Mary Cheh has turned Cleveland Park/Cleveland Park North into her personal political asset

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's quite clear that Mary Cheh and her staff sold out to Big Development some time ago, and they don't value neighborhood character, green space or historic preservation very much. During Cheh's meeting with a Northwest DC community group on the Comprehensive Plan amendments a few months ago, her chief of staff stunned everyone by stating that trying to preserve the iconic Uptown Theater wasn't worth the effort and then asserted that dense, mixed-use development at the Uptown "is exactly what we want there." Cheh didn't correct him.

The Uptown is already protected by historic preservation. I am guessing his point is that the use may no longer be viable. If that is the case, there are two solutions. Either it sits empty as a former theater that no one is able to run or, it gets adaptively reused into some other use.

Which do you prefer?

How does an 8 - 10 floor building of upscale flats, rising from the Uptown's facade "protect" the Uptown? But this is what Cheh and her staff seem to want. The Upscale Flats at the Uptown wouldn't not longer be an iconic theater. And it wouldn't be historic preservation. It would be facadomy.

This is what Cheh needs to spearhead- not flats. The Uptown should stay a theater, lecture space, music space, local shool.perfomancea etc . This article is about a community that saved it's jewelbox theater and uses it for that today.

"The smallest theatre in the world - Umbria" https://www.itinari.com/the-smallest-theatre-in-the-world-umbria-he54

The theater is not owned by the DC Government. So in order for it to be transformed as you suggest, either the city would need to buy it, or someone would need to create a business plan that shows what you suggest is viable in some form or fashion. I think some of the neighbors are already working on that with the Main Street (funded by Cheh) and Cheh;s office.

So what was your point?

The new ANC commissioner for the area (Sauleh Siddiqui) ran on a platform to save the Uptown. Then he was elected and his constituents asked him for his plan. Nothing. Turns out, he doesn't have one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's quite clear that Mary Cheh and her staff sold out to Big Development some time ago, and they don't value neighborhood character, green space or historic preservation very much. During Cheh's meeting with a Northwest DC community group on the Comprehensive Plan amendments a few months ago, her chief of staff stunned everyone by stating that trying to preserve the iconic Uptown Theater wasn't worth the effort and then asserted that dense, mixed-use development at the Uptown "is exactly what we want there." Cheh didn't correct him.

The Uptown is already protected by historic preservation. I am guessing his point is that the use may no longer be viable. If that is the case, there are two solutions. Either it sits empty as a former theater that no one is able to run or, it gets adaptively reused into some other use.

Which do you prefer?

How does an 8 - 10 floor building of upscale flats, rising from the Uptown's facade "protect" the Uptown? But this is what Cheh and her staff seem to want. The Upscale Flats at the Uptown wouldn't not longer be an iconic theater. And it wouldn't be historic preservation. It would be facadomy.

This is what Cheh needs to spearhead- not flats. The Uptown should stay a theater, lecture space, music space, local shool.perfomancea etc . This article is about a community that saved it's jewelbox theater and uses it for that today.

"The smallest theatre in the world - Umbria" https://www.itinari.com/the-smallest-theatre-in-the-world-umbria-he54

The theater is not owned by the DC Government. So in order for it to be transformed as you suggest, either the city would need to buy it, or someone would need to create a business plan that shows what you suggest is viable in some form or fashion. I think some of the neighbors are already working on that with the Main Street (funded by Cheh) and Cheh;s office.

So what was your point?

Apparently the Mary Cheh-Jonathan Willingham approach is to build Yup-scale condos on top of the Uptown. But they will keep the Uptown sign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's quite clear that Mary Cheh and her staff sold out to Big Development some time ago, and they don't value neighborhood character, green space or historic preservation very much. During Cheh's meeting with a Northwest DC community group on the Comprehensive Plan amendments a few months ago, her chief of staff stunned everyone by stating that trying to preserve the iconic Uptown Theater wasn't worth the effort and then asserted that dense, mixed-use development at the Uptown "is exactly what we want there." Cheh didn't correct him.

