January 13, 2006
Harris Teeter in Adams Morgan Update
When driving down Kalorama and 17th, it's hard not to notice the massive "Bring Harris Teeter to Adams Morgan" banner, with the now-defunct www.citadeldc.com web address. What exactly is the status of the much-discussed Citadel building's Harris Teeter? DCist brings you the latest news on the neighborhood development issue.
This past Tuesday morning, the District's Board of Zoning Adjustment voted 5-0 to approve two zoning variances for the Harris Teeter that were the latest hurdles facing the project, one for the loading dock, and one for relief on the rear yard requirement. Before concluding its deliberations, the BZA went one-by-one through each of the conditions proposed by the developer, the ANC, and the Office of Planning. The Board ended up approving 17 conditions, including those refusing deliveries from trucks over 40 feet in length and specifying the specific hours of the loading zone.
An additional condition also stated that no Certificate of Occupancy would be issued to Harris Teeter until DDOT had approved a Truck Management Plan (TMP) dealing with Harris Teeter's truck operations, one-way streets, signs and loading zones. Read: the DC Department of Transportation needs to figure out how all of these trucks are going to operate on such tight-fitting, highly residential streets before that Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
In a recent phone interview with DCist, ANC 1 Commisioner Bryan Weaver gave an update on the progress of the project, as well as the direction in which the project is headed. Weaver characterized the much-needed grocery store as "the right project in the wrong place," citing numerous issues with traffic flow and deliveries, all of which would affect such a densely residential area. He also noted that if the project were to be scaled down, the neighborhood impacts in regards to noise and traffic would be more manageable.
Though their website claims to be "your neighborhood food market," Weaver says that Harris Teeter has been increasingly difficult to work with in getting straight answers as to how such a market would affect the surrounding residential areas. Weaver says that, with Harris Teeter pandering to what the city wants instead of what will actually occur, it "becomes harder to support a target when the target keeps moving." First estimates for the number of truck deliveries were around 20 a day, with none during the middle of the night, fewer on Saturday and none on Sunday, except for newspaper delivery trucks. Currently, Harris Teeter estimates about 40 trucks a day will drop off tasty vittles.
As for next steps with the issue, Weaver states that both the type of liquor license Harris Teeter will use (during a moratorium, they purchased one to sell hard liquour) and the hours of the store (they are aiming to be open 24 hours) will also become hurdles for the project.
Condos for sale, like at 1700 Kalorama Lofts, are already using the Harris Teeter as a selling point, though it's still in the nascent stages of being built. Countersignature brought this to light in November 2005, though DCist is unable to confirm that a Jemal development company is also behind 1700 Kalorama Lofts. Douglas Jemal's Douglas Development is owner of the Citadel and the developer for the Harris Teeter project. Jemal has a long history with DC development and is known for things from revitalizing the Metro Center area to questionable relations with DC government officials (though Steven Pearlstein of the Post has his own thoughts on the issue).
We here at DCist are all for a good grocery store in the Adams Morgan area as well as responsible neighborhood and economic development. We'll keep you updated on the progress of the process in bringing Harris Teeter to the District.
Picture taken from HarrisTeeter.com.
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If Adams Morgan is too cramped for a Harris Teeter, I'd LOVE to see it go where the crappy Safeway now sits on Georgia Ave at Randolph St. NW!!
Although I respect the opinions of those living directly across the street from the project, I feel confident in estimating most of Adams Morgan supports this project. Just think of our HORRIBLE grocery options now! A high quality, 24-hr supermarket would be a dream come true!!!
It would also be nice for us Woodley Park folk who don't have a decent supermarket nearby either. The one in Cleveland Park that charges rip-off prices for much of their stuff hardly counts.
Was there ever an effort to pressure Safeway to clean up its act (generally offer better items, stay open later, generally stop sucking, etc.)? If the issue was that the current neighborhood grocery store wasn't up to snuff and that the city stores of Safeway and Giant were subpar as compared to their respective suburban locations, then it seems like that would have been a better approach than just bringing in another store. Now we'll have one spectacular store for the yuppies and one that sucks for the needs of anyone earning less than $40K a year. Terrific.
one that sucks for the needs of anyone earning less than $40K a year. Terrific.
Based on what? I've heard people say before that Harris Teeter is overpriced, but as someone who shops there regularly, it seems no worse than Giant or Safeway. HT's retail prices may be a little high, but they have huge amounts of sale items every week.
Besides, housing costs in Adams Morgan would seem to be more of an issue for low-income earners than overpriced cheeses.
Actually, HT has some very good prices, and great buy-one-get-one sales every week. They pretty much cover the whole spectrum, except really high end, which is what Whole Foods and Dean & Deluca are for.
One of the arguments you hear against HT is the liquor license, though I can't say I expect them to be stocking large amounts of Hurricane, and I doubt that Ecco Domani (which I expect they WILL sell a lot of)is the tipple of choice for the guys who sack out in the park. Yeah, HT is geared more towards yuppies than the Safeway and some of the local bodegas, but hey, guess what - that's who seems to live in Adams Morgan for the most part thses days.
One thing I have not seen covered in the local press HT articles (current, city paper, etc.) is the strong anti-union attitude HT has.
The company is headquartered in North Carolina, and I happened to work as a cashier at a HT while in college. My training included mandatory attendance of a strongly anti-union video, including the instruction to contact the store manager if union reps tried to organize at the store.
