Town Topics

Robert Devaney • June 27, 2014

Mayor Vincent Gray and Councilmember Jack Evans spoke at the Citizens Association of Georgetown’s annual awards and elections meeting at Dumbarton House May 29. CAG’s annual round of awards had an especially excellent mix of individuals, noted CAG president Pamla Moore.

The prestigious Belin Award was presented to Bill Starrels for his expert and dedicated work in preserving the historic character of Georgetown.

Walter Groszyk was honored with the William A. Cochran Award for “exceptional efforts to protect and enhance the community’s parkland and architectural resources.”

The Charles Atherton Award was given to Jennifer Steingasser, deputy director of the Historic Preservation Office, for “exceptional service by a dedicated public-sector professional for outstanding work preserving and protecting historic Georgetown.”

The Martin-Davidson Award for business persons was presented to Georgetown Business Improvement CEO Joe Sternlieb and BID staff.

A special appreciation award was given to Parking Officer Steven Starks for dedicated and distinguished Service to the Georgetown community. Starks got the biggest applause of the evening.

CAG officers and directors were re-elected by acclamation: Pamla Moore, president; Bob vom Eigen, vice president; Barbara Downs, secretary; John Richardson, treasurer; and directors Karen Cruse, Hazel Denton, Hannah Isles and Luca Pivato. Treasurer Bob Laycock reported on the annual budget, which adds up to about $600,000.
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Robert Devaney • June 19, 2014

The Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission and the Old Georgetown Board have chimed in over the last two weeks on construction/reconstruction projects that include the old Latham Hotel, set to become apartments or “micro-units”; the old Alexander Memorial Church property at 2709-17 N St., NW, where a conversion and an additional house on the lot are planned; and the new EastBanc condominiums on the site of the Key Bridge Exxon on M Street, next to the “Exorcist” steps and the Car Barn.

ANC 2E opposed an additional house at the N Street church property and increasing the number of units in the old church, though it welcomed the property’s use as residences, adding life to an empty middle-of-the-block. The OGB saw no problem with the church containing three condo units, while the parish hall would become a single-family home. It did not necessarily oppose the addition of another house, but wanted it to be smaller to fit with the historical openness of the lot.

As for the Latham property, the OGB again called for scaling back – specifically, of large windows, a new tower and signage – of the project at 3000 M St., NW. The retail corner in front of the 150-unit building will be demolished, with a new one built to fit in with the commercial space and sidewalk.

Both projects also will come under the purview of the zoning board, which may call for other changes.

At 3601-3607 M St., NW, EastBanc’s Hillside condos, next to the “Exorcist” steps, appear to be reaching the final-refinement stage with the OGB, which did not like the blocky, monolithic design and preferred more pleasing breaks in the design. The concerns of neighbors on Prospect Street, above the gas station site, about the stability of the hill where their homes sit and better coverage of the condo’s rooftop equipment, were heard by EastBanc.

Joseph Park Natalie Koltun • June 18, 2014

The Georgetown Business Improvement District released the second edition of the State of Georgetown Report 2014 at its annual membership meeting June 10 at Pinstripes.

As a part of the Georgetown 2028 plan, which was released last year, this year?s Georgetown BID report examined statistics about core features of the Georgetown economy, including demographics, transportation, office activity, retail market and tourism in town.

?Businesses in our [BID] district are thriving,? said Josh Hermias, the Georgetown BID Economic Development Director. ?As D.C.?s densest retail market place, our local businesses are currently supporting 13,000 jobs.? According to the Georgetown BID, there were 11,000 jobs in the BID area in 2010. There has been an 18-percent increase in jobs from 2010 to 2013.

The report said that about 26 percent of jobs within the BID area fall under the professional, scientific and technical services sector. Other sectors that had a net gain in jobs created include: real estate (which had a net gain of 15 percent), accommodation and food services (a net gain of 11 percent), retail trade (a net gain of 34 percent).

The retail market in Georgetown is booming. Last year, Georgetown gained 18 new retail stores, including Billy Reid, Frye, Goorin Bros, Hat Shop and Steven Alan. According to the report, there are more than 450 shops, restaurants and salons all within a quarter square mile of the historic district. ? further evidence that Georgetown contains the city?s densest retail area.

The tourism sector is also on the rise. With six hotels in Georgetown, the total revenue that hotels have made in 2013 grew seven percent from 2012, generating 64 million dollars in total revenue.

The report also highlights the transportation system in town and how it is shifting to meet the needs of young workers (ages 20 to 24) who have become the dominant demographic in the district. Apart from the BID?s effort for a Georgetown Metro station, the 2028 plan will consist of plans to make Georgetown a bicycle-friendly destination as Capital Bikeshare trips are on a constant rise.