The Uptown is already protected by historic preservation. I am guessing his point is that the use may no longer be viable. If that is the case, there are two solutions. Either it sits empty as a former theater that no one is able to run or, it gets adaptively reused into some other use.

Which do you prefer?

How does an 8 - 10 floor building of upscale flats, rising from the Uptown's facade "protect" the Uptown? But this is what Cheh and her staff seem to want. The Upscale Flats at the Uptown wouldn't not longer be an iconic theater. And it wouldn't be historic preservation. It would be facadomy.

The iconic theater is no longer economically viable. So it can either sit there as an art-deco husk, or it can be adaptiveley reused into something else.


Pick one.

God forbid that the Uptown becomes another CVS. But if it's an historic landmark in an historic district, aren't they prohibited from building anything on top of it??

[Anonymous]

I would love to save the Uptown. And Sullivan's. Sign me up!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's quite clear that Mary Cheh and her staff sold out to Big Development some time ago, and they don't value neighborhood character, green space or historic preservation very much. During Cheh's meeting with a Northwest DC community group on the Comprehensive Plan amendments a few months ago, her chief of staff stunned everyone by stating that trying to preserve the iconic Uptown Theater wasn't worth the effort and then asserted that dense, mixed-use development at the Uptown "is exactly what we want there." Cheh didn't correct him.

The Uptown is already protected by historic preservation. I am guessing his point is that the use may no longer be viable. If that is the case, there are two solutions. Either it sits empty as a former theater that no one is able to run or, it gets adaptively reused into some other use.

Which do you prefer?

How does an 8 - 10 floor building of upscale flats, rising from the Uptown's facade "protect" the Uptown? But this is what Cheh and her staff seem to want. The Upscale Flats at the Uptown wouldn't not longer be an iconic theater. And it wouldn't be historic preservation. It would be facadomy.

This is what Cheh needs to spearhead- not flats. The Uptown should stay a theater, lecture space, music space, local shool.perfomancea etc . This article is about a community that saved it's jewelbox theater and uses it for that today.

"The smallest theatre in the world - Umbria" https://www.itinari.com/the-smallest-theatre-in-the-world-umbria-he54

The theater is not owned by the DC Government. So in order for it to be transformed as you suggest, either the city would need to buy it, or someone would need to create a business plan that shows what you suggest is viable in some form or fashion. I think some of the neighbors are already working on that with the Main Street (funded by Cheh) and Cheh;s office.

So what was your point?

That this is a good way to go. The theater should stay a functioning theater and community space. I'd be happy to join that effort. I don't really care what's on top of it. Why are you so nasty? Just cause'?

Please show me where my post was "nasty"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's quite clear that Mary Cheh and her staff sold out to Big Development some time ago, and they don't value neighborhood character, green space or historic preservation very much. During Cheh's meeting with a Northwest DC community group on the Comprehensive Plan amendments a few months ago, her chief of staff stunned everyone by stating that trying to preserve the iconic Uptown Theater wasn't worth the effort and then asserted that dense, mixed-use development at the Uptown "is exactly what we want there." Cheh didn't correct him.

The Uptown is already protected by historic preservation. I am guessing his point is that the use may no longer be viable. If that is the case, there are two solutions. Either it sits empty as a former theater that no one is able to run or, it gets adaptively reused into some other use.

Which do you prefer?

How does an 8 - 10 floor building of upscale flats, rising from the Uptown's facade "protect" the Uptown? But this is what Cheh and her staff seem to want. The Upscale Flats at the Uptown wouldn't not longer be an iconic theater. And it wouldn't be historic preservation. It would be facadomy.

This is what Cheh needs to spearhead- not flats. The Uptown should stay a theater, lecture space, music space, local shool.perfomancea etc . This article is about a community that saved it's jewelbox theater and uses it for that today.

