The Week Ahead…and Lower 8th Street Springs to Life – The Blue Castle
by Larry Janezich
The Blue Castle – Reported to Be Under Contract to National Community Church
Purchase of Blue Castle by National Community Church Reported to be Imminent
According to the Washington Business Journal, http://bit.ly/1pFJuWj the National Community Church will shortly close on its purchase of the Blue Castle at 770 M Street, SE, and has plans – down the road – to add floors to the structure. The castle is leased by tenants including a charter school and PSI Services – a social services company. The church has had long standing plans to build a coffeehouse, theater and child care center on land it owns on Virginia Avenue and 8th Street, SE, the site of the old Miles Glass Company.
A DC Restaurant Investor Group Has Leased The Former Chicken Tortilla on Lower 8th
New Restaurant on Lower 8th Street’s Horizon
According to Barracks Row Mainstreet, the former home of Chicken Tortilla at 1100 8th Street, SE has been leased to an investor group which has plans to open a new concept neighborhood oriented restaurant in late spring.
And Finally, Progress on the Long-Stalled Lower 8th Beer Garden
Also according to Barracks Row Mainstreet, the long stalled plan to open a beer garden at 8th and L – diagonally across the street from the new restaurant above appears to be moving ahead. Owners announced last week that they expect to break ground shortly with the hope of opening next spring. The new venue is reportedly named “The Brig.”
The Week Ahead…..
Monday, November 10
ANC6D meets at 7:00 pm at 1100 4th Street SW.
Agenda unavailable at press time.
Tuesday, November 11
Veteran’s Day Ceremony at 11:00am in Folger Park, opposite the Post 8 building on the corner of 3rd and D, SE. This year’s Veterans Day ceremony will feature a “Top-Gun” officer, a secret surprise for two VIP guests and the welcome return of a favorite attraction. For more information go here: http://bit.ly/1oAfYjE
Wednesday, November 12
ANC6B meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center.
Among items on the agenda:
Presentation – Boathouse Row Marina Development
New alcohol beverage restaurant license for Bayou Bakery on the Hill (at Hill Center)
Planned Unit Development (PUD) for 1333 M Street SE, Phase 1.
Report on Vacant and Blighted Houses.
Comments on Mayor Gray’s plan to close DC General Shelter.
Comments on Eastern Market Vending & Soliciting Policy
Wednesday, November 12
ANC6C meets at 7:00pm in Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Among items on the agenda:
Comments on Streetcar opening date/proposed expansion
NoMa underpass art project, transportation issues
PUD for Union Market residential/retail mixed use project at 1270 Fourth Street, NE, by Edens Realty Inc. (Up to 520 residential units and nearly 40,000 square feet of ground floor retail in an 11-story building. The project will total 408,000 square feet, not including a four- or five-story underground parking garage with up to 550 spaces.)
Discussion of Stanton Park and homelessness
Thursday, November 13
ANC6A meets at 7:00pm at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th Street, NE
Among items on the agenda:
Change in entertainment hours and addition of Sunday hours for Red Rocks
Alcohol beverage license for Pizza Parts
Entertainment endorsement to license of Impala Cantina y Taquria
Presentation by reps of Touche – potentially taking over the XII Space
Off street parking requirements for daycare business at 1802 D Street, NE
Construction of new dormitory on campus of Gallaudet University
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 
I am amazed. National Community Church has deep, deep pockets I guess,that or they are taking on some serious debt. I just wish that had started their project on 8th and Virginia before jumping into something else. But then they seem to have decided to really want a mini Hill business empire – Ebenezers Coffeehouse near Union Station, their property on 8th, and now these two places.
Life is nice when you don’t have to pay taxes.
Just go read their mission statement. Sort of enlightening.
NCC doesn’t own the space on 8th Street (the Theater, where they hold services); it’s a leased building. And NCC was waiting until CSX construction of the tunnel was done before starting anything on the Virginia/8th property…while they were waiting, the opportunity for the Blue Castle emerged.