Slice of the Lower East Side in D.C.?
Katz’s Delicatessen, made famous by the 1989 rom-com “When Harry Met Sally,” may set up shop in the District. WTOP reported that the nearly 130-year-old eatery on New York’s Lower East Side is considering a D.C. branch. Twenty-seven-year-old owner Jake Dell — a member of the family that bought Katz’s from the Katzes — has been toying with expansion plans. Other cities on the list: Philadelphia and Boston.
BET Leaving District for New York
Black Entertainment Television, known as BET, a Viacom-owned cable and satellite network based in the D.C. area since 1980, will close its 1235 W St. NE headquarters and relocate to New York July 7. According to the Hollywood Reporter, CEO Debra Lee has put her D.C. home up for sale for $11.5 million and is moving to Los Angeles. The fate of the 20 full-time Washington employees is currently unknown.
Fix for Farragut North, Dupont Cooling Issues?
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority GM Paul Wiedefeld is looking for a quick fix to the stifling temperatures in the Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metrorail stations. WTOP reported that a mere 500-foot stretch of pipe, connecting the chiller vault to a cooling tower, has been leaking for at least two years, making the stations very uncool. Metro hopes to remedy the situation by renting a cooling tower.
Duck Safety Improved at Capitol Pool
Duck families will be just a little bit safer now. NBC-4 reported that the Architect of the Capitol consulted with City Wildlife and held a design contest on behalf of the four families of ducks that live in the Capitol Reflecting Pool. The pool has slanted edges that make getting in and out difficult for the ducks, so ramps were installed for them. The ramps also remind duck-watchers to lay off the bread throwing.
Potholepalooza Resurfaces to Acclaim
D.C.’s ninth Potholepalooza has wrapped, with more than 7,000 potholes filled in during the monthlong program that began April 3. District residents made some 1,200 service requests. The District Department of Transportation also provided four new “hot boxes” to recycle asphalt for this year’s Potholepalooza. During the annual event, crews work to make repairs in 48 hours instead of the typical 72.
First Pay-As-You-Whack Squash Courts
A brand-new, pay-as-you-go squash facility has arrived at 2233 M St. NW. Squash on Fire, which opened May 20, is the first of its kind in the Washington area. Its central location downtown makes it easy to stop by after work. The Squash on Fire concept is to make the sport accessible to all, with coaches offering multiple programs throughout the day. Once everything is in place, expect to see a restaurant and bar, two terraces and a green roof space.
Streetscaping Coming to Convention Center
Events DC presented the initial concepts for exterior streetscaping at the Washington Convention Center earlier this month. The plans would revive the perimeter of the convention center and connect the building to the surrounding Shaw neighborhood. The proposal includes nine retail kiosks with seating on 9th Street, public art, murals, plants and light displays.
