News & Politics

Georgetowner • April 5, 2012

The Urban Land Institute issued its final report on a proposed plan for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library www.downtowndc.org/go/king-library (901 G Street) last month, setting the stage for the 40-year-old historic landmark to begin an in-depth analysis to determine the feasibility and cost of implementing the report’s recommended scenarios. Although an analysis of the city’s central library will begin next month, its fate has been discussed for years, particularly as Downtown has become more vibrant and property values have soared.

ULI presented preliminary details of its finding to help guide city leaders and residents in deciding the 400,000 gross-square-foot building and MLK Library’s future in November. The three scenarios for consideration include keeping the existing building as a library and lease excess space to another commercial, non-profit or municipal entity, maintaining the existing building for the library’s complete use and selling the building and identify another downtown location for the central library.

The Freelon Group, a nationally recognized architectural firm and the library’s architect-of-record, will examine how the library can be reconfigured for co-tenancy, add two additional floors, and identify, prioritize and provide cost estimates for needed major improvements. In addition, the library will work with the D.C. Office of Planning to explore whether there are viable, alternative locations in downtown that can accommodate a 225,000 SF central library.

Georgetowner •

More dining options are making their way into Downtown. First on the house-cured, hand-carved meat front: the Carving Room (300 Massachusetts Avenue) and Red Apron Butchery (709 D Street) plan to debut this summer and fall, respectively. The Carving Room sandwich shop will open in the Mass Court apartment building to occupy space once reserved for Caldo, the Italian restaurant which decided to set up shop elsewhere. Besides serving lunch and dinner, it will feature an open kitchen, seating for 65 and a sidewalk café with 50 seats. Red Apron, a fixture at local farmers’ markets, will occupy 3,600 square feet of space and serve up all-natural, hormone-free lamb, beef and poultry. Known for its artisanal charcuterie, salumi, sausages, hot dogs and other fare, the butchery will also serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Protein Bar, the Chicago-based high protein food and drink eatery, is also coming, and will reside in the Market Square North building (701 Pennsylvania Avenue). Expect to see blended drinks, salads, chicken and vegetarian chili, and “bar-ritos” (made of warm organic quinoa and whole wheat wraps, instead of rice and flour tortilla) on the menu.

Finally, those of you awaiting Freshii’s (555 11th Street) arrival, it’s here. The fast casual franchise that sells customized salads, wraps, burritos, and other healthy fare opened last month, in space once occupied by Gifford’s Ice Cream & Candy Co.

Georgetowner •

Two years after purchasing the YWCA building (624 9th Street) for $21 million, MRP Realty and Rockpoint Group LLC plan to demolish the 93,553-square-foot structure this summer, thus ditching original plans to extensively renovate it and add 9,000 SF. In its place, they will construct a 112,000 LEED GOLD certified building on a speculative basis. The new office building will have a mostly glass façade, about 6,500 SF of ground-floor retail space and a new address, 900 G Street. The existing Class B building is located across from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library www.downtowndc.org/go/king-library (901 G Street) and adjacent to the Mather Studios condominium. Akridge (601 13th Street) developed it in 1981 to house the YWCA offices and activity centers, including a first-floor pool.

Georgetowner •

Notice all the media attention heaped on LivingSocial (1445 New York Avenue) lately? Chalk it up to the company’s shift away from being a strictly online daily deals operation to one also focused on experimental retail “experience” space. Last year, LivingSocial leased the Douglas Development building at 918 F Street, transforming the 26,000 SF historic building near Gallery Place and the Verizon Center www.downtowndc.org/go/verizon-center into multi-purpose space for entertainment and a variety of cooking, art and exercise classes led by industry experts and local instructors. By now, it’s widely known that celebrity chef, Mike Isabella, of  Graffiato www.downtowndc.org/go/graffiato (707 6th Street) fame staged a successful pop-up restaurant there over four days last month. Tickets sold out within a few hours at $119 per person. What’s next? Keep up with the full list of offerings at the Living Social website www.livingsocial.com

Georgetowner •

The Howard Theatre, which launched the careers of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye and The Supremes, will re-open in April 2012 after a $29 million renovation. The remodeled theater features a state-of-the-art acoustic system and will offer a wide-range of live entertainment. The new configuration, with black walnut walls, oak floors and Brazilian granite bars on each level, features ten foot video screens and recording capabilities allowing The Howard to retain the intimate feel of its former space. The building combines elements of Beaux Arts, Italian Renaissance and neoclassical design. The balconied interior is built with flexibility including supper club-style seating for approximately 650, which can be quickly adjusted to allow standing room for 1,100. Located at 620 T Street NW, the closest Metro station is Shaw/Howard U. A full dining menu features American cuisine with classic soul influences. Doors open two hours prior to all seated shows, with first-come, first-serve basis seating. For standing room-only shows, a streamlined menu will be offered. Opening day is on April 9, 2012, Howard Theatre Community Day. The event will feature live music performances, memorabilia displays and tours of the theatre. A memorabilia drive is currently underway, in which members of the community are donating tickets, posters, and souvenirs from the theatre’s past.
The Howard Theatre was originally built by architect J. Edward Storck for the National Amusement Company and opened on August 22, 1910. It featured vaudeville, live theatre, talent shows,and was home to two performing companies, the Lafayette Players and the Howard University Players. The theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. While The Howard Theatre inspired change, it felt the impact of a nation in flux following the 1968 riots. Eventually, the degradation of the neighborhood forced the theatre to close in 1980. In 2000, the Howard Theatre was designated an American Treasure under the “Save America’s Treasures” program. In 2006, Howard Theatre Restoration www.howardtheatre.org/home.html was formed to raise funds for the restoration and the construction of the Howard Theatre Culture and Education Center, which will house a museum, classrooms, listening library, recording studio, and offices.