"The smallest theatre in the world - Umbria" https://www.itinari.com/the-smallest-theatre-in-the-world-umbria-he54

The theater is not owned by the DC Government. So in order for it to be transformed as you suggest, either the city would need to buy it, or someone would need to create a business plan that shows what you suggest is viable in some form or fashion. I think some of the neighbors are already working on that with the Main Street (funded by Cheh) and Cheh;s office.

So what was your point?

The new ANC commissioner for the area (Sauleh Siddiqui) ran on a platform to save the Uptown. Then he was elected and his constituents asked him for his plan. Nothing. Turns out, he doesn't have one.

It really isn't the role of an ANC Commissioner or a Councilmember to decide what happens with a piece of privately owned property.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's quite clear that Mary Cheh and her staff sold out to Big Development some time ago, and they don't value neighborhood character, green space or historic preservation very much. During Cheh's meeting with a Northwest DC community group on the Comprehensive Plan amendments a few months ago, her chief of staff stunned everyone by stating that trying to preserve the iconic Uptown Theater wasn't worth the effort and then asserted that dense, mixed-use development at the Uptown "is exactly what we want there." Cheh didn't correct him.

The Uptown is already protected by historic preservation. I am guessing his point is that the use may no longer be viable. If that is the case, there are two solutions. Either it sits empty as a former theater that no one is able to run or, it gets adaptively reused into some other use.

Which do you prefer?

How does an 8 - 10 floor building of upscale flats, rising from the Uptown's facade "protect" the Uptown? But this is what Cheh and her staff seem to want. The Upscale Flats at the Uptown wouldn't not longer be an iconic theater. And it wouldn't be historic preservation. It would be facadomy.

The iconic theater is no longer economically viable. So it can either sit there as an art-deco husk, or it can be adaptiveley reused into something else.


Pick one.

God forbid that the Uptown becomes another CVS. But if it's an historic landmark in an historic district, aren't they prohibited from building anything on top of it??

No, they are not prohibited from building top of it.

If it isn't viable as a movie theater, then what should happen with it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's quite clear that Mary Cheh and her staff sold out to Big Development some time ago, and they don't value neighborhood character, green space or historic preservation very much. During Cheh's meeting with a Northwest DC community group on the Comprehensive Plan amendments a few months ago, her chief of staff stunned everyone by stating that trying to preserve the iconic Uptown Theater wasn't worth the effort and then asserted that dense, mixed-use development at the Uptown "is exactly what we want there." Cheh didn't correct him.

The Uptown is already protected by historic preservation. I am guessing his point is that the use may no longer be viable. If that is the case, there are two solutions. Either it sits empty as a former theater that no one is able to run or, it gets adaptively reused into some other use.

Which do you prefer?

How does an 8 - 10 floor building of upscale flats, rising from the Uptown's facade "protect" the Uptown? But this is what Cheh and her staff seem to want. The Upscale Flats at the Uptown wouldn't not longer be an iconic theater. And it wouldn't be historic preservation. It would be facadomy.

The iconic theater is no longer economically viable. So it can either sit there as an art-deco husk, or it can be adaptiveley reused into something else.


Pick one.

God forbid that the Uptown becomes another CVS. But if it's an historic landmark in an historic district, aren't they prohibited from building anything on top of it??

No, they are not prohibited from building top of it.

If it isn't viable as a movie theater, then what should happen with it?

If the Uptown is historically landmarked, doesn't adding 5 or 6 floors on top of it alter the landmark? How would that be allowed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's quite clear that Mary Cheh and her staff sold out to Big Development some time ago, and they don't value neighborhood character, green space or historic preservation very much. During Cheh's meeting with a Northwest DC community group on the Comprehensive Plan amendments a few months ago, her chief of staff stunned everyone by stating that trying to preserve the iconic Uptown Theater wasn't worth the effort and then asserted that dense, mixed-use development at the Uptown "is exactly what we want there." Cheh didn't correct him.

