Comments on: How Many Gallery Place Billboards Does It Take …

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:41:53 +0000

I don’t think “lack of billboards” is part of DC’s “uniquely attractive character.” Frankly, having loud-mouthed “citizen” groups that oppose each and everything is part of DC’s uniquely UNATTRACTIVE character (see no metro in Georgetown for a great example of “community” activism). Assuming the Orange Media post above is correct, I don’t see what the problem is. And, frankly, whether you like it or not, advertisemens and billboards and other things that make the area vibrant and busy to those walking along the streets (and, really, its just the streets that directly border the Verizon Center) is exactly the “character” of the neighborhood.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:04:22 +0000

The fact the Downtown DC is not littered with billboards and over-sized buildings is part of its uniquely attractive character. Suggesting that residents and others should push for it to become like Times Square, Las Vegas and other similar areas shows, in my mind, a lack of understanding of DC’s positive traits in comparison to other cities. DC has a positive history of preserving its beauty, which has served the city well. I believe if you are a company depending on billboard revenue, then yes, you think DC should follow other decidedly ugly downtown trends. However, for many who love this city, moving to erase the unique beauty of this city would also remove the reason many people living and visiting here are attracted to this city. If we want to follow Las Vegas and the like, should we also bring on the hookers, the slots, the people lining the streets handing out literature for phone sex and strip clubs? DC is not NY, Las Vegas, Tokyo, etc and never will be (hopefully).

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:32:46 +0000

For those of you who insist that Gallery Place/Penn Quarter/Chinatown is simply a haven for national chains, what do you call: Rasika, Sei, Oya, Oyamel, Jaleo, Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, Zaytinya, all of the Chinese and Thai restaurants, Shakespeare Theater and the National Portrait Gallery. Name one other neighborhood in the DC area that boasts such a vibrant mix of culture, restaurants and nightlife.

By: urbanguy

urbanguy — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:25:11 +0000

Almost every major city in the world has a district with bright signs – think Ginza (Tokyo), Picadilly (London), West Hollywood (LA), plus just about every Chinatown in the world . Personally, I like the signs, and think they add to the feel of the area. The development is sandwiched between an arena (that has had video boards before the condos were even built) and Chinatown. There are thousands of pedestrians, protestors, musicians, and countless other loud activities going on, 24-7. It’s not like people went to bed in the suburbs, and are surprised to be waking up in an entertainment district. Before Gallery Place/Verizon Center were built, the area was crime ridden and vacant. The development activity has revived the neighborhood. Sure some original tenants are gone, but look at all of the new ones (Andres, Wagamama, Matchbox,etc.)

By: DCZen

DCZen — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:41:19 +0000

If Penn Quarter is to have any viability as a livable neighborhood, the residents have to be able to push back on ill-concieved ideas like these billboards. Just because it was planned some time ago does not make it a good idea.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:05:27 +0000

When I moved to this neighborhood 5 and a half years ago, it was full of locally-owned and unique businesses. I paid a premium for my condominium with the hope/expectation that this would become a diversified neighborhood. Since then, while many good things have happened, the retail scene has grown bleak: small businesses have gone out of business, huge chain restaurants are taking over. The city has invested heavily in making this a residential neighborhood. It would be really stupid to then make it unlivable by turning Penn Quarter into a neighborhood fit only for tourist buses, rowdy teens, and people who are completely oblivious to billboard blight.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:34:58 +0000

I have to agree with annonymous on March 6th. Chinatown has developed as a center for national chain restaurants and stores (McDonalds, Hooters, Ruby Tuesday, Starbucks, Rosa Mexicana etc.), not as a historic neighborhood. Residents there should embrace this, and let it become a Times Square-esque location, and be thankful that investments continue to be made in the area.

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:51:39 +0000

I have to agree with Arch & namllih. I think Pete’s rebuttal is strong and the stopthebillboard argument is heavy on hyperbole.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:57:24 +0000

Why are we pretending that Chinatown “Penn Quarter” is not a strip mall already? It’s looked trashy for years now, why not make it DC’s “Time Square” and at least have something unique. Any neighborhood achored by a Ruby Tuesdays and a Hooters shouldn’t be complaining about lighted signs.

By: namllih

namllih — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:13:57 +0000

Hmmn- Pete’s rebuttal is pretty strong. If the points he makes are accurate this seems much ado about not so much. Sounds like Orange have proper standing to do this & if the plan for this was stated in the condo owners’ purchase contracts…..