Georgetowner •

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade draws about 100,000 spectators from around the world, combining decorated floats, gigantic colorful helium balloons, marching bands, clowns, horses, antique cars, military and celebrity performances. ABC’s Katie Couric co-hosts the parade with special correspondent Alex Trebek of Jeopardy and ABC7’s Alison Starling and Leon Harris. Performers include singer-songwriter Javier Colon, 2011 winner of The Voice. Siobhan Magnus, American Idol finalist, sings a rendition of “Are You Ready for a Miracle?” Honorary marshals include singer and actress Marie Osmond and Olympians Kristi Yamaguchi and Benita Fitzgerald Mosley. This year, the performance area expands across the steps of the National Archives, when over 1,500 youth from around the country perform as part of the Youth Choir and All-Star Tap Team. It goes from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on April 14, rain or shine. The parade passes many attractions, National Archives, the Department of Justice, Smithsonian Museums, the Washington Monument and the White House. The parade is free and open to the public. For $20 you may purchase a reserved grandstand seat. www.ticketmaster.com/event/1500475CC4DF5AA1?artistid=847061&majorcatid=10003&minorcatid=54

Georgetowner •

Last month, Capital Bikeshare and Back on My Feet DC announced the launch of their pilot partnership, in which Capital Bikeshare will offer $50 annual memberships to 10 qualified Back on My Feet DC members, a national non-profit organization dedicated to creating independence and self-sufficiency within the homeless community through the act of running. The ten members who were selected to participate have maintained a 90% or better attendance record on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 5:45 a.m. runs and completed several educational and job training courses.
 
“Back on My Feet DC is thrilled to launch a partnership with Capital Bikeshare,” said Autumn Campbell, Regional Executive Director for Back on My Feet Baltimore-Washington D.C. “Our staff, members, and volunteers are excited to help bring Capital Bikeshare into the community and continue to promote healthy lifestyle choices.”

Selected Back on My Feet DC members will have access to the largest bikesharing program in the United States, with 150 stations and 1,300 bikes in the District and Arlington. Members will be able to use Capital Bikeshare to get to and from job interviews, classes, trainings or early morning runs.

Georgetowner •

As part of his 2013 budget rolled out last month, Mayor Vince Gray proposed that hours for liquor sales at bars, restaurants and stores be extended. Under Gray’s proposal, bars would be allowed to extend weekday and weekend hours by an hour—booze could be sold until 3 a.m. on weekdays and 4 a.m. on weekends—while liquor stores could start selling at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday. (You could also buy beer and wine at the grocery store starting at 7 a.m. on Sundays.) All told, the changes, which would take effect in October if they passed the D.C. Council, could bring in $5.3 million for the city in 2013. (That’s a small portion of the $172 million budget deficit, $69.4 million of which was closed through “revenue initiatives.”) This isn’t the first time that D.C. has tweaked its liquor sales hours, nor is it the only jurisdiction to do so in the quest for ever-scarcer tax dollars. As part of Gray’s 2012 budget, the tax on alcohol went from nine to 10% and hours at stores were extended. [dcist.com/2011/09/drinking_our_way_to_balanced_budget.php}(http://dcist.com/2011/09/drinking_our_way_to_balanced_budget.php) and bars and restaurants were allowed to  start serving earlier in the morning. [http://dcist.com/2011/10/early-to-rise_brunchers_can_get_sun.php}(http://dcist.com/2011/10/early-to-rise_brunchers_can_get_sun.php)

Emma Watters • April 4, 2012

Our nation’s capital takes being green very seriously. We top the list of environmentally-friendly “firsts” time and again. The numbers don’t lie, D.C. stands above the competition in LEED certified commercial and institutional green buildings per capita. And any foodie will tell you, this town loves supporting local farms.

Many embassies catch the eye with their beauty and grandeur, but only one prevents greenhouse gas emissions. The Embassy of Finland is the first LEED certified embassy in the U.S. Years of retrofitting the modernist building has produced energy-efficient lighting, plumbing and ventilation. Mirroring Finland’s environmental commitment, the embassy is a pioneer in eco-friendly business practices.

During those all too familiar summer scorchers, Pleasant Pops comes to our rescue. Inspired by paletas, a traditional ice pop from Michoacan, Mexico, the ingredients challenge our taste buds and support local farming. The Pleasant Pops mission dictates strict recycling practices and composting organic waste. Look for their new shop in Logan Square this summer.

