1500 block of 30th St.
After Cafritz Fire, Do You Feel Safe?
Even before the embers of Peggy Cafritz’s home ceased smoldering, residents throughout the District began wondering whether the fire hydrant on their street has the pressure to put out a fire at their house. After the Georgetown Library fire two years ago, Georgetown residents are particularly worried about the matter.
It’s not the first time it’s come up since the library fire. WASA got a tounge lashing from the ANC last February. WASA came back in March to the ANC and in April to CAG to let us know that everything is OK. Nonetheless, when we see fire crews having to walk blocks away looking for water pressure, it’s not difficult to doubt their assurances.
According to the Post, the problems for the water pressure didn’t begin until the fire crews attached a third hose to the same water main. That would suggest that the hydrants worked as expected, but they simply aren’t expected to work that well. This adds to Georgetowners’ anxiety since they’ve been telling us how our hydrants (at least those marked correctly) work as expected.
How do you feel? Do you feel safe?
Filed under Life in the Village
The Morning Metropolitan
Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:
- Georgetown fire call-boxes among those still not re-done under the city’s Art-On-Call program, whose future is uncertain.
- New bartender at Bourbon Steak comes over from H St.’s Sova.
- The Georgetowner attends the big party at Urban Chic.
Photo of Evolve salon by Flickr user Kevin H. used under Creative Commons.
Filed under The Morning Metropolitan
Marketing Georgetown
This month, the Georgetowner has an interesting piece about the internal skirmishes at the Georgetown BID over the proper approach to improve the business climate in Georgetown. According to the article, two camps emerged over the $5 million budget in particular:
Few disagreed that marketing is essential to Georgetown’s business campaign. The line in the sand is drawn, however, over how exactly these funds should be appropriated. The resulting skirmish looks microcosmically like a Congressional budgetary war, with one side advocating greater revenue, the other more judicious spending of present funds.
By the end of the meeting, it would appear the first side carried the day; by strawpoll the group decided to reconsidered (upward) the tax assessment structure.
While they are considering their marketing budget and strategy GM has one suggestion for the BID: Update your webpage and initiate an integrated advertising campaign. Continue reading
Filed under Around Town
The Morning Metropolitan
Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:
- Vox Populi explores GU’s lobbying effort to build its controversial boathouse.
- GGW takes a look at the K ST. transitway project, which will significantly affect how Georgetowners get downtown by bus or car.
- Public sex in Georgetown Park bathrooms?
Photo of Dumbarton Oaks statue by Flickr user Hellomarkers used under Creative Commons license.
Filed under The Morning Metropolitan
DC Home Prices Bounce Off the Bottom
Last week GM explored the question of whether Georgetown’s real estate market thawed out in the spring only to crash again this summer. Yesterday the New York Times published an article claiming that homes in DC had actually risen 1.3 percent from April to May of this year. Here’s the chart of how the DC home prices have changed from the year earlier since 2001:
Courtesy of the New York Times
From this chart, it would appear that the DC market has been pulling back from the brink steadily since the beginning of the year. Home prices are still down 14% from a year earlier, but in December it was almost 20% down.
Do you think this chart reflects Georgetown? GM still thinks home prices are at 2004ish levels, but perhaps they’re starting to turn back around. Will we see 2005 numbers by 2010?
Filed under Real Estate
The Morning Metropolitan
Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:
- The Post takes a look at row-house design, including a stop by an ultra-modern Georgetown house.
- Trying to top the free beer outlets, Fresh Boutique is offering free champagne and Georgetown Cupcakes (do you have to buy anything?). NBC has the secret word that’ll get you two-for-one deals.
- The Citypaper explores Champions’ star-crossed past. Did you realize it gets credit as the world’s first sports bar? Really?
Photo by Flickr user MattHurst used under Creative Commons.
Filed under The Morning Metropolitan
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