On January 26, Osman Abdullahi was gunned down by D.C. Police after an altercation inside his unlicensed group home. The home, located at 830 7th Street NE, had no heat, very little food, and no supervision. Abdullahi wasn't taking his medication at the time. The home's manager Mark Spence has a long history with troubled group homes. We published a cover story on Spence's activities and Abdullahi this week.

Within a few days of the incident, Spence effectively shutdown his group home. The lights were turned off. The doors were locked. A mysterious notice to "correct" or "vacate" was placed on the door.

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs told me they have no record of posting such a notice on the door of 830 7th Street NE. The notice cited overcrowding as an issue. Spence had 30 days to correct the overcrowding problem or face some kind of fine or eviction. I saw the notice. The notice did not have DCRA letterhead or a name and phone number of an inspector who made the determination.

I asked Spence about the note. He told me the building's owner could have posted it. He added that he had cleared everyone out of the building. This is a clear violation of landlord-tenant regs. No one stopped Mr. Spence from ignoring the law.

The Office of the D.C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has had frequent encounters with Spence’s work, dating to 1999, according to Jerry Kasunic, the office’s current director.

Today, Kasunic met with the Department of Mental Health. He had one question for the department: Where did the residents of 830 7th Street NE go?

The department's answer: We don't know.

Read More "Where Did The Residents Of 830 7th Street NE Go?" »

Earlier today, we wrote about the police shooting that took place this morning at 830 7th Street NE. According to news accounts and police statements, D.C. cops were called to the address for a domestic dispute or assault. When they arrived they found a stabbing victim and the alleged perp. The suspect allegedly charged at the police with a pole. The police opened fire on the man and killed him. “He was dead on arrival. It was a fatal shooting," says Traci Hughes, the D.C. police spokesperson.

The incident happened shortly before 11 a.m. While there was some back and forth over whether the home was a group home, it is a rooming house that does include people who are mentally ill. One former resident I interviewed said that he had been referred to the house by a psych facility. "This is supposed to be a community residential facility," said the former resident of his one-time 7th Street home.

Tonight, the home was empty except for two residents. The former resident was on the scene as well. He talked about the man who had been shot and killed by police. He knew him as "Osmond." Police released his name a few hours ago. His name is Osman A. Abdullahi. He was 36. The former resident said that Osman could be delusional, that he talked often about people out to get him. Some of Osman's enemies were from Alaska. "I would say he was schizophrenic," said the resident. "He talked about people coming to get him."

A month ago, he says, he saw Osman laying on his bed. "He had a butcher knife under [the] covers," he recalled. "He was worried about his roommates. He said the roommates were talking in their sleep about him."

This morning, Osman, attacked one of his roommates, a senior citizen, someone the two current residents referred to only as "Lewis." Grant Osborne, 57, a resident at the 7th Street home, says he woke up this morning to Osman standing in the doorway with a knife. He was fuming about his same old problem: People were out to get him. They were coming for him. Osborne didn't understand. The shades were drawn.

Osborne remembers the police breaking down the door. He heard the police ask Osman multiple times to drop his weapon. He says he heard one shot.

Read More "More Details On The Police Shooting @ 7th Street NE" »

The Washington Post is reporting that the get-rich-quick Inaugural rental market has gone bust. This should not be a surprise considering the state of D.C.'s condo/rental market. Aren't there some vacancies? The inauguration was so hyped at first. Remember 4 million people were supposed to be converging on the Mall?

But this was before the first really cold spell. After that, I think folks realized they didn't want to come here and face the security, the closed bridges, the no-camping on the Mall, and the cold weather. I've talked to many residents who don't want to deal with it. Why would out-of-towners get suckered into paying thousands of dollars only to get a glimpse of Obama (maybe) and attend some state-sponsored prom?

Reality has set in. The Post writes:

"Since word spread of get-rich-quick glory, homeowners flocked to online sites, flooding the market with hundreds of properties seeking upward of $10,000 for the week. But supply has far outpaced demand, said real estate agents and creators of Web sites devoted to brokering deals. This week, with the holidays over, demand has picked up slightly, the brokers said, but most people are not likely to find renters.

'I'm blown away by how little demand there is,' said Tania Odabashian, vice president at Corporate Apartment Specialists in Northern Virginia"

What's the next thing to go bust? I bet it's the inaugural balls. There are far too many of them. Stay tuned for that story.