Eco-friendliness comes as second nature to Nusta spa, the first and only LEED certified spa in the U.S. Their goal is to approach green from the inside out. Renewable and recyclable, Nusta’s interior meets the highest standards of sustainability. They thought of everything, down to the ink used in printed materials.

Ever wonder where your seafood actually comes from? Not at Tackle Box, whose green philosophy supports local suppliers who are using habitat-friendly fishing gear. Their fluctuating menu combats over-fishing and poor practices that endanger our oceans. Tackle Box believes environmentalism means flexibility, education and community.

Washington Nationals Park is the nation’s first major professional stadium to become LEED certified. Sustainable design elements include energy-saving light fixtures, drought-resistant plants and a green roof over concessions. What about those pesky peanut shells sprawling the ground? A special ground filtration is system designed to catch shells and other debris before reaching the storm-water system.

D.C.’s latest initiative is to keep our schools green. On March 20, the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council released the Green Classroom Professional Certificate. The program educates pre-K–12 teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators and parents about environmentally healthy practices in schools and classrooms.

John Fenzel •

“The gunman entered … and opened fire on ‘everything that moved… How can they attack something as sacred as a school?’”

This witness account, from the school shootings in Toulouse, France is reminiscent of the countless other incidents we have experienced across the United States, most recently at Chardon High School in Ohio.

When a shooting incident occurs in any of our nation’s schools, news travels instantly.  Coverage of the incident dominates our television screens—images of students and faculty streaming outside, parents rushing to police lines, stacks of SWAT teams preparing to enter school doors, media vans lined up on roadways—all of it creating an all-too-familiar scene. So familiar, in fact, that the images and details of each incident have become largely indistinguishable from others.
 
As the discussion has become garbled, so have our strategies for dealing with shooting rampages in our nation’s schools.
 
Following an incident, we’re riveted for a period of a week or so to the news coverage.  We’re systematically guided through the stages of grief by network anchors and pundits: through our guilt for not having recognized the signs earlier…through our anger at the perpetrators…and finally, to our collective view of the incident as an anomaly—something that “could never happen here.” 
 
Months later, another school shooting occurs. This one seemingly disconnected from the one preceding it. And yet, the shooters’ characteristics are remarkably similar:  chronic truancy, religious or political fanaticism, a preoccupation with weapons, someone socially marginalized…on “the fringe,” who is struggling with addiction…and who has announced his intent to kill.  The symptoms and signs remain constant. And in our collective quest to better understand a shooter’s motives, the media narrative often conveys upon us a societal guilt-by-association for the carnage he inflicts.
 
Defining the Problem

On occasion, we take a few steps back to gain perspective rather than catharsis.  And in those moments, it’s possible to transcend our complacency and to see school rampages for what they are: acts of terror.
 
Defining the problem in these terms is a crucial first step toward effective defense—but that step has proven to be surprisingly elusive as we tend to focus instead on the psychology and motivations of the shooter in an incident’s aftermath. But the problem has remained constant:  our children are at risk from those who seek media attention through acts of mass murder.
 
The problem of active shooters in our schools is not new. The first school massacre incident occurred in 1764 at a schoolhouse near Greencastle, Pennsylvania, when four Delaware warriors killed ten children and their schoolmaster. In 1927, a school administrator bombed the Community School in Bath, Michigan, killing 38 people—mostly children.  Numerous other incidents have occurred through the years. The well known and often discussed, like Columbine and Virginia Tech, eclipse those that occurred decades ago, but are no less deadly, like South Pasadena Junior High School (1940) and University of Texas at Austin (1966).
 
What Can be Done?

Identifying students who display at-risk behavior remains key to stopping a school shooting before it occurs.  Homicidal ideation is perhaps the most obvious indicator that a teen may be considering such an act, but there are a host of others, to include: cruelty to animals, suicidal tendencies, and abuse or neglect at home. Reporting comments and observations in advance have prevented many attacks; however, forecasting a school rampage is not always achievable. 

There will be more attacks. As youth addiction to point-and-shoot video games grows, and as weapons become more powerful, a perfect storm of entertainment realism and lethality has gathered, making the potential consequences of future school attacks even more catastrophic than the last.
 
Defending against school rampages is a sensitive topic—far more so than preparing for tornados or fire.  Active shooter drills involving all parties—students, faculty and first responders—are rarely conducted for fear that the visual of the drills alone will be met with cries of outrage from school commissions and PTAs. 

The great irony is that school rampages are responsible for far more fatalities in our schools than severe weather, earthquakes or fires, combined.

So, rather than shrink from tabletop exercises and rehearsals, perhaps we should be insisting on them? Even the simple act of identifying the locations for staging areas, police command posts, media cordons, and reunification sites expedite incident response.  Exercises also give faculty and students a reflexive understanding of school lockdown procedures, and how to effectively respond should they come face-to-face with a gunman. Drills and rehearsals have the added benefit of building relationships with local law enforcement before an incident occurs.  The time for police, first responders and school administrators to be introduced to one another should never be in the midst of a crisis.