One more photo after the jump:

GM stopped by the future North Face location (3333 M St.) on Sunday to see if construction has begun yet. As it happens, the general contractor was there too. GM spoke with him and learned that construction is actually starting today. The whole building will be gutted and despite this ambitious plan, the store is scheduled to open in August.

Cut to the chase GM, what happened with Apple?

Apple returned with plans significantly similar to last month’s. They made some very small changes to the brick work across the top of the facade (or so they said, it really looked no different) and they added features to the glass front to break-up the seamless expanse. They added two metal columns on either sides of the door, added a stripe across the window, and brought the windows up to the sidewalk (the doors would remain set back). Here’s a rough approximation of what the revised designs look like:

Original image curtesy of ANC2E, modifications added by the Georgetown Metropolitan

 The general idea is to break up the glass expanse and avoid creating a “void” along the sidewalk. These details are kind of boring, but they seem to accomplish the goals of the Old Georgetown Board.

The ANC approved the designs. Again. But as we saw last month, the ANC’s views are not the be all end all. We’ll have to wait until Thursday to see if the OGB is satisfied.

So what’s this about a Georgetown Metropolitan pushed resolution?

Perhaps proving that you can accomplish anything when nobody else seems to care that much, GM talked the ANC into passing a resolution against the extension of the D2 to Union Station. Hopefully with both Glover Park and ANC 2E coming out against the change, WMATA will finally put the proposal to bed. Satisfying both his transit and civic nerdiness, GM is happy to know he played a role is saving the D2.

Ok now will you shut up about the D2?

Yes. For now.

What about North Face?

As first reported here, North Face is taking over 3333 M St. What they were specifically at the ANC for was approval for their signage. It looked essentially like this:

The ANC really objected to the giant red stripe down the left side. GM’s inclined to agree with them; it is a bit much. Commissioner Skelsey particularly objected to it, reminding the Commission that they had struggled long and hard with the builders of that building to come up with the limestone facade. Putting a huge racing stripe down the left side would take a lot of that accomplishment away.

Bonus for those not satisfied with having just, you know, freakin’ Patagonia already, should be happy to know the owners plan to open the North Face store in just two months. Georgetown students: rev up your credit cards!

How many crucifixes are there in the ANC meeting room?

Eight.

Isn’t that an Establishment Clause problem?

You would think wouldn’t you, but then again GM only got a B in Constitutional Law, so what does he know.

Did Philly Pizza win friends and influence people?

Nope. They still are pretty much enemy number one in the lower West Village. Tonight they laughably tried to claim that deliveries only make up 5% of their business and that take out makes up only 5-10%. Meaning that the vast, vast majoirty of their business is sit down, despite the fact they only have a few table.

As an someone hoping to see more neighborhood stores, GM views situations like this as not helpful. They reinforce the fears among the NIMBYs that if you loosen up zoning in residential streets, you’re going to end up with a smelly noisy drunk-student hang out next door. The challenge to us that would support more neighborhood stores is to encourage processes to weed out the Philly Pizzas of the world from the back streets. Any urbanists out there have any ideas?

Tweed or Blue Blazer?

Blue blazer by 4 to 2. Skelsey, ever the independent, voted fleece.

Any odds and ends?

Funny you should ask:

• After giving up trying to fashion a list of acceptable brands or volumes for a single sales ban exemption, the ANC signaled that they were leaning towards just granting a blanket exemption for all “good” liquor stores. Apparently Dixie is “good”. No word on Potomac Wine and Spirits, Town Wine and Liquor, or Wagners.
• Safeway will begin construction April 1st. The store will remain open a few weeks after that, then close for “just under 11 months.” They offering free deliveries on orders over $50 for the duration of the construction.
• Of the 13 fire hydrants that were out of service last month, 8 have been fixed. Fifty-five hydrants remain “needing service”, which we were assured means they still work. GM got a little confused, but the ANC seemed happy with the response from WASA. Good enough for him.

According to the just announced agenda for next week’s ANC meeting, The North Face is presenting a design concept for a store at 3333 M St. This is the first GM’s ever heard about The North Face opening up in Georgetown, and the Google hasn’t heard about it either.

That space was most recently used for Foto Week DC, and before that it was the doomed-from-the-start Artefacto furniture (when the construction of your building is held up because of a massive sinkhole, that’s not a good omen). It’s a huge space and only so many tenants could carry it, but perhaps the name brand of North Face and it’s proximity to a prime market at Georgetown University will mean success.