The BID’s State of Georgetown

Every February, GM performs a census of commercial stores in Georgetown, tracking what opened, what closed, and what moved. He does this by simply walking up and down the streets (why he chose the coldest moth to do this outdoor exercise, who knows). Some interesting data comes out of this annual report.

Well the BID just release a report on the state of Georgetown that blows GM’s completely out of the water. It was produced by the recently expanded staff at the BID in part to facilitate the Georgetown 2028 process. GM has only started to absorb it, but it is an incredibly dense report with data GM could only dream about pulling together. And it’s beautifully presented as well.

The report is embedded below, but here are some interesting findings:

  • There are almost 11,500 jobs in the Georgetown commercial district, with another 10,000 jobs at GU and the hospital. This results in a job density of about 60,000 per square mile, or about what you see in Dupont Circle or the Rosslyn-Balston corridor.
  • About a third of the jobs are office workers, a little less than a third work in hotels or restaurants, and about 14% work in retail.
  • There are 461 buildings along M and Wisconsin, comprising over 2.2 million square feet of rentable space.
  • There are only 5 LEED certified spaces in Georgetown, compared with 349 for the rest of DC.
  • The waterfront ice rink attracted 45,000 skaters last winter, twice the forecast.

GM could go on, but take a look yourself. It’s awesome, and the staff of the BID, particularly Josh Hermias the Economic Development Director, should be congratulated:

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The Morning Metropolitan

Photo by Yfyurasko.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

  • Both the TJ Maxx/Homegoods and El Centro opened last weekend. Anyone stop by? (GM walked by El Centro Saturday night. Nicely done, and not too crowded either.)
  • S&R Foundation, which is so far known for its elegant Evermay concerts, is now turning to its other endeavors, including developing young students interested in international security.

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The Georgetown Metropolis

1500 block of 35th St.

 

1500 block of 35th St.

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Apparently Someone Will Pay $1 Million for a Murder Scene

In July GM wondered whether anyone would be willing to pay $1 million for the home that Viola Drath was murdered in.

The answer has come: Yes.

In fact, not only will someone pay $1 million for it, they’ll pay $1,235,000 for it. Continue reading

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The Morning Metropolitan

Photo by Elvert Barnes.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

  • GM loves watching successive new Hoya journalists learn about the OGB. (Seriously he does. Some of the Georgetown Voice writers who were covering the beat when GM started this up years ago have moved on to stellar jobs at places like the New Republic and The Washington Post. GM thinks about that sometimes when he finds himself still covering that same old beat…)
  • Jamie Stachowski is awesome and we’re lucky to have him.

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The Georgetown Metropolis

1000 block of 29th St.

 

1000 block of 29th St.

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Dolcezza Georgetown Location to Close?

Photo by WCP.

Dolcezza, long ranked among the best gelato shop in DC, was founded in Georgetown in 2003. But it may soon be leaving the neighborhood.

The uncertainty is from what it otherwise great news: Dolcezza is moving its production facilities from the basement of its Georgetown store to Union Market, the trendy new market in Ward 5. According to Eater DC:

A gelato tasting room, a coffee lab and a bar will all be a part of the gelato factory that Dolcezza is building near Union Market at 550 Penn St. NE….The 4,000 square foot warehouse (it used to be a wholesale flower market) will be the new home base for the D.C. company, which has been expanding throughout the area. The tasting room’s bar will seat 20 people, and tastings will be available between noon and 7 p.m. each day — customers will get the chance to sample gelato flavors as Dolcezza is trying them out.

This is great to see a home grown Georgetown store grow and succeed like this. But what will happen to the original location? Continue reading

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The Morning Metropolitan

Photo by Elvert Barnes.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

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The Georgetown Metropolis

1300 block of 31st St.

1300 block of 31st St.

 

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ANC Round Up: Ginkgo Love/Hate Edition

Ginkgo Season Not So Bad This Year

Last night, ANC2E met for its September session. As is the normal case after the August layoff, there were a lot of interesting topics discussed.

A Ginkgo By Any Other Name Would Still Smell the Same (Awful, That Is)

Almost two years ago, GM moved from R St. across from Montrose Park to 33rd St. Leaving the immediate confines of Montrose Park was a bit of a bummer; but what was not a bummer at all was getting away from the dreadful hive of Ginkgoes that populate that part of Georgetown.

GM’s prior commissioner and Cambridge St. resident, Charlie Eason, took the time to inform the crowd that you can get away from the Ginkgoes without having to move! The city runs a program where a block of residents can petition the Urban Foresty Administration to cut down one female Ginkgo on the block (males don’t produce the smelly fruit). If over 60% of the homeowners (not renters, apparently) sign a petition to take down a tree, the city will consider the application. The ANC then has 60 days to weigh in.

Eason said you either hate Ginkgoes or you love them. Or as GM would say: you either hate them or you should see an ENT doc about your failing sense of smell. (Yes, yes: the fall foliage is fantastic. But male Ginkgoes are just as nice.)

Harbor Police =/= Ordinary MPD

Lieutenant Hedgecock was on hand to discuss crime and safety issues. He started his presentation by making it clear that that idiot down at the waterfront was part of a totally different department of the Metropolitan Police.

Joking aside, he turned to the problem of burglaries that has plagued Georgetown this summer. The spike has mostly involved garages, which are often left unlocked or just plain open during the day. Hedgecock stated that the primary items stolen have been bikes. So make sure to lock up your garage, even during the day!

Finally, in response to a question from Commissioner Starrels, Hedgecock reiterated that if you need to reach the police call 911. Get over the taboo. It does not need to be an emergency. There is no non-emergency number to call. If they can’t address your problem they’ll redirect you, they won’t yell at you. Continue reading

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