It's not too cold for some pretty rad skating. And it's not too cold for a confrontation with a lawman. At least one WCP employee is feeling pretty proud right now.

way too cold from cole montgomery on Vimeo.

Nice to see Cole rocking the Target hoodie.

In response to his paper's exhaustive auditing of H.R. Crawford's real-estate development, Post columnist Marc Fisher does a perfect job of describing what exactly is at issue with the famous developer. It's not the government money he's taken. It's the false hope he's given to poor residents whose property he wants to sell out from under them.

Fisher writes:

"Crawford's business operations are a jumble of contradictions. He sets out to build affordable housing for Washingtonians who've never owned anything in their lives, yet his grand plans often include pushing families out of homes they've had for decades. He promises poor people he will make homeowners of them, yet far too many of the units he's built end up in the hands of people who have political, personal or financial connections to him."

Crawford has his good and bad side. We chronicled Crawford's amazing b.s. to Kelsey Gardens residents. We also touted his redevelopment East of the River. But he's getting hosed now for all those false promises to residents.

Let me just say it: It is not shocking that residents either don't come back to their redeveloped apartments or are simply not allowed. Poor residents who want to return to their newly gentrified digs suddenly have had to contend with all kinds of new barriers: 1) A suddenly rigorous credit check; 2) the demand that they enroll in some budgeting class or computer class; 3) they are not informed that the building is ready for them to return. And who is responsible for most of these false promises across the city?

When it comes to making false promises to poor residents no one has done a better job in the past than the D.C. Housing Authority. Crawford is a nothing compared to the city government's representatives. Arthur Capper is a good example.

Read More "The Tragedy of H.R. Crawford Is the City’s Tragedy Too" »

Here's a good idea. New Columbia Heights has a semi-regular feature where they review Metro bus lines. The blog's latest installment focuses on the Buses of 14th Street--the 52, 53, and 54. The reviewer lets it rip:

"I've taken this bus heading south during rush hour and not during rush hour, and it's always a pain. They don't come very regularly, and they make so many stops (often every block) that it's practically faster to walk. I've started taking them for work during rush hour, and it's terrible - it takes about half an hour to go from 14th and Euclid St NW, roughly, to 14th and F. That's less than 2 miles. I could roll down the hill faster."

There has to be better bus lines. There has to be worse bus lines. I really dig the 16th Street-to-Silver Spring bus. The 42 isn't bad either. I've heard from sources over the years that the buses that run along MLK Ave SE are terrible after school lets out.

What are your bus horror stories?

The phone calls, the e-mails, the anonymous comments on this very blog---they have all been heard, read, and registered by the execs at Room & Board, the furniture store that, despite it all, is still planning to move into 1840 14th St. NW.

But for all of the 'hood's lovers of diners and comedy clubs and local business owners, who are almost certainly not moving into 1840 14th St. NW, Room & Board is making promises. The company promises to be a good neighbor, hire people on salary with good bennies (rather than on commission), and restore the building into the showplace it once was.

In two phone calls, one from a PR rep who did not want to be named and one conference call with that rep, Chief Financial Officer Mark Miller, and Communications Director Jill Linville, the Room & Board folks confirmed they are deep into their D.C. plans and had been looking for the right spot for about two years.

Miller, who has been the most involved in the process, says the company considered sites in Tysons Corner, Rockville, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Georgetown, and "about 25 other locations," including the old Central Union Mission building at 14th and R, before settling on the former Church of the Rapture at 14th and T.

Read More "14th and T: Room & Board Speaks Edition" »

For those looking to make a buck off their (probably) Ikea-optimized Northwest townhouse during inauguration week, there's now an alternative to anonymous/sketchy negotiations made over Craigslist. D.C. area native and "mortgage guy" Andre Butters and a few of his friends have launched www.inauguralhomes.com. "We're like a match.com for people coming in and out of the city," Butters explains.

The site, a place "where area residents can list their properties for rent and visitors to the Nation's Capital can find lodging during Inauguration week,"  differs from similar online classifieds services in that it requires users ante up some personal info and a credit card in order to register-- theoretically making the whole inviting-complete-strangers-to-live-in-your-house-thing a little less irrational.

"We're the safest way to go right now," says Butters, who points out that, despite the fees charged, 24.95 to list a dwelling and 9.95 to send "10 rental inquiries," both renters (40 have signed up in the last two days) and residents have been eager to use the service.

