Document the vacant/nuisance properties in our area, and what problems, if any, we’ve had with them. What is the status on properties near you? Please help flesh out this list. We can clean up these properties one at a time, if we all take on a property near us.
Visit the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs’ Web site for Vacant Properties:
http://www.dcra.dc.gov/dcra/cwp/view,a,1343,q,625194.asp
Steps to take for a nuisance property near you:
- See if the property near you is listed in the DCRA Real Property Sales Database as Vacant: https://www.taxpayerservicecenter.com/RP_Results.jsp or the Real Property Assessment Database at https://www.taxpayerservicecenter.com/RP_Search.jsp?search_type=Assessment
- Email DCRA to file a report if a Vacant Property is not accurately listed. vacantproperty@dc.gov or dcra@dc.gov.
- When you do this, DCRA usually sends you an email within a week or so to tell you that they are in receipt of your complaint. They will give you a phone number and maybe a person to follow up with. A number I have is 202-442-4332. You MUST follow up repeatedly.
- If its helpful and possible, meet with the inspector when he comes and tell him first hand the problems the property is causing.
With these steps, I’ve tackled a few vacant properties in my surroundings with success. Please keep us updated on what’s happening with properties near you.
The city just issued a violation notice for 312 P ST. Apparently, it is owned by Vincent Abell who has been called a slumlord and implicated in many scandals including a loan scam with senior citizens.
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=35974
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/19/eveningnews/consumer/main656754.shtml
Hmm, seems he owns the house on 424 Q St NW as well. This is really interesting. Here’s info on the business he owns: http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?tuid=2170958&ycat=8014836&addr=5401+16th+St+Nw&city=Washington&state=DC&zip=20011-3618&uzip=20011&country=us&msa=8840&slt=38.956335&sln=-77.036277&cs=9&stat=:pos:6:regular:regT:16:fbT:1
here’s a more recent story, updating the story above: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2009/02/17/vincent-abell-wants-to-buy-city-owned-vacant-property/
304 P is not vacant– a family bought it and has been slowly renovating it, to turn it into a rental property. I have not seen activity in a while, though, so there might be a financial issue, a permitting issue (this had been a holdup previously), or they just have not had time (doing a lot of the work on their own).
It is listed as vacant on the most recent DCRA list. Permitting is why the Bates Market has been held up as well.
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Work has resumed on 304 P St. There’s a crew there every day, working inside and out. Good sign…
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The issues surrounding 1500 First St are completely unacceptable. Who can the neighbors call about this to get some immediate action rather than file “something” to be followed-up on in six months?
I just saw this on the Eckington list serv:
Anyone with vacant house issues, please report the address to “Tweeny” Twee Nguyen – Manager, Vacant Property Unit by calling 202-442-4406 or email thanh-thuy.nguyen@dc.gov.
I have worked with Tweeny on getting vacant properties occupied. Vacant properties offer refuse to squatters, prostitution, drug dealing, areas for loitering, etc – none of which contribute positively to our community.
Tweeny is able to tax negligent property owners at higher, vacant property taxes, which encourages the owners to sell, rehabilitate and occupy, etc – which brings in more neighbors, which helps to build a community that will not tolerate crime, loitering, etc. The more citizens and neighbors we have, the more powerful our voice in letting wrong-doers know that they are not welcome in our community!
I encourage everyone that knows of a vacant property to use Tweeny as a resource to help strengthen our community!
I am not sure how current this list is but 75 Bates is not vacant. We live there
.
Hi Ericka, thanks. I’ll update this. It’s as updated as people give me info.
1621 First St. is a three-bed room apartment building that has been neglected by its owner. Several homeowners on First Street have discussed the problems with the owner who promised back in June 2009 that he would repair the property but to date the:
-The paint is falling off
-Vines are growing up the facade
-The weeds are over grown in the back yard, which is a great place for the rats to live
-The fence in the front and back yards are falling down
-The front yard is in shambles
Hi TC, Contact DCRA, there’s a specific person mentioned in the comments above, with a specific number. With concentrated effort and follow up, my neighbors and I have forced owners of vacant properties to keep their units at least tidy. It will take you following up and neighbors supporting your calls to DCRA’s vacant property unit.
Hi Caryn, you can remove 316 P. It’s mine:)
Yay! Welcome to the neighborhood Jes. I look forward to meeting you. Caryn
66 P St. NW has been purchased by a couple. They are having work done now and expect that to be finished sometime this month (Jan.2010). I have met them and seen them a few times. I suggest removing the property from this list. Thank you. -Lisa
thanks for the update Lisa, I took it off.
My wife and I recently viewed 304 Q St and are somewhat seriously considering purchasing one of the units. We loved the property itself, but we are a little bit concerned about the huge housing development across the street next to Mt. Sinai Church. We’ve walked around the area two or three times and have each time spotted idle folks hanging around… not entirely friendly looking. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this or other general safety issues? How has this neighborhood changed in the past few years?
Thanks!
Hi Michael.
This is an awesome neighborhood and I live right around the corner on 3rd St. We’d be glad to have you! There are mostly good people living in the co-op you mention, and the co-op and Mt. Sinai both maintain all the adjoining area very nicely. The church itself is a good neighbor.
I’d say there are spotty trouble areas. The Q St block between 3rd and 1st St can be one of those. And sometimes so can 4th St right behind the corner store. But overall, we maintain vigilance as neighbors and we work w police when problems arise. The more people who fill vacant areas like the building your considering the better!
I’ve been in the neighborhood for three years and its changed immensely in that short time. The amenities is one thing: Thai Beau just opened two blocks from 304 Q, which starting this weekend, will be our first neighborhood sit-down restaurant. Big Bear Cafe a few blocks away opened about four years ago. A new pizza and Beer place opened at 1st and T, Timor Bodega – at 2nd and Rhode Island. The Safeway and Bus Boys and Poets, Kushi, Taylors, etc opened last year. at 5 and L St. Two new nearby libraries – Northwest One and Shaw. And eventually – maybe in the next year or two – the new Giant will be built at 7th and P St.
On top of all that, there are just great neighbors around and a sense of community i never felt when i lived in Dupont Circle. Hope that helps. I’d be happy to talk to you offline too.
Hi, I just noticed that 312 is still listed as under renovation. Please update it? It is fully renovated now.
Thanks for the update.
Caryn: Please delete 312 P from this Section. It does not belong in “vacant” section anymore. Thanks.
Can you update 304 Q Street? It’s been fully occupied for over a year now..
Thank you Mike. I removed all the properties as I rather not list properties and have to maintain the list.