The Georgetown Metropolitan

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Martin’s offering clam chowder for 20 cents to celebrate its 90th anniversary.
• Questions linger after the death of the most recent Jack the Bulldog.

Welcome to the October Northwest Georgetown ANC update! There is a lot going on, so let’s get right to it!

Streatery Progress

As I’ve discussed in previous updates, the future of the Georgetown streatery program is in some doubt as the Business Improvement District’s (“BID”) permit to run them expires at the end of this year. Earlier this year I reached out to the community to hear what their thoughts were on the program and whether they wanted to see it continue. The message I received was clear: Most people

1 like the streateries and want them to continue and would be even happier if they could be improved.

Throughout the summer I have been participating in meetings with my ANC colleagues, BID staff, and others to discuss a path forward for keeping and improving the program. As part of that process, I proposed and got approved a resolution last month that called for the BID to reapply for its permit, citing the benefits of the program, as well as areas where improvements are needed. Since then the BID has submitted its application to continue the program.

This Monday night the ANC will hear the BID’s presentation on its application and the Commission will decide whether to support it or not. I plan again to submit a resolution supporting the application. I think the program has been a clear positive for the community and the BID has put forward a milestone plan that lays out a timeline for addressing the issues that remain.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Big law firm leaves the Georgetown Harbour for the Wharf.
• Volta Park Fall Fest returns Oct. 21.

Art All Night returns this Friday night! It will take place along Wisconsin Ave. from N all the way up to the library. The events will run from 6 pm to 11 pm (with an afterparty at Clubhouse running till closing).

Here is the full schedule!:

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GEORGETOWN ART ALL NIGHT

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

6:00PM – 11:00PM

WISCONSIN AVE, N STREET – R STREET

ACTIVATION SCHEDULE

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• New sushi restaurant opens.
• “It Girl” pop-up popped so fast it’s already over.

The ANC will be holding out October meeting next Monday night at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be in person at Georgetown Visitation starting at 6:30 (however a Zoom option is also available). This will be the first time the ANC has met in person at Visitation since early 2020.

And it will be an interesting meeting! Lots of hot topics are on the agenda, none more than the BID’s application to continue the streatery program. There are a lot of passionate positions on this question and I’m sure we’ll be hearing from many of them that night. We probably don’t have the time to let everyone speak (lest the meeting go till 4 in the morning) but if you do want to speak in favor or against the program, here’s your chance. Just please, lets keep it civil!

Besides that topic, we’ll also be talking pot shops, the new construction at the Scott-Grant house, and more! Here’s the agenda:

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Lots of strong feelings about improving the streateries.
• You have until Saturday to weigh in on what option WMATA should pursue for a new Metro line under Georgetown.

CAG’s Concerts in the Park will make its long awaited return to Volta Park this Sunday from 4:30 – 6:30 pm. The music will be provided by Trio Caliente and there will be food trucks with pizza and ice cream!

The concert will also serve as a Block Captain appreciation night, with an award to Block Captain of the year handed out. So Come out, enjoy the music and celebrate your block captain!

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Sad news, Prince and Princess is closing down. They’ve vacated their current space and moved next door, but I understand this is a step towards ultimate closure.
• New Dean of Students at GU.

Even for Georgetown, the Scott-Grant house is historic. Sitting at 3238 R St., the 1858-built home was erected by A.V. Scott but served as the residence of Ulysses S. Grant after the Civil War. Further, it served as a retreat for Grant during his presidency. (All hence the Scott-Grant name).

It is an elegant house, and is a wonderful example of the mid-19th century Italianate style. Moreover, it sits at the north end of an unusually large property that stretches all the way down to Reservoir Rd.

And to most observers over the last 40 years or so, it might as well be a haunted house. No one has lived there. The property was purchased in the 1980s by Robert Bass, a member of the famously rich Bass brothers. And it has basically sat empty ever since.

That is until this summer when a local family purchased the property for $17.5 million (which honestly feels like a steal to me, given the prices others have paid for similarly spectacular Georgetown homes). The new owners have put forward a plan to renovate the existing historic structures on the property, tear down a non-historic property, and construct two new houses.