The Georgetown Metropolitan

One of the best parts of the early spring blooms around Washington is the arrival of the magnolia blossoms, particularly the saucer magnolias. They are incredibly fragrant and visually striking. But despite the fact that they typically come early–even ahead of the cherry blossoms–they are actually quite vulnerable to cold snaps following warm spells. And as you surely realize, we’ve experienced that exactly. And now the magnolia blossoms around Georgetown have been reduced to brown wilted messes.

Saucer magnolias dot Georgetown. There are clumps of them on 28th st., Reservoir Rd., and in front of Georgetown Lutheran church. Dumbarton Oaks and Tudor Place both have spectacular examples of the species. The flowers are delicate and pink with a strong smell that almost smells like nectar fermenting. Continue reading →

Photo be Ehpien.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Conflict free diamonds for sale in Cady’s Alley.
• Try not to think about this if you live near Volta Park.

3100 block of Dumbarton St.

Photo by Marc Andre.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• What’s going on with the Halcyon foundation.
• Deadspin weighs in on the GU BBall situation.

1400 block of Wisconsin Ave.

Appalachian Spring, the longtime presence on Wisconsin Ave., will close later this year. A sign announces the availability of the building for lease. And GM has heard that the store chose not to renew the lease which will end in June.

The other three locations will remain open for the store. But it began in Georgetown in 1968, and this will mean the end of that connection. It will be sad to lose the shop and its whimsical window displays. Make sure to stop by a pick something up before they go!

Photo by Marc Andre.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Should participation in an acappella group disqualify you for higher office? And how possibly could you not say yes?
• Drone delivery tank(?) seen around Georgetown.

3200 block of Volta Place

Anyone who wants to make physical changes to a building in Georgetown quickly gets to know what the Old Georgetown Board is, and how its whims can dramatically affect (or squash) the changes. Created in 1950 by the adoption by Congress of the Old Georgetown Act, the board is a group of three architects who give recommendations to the Commission of Fine Arts on any project that is forwarded to the CFA by the city due to it being within the boundaries of Old Georgetown. While the recommendations are not absolutely binding–and occasionally an applicant successfully wins an appeal from the Mayor’s Agent–they are virtually so.

But for a short period soon after the Old Georgetown Act was adopted, the breadth of the act was fiercely challenged. And for some time, the power of the Old Georgetown Board was effectively reduced to a significant degree. Only after the U.S. Attorney General weighed in was the power of the board restored to what it is today.

Beginnings

The Old Georgetown Act was passed by Congress in 1950 in order to preserve the historic nature of Georgetown. The former city celebrated its bicentennial in 1951, and the push to preserve the physical shape of the old buildings had been rising significantly since at least the 1930s. (There are other less noble reasons behind that drive that you can read about here.)

The act gives authority to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts to issue advisory opinions to the District government on building permits in Georgetown. And the Old Georgetown Board was set up as a junior organ of the CFA to specialize on the Georgetown applications. Generally the CFA simply rubber stamps what the OGB recommends (but not always).

The District Government Pushes Back

In 1957, an Assistant Corporation Counsel of the District government wrote an opinion that shocked Georgetown, and the greater preservation world. The opinion, written by Robert F. Kniepp and approved by the Corporation Counsel, Chester Gray, concluded that the CFA exceeded the authority granted to it by the act whenever it attempted to weigh in on non-historic structures. As the Post reported June 20, 1957:

Continue reading →

Photo by Marc Andre.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Suspect in the bizarre kidnapping case was arrested in Seattle.
• Another article on the ANC’s support of the gondola moving forward.