one from the Atlas controlling the noise. Trash and cans of Red Bull are being left on the sidewalk and in residents yards. There is no traffic plan in place and cars are being ticketed by parking enforcement because neither the website of Fox or the Atlas provided any information on how to transverse the neighborhood. The Atlas has now been here for 6 years and there were very specific agreements made to allow the Sprengers to purchase the building. Special events that are not controlled will only increase and the impact on the neighborhood on both sides of H Street including fellow businesses has to be addressed. The assurances by the Atlas leadership on how they would conduct themselves has not been honest. The so called valet parking is poorly run with parking in the alleys, Linden Court and patrons coming away with tickets on their cars (through no fault of their own). Some of the management is severely challenged and incapable of understanding the difference in constructive criticism and complaining. While we know residents are glad that the Atlas is here, its impact on other businesses and the Atlas need to make money to survive supercedes the need to be a good neighbor, clean up their trash and have the proper permits for their activities. The activities that the Atlas has resorted to are a last ditch effort which begs the question of serious arts and entertainment or just Apollo style entertainment.

Owner: lna

Since 2002 and many community meetings held in individual homes, culminating in a deal with Mayor Anthony Williams Administration, the Linden Neighborhood Association and the H Street Business and Professional Association individually established an agreed upon solution to traffic and renovations of H Street. After 5 years of surveys, studies, charrettes, community meetings, emails and flyers, we broke ground today! Mayor Fenty and Councilmember Tommy Wells joined us as we begin the transformation of H Street and Benning Road into something special.

Owner: lna

On Monday afternoon, a 3 alarm fire started at Jimmy's Tire Shop at 12th and Florida Avenue NE. Below are pictures from that evening and the day after showing equipment, damage to the building and the foam and oil residue down 12th and 13th and Eye Street.

Owner: lna

Transportation and resurfacing of H street will begin in Spring 2008. There are still a great many issues to be addressed including parking at meters of residents who don't live on a RPP street. The Starburst changes and trolley car are significant issues that need to be addressed. There will be more meetings to address the issues of the neighborhood.

Owner: lna

A view of work completed by community volunteers and residents on H Street, NE

Owner: lna