RSS FeedLast Week’s Iraq Rallies
For those readers who don’t fully understand the passionate views citizens hold about the US’ presence in Iraq merely needed to spend fifteen minutes at the Pennsylvania Ave march held one week ago on September 15 (WaPo PDF) to feel the rallies’ energy. Thousands were present in or along Penn Ave. The police were there in force also and this writer witnessed many sidewalk “meetings” consisting of five or six people forcefully debating the US presence in Iraq. The experience of living in downtown Washington DC means Penn Quarter residents see it all.
Convention Center Hotel Project Finalized!
We reported earlier last week that the Convention Center hotel plan was on thin ice as costs escalated and land swaps delayed the project’s timeline.
Well, Cheryl points us to a WaBizJo article detailing some good news:
D.C. finalized a deal with Marriott International Inc. and RLJ Development LLC late Friday for a $540 million convention center hotel to be built across the street from the Washington Convention Center at Massachusetts Avenue and 9th Street NW.
The hotel will be smaller than what had been planned with only 1,150 rooms — about 300 fewer than planned — but will require the same amount of public funding, according to sources close to the deal. Mayor Adrian Fenty plans to announce the deal at a press conference Sept. 24.
Thanks to Cheryl for the tip!
Opera On The Mall This Sunday! (La Bohème)
The time has come for the Washington National Opera’s annual Opera On The Mall Simulcast. This year, area residents are treated to a free showing of La Bohème on Sunday starting at 2pm, roughly at Constitution and 15th St NW.
We caught last year’s showing of Madama Butterfly on the mall, but some may remember that it was a rainy day and turnout was not that great. But, this Sunday’s weather is shaping up to be a sunny day with a high of 83 degrees – perfect outdoor opera viewing weather!
Digital Parking
Today we’re pointing out a way to help you park without the use of parking space jockeys. Fire up the trusty Internet browser and head over to www.parkingspotter.com. A simple entry of 20004 as an address yielded 18 parking garages ranked in order by price from $196 per month to $255 month. Maybe you have a favorite garage with extra large spaces. Maybe you arbitrage the daily price by parking in one garage if you’re in early and another if you’re in late. Consider this story an invitation to let people know where you like to park and why.
Ed. Note: 20004 is one of two zip codes mapping to the Penn Quarter. The other is 20001.