The Georgetown Metropolitan

Two residents have announced their candidacy for two different open ANC seats this fall.

The first is Mimsy Lindner, who is running for the seat that Lisa Palmer currently holds. Here is her announcement, in part:

When I moved to Washington DC in 1984 to pursue a career in meeting planning, I never expected my
heart to land in Georgetown.     It is here that I met my husband, Rusty, and where we raised our 4
children.   I have lived in upper Georgetown (R Street), on Potomac Street (across from Booeymonger),
on 33 rd  Street (near Volta Park), and now at the Georgetown Waterfront.  Each area in Georgetown
offers something special, and each has a different personality. 
 
Over time I have learned that even a few blocks can make a big difference in the wants and needs of
neighbors and businesses.   Pulled together, these comprise the rich fabric that is Georgetown and are
why people love living here….

I am excited to listen to fellow Georgetowners, learn how they think we can make our neighborhood
better, and celebrate together everything that makes Georgetown such a special place to live and do
business. 
 
 We all need to remember why we choose to live in Georgetown.   I know that we can grow and improve
together while keeping the integrity of our historic village intact.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The story of the Pullman porter who saved President Wilson and who’s buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery.
• Nice updated eating guide for Georgetown.

In a sign that whatever impact the pandemic had of Georgetown may be receding, several new shops are planning on opening soon.

The first is UpWest, (yet another) casual women’s clothing store. It’s coming to 3110 M St. (the former Dawn Price baby store). As an aside, GM was interviewed the other day by someone writing an article about the rise of DTC (direct to consumer) brands in Georgetown. These are those brands that start out selling directly to customers, typically over the internet, as opposed to working through a department store or other general store (think like how Warby Parker sold directly to customer instead of working through Sunglass Hut or whatever). It’s a trend GM hadn’t really focused on before, but stores like UpWest fit squarely in that trend. Expect more of that in the future.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The P St. 7-11 is closing this week due to a corporate decision. The current shopkeeper has been running the store since 1986. The shop itself actually dates to 1964. It is arguably the last commercial remnant of the historically black Herring Hill neighborhood.
• GU is still experiencing the same Covid spike the rest of DC is experiencing but not really talking about.

The dream of a aerial gondola lives to see another day. That’s because Chairman Mendelson has restored a line item to the budget for the purchase of the former Key Bridge Exxon property, which would be the likely terminal point for the gondola.

Quick backstory: The Exxon property was sold in the early part of last decade. Several different developers, including Eastbanc, have sought approval to build an apartment building on the site (much to the consternation of some Prospect St. residents who would have their views of the Potomac slightly impacted). But nothing went forward. And in the meantime, the Georgetown BID began pursuing the idea of building an aerial gondola between Georgetown and the Rosslyn Metro station. A study commissioned by the BID decided that the Exxon site would be the best location for the Georgetown end of that trip. And last year Brooke Pinto successfully got money set aside in the budget to buy the property. The ostensible reason was to build electric car charging stations. But the potential gondola use was also contemplated. Moreover, if Georgetown ever gets a Metro station, this location would be a likely candidate for an entrance.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• A persuasive argument that Washington Harbour is literally a boat.
• Plaques acknowledging Georgetown’s black history start going up.

A rare opportunity to live the canal lyfe just hit the market. 3065 Canal St. is now for sale for just a shade over $1 million.

Canal Street might be an unfamiliar street name to you. It’s the address that those handful of homes on the canal towpath use.

The property has been owned since 1993 by Arlette Coppock, who lives upstairs and uses the first floor for her hair salon, dubbed the Fourth Lock after the canal structure out front. No word on whether she plans on continuing her business elsewhere, but the new owner will be able to explore their own options. The building is zoned to continue this mixed use.