COMMUNITY NEWS

Sara Green, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner 4B01

- Neighbors oppose pawn shop at Fern & Ga

- WMATA asked to fix up the Takoma Metro Underpass

- New coffee house opens across from Takoma Metro

- Vacant & blighted property bills

- See ANC 4B's Feb. 22 agenda at ANCSaraGreen.org

Pawn Shop

Neighbors are opposing a pawn shop set to locate in the vacant real estate office at the corner of Georgia and Fern, NW (7301 Ga. Ave., NW). The store, Famous Pawn, has shops on 3228 Georgia Avenue, in Georgetown, and near Wheaton Plaza, among others. ANC 4B may decide to formally oppose any city permits, certificates of occupancy, or licenses there.

Nearby residents are concerned about their property values, the negative impact of a pawn business on the adjacent stores, and the potential for increased crime and robberies. This issue will be discussed at ANC 4B's Feb. 22 meeting.

Takoma Metro Station Underpass Improvements

WMATA is being asked to clean up its dirty, deteriorated underpass at the Takoma Metro Station to give the new world-class art installation set to go there an appropriate setting. The $250,000 D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities-funded project by D.C. Artist Sam Gilliam will go on one wall at the underpass. However, so far WMATA has agreed ONLY to clean the wall where the art will be mounted and light the work, leaving the rest of the underpass unimproved.

Go to my web page ANCSaraGeen.org to read At-Large D.C. City Council Member David Catania's letter and find the email addresses of WMATA Board Members. Please consider writing to them and to the D.C. Council.

Mayorga Coffee Roasters Opens Takoma Metro Store

Mayorga Coffee Roasters, a coffee wholesaler with retail shops in Gaithersburg, National Harbor, and several airports, among other places, has opened its newest store at 314 Carroll St., NW, directly across from the Takoma Metro Station. During the past few months two other new eateries -- Cedar Crossing Tavern and Wine Bar and My Little Bistro -- have opened within one block of the Metro Station.

Vacant & Blighted Property Legislation

City Council Member Muriel Bowser will discuss two pending city council bills that increase property taxes for the owners of vacant and blighted property. You will find more information about these bills on my web page.