Click here to fill out our initial Plaza Survey (the basics).

Here’s an image that a local resident (unattributed) sent in with their survey.

THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT THEIR RESPONSES IN TO THE PLAZA SURVEY!

Based on your responses – here are some of the elements you said you would like to see if the Plaza space is renovated: (in order of favorability)

1. Seating for pubic
2. Retain/maintain bus stops
3. Greenery
4. Retain/maintain the porch for performances
5. Tables for public use/tables for vendors

Additionally – here are some comments offered:

• Some covering over part of the space for shade from the sun – partial cover over the tables for example. Kind of like the renovated Georgetown waterfront has. Maybe even a water display like Georgetown, too.
• I would very much like to see more green space and maybe some signs informing on history.
• More grass, spaces for groups to sit and come together.
• Maintain a sense of community.
• Fountain or other water element.
• Trees/plants.
• OPENNESS
• Chess tables, something for kids.
• Public Art, Electricity Available, Kiosks for recharging phones (similar to NYC)
• Open pedestrian plaza that gives Adams Morgan its special charm – and makes people want to be here!
• Keep amphitheater aspects – maybe a fountain.
• Educational element, more prominent display presentation of Plaza’s history
• Green space with trees; Outdoor Community Space

We had lots of energy and excitement in September with an especially great Adams Morgan Day—THANK YOU! A deep bow of gratitude to all who helped get out the word, create swag, and canvass!

We took in many new donations and added over 150 people to this distribution list!   [Speaking of which, for all those signing onto our list recently–welcome–it’s official, you’re in the loop! 🙂

Now let’s keep that momentum going!  Mark your calendars for
Tuesday October 10 6-8pm  on the People’s Plaza
Tuesday October 17 at Madams Organ 6-9PM.
Read on for details!

WHY GET MORE INVOLVED NOW?
This campaign has an actual end date in about 6 months—when a judge will decide if the public use easement on the property will continue to be on the property in perpetuity.  So this is a perfect time to get involved.  Most important, we want to put on the best case we can in court. Your help now will make a REAL difference! Wide public support for the protection and IMPROVEMENT of the Plaza will help our case. It’s up to us to COME TOGETHER be READY with creative, positive community input!

WHAT CAN I DO?

ATTEND AND SHARE OUR TWO UPCOMING EVENTS
We have TWO upcoming events! One this We have TWO upcoming events in the next couple of weeks! One this Tuesday, October 10 6-8PM at the Plaza, and another the following on Tuesday, October 17 from 6-9pm at Madams Organ .

1.  GENERAL MEETING
   WHEN: next Tuesday at 6pm-8pm, October 10, 2017
   WHERE: the People’s Plaza, 1800 Columbia Road (fka SunTrust Plaza)
   WHAT: We’ll have signs and flyers for all, unveil a neighborhood survey, share about our upcoming fundraiser at Madams Organ, and give a sneak peak at our upcoming design competition—COME!
   HOW: RSVP & stay connected on the Facebook event page for the General Meeting

2. FUN RAISER!
WHAT: A little party with music and inspiration
WHEN: the following Tuesday, October 17, 2017, 6-9PM
WHERE: Madams Organ  2461 18th St across the street from the People’s Plaza
HOW: RSVP & stay connected on the the FB event page for the Fun Raiser!

Put them on your calendar & tell friends and neighbors!

VOLUNTEER
We are looking for graphic designers, landscape architects, outgoing communicators, online researchers, and your energy to win! Write us at admo4rd@gmail.com.  We also need donations, so if you haven’t yet, please become a Friend of the Plaza by giving $5, $10, $25, anything possible to help us forever win and renew our corner in the center of Adams Morgan.

SHARE ABOUT HOW WE CAN SAVE OUR PLAZA
Click here for a printable one-pager PDF on our efforts you can share with neighbors and friends, click here. You can like and share our Facebook page and you can share our web address at www.SaveOurPlaza.com.

We hope you continue to stay connected with us!  And keep being the awesome friends and neighbors you are!

Vikram, Terry, and Chris
Co-Facilitators
AdMo4RD

See the full text & related evidence by clicking on this link (PDF, 5.3 MB).

The Knickerbocker & Ambassador Theaters

The site was originally the home of the beautiful Knickerbocker Theater, designed by local architect Reginald Geare in 1915 and owned by DC theatre operator Henry Crandall , who also later built the Tivoli Theater which still stands in Columbia Heights.  On January 28, 1922, the night after the worst snowstorm recorded in DC to that point which deposited over two feet of snow on the region, the Knickerbocker opened for business. Tragically, during the movie intermission, under the weight of so much snow the badly constructed roof collapsed, “crushing 98 [to death], and severely injuring 133 more” according to a Washington Post article which said it was the worst DC disaster in 50 years.  Among the dead was medical doctor and Pennsylvania Congressman Andrew Jackson Barchfeld. Local station WETA aired the following silent footage of the aftermath of the disaster in 1990.

The 1922 blizzard became known thereafter as the Knickerbocker Storm.  Architect Geare killed himself in 1927 and Owner Crandall did likewise in 1937.

A year after the tragedy, in 1923, the facade of the theater was salvaged and rebuilt into the Ambassador Theatre, which remained open until 1968.  Interestingly, in its final year, the theatre was rented by a trio of rock and roll promoters calling themselves the Psychedlic Power & Light Company, and they hosted a number of well known rock and roll acts including Jimi Hendrix for five nights in August of 1967.  Here is a photo of the concert poster.

After the Ambassador closed, it was purchased by local investors JB and Maurice Shapiro, according to this May 1976 Washington Post article, which also details how they then sold the site to Citadel Corporation in 1974, which tried and failed under heavy community opposition to put a BP or Shell gas station on ths site, and then sold it to Perpetual Federal Savings for $350,000.  We have tried to locate any building or demolition permits for both the Knickerbocker and Ambassador Theatres, and neither are in the city’s Washingtoniana archive.