Considering this either sarcastic or psychotic anonymous, inaugural rental post found on Craigslist and seen below, Butters and friends ---by creating a listing system that offers up some kind of accountability-- may have stumbled upon a cash cow.

"You asked for change and elected "the one". Now, we are asking for your change - change WE believe in. For all hardcore fans who want to see the skinny guy, Obamamama and their offspring move into new premises, we will be offering our beautiful 2 car garage as night quarters. We will even put an air mattress, two blankets and two buckets in for your bathroom needs. Two people max. Only three miles to the Capitol, excellent bus lines. No windows, no heat, but hey - it´s the chance to see your new Jesus! Only $ 200 per night if you stay a minimum of four nights. We need $ 500 as a deposit, cash only please. You will not be allowed in the house because we want to make sure nothing is missing after your leave. We will give a ten percent discount if you agree to do a proper cleaning of the garage, the roaches and bugs can be a nuisance. We will only rent to people who come with references!"

From Chante Brodie on the 4-D listserv:

Traffic Advisory for the Fannie Mae 2008 Walk for the Homeless National Walkathon

The Fannie Mae 2008 Walk for the Homeless National Walkathon will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2008. To facilitate this event, vehicular traffic restrictions must be imposed on all the noted streets downtown, Washington, DC between the hours of 7:00 am and 12:00 pm on the day of the walk. To avoid delays, motorists should avoid the route of the walk and streets that intersect.

Read More "Fannie Mae Creates Homeless People, Sponsors Homeless Walkathon" »

Good morning, District denizens! And now, the news:

• Lt. James A. Cullen posted on the MDP-4D listserv that the 17 year old who was shot while near the 700 block of Decatur St. NW was treated and released from the hospital. Cullen also said that a "white Lexus sedan" may have been involved in the incident. According to Linda Brown, MPD Commander of the Fourth District, police are responding with gusto to the most recent shooting on Kennedy St. (which City Paper missed): "Our attention is continually focused in the 600-700 blocks of Jefferson, Kennedy and Longfellow.  We have executed several search warrants in this target area in the last few days in an effort to bring this gun violence to an end."
• Looking to rent out your place for inauguration but worried about getting busted for violating housing regulations? Fear not! According to The Washington Post Mayor Adrian M. Fenty decided yesterday to suspend "requirements for property inspections...from Jan. 13 through 27," as well as various other obstacles to renting out one's futon in Brightwood Park. (*Ahem* We have wireless Internet, folks! And the place is clean! *Ahem*) The last obstacle is the landlord. (Don't hold your breath for Fenty to suspend other pointless laws, the kind that do nothing to curb the behaviors they criminalize and generate less money than is required to enforce them.)
• Twilight, the vampire movie every chick wants to see, opens tonight. Critics have mixed opinions. Moviegoers should prepare themselves for violent hordes of XX's, ranging from 13 to 30 years of age, all of them screaming for the blood of Robert Pattinson. Check out Washington City Paper's showtimes for other movie listings.
• Prince of Petworth has a question for you.
• Calling all nerds: New FreakAngels, new Marriedtothesea, and new Penny-Arcade. Check them out now.

Prince of Petworth spotted some more storefront closings in Columbia Heights: Carvel and Cinnabon have closed. The two shops were located in the Tivoli. Isn't that now three storefronts that have failed in the renovated theater space?

Is Target to blame? Or is this simply that both shops were just sucky? They always seemed to have long lines but maybe this was because the service wasn't all that great. Is the great Columbia Heights renaissance over?

I feel foolish for even posing that question. I'm sure it isn't.

So the Post reports in the latest Paul Schwartzman development piece. Is anyone else surprised that the coffee shop has survived this long? I never see anyone in the shop during the week. Only on the weekend is it packed with customers either waiting in line for bad coffee or sitting at tables waiting for kinda gross food.

I'm not sure this has anything to do with Schwartzman's premise that Mount Pleasant is suffering a downturn because the neighborhood is a) too close to the Columbia Heights big boxes; b) filled with rabid NIMBYs; c) saddled with recovering from that massive apartment fire d) filled with opposing views of residents who either want a Red Derby or a McDonald's.

Mount P certainly has suffered. It has become way more known for fighting over music than having cool places to eat or shop. The best hangout is still the Raven (which is totally fine) and Heller's and Haydee's.There are very few reasons for residents outside of the neighborhood to come visit and spend their money.

