Veranda Restaurant's owners want to upgrade the restaurant's patio, but they have run into some bureaucratic snags. This petition is meant to encourage City officials to be more forthcoming and transparent about the guidelines for the new patio. The owners intend to upgrade the current concrete patio which was given all the necessary building, public space and ABRA permits it needed to open for business. They'd like to resurface the patio with decorative stone pavers as a beautification project for the business and the neighborhood.

But, apparently, officials at Historic Preservation Office will not disclose specific guidelines for a new patio with stone pavers until the current concrete patio is demolished. As others have noted in discussions about this problem, this seems unreasonable. Indeed, by taking this stance, officials will likely delay Veranda's ability to install the new patio quickly and seamlessly, so as to minimize the loss of income — and tax revenue — that the patio would otherwise generate for the restaurant now that ideal patio dining weather is upon us. In this economic climate, city officials should be reasonable and sensitive to the concerns of small business owners.

If their schedules permit, [new agenda item:] the owners will present their concerns to Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans at our May 25 CCCA meeting.

CCCA Prez had lunch with one of owners to discuss the problem. Neighbors seem to generally enjoy the restaurant and patio. The owners gambled and won when they took great risk bringing a new Greek and Italian eatery to an area with very few fine dining restaurants and they are constantly and successfully redeveloping their menus to appeal to its local clientele. They have done wonders since taking over their other businesses, Heller's Bakery and Marx Café in Mt Pleasant, and are excited about their new restaurant, Rustic Pizza, on First and T Streets (off Rhode Island Avenue) in Bloomingdale, which should be open in the next 2-3 months. The owners made the decision this year to use a local vendor, Old City Green, to install the patio plants. Ever since the restaurant opened, they have never hesitated and always been a big help providing great discounts on catering for events at Scott Montgomery ES and Asbury Dwellings Seniors Residences. The owners want to petition the City for more bike racks to the P Street side of the restaurant because of increased demand. They have been a good neighborhood business and the community and City officials should support them in this effort. — CCCA Prez