The Uptown is already protected by historic preservation. I am guessing his point is that the use may no longer be viable. If that is the case, there are two solutions. Either it sits empty as a former theater that no one is able to run or, it gets adaptively reused into some other use.

Which do you prefer?

How does an 8 - 10 floor building of upscale flats, rising from the Uptown's facade "protect" the Uptown? But this is what Cheh and her staff seem to want. The Upscale Flats at the Uptown wouldn't not longer be an iconic theater. And it wouldn't be historic preservation. It would be facadomy.

This is what Cheh needs to spearhead- not flats. The Uptown should stay a theater, lecture space, music space, local shool.perfomancea etc . This article is about a community that saved it's jewelbox theater and uses it for that today.

"The smallest theatre in the world - Umbria" https://www.itinari.com/the-smallest-theatre-in-the-world-umbria-he54

The theater is not owned by the DC Government. So in order for it to be transformed as you suggest, either the city would need to buy it, or someone would need to create a business plan that shows what you suggest is viable in some form or fashion. I think some of the neighbors are already working on that with the Main Street (funded by Cheh) and Cheh;s office.

So what was your point?

The new ANC commissioner for the area (Sauleh Siddiqui) ran on a platform to save the Uptown. Then he was elected and his constituents asked him for his plan. Nothing. Turns out, he doesn't have one.

It really isn't the role of an ANC Commissioner or a Councilmember to decide what happens with a piece of privately owned property.

This was Siddiqui's platform in a very contested election race. But now he's attempting to forget the issue. Bait and switch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's quite clear that Mary Cheh and her staff sold out to Big Development some time ago, and they don't value neighborhood character, green space or historic preservation very much. During Cheh's meeting with a Northwest DC community group on the Comprehensive Plan amendments a few months ago, her chief of staff stunned everyone by stating that trying to preserve the iconic Uptown Theater wasn't worth the effort and then asserted that dense, mixed-use development at the Uptown "is exactly what we want there." Cheh didn't correct him.

The Uptown is already protected by historic preservation. I am guessing his point is that the use may no longer be viable. If that is the case, there are two solutions. Either it sits empty as a former theater that no one is able to run or, it gets adaptively reused into some other use.

Which do you prefer?

How does an 8 - 10 floor building of upscale flats, rising from the Uptown's facade "protect" the Uptown? But this is what Cheh and her staff seem to want. The Upscale Flats at the Uptown wouldn't not longer be an iconic theater. And it wouldn't be historic preservation. It would be facadomy.

This is what Cheh needs to spearhead- not flats. The Uptown should stay a theater, lecture space, music space, local shool.perfomancea etc . This article is about a community that saved it's jewelbox theater and uses it for that today.

"The smallest theatre in the world - Umbria" https://www.itinari.com/the-smallest-theatre-in-the-world-umbria-he54

The theater is not owned by the DC Government. So in order for it to be transformed as you suggest, either the city would need to buy it, or someone would need to create a business plan that shows what you suggest is viable in some form or fashion. I think some of the neighbors are already working on that with the Main Street (funded by Cheh) and Cheh;s office.

So what was your point?

The new ANC commissioner for the area (Sauleh Siddiqui) ran on a platform to save the Uptown. Then he was elected and his constituents asked him for his plan. Nothing. Turns out, he doesn't have one.

It really isn't the role of an ANC Commissioner or a Councilmember to decide what happens with a piece of privately owned property.

It is the role of the ANC Commissioner and Councilmember to hear concerns and advocate for the preservation of a treasured neighborhood landmark and the historical character of a Main Street business District ^

[Anonymous]

Hearing concerns, sure.

