The Georgetown Metropolitan

Every year GM takes a look at the newly release data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey for Georgetown. It paints a picture of all the demographic information down to some rather interesting specifics. So off to it:

(First a quick disclaimer: This information is based upon sampling. Some categories have really high margins of error due to the fact that the sampling is of such a small population. Also, this data is an average for each category from 2009 – 2013. Also, GM only looks at Census tracts 1 and 1.02, which are east and west Georgetown respectively. He does not include Census tract 1.01, which is Georgetown University.)

There are 4,774 households in Georgetown. That includes every housing unit, whether a free standing home or a condo unit. Of those, 4,188 are occupied, meaning 586 units are vacant. Of the occupied units, 2,443 are owner-occupied and 1,745 are renter-occupied.

Not surprisingly, 71.5% of homes in east Georgetown were built prior to 1939. But it’s a bit surprising that only 59.4% of units in the West Village were built before 1939. It sure feels like both sides of Wisconsin Ave. are of similar vintages, but the numbers suggest a higher proportion of “newer” homes on the west side. Continue reading →

Photo by Tony Beverly.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Suspect arrested in robbery string.
• A heartfelt thanks to a Georgetown Vet.

1300 block of 31st St

Tomorrow, the 86th annual Georgetown Garden Tour will be held. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased here or on the day of the tour at Christ Church (all proceeds benefit the Georgetown Garden Club).

This really is one of GM’s favorite events of the spring. It lets you peek behind the gates of some of the most impressive properties in the neighborhood. But GM also loves that they don’t just select the grandest gardens. Plenty of small plots find their way on to the map. And that proves that anyone can build a tour-worthy garden if they’ve got a backyard and some elbow grease.

Continue reading →

Photo by Ted Eytan.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• A couple of troubling robberies.
• Don’t forget, cool WWII overpass today at noon!

Montrose Park

This week for Old Georgetown in Color, GM is visiting with one of the most influential Georgetowners of all time: Herman Hollerith. Many people don’t even know the name, but his company, the Tabulating Machine Company, was one of the original pieces of the company that would later become I.B.M. So, in effect, I.B.M. was founded in Georgetown. (It was located where Sea Catch is located now).

Care of the Peabody Room, here is a great article by the Smithsonian about Hollerith and his company.

Besides the old warehouse that once housed his company, one other building in Georgetown connected to Hollerith is still around: his large home at 1617 29th St.

Photo by Jon.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Wow, Christopher Waltz is going to direct and star in a film about the Albrecht Muth-Viola Drath marriage.
• So, millenials are just terrible at mingling?

Georgetown Waterfront

Update: Actually it is the law now. Due to some legislative mechanics, it may have appeared that the bill died, but it was in fact adopted last Fall under Bill B20-70. 

Original Post:

Several weeks ago, GM reported on a new DC law that might impact the conversion of Georgetown gas stations to condos. Turns out that despite the Post reporting the law as passed, Washcycle astutely points out that the law wasn’t actually passed. It was introduced as a bill but died without a vote.

However, the bill was reintroduced this year, so it may still become law. Washcycle speculates that in fact the Georgetown gas stations were the impetus for the bill asserting that since Councilmember Jack Evans doesn’t want the Exxon at Q St. to close he proposed it. Continue reading →