Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:
Filed under Development, Retail, The Morning Metropolitan
GM got in touch with Jonathan Umbel, owner of Hook and Tacklebox, this weekend to check in on the status of his proposed butcher shop/restaurant to go in next to Tacklebox. The plan was first announced last Fall, but GM was starting to get nervous that the plans fell through. Turns out his fears were justified. Umbel confirmed that the plans to open up next to Tacklebox have been scotched because the owner of the property decided not to sell. Umbel said he’s still considering other locations in Georgetown as potential locations, but will not likely make any move until the economy improves.
Filed under Development, Restaurants
As hinted at during the ANC roundup, a deal for the city to purchase the Jelleff Branch property of the Boys and Girls Club (as well as two other club properties) has been reached. Fox 5 has the footage:
Vodpod videos no longer available.That protester is long time School Board member William Lockridge. According to the Post, the property he’s talking (well, shouting) about has already been sold to a charter school. Although GM agrees that a charter school doesn’t offer the same community benefits that a Boys and Girls Club (or a similarly operated recreational center) does.
Filed under Development
It’s been up in the air when Social Safeway would exactly close, but now it’s set (down to the minute apparently): Social Safeway will close for good on April 26th at 6:00 PM.
Filed under Development
Last week, after it was revealed that the city would pay $15 million to purchase the Jellef Branch of the Bots and Girls Club GM predicted that the expenditure was certain to come under scrutiny, if not open protest. Well, the push-back has already begun.
Carol Buckley of the Georgetown Current reports this week that Ward Five Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. considers the city’s proposed purchase of the property to be “financially irresponsible”. Thomas stated that the purchase would delay already-approved parks projects in Wards Five and Six.
Filed under Development
Vodpod videos no longer available.
GM reported yesterday about the closing of the Jellef Branch of the Boys and Girls club. He warned that the land transfer could be easily derailed if enough people feel that the city is only looking out for the affluent users of Jellef. Therefore the fans of Jellef should hope that the transition plans discussed in this report succeed.
Filed under Development
The Washington Post is reporting that the Boys and Girls Club is going to close several branches in the D.C. area, including Georgetown’s Jellef Branch, right next to Social Safeway. The organization is severely struggling to ensure its long term financial future and has identified for elimination the branches with the fewest members. What this means to the neighborhood after the jump:
Filed under Development, Preservation
The Washington Business Journal is reporting that a joint venture between Castleton Holdings and ICG Properties is planning to open a “ultra high end” boutique hotel on 31st st. below M st.
According to WBJ, the actual hotel operator hasn’t been disclosed yet. The market has been traditionally dominated by local independents, but chains are making their way into the business. This has apparently fed the market’s growth despite the economic downturn. Reuters reported that:
It’s a trend pre-dating the global slowdown: big hotel chains are moving into the quirky boutique sector to tap into a niche of profitable growth…With rates nearer four-star than five-star, the newcomers’ hope is that novelty will replace glamour and ostentation for those who manage to defy corporate thrift and travel. The hope is that character will help carry their brands.
Whether an independent or a chain, the hotel will be located at 1050 31st St. in the space recently vacated by the American Association for Justice (nee American Trial Lawyers Association):
Filed under Development
Social Safeway is just days away from the wrecking ball. To help bid it adieu, GM took one last trip with his camera:
Filed under Development
Image courtesy of A Culinary Photo Journal used under Creative Commons License
GM was so wrapped up in Apple store talk, that he didn’t get very deep into the Old Georgetown Board agenda from March, but sitting in there is some potentially bad news: Jonathan Umbel’s plan to bring a butcher to Georgetown seems to have stalled.
Filed under Development
The Georgetown Metropolitan 
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