RSS FeedWebster School (940 H St NW) Getting Development Attention
Photo above: Google StreetView of Webster School
One of the most interesting un(der) developed buildings in downtown DC may now be moving forward according to this article in the Washington Business Journal. GSA is assembling a Technical Assistance Panel to assess possible uses for the Webster School, a 27K square foot building that has been sitting dormant at 940 H St NW and is directly across the street from the soon to open CityCenter.
The panel specification verbiage indicates:
GSA seeks a comprehensive written report that evaluates the disposition potential for the Webster School.
Services required will fall under the following categories for the Webster School:-Market Potential
-Development Strategies
-Land Use Planning & Design
-Strategy ImplementationThese objectives must be accomplished while complying with GSA’s “Good Neighbor” policy (http://www.gsa.gov/graphics/pbs/gn_policy.pdf), which requires GSA to conform to local planning and zoning goals, including Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and height limitations.
In the summer of 2010, we called the Webster School “The Most Well Maintained Vacant Property in PQ [Penn Quarter]” and even saw a peek inside. The structure has been stabilized so kudos to the Secret Service and GSA for preventing this historic structure from falling down, but the property is too valuable to sit in its current state. It is time to move it forward.
Fired Up To Save On Food & Drinks
We’re not very good about seeking out deals and as such usually end up spending too much money whenever we go out for food and drinks. But this summer we’ve been taking advantage of the happy hour at Fire and Sage (775 12th Street, NW, in the Metro Center Marriott), which has surprised us by being both reasonably priced and very enjoyable.
A friend requested we meet them at the bar a few weeks back, and having not asked about happy hour deals we had a pleasant surprise when the bill came. Our Sam Adams drafts were just $3, and our pork sliders half priced. No draft beer was more than $4 during happy hour, and there were discounts on wine and booze as well. Happy hour runs 4 to 7 pm Monday to Thursday, and 2 to 7 pm Friday & Saturday. We’ve been back several times since as the bar is big, comfortable, and right above the metro making it an ideal place to meet out of town guests.
As we walked home this evening we took notice of the numerous other happy hour deals being advertised in the bars and restaurants in PQ, honestly we’re not sure how Fire and Sage stacks up with other options. But Fire and Sage is a place we never used to think about when looking for a comfortable spot with a reasonably priced selection of food and drinks, and now it’s close to the top of our list.
Woolly Mammoth Neighborhood Block Party This Saturday
We normally associate block parties with summertime and leafy neighborhoods filled with single family homes, but our neighborhood will get a taste of this tradition too.
This Saturday the Woolly Mammoth Theatre brings the block party to Penn Quarter on D St NW between 6th and 7th St NW on Saturday, September 7 between 11 am and 3 pm. A few Penn Quarter restaurants will participate and you do need to RSVP if you wish to attend. For more details and how to RSVP, check out this link. What a great idea…we like it!
Quite A Dame
While in London this Spring, I had the opportunity to see Dame Helen Mirren in The Audience. Written by Peter Morgan (also paired with Ms. Mirren for the Academy Award-winning film, The Queen), the play centers on Queen Elizabeth II and her various and complex relationships with a dozen Prime Ministers in her long reign. It was truly one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. Next week, Ms. Mirren will reprise her roll for a special broadcast that can be seen at the Shakespeare Theatre Company.
September 16, 7:30pm
Harman Hall (610 F St., NW)