RSS Feed2011 DC Redistricting: A United Penn Quarter
We’d first like to mention that DCist has been doing an excellent job covering today’s redistricting news (update 1 and update 2). Yesterday, the Subcommittee on Redistricting had a hearing to discuss the draft redistricting plan that was released earlier in the morning.
Of course, we downloaded the map of the proposal and immediately zoomed in on Penn Quarter. It appears as though, barring any significant modifications to the plan, that Penn Quarter will finally [mostly] be united in the same Ward! For those of us who have even been peripherally involved in local politics, the fact that Penn Quarter had been split between two Wards was frustrating on many levels. Advocating for the neighborhood means that two council members need to be involved, with each owning just a part of the neighborhood. While this has been possible, it has been unnecessarily complicated.
For completeness, we will note that 400 Mass Ave, The Meridian At Gallery Place, Mass Court and The Ashton buildings would remain in Ward 6 while the rest of Penn Quarter would join Ward 2.
The next public hearing will be on June 1st, 2011. After that, the Council will vote on the final redistricting proposal.
Brian’s Song
Our post last week noting the bucket of fried chicken at Central reminded us of another Central post we always meant to write and never got around to. Just as Holmes had Watson, Kirk had Spock, and Gibbs has DiNozzo, we at one time had a bartender named Brian (minds out of the gutter please, this isn’t slash fiction). Years ago when we first started frequenting the bar at Central (1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, corner of 11th & Penn) we seemed to always end up there when Brian was working. It wasn’t long before Brian was yelling over to us when we entered, and on nights when the Central bar was packed (and we planned to leave) Brian would hold up the Bluesser he’d already poured for us (and the shaker filled with Mrs Columbo’s Negroni). Drinks in hand Brian would maneuver us into position to claim the seats of a soon to depart couple.
Not only did Brian know our usual drink and have them ready for us before we sat down, he also had our usual food order memorized. Did we want oysters on the half shell? Follow that up with pate & mashed potatoes? Banana split and champagne for dessert? (we were dieting at the time). On the rare occasions when we were trying something new we could count on Brian to walk us through what we had to try, and what items we should probably avoid.
On nights when we’d walk into Central and see Brian wasn’t working we would turn around go someplace else. And then suddenly it seemed like we were doing that all the time. When we finally asked we found out he had moved away from the area. Central must have a knack for hiring great bartenders as subsequently we’ve had all of our drinking & dining needs well looked after by Nikki; but we always wished we had given Brian his due when he was still in Penn Quarter.
Don’t make the same mistake we did, if you’ve got a favorite bartender in Penn Quarter let us know in the comments section.
DC Link Roundup: Heard In The ‘Hood
Photo: Luke’s Lobster getting ready at 624 E St NW.
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Here’s what we were reading recently about neighborhood news in DC. Have neighborhood thoughts? Leave them in the comments!
Penn Quarter – Luke’s Lobster is clawing its way towards opening (photo above). A peek inside reveals a New England theme including lobster patterned seat covers and a wood planked interior. We chatted briefly with one of the guys working on the store and they’re still shooting for a Thursday, May 26 opening. [PQL Intelligence Network]
Penn Quarter– There’s lots of buzz about Graffiato, Mike Isabella’s restaurant in progress at 707 6th Street NW. It’s got over 2,000 Twitter followers and it hasn’t even opened yet. If you’re interested in what he keeps in his fridge at home, check this out. (The interior shots look very much like a PQ condo building we know.) [Brightest Young Things]
Shaw– Some above ground level photos of the demolition going on in Shaw to make way for the Marriott Convention Center Hotel. [Renew Shaw]
Penn Quarter – The Pay What You Can performance of Bootycandy is on May 30 and 31 at 8 pm. The line forms earlier. [Woolly Mammoth Theatre]
Chinatown – The three story building owned by Max Brown housing the Chinatown Coffee Company gets a once over by our city’s largest daily. Great photos too! [WaPo] & [WaPo Photo Gallery]
Penn Quarter – The history behind the Victor Building on 9th Street NW between G and H described. [Streets of Washington]
CityCenterDC Brings New Wave Of Retail Excitement To Downtown
We would have photoshopped little dollar bills into the dirt in this photo!
The Downtown DC BID just released the 2011 edition of its Downtown Shopping District Brochure (pdf). It is an excellent document full of numbers and statistics describing the significance of this large dirt playground that currently occupies the site of the Old Convention Center.
The report accents a few facts that Penn Quarter residents have been aware of for a while:
- More than 1/3 of downtown DC residents are between the ages of 20 and 34
- Downtown DC residents increased by 46% from 38,000 in 2000 to 56,000 in 2010
- 9.5 million people attend downtown DC culture and entertainment attractions annually
- 42,000 DC tax filers earn more than $100,000/year (up 15,000 from 2000)
There is also an excellent graphic that represents an official version of what the site will look like when completed. 2/3rds of Phase One is dedicated to condos and apartments (shown below). And, all Penn Quarter condo owners want to know: have you heard any rumors on pricing for the condos in this development?