In fact, there are very few reasons for Mount P residents to shop on the main drag. There is no doubt that the Target and the shops/restaurants around the Target are drawing residents from Mount P. I see that every weekend. It's this great migration across 16th.

So what do you think needs to happen in Mount Pleasant?

Commenters have beeen tearing it up over at 14th and T: The Good News, Bad News Edition, many of them in support of Diner/Tryst/Open City owner Constantine Stavropoulos and comedy club impresario John Xereas, who had hoped---with the help of Dave Chappelle and others---to develop local businesses inside the former Church of the Reformer. That plan now looks even more like a dream deferred to Minneapolis-based furniture outfit Room & Board.

Blame the "big-box mentality" if you like, but here's what really happened, according to Wayne Dickson, who, as principal partner at Blake Dickson Real Estate Services, represents the owners of the building: "Whoever writes the first check gets the space. That's the beginning and the end of the story....They [the local business owners] didn't have the money and had no assurance they could get the money."

Dickson is not unsympathetic to Stavropoulos and John X. He was the one who helped Stavropoulos move into Woodley Park in what is now Open City. They're friends and he says he has high esteem for both men. But that doesn't mean Four Points, his clients and the owners of the building, are making a bad decision.

Read More "14th and T: Reality Edition" »

I woke up this morning and immediately dashed to the TV and flicked on MSNBC. Not unusual. I'm worried about this election! But then I started thinking about a particular ANC race. Specifically the race for 3F04.

I started thinking about Frank Winstead. The man is running for his ANC post again. Will this be the end of his anti-ping-pong-street-life crusade? Will voters elect someone else?

I called Winstead this morning. He didn't answer. I left a message!

Arlene Reba, 74, stood outside Nest, a new consignment shop on Wisconsin Avenue NW in Tenleytown, and peered in. The place was closed, but Reba caught a glimpse of an employee inside the store. The employee ducked out of sight and waited for Reba to leave.

Reba, it turns out, had a history with the people running Nest. The man behind Nest is John Coon, an entrepreneur who specializes in opening and closing consignment shops. Coon ran the recently shuttered Washington Consignment in Cleveland Park and operated another store by the same name on Wisconsin Avenue before closing it more than a year ago. Another Coon consignment store on Nicholson Lane in Rockville closed in August.

Per his travels in the second-hand-sales biz, Coon has attracted a coterie of regulars, with Reba among them. At Washington Consignment in Cleveland Park, Reba was “a friend of the store,” according to Coon. But the two have had a falling-out since Washington Consignment began going under. Reba lost trust in the store, where she knew all of the employees and had done business for several years. Others who claim they should have been paid and weren’t or were paid too little too late echo her concerns.

The Cleveland Park store closed Sept. 28. “We went insolvent,” says Coon, who sometimes lists himself as the store owner but is in actuality the president of a board of a directors of a company that owns the store, he says.

“It was a victim of the economy,” says Coon of his latest closed store. He needed out of an expensive Connecticut Avenue lease, and when he realized he was not taking in enough money to cover expenses—including paying his consigners—he decided to have a big sale, close up shop, and sell the store’s Web site and e-mail list to a new corporation, which owns Nest.

At Nest, he has combined all of his endeavors, making it one-stop shopping for cleaning services, painting, interior design, home-staging, and event- and wedding-planning. He turned an old rug store that, he says, “everyone told me had been going out of business for 20 years” into a brightly colored gallery of other people’s furnishings, complete with a parrot named Pedro.

The sale of the Web site and the proceeds from the new store are helping him to pay his old consigners, he says. But some of his old consigners feel they are getting a bad deal. Among those who’ve come forward, Reba was owed the most.

Reba, a retired teacher and travel broker who finds items at estate sales and the like and then consigns them, was offered store credit in lieu of a check from Washington Consignment for more than $2,000. She took it, she says, “because I figured if they closed, I would have nothing.” She picked out a 1920s-era Chinese emperor’s robe, a Japanese wedding coat, and a few small statues. “All of it had to be carried out,” she says.

Reba felt her account had not been zeroed-out; Coon says it was and then some. When Reba went in again a few days later, she spied a bronze panther someone had recently brought in. “I loved it,” she says of the small sculpture by artist Loet Vanderveen. She owned another work of his, a bishop sitting in a rocking chair, “and I had never seen another piece by him” before the panther showed up.

Read More "Washington Consignment Closes, Still Owes People Money" »