The Georgetown Metropolitan

Next Wednesday at Georgetown Visitation, the public will be given an opportunity to review the state of the plans for the replacement of the West Heating Plant. The meeting will be hosted by the Georgetown Citizens Association and will also serve as a meeting of the whole of the ANC.

When last we heard publicly about these plans, this is what famed architect David Adjaye drew up for the project:

It would involve taking down almost all of the building, leaving just the 29th st. facade. The bulk of the current building, however, would largely be replicated in the new building. A park would be created on the south part of the lot. Continue reading →

Photo by Victoria Pickering.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• In response to the racial profiling controversy, the BID has shut down the Group Me app at the center of the controversy.
• Closer look at GU Hospital’s expansion plans.

Dumbarton Oaks

When GM is doing research on a building in Georgetown, one resource that often proves invaluable is the Historic American Building Survey (HABS). HABS is a massive collection of detailed building surveys of buildings throughout the country. And since Georgetown is home to a lot of historic buildings, it is well represented in the survey.

In particular, there was a wide survey done of Georgetown buildings in the 1960s available in HABS. It’s not all buildings in Georgetown, not by a long shot. But it includes dozens and dozens. Typically it includes a sharp black-and-white photo, like you see above. If you’re lucky, there’s also a thoroughly researched report on the property, tracing the chain of ownership all the way back to Georgetown’s founding. Here’s one for same house seen above (which is 1052 Potomac).  Continue reading →

Photo by Elvert Barnes.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Follow up article on that racial profiling piece from last week.
• Correction to an earlier story on the scheduled Volta Park Day. It will be from 1-4 due the early sunset.

Dumbarton Oaks

Photo by Elvert Barnes.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Georgetown Ministry leader honored.
• Reminder: Book Hill fall market this weekend.

3300 block of N St.

While springtime may be the best time of year around Georgetown, mid fall gives it a run for its money. It’s not just the natural beauty–although that’s part of it–residents pitch in too.

Whether it’s a simple pumpkin on the stoop, or something much more elaborate, Georgetowners really seem to get into the spirit of the harvest season. But some perennial favorites stand out. Of course the obvious one is Nancy Taylor Bubes’ house at 31st and Q, which gets into the Halloween spirit more than any other house:

But GM’s neighbor the Kenney’s bring their own Halloween charm to the streets with their daily-changing skeleton:

(as of last night it was a princess skeleton). Continue reading →

Photo by Mark Gray.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Wider sidewalks coming to Georgetown this weekend!
• That Post article on racial profiling by Georgetown stores pretty much just ripped off the Georgetowner.