C & O Canal Towpath
This Is How Bad Transportation Decisions Are Made
At the last ANC meeting, the issue of the south exit of the Safeway was discussed. GM discussed this after the meeting, but he thinks it’s worthwhile to walk through the story of the changes to this intersection because it demonstrates how too often bad transportation decisions are made.
Prior to the construction of the new Safeway, and shortly after it opened, there were three different phases for the lights and crosswalks of this intersection:
During the first phase (which is 60 seconds), car traffic on Wisconsin Ave. had a green light and pedestrians were allowed to cross the curbcut at the Safeway exit. Cars leaving Safeway and pedestrians crossing Wisconsin were shown a red light.
During the second phase (which is 20 seconds now, but was much shorter before the changes), pedestrians were allowed to cross Wisconsin, but pedestrians were not allowed to cross the curbcut, nor were cars allowed to exit the Safeway, either north or southbound. Car traffic on Wisconsin was obviously also stopped. Continue reading
Filed under Transportation
The Morning Metropolitan
Photo by Jim Malone.
Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:
- Pro-union rallies at GU.
- This is what politicians are talking about when they throw out the “Georgetown cocktail party” trope. (But hey, look Dan Tangherlini was there! Maybe he’ll come back to the Wilson Building after his Treasury run is over.)
Filed under The Morning Metropolitan
Hey Restaurateurs: There are Some Georgetown Liquor Licenses Available
Georgetown has a moratorium on new liquor licenses. So unlike the rest of the city (with the exception of the other moratorium zones) a restaurant or bar that wants to open up in Georgetown can’t simply go downtown, apply for a new liquor license, and pay a small fee. Rather, a new Georgetown restaurant or bar needs to buy an existing license off the secondary market. And for all intents and purposes, that means buying one of the licenses that are held by restaurants or bars no longer in business. The going rate for these licenses has reported to be as high as $75,000.
This barrier to entry has been frequently cited by restaurateurs as a significant reason not to open a restaurant in Georgetown. But GM’s hear to say: act now and this won’t be a problem!
You see, last year the ABC Board authorized the issuance of seven new liquor licenses in Georgetown. This was done partially in acknowledgement that since the moratorium was put in place, at least seven liquor licenses had left Georgetown, so the number of available licenses was actually lower than when the moratorium was put in place. Additionally, there was a sense that Geogetown’s restaurant scene has grown a little stale and that new licenses might inject a little blood back into the scene. Continue reading
Filed under ABRA, Restaurants
The Morning Metropolitan
Photo by Ehpien.
Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:
- Another look at the new Unum restaurant.
- A little bit more behind the story of the Lee’s retirement from Scheele’s.
Filed under The Morning Metropolitan
ANC Preview: Falling Down Edition
The ANC meets next Monday for its February meeting. There’s not much terribly interesting on the agenda, but some items might make it worth showing up for.
One of those interesting topics is 1424 Wisconsin Ave. This is that building that basically collapsed a while back. The building did house Aashik, a clothing store. But it was in the process of being converted into a Z-Burger. Whatever they were doing (and GM hears it was likely illegal excavation), it wasn’t done well. Now the back half of the building is gone, and the neighboring buildings are condemned.
At the ANC meeting, the DCRA Chief Building Official, Rabbiah Sabbakhanon, will be present to discuss the property. It should be an interesting story, both how it happened and what’s going to happen next.
Also on the agenda is our old friend the GU Campus Plan. But don’t get too excited; it’s just an update. And GM can give you a brief preview: the Zoning Commission is meeting to decide the school’s fate on February 9th at 6:30 pm. The meeting is open to the public, but there is no more opportunity for public input. Theoretically the commission is going to discuss the plan and come to a decision, but there is no requirement that they actually come to a final decision that night. But the discussion should at least shed light on the commission’s thinking and how it is likely to decide. Continue reading
The Morning Metropolitan
Photo by Brownpau.
Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:
- Meth bust at GU.
- Councilmember Tommy Wells has an interesting take on the GU campus plan issue.
Filed under The Morning Metropolitan
