The Georgetown Metropolitan

The mayor released her budget proposal for fiscal year 2024 yesterday. And several items would affect Georgetown, were it to be enacted into law. Here are some of the highlights:

One major change that would impact Georgetown is the mayor’s proposed changes to the Circulator bus system. She proposed to cut all the lines except the Georgetown-Union Station, the National Mall, and the Congress Heights-Union Station routes. This would mean ending the Dupont-Rosslyn route, which also serves Georgetown. (It also would seem to forestall any expansion of any Circulator lines, such as the long dormant plan to extend the Georgetown-Union Station line up to National Cathedral). The Council may push back on this proposal, but for now it would seem that Georgetown is likely to be down to one Circulator route.

On the positive side, the Mayor proposed some specific line items that would directly benefit Georgetown. This includes $3.3 million for a renovated Hardy Middle School cafeteria and $400k for Book Hill Park. Somewhat mysteriously, the mayor also proposed $3 million for a Georgetown safety and mobility project on Wisconsin Ave. I have no idea right now what that would entail, or how it might (or might not) interact with the ongoing Georgetown transportation study. I hope to learn more soon!

I was disappointed to not see any proposed money to be spent to save the historic trolley trestle through Foundry Branch. But hopefully the Council can be persuaded to add it in (it was on Council Member Frumin’s budget request letter). Stay tuned!

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Shouk now open!
• Argument for a Madeleine Albright statue on GU’s campus.

This week for Georgetown Time Machine, I’m taking a dip back into the collection of photos I received that were taken of commercial storefronts in Georgetown in 1993. This particular photo shows the western side of the 1600 block of Wisconsin Ave. And on the right of the picture you will see a shop that was beloved by many long timers: the French Market.

Of course I’m not referring to the annual street fair called the French Market that occurs on this same block. The French Market you see in the photo above was a gourmet food store that opened 1958 and had a deep history, as described by the Post in 1971:

The gourmet market was a mainstay for the Georgetown community (and DC at large) for decades, but eventually all good things must come to an end. In the late 80s, the brothers wanted to retire:

It took the brothers a little bit longer to actually close the shop, which they finally did in 1995. But the same year two of the three brothers turned right around and reopened as a new version of the French Market in a condo in Chevy Chase, MD.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Georgetown spring bloom tour on March 25th.
• The “Foster” in Long and Foster passes away.

In what could be a very interesting event, former Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans will be joining Carol Joynt for her next Q&A Cafe. It’s April 4th at the George Town Club:

Evans, of course, resigned in disgrace in 2020. But then he tried to win his old seat in the spring primary and lost badly. He ran a distant seventh, with just 376 votes. But it sure seems like he is thinking about running again next year when Brooke Pinto is up for reelection (if you zoom in on the picture below, you can see the phrase: “CRIME CRIME CRIME -> Jack Evans 2024” written on the piece of paper in front of Evans):

All of which should make for an interesting discussion, which Joynt will adroitly lead!

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Sneakerhead shop Atmos is partnering with New Balance.
• New headcoach for the Men’s Hoyas, can he right the capsized ship?

Dumbarton Oaks

Weekly roller skating night returns to Jelleff for the spring. From now until May 20th, every Saturday night from 7-9 pm, the gym will be reserved for free roller skating (and roller skates are available to borrow). What better way to shake off a week’s worth of stress like showing off your moves on the gym floor?

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Nice breakfast and brunch guide for Georgetown.
• Who knew GU had a cricket team?

Dumbarton Oaks Park