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Today I went to a "not 300 units of section 8 housing run by DC staff" meeting organized by a neighbor. It was at a local rec center I had passed but never really looked at - WOW they have soccer, track, kid jungle gyms, indoor basketball...all sorts of things right next to my house!
At least 25 people were there, a couple with kids (but unlike the public hearing othrodox creeps they both monitored their kids, entertained them, and moved them outside when they got loud or fussy). The group agreed that the central theme was not 100% subsidized i.e. public housing, though everyone also wanted affordable options - just not a giant "the projects." The discussion included new neighbors (mostly white), MANY people who lived there for 40 years or more (mostly black), and some former local anc members. Or at least one. The woman, a single mother of 2.5 ran the show and well - some old school political experts gave really good input (one white guy called out an old black man in a Gray t-shirt for obviously knowing a lot more than he was letting on - he chuckled, pretty much confirming that).
Curiously I think I met the neighbors who called complaining about my dumpsters and Spring street. I think they are the same ones who voiced opinions pretty much exclusively on the parking issue of the jewish retirement home project. They came in, kinda angry, noting they didn't know about the meeting except another old-school resident they knew for decades saw them on the way in and told them about it. They were actually there to complain about the dumpsters on their street but realized it wasn't part of the project we were talking about. They had mildly angry comments on a few things, but seemed satisfied with the responses on: emailing notice, only flyering some places, the fact people who support 100% DC run housing charity were not invited to this group... After the meeting I introduced myself and apologized that I was the source of the dumpsters. They warmed up to me, and he had some pointed questions but I explained why they were there (dirt, near the alley where it had to come out) and noted we didn't think it would be there the whole 3 weeks, and the permits were from the city - also we hoped to pull them when the dirt was gone. I'm not sure if my answers made them happy or if they were just happy I was showing respect. Our conversation descended into the joys of remodeling, and like many others I have spoken to, they were happy I was interested in my neighbors and the community.
On the way out I ran into / talked to again (was approached and happily responded) the woman who lives at the corner gorgeous house. She said she's been watching the work on my place - she also pretty much seemed to like everything I had to say. When I mention I'm an attorney so I have to do all the rental stuff all permitted and stuff, I'm quick to say I don't care what any of my neighbors do.
I'm a little nervous about the house - scanned it today and found the main bathroom looks kinda small, and it also appears the toilet drain is practically in the middle of the floor. I'll have to stop by soon, measure rooms and closets, and make sure there isn't a toilet in the middle of a bedroom or something. On the huge plus side, plywood is up in the "attic" and pipes are going in along with vent pipes. It will be a home!
At least 25 people were there, a couple with kids (but unlike the public hearing othrodox creeps they both monitored their kids, entertained them, and moved them outside when they got loud or fussy). The group agreed that the central theme was not 100% subsidized i.e. public housing, though everyone also wanted affordable options - just not a giant "the projects." The discussion included new neighbors (mostly white), MANY people who lived there for 40 years or more (mostly black), and some former local anc members. Or at least one. The woman, a single mother of 2.5 ran the show and well - some old school political experts gave really good input (one white guy called out an old black man in a Gray t-shirt for obviously knowing a lot more than he was letting on - he chuckled, pretty much confirming that).
Curiously I think I met the neighbors who called complaining about my dumpsters and Spring street. I think they are the same ones who voiced opinions pretty much exclusively on the parking issue of the jewish retirement home project. They came in, kinda angry, noting they didn't know about the meeting except another old-school resident they knew for decades saw them on the way in and told them about it. They were actually there to complain about the dumpsters on their street but realized it wasn't part of the project we were talking about. They had mildly angry comments on a few things, but seemed satisfied with the responses on: emailing notice, only flyering some places, the fact people who support 100% DC run housing charity were not invited to this group... After the meeting I introduced myself and apologized that I was the source of the dumpsters. They warmed up to me, and he had some pointed questions but I explained why they were there (dirt, near the alley where it had to come out) and noted we didn't think it would be there the whole 3 weeks, and the permits were from the city - also we hoped to pull them when the dirt was gone. I'm not sure if my answers made them happy or if they were just happy I was showing respect. Our conversation descended into the joys of remodeling, and like many others I have spoken to, they were happy I was interested in my neighbors and the community.
On the way out I ran into / talked to again (was approached and happily responded) the woman who lives at the corner gorgeous house. She said she's been watching the work on my place - she also pretty much seemed to like everything I had to say. When I mention I'm an attorney so I have to do all the rental stuff all permitted and stuff, I'm quick to say I don't care what any of my neighbors do.
I'm a little nervous about the house - scanned it today and found the main bathroom looks kinda small, and it also appears the toilet drain is practically in the middle of the floor. I'll have to stop by soon, measure rooms and closets, and make sure there isn't a toilet in the middle of a bedroom or something. On the huge plus side, plywood is up in the "attic" and pipes are going in along with vent pipes. It will be a home!
