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Abrupt Changes and Lack of Communication:
No prior communication or contact with the developer or DC Government since July 2019.
Surprise notification on November 27, 2023, about imminent changes impacting businesses.
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Construction Staging Area Impacting Operations:
Construction plans include fencing off areas vital for daily operations.
Loss of essential areas for parking, trash storage, and loading/unloading.
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Unreasonable Demands and Impacts on Business:
Demand for Uncle Chip's to use North Capitol Street for deliveries during the 12-14 month construction period.
Inability to operate effectively with restricted access, posing a threat to business continuity.
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Questions About City Approval and Rights:
Concerns about whether the city granted the developer the right to make changes without notifying affected businesses.
A call for the city to help mitigate negative impacts on small businesses.
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Critical Business Operations at Risk:
Threats to trash storage and disposal, loading orders for delivery, taking deliveries from the alley, and emergency egress.
The overall impact on the ability to run and sustain businesses in the affected area.
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Support for Development Goals with Fair Treatment:
Business owners express support for the development project's goals but emphasize the need for fair treatment and consideration of their contributions to the North Capitol Street Corridor.
Call to Action
We've started a petition urging the city to consider the rights and well-being of small businesses. Sign and share the petition to amplify our collective voice.
Timeline of Events
Embark on a journey through the timeline of challenges faced by Uncle Chip's Cookies and neighboring businesses due to the Bates + North Capitol Street Development. From promises of collaboration to unexpected changes, this timeline sheds light on the struggles and uncertainties faced by local businesses. Discover the story, advocate for fairness, and stand with us in preserving the sweet legacy of North Capitol Street.
Resource Documents
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Letter from Uncle Chip's, Fresh Cuts + North Capitol Pharmacy
Dec 04, 2023
This letter outlines our Nov 27 conversations with Mark James (Developer, Urban Green LLC)
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Letters of Support
Nov 2017
Presented to ANC Commissioner Bradley Thomas and Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie
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Easement Agreement, signed by Uncle Chip's. With cover letter dated 07/01/2019. Cover letter from Executive office of the Mayor, pg. 4 reads, "Failure to respond within such fifteen (15) days will result in the Agreement ring permanently and irrevocably withdrawn and the Parties being required to immediately comply with the terms of the existing pedestrian easement and vacate the portion of the District Property that you currently use without consent."
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Documents from July 2014 visit to DC surveyor's office when Shannon Boyle, owner of Uncle Chips, discovered this was an issue. Second set includes the plat she received upon building purchase. Unless measured, the plat doesn't show anything except the property, which is a large rectangle. This explains why owners didn't understand that their property didn't go all the way to the alley.
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Email Thread TWO
DEC 13 - 15, 2023
*Attachment (separate document) Recorded Easement Oct 2019
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Easement Agreement - Exhibit C
Jan 2024
Attachment to Email Thread FIVE
Shows shared areas and areas under sole control of Uncle Chip's, N Cap Pharmacy + Fresh Cuts (Yellow). These areas were marked in pink on the actual cement on Jan 11, 2024.
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Cycle House Site Plan
Jan 03, 2024
Attachment to Email Thread THREE + FOUR
Provided by Mark James, Urban Green LLC
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Cycle House Site Plan - Close Up
Jan 03, 2024
Attachment to Email Thread THREE
"The owner of the LOT shall relocate the two trash cans presumably belonging to LOT 310 " *Lot 310 - Uncle Chip's
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ANC Meeting Recording
Dec 19, 2023
Mark James 1:12:05-1:18:10
Q+A 1:18:11 - 1:42:32
Shannon Boyle 1:42:33 - 1:46:22
Q+A 1:46:23 - 2:02:20
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Demolition Stormwater Installation Concrete Pad Plan
Feb 01, 2024
Attachment Email Thread SIX
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Confirmation from Patrick Smith, EOM, Letter Received from Uncle Chip's (via attorney Roy Kaufmann)
Feb 08, 2024
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Exhange between Uncle Chip's (Roy Kaufmann), Patrick Smith, EOM, Ayesha Abbasi, DMPED
Letter attached from Uncle Chip's (Roy Kaufmann)
Email Thread EIGHT
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Letter from Uncle Chip's (attorney Roy Kaufmann) to Ayesha Abbasi
Attachment Email Thread EIGHT
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Solution that enables developer to build their building with minimal impact to small businesses...COMING SOON!