But if you think an ANC Commission has the power to tell a property owner what to do with their property who is controlling their property within the boundaries of the law, then no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's quite clear that Mary Cheh and her staff sold out to Big Development some time ago, and they don't value neighborhood character, green space or historic preservation very much. During Cheh's meeting with a Northwest DC community group on the Comprehensive Plan amendments a few months ago, her chief of staff stunned everyone by stating that trying to preserve the iconic Uptown Theater wasn't worth the effort and then asserted that dense, mixed-use development at the Uptown "is exactly what we want there." Cheh didn't correct him.

The Uptown is already protected by historic preservation. I am guessing his point is that the use may no longer be viable. If that is the case, there are two solutions. Either it sits empty as a former theater that no one is able to run or, it gets adaptively reused into some other use.

Which do you prefer?

How does an 8 - 10 floor building of upscale flats, rising from the Uptown's facade "protect" the Uptown? But this is what Cheh and her staff seem to want. The Upscale Flats at the Uptown wouldn't not longer be an iconic theater. And it wouldn't be historic preservation. It would be facadomy.

The iconic theater is no longer economically viable. So it can either sit there as an art-deco husk, or it can be adaptiveley reused into something else.


Pick one.

God forbid that the Uptown becomes another CVS. But if it's an historic landmark in an historic district, aren't they prohibited from building anything on top of it??

No, they are not prohibited from building top of it.

If it isn't viable as a movie theater, then what should happen with it?

If the Uptown is historically landmarked, doesn't adding 5 or 6 floors on top of it alter the landmark? How would that be allowed?

Look at just about every building in the 14th Street, Shaw or Downtown historic districts. Pretty routine stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hearing concerns, sure.

But if you think an ANC Commission has the power to tell a property owner what to do with their property who is controlling their property within the boundaries of the law, then no.

They can work with the neighborhood to present an appealing alternative. Also, my sense in DC is the law gets a little fudgy when the ANC and Council look the other way or the Mayor exerts pressure. Has this never happened? So they definitely have an obligation given neighborhood concerns to be educated and vigilant to the law and make sure its being followed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's quite clear that Mary Cheh and her staff sold out to Big Development some time ago, and they don't value neighborhood character, green space or historic preservation very much. During Cheh's meeting with a Northwest DC community group on the Comprehensive Plan amendments a few months ago, her chief of staff stunned everyone by stating that trying to preserve the iconic Uptown Theater wasn't worth the effort and then asserted that dense, mixed-use development at the Uptown "is exactly what we want there." Cheh didn't correct him.

The Uptown is already protected by historic preservation. I am guessing his point is that the use may no longer be viable. If that is the case, there are two solutions. Either it sits empty as a former theater that no one is able to run or, it gets adaptively reused into some other use.

Which do you prefer?

How does an 8 - 10 floor building of upscale flats, rising from the Uptown's facade "protect" the Uptown? But this is what Cheh and her staff seem to want. The Upscale Flats at the Uptown wouldn't not longer be an iconic theater. And it wouldn't be historic preservation. It would be facadomy.

The iconic theater is no longer economically viable. So it can either sit there as an art-deco husk, or it can be adaptiveley reused into something else.


Pick one.

God forbid that the Uptown becomes another CVS. But if it's an historic landmark in an historic district, aren't they prohibited from building anything on top of it??

No, they are not prohibited from building top of it.

If it isn't viable as a movie theater, then what should happen with it?

If the Uptown is historically landmarked, doesn't adding 5 or 6 floors on top of it alter the landmark? How would that be allowed?

Look at just about every building in the 14th Street, Shaw or Downtown historic districts. Pretty routine stuff.

The Uptown isn’t downtown. And adding more than a story or two, set back so far that you couldn’t see it, would violate historical preservation guidelines. Of course, that may not stop the DC politicians who are eager to do the bidding of developers to “facadomize” historic districts like Cleveland Park.

[Anonymous]

I prefer facadomizing to razing, but would prefer even more that the building remain pristine. Facadomizing gets pretty Disney/new Times Square pretty fast.