*To learn more and receive a printed copy or copies of the State of Georgetown 2014, email info@georgetowndc.com.*

Georgetowner • May 16, 2014

After major renovations, the historic Renwick Chapel at Oak Hill Cemetery on R Street was rededicated May 4. Family, friends and supporters of the cemetery observed a prayful moment with clergy to give thanks for the “Gothic Gem” of architect James Renwick, Jr., who also designed the original Smithsonian building (the “Castle”) and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. The Renwick Chapel on the grounds of the cemetery got a new roof, refurbished lights and ceiling and restored decorations and glass. [gallery ids="101736,142013,142011" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney • May 13, 2014

Georgetown resident Jeh Johnson was confirmed by the Senate Dec. 16 as the fourth Secretary of Homeland Security. Johnson and his wife, Susan DiMarco, a dentist, live on O Street with their children.

President Barack Obama said, in part, of the confirmation: “I am pleased the Senate has confirmed Jeh Johnson as our next Secretary of Homeland Security with broad bipartisan support. … Jeh will play a leading role in our efforts to protect the homeland against terrorist attacks, adapt to changing threats, stay prepared for natural disasters, strengthen our border security, and make our immigration system fairer — while upholding the values, civil liberties and laws that make America great.” (Yes, Johnson certainly sounds like a Georgetowner to us.)

Diane Colasanto, co-chair of the public safety committee of the Citizens Association of Georgetown met Jeh Johnson at the Rose Park Gala. He will succeed Janet Napolitano as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Robert Devaney • May 12, 2014

The 86th Annual Georgetown Garden Tour will open nine gardens to lovers of horticulture and design this Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Unique gardens, big and small, will be revealed, whether at the Pyne house with its antique Japanese rooster at the center or at the Bradlee house with its sloping greenery.

Tickets are available for $35 at www.GeorgetownGardenTour.com or at Christ Church at 31st and O streets Saturday along with a garden boutique and an afternoon tea at Keith Hall.

The following are descriptions of the gardens, as provided by the Georgetown Garden Club, an affiliate of the Garden Club of America.

GARDENS EAST OF WISCONSIN AVENUE

= A just about perfect small Georgetown garden behind a house built in 1810. This felicitous and appealing garden has a beautiful, unusual fence, boxwoods, a redbud in the corner, and a long path that carries the eye back to a totally charming pergola complete with a dragonfly.

= This stylish and original south garden is like a tapestry on the ground; shallow watercourses bisect richly planted parterres, a trompe l’oeil mirror reflects wonderful touches: espaliers, olive trees in pots, banks of camellias. (By DCA Landscapes, Inc.)

= A James van Sweden creation with its signature grasses and big fishpond, this garden has been revitalized in shades of lime green and white with red as a feature color. Plantings include Japanese “Bloodgood” maple, hydrangea ‘Limelight’ and a spiral boxwood with white roses. A path of metamorphic stepping stones edged with flagstone leads to a charming carriage house in back. (By Amy Chaffman Landscape Designs)

= A linear ornamental pool — a runnel — of river rock accents this deep, slender garden perfectly complemented by rows of river birches. A brick path bordered by shrubs circumnavigates and reinforces this unusual and effective treatment.

= This grand and stately garden, recently rejuvenated, has not been open to the public in years. Upon entering the garden one finds another world: a charming latticed cupola/library full of garden books, a big swimming pool, levels and terraces, a playhouse, a small octagonal ornamental pool, a greenhouse, named varieties of boxwood, and a knockout vegetable garden planted like a parterre. (Designed by Adrian Higgins, garden writer for the Washington Post)

= This handsome historic house, constructed in 1794 and once owned by Robert Todd Lincoln, features a bold sweep of lawn in back, edged with shrubs and perennials that leads down to the pool and below that to the tennis court. All this is watched over by a long, covered, south-facing porch. It’s a grand combination of style, comfort and history.

= This fine 1810 house has a deep south garden of many levels and great presence. Full of history, there are pre-Civil War boxwoods, an old mounting block and hitching post (evoking a former carriage house) a row of male ginkgos, hydrangeas, lilacs, peonies, a large Japanese maple and delicate urns on pedestals.

GARDENS WEST OF WISCONSIN AVENUE

= A trompe l’oeil mirror reflects a large pool edged by bamboo. Nearby, the very successful use of mondo grass creates a fairy tale atmosphere in this totally beguiling garden, complete with a little playhouse in a woodsy, fern-filled setting, with mossy rocks and an iron bench. Where are Hansel and Gretel?

= This knockout modern garden creates visual treats using the very latest technologies. Five geothermal wells linked by tubes tap into a Georgetown aquifer. Special effects: a stunning pool cover and a stainless steel natural gas-powered fire pit, filled with tempered crushed glass.