Both Safeway and Giant employ unionized workers. Is DC a union town for groceries, or will HT bust into the market without unionized workers? Are Whole Foods workers in a union?
Info on Whole Foods and unions:
http://www.wholeworkersunite.org/node/1023?PHPSESSID=f9106238830ca206efe05ed79eafbbf0
MM - I used to shop there when I lived at 14th and Chapin and didn't want to truck it down 14th to Whole Foods or up 14th to the old nasty Giant, so I'm guessing their catchment area is larger than the high-rent areas of Adams Morgan.
I think a very small number of people would choose where they bought food based on whether or not the grocery store in unionized or not. Most of us just want to be able to buy meat and milk...something that cannot always be done at our Safeways.
"sucks for the needs of anyone earning less than $40K a year."
We may be talking about a different Teeter/Safeway pair but I trek out to Pentagon City Harris Teeter pretty regularly. I've found that the Hill Safeway (pre-renovation at least) was more expensive for the basics (Flour, veggies, meat) and didn't offer nearly as much variety.
Out of curiosity: is Safeway really that much better for workers? I don't just mean how much they like the unions but hours/benefits/base pay. After watching them in CA I'd be surprised to hear that they were much different.
-WDC
I trek out to Pentagon City Harris Teeter pretty regularly.
I'll bet you do... damn DC license plates always take up half the lot at that HT, my neighborhood grocery store. (I'm really only kidding -- I don't care if DC people drive there -- I just figured that DC residents take every opportunity to complain about non-DC residents using up their parking, so the reverse condition should be noted too.)
"I think a very small number of people would choose where they bought food based on whether or not the grocery store in unionized or not"
That's beside the point. I think this issue is more about whether the City ought to extend to them the various regulatory exemptions and approvals they'd need to open up in the neighborhood - the city is well within its rights to consider what kind of jobs might be provided as part of HT's relationship with the community. I'm not arguing for or against; just pointing out that whether consumers will make decisions based on those issues is not really the issue.
No worries, I usually take the metro and a little old lady shopping cart. It's actually pretty easy on the weekend when the Metro's less crowded.
Anyway, I couldn't drive if I wanted to. All the parking spaces are blocked in by suburban church goers. (also kidding)
-WDC
No worries, I usually take the metro and a little old lady shopping cart. It's actually pretty easy on the weekend when the Metro's less crowded.
Anyway, I couldn't drive if I wanted to. All the parking spaces are blocked in by suburban church goers. (also kidding)
-WDC
Tasty vittles? Hopefully some organically grown plantain and mango! Seriously, the number of deliveries and times must be clearly stated, enforced, and time limited to allow for any increases-the more successful, the more deliveries. Any consideration for allowing increased congestion and noise should be awarded on the basis of what the establishment GIVES BACK to the community.
"one that sucks for the needs of anyone earning less than $40K a year."
Is there going to be an credit check at the door? Even assuming that the Teet is more expensive, people making less than 40k can shop there if they want to pay a premium for selection and a nice experience. People who don't want to pay for the luxury will go elsewhere.
But I don't think that it will be more expensive on basic foodstuffs. Have you ever been in a Teet? They are not like Whole Foods (expensive) or Safeway (shitty and ill-marketed). They strike me as a well run company, and I think they know how to cater to both the foodies and the bargain hunters.
It's a great addition to the hood, assuming the very serious traffic concerns can be allayed.
I used to live at 16th & Kalorama. None of the roads bordering the proposed HT location are designed for the kind of traffic a grocery store like that would bring into that neighborhood.
I prefer unionized grocery stores (at least at the chain level) over the non-unionized ones. I won't boycott the non-unionized chains, but I will go a bit out of my way to avoid them when I can. I realize not everyone has the time or inclination to do so, but I think more people than you might think would prefer the unionized stores if shopping didn't inconvenience them.
A Harris Teeter closer than VA will be cool.
One by-product of HT coming to Adams Morgan may be an improved Safeway. In Capitol Hill where I live, there's a new HT under construction at 14th and Penn SE.
As soon as the project was announced, the two Hill Safeways began intense rennovation. There's better food options, nicer stores, in-store starbucks, etc. Perhaps the Adams Morgan HT can spur similar improvements to the other Adams Morgan grocery stores.
I wouldn't blindly follow the unionized stores either. Safeway, the second largest grocery chain in the US, doesn't exactly support their union. Afterall, Safeway took tens on millions of dollars from Kroger to help it keep moving along when the union went on strike. http://www.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2004/04/19/daily17.html
As for Giant, I know that Roadside Development, the group that will redevelop the O Street Market, was asking them to improve their store for years to coincide with the new development. I don't know the latest, but I know Giant was flatly saying no for a long time because they didn't see any benefit from it. In my opinion, the residents benefit from having the leverage of other groceries willing to come in when the existing ones become unresponsive and take your business for granted. If the gov't were to deny new groceries permits based on unionization or the fact that another grocery existed that could be fixed up, then the existing grocers would enjoy a huge luxury provided by our gov't, and the residents would suffer. I think Giant and Safeway are not responsive enough to the neighborhood in this regard, and the market should be allowed to pass them buy.
I'm all for hating Walmart, but I don't thing everyone is necessarily the same, and I don't think that unionized workers always realize how good they have it, everything in moderation.
I think it is worth noting that unions' expense to companies cost an arm and a leg when the unions have too much leverage and unfairly ask for too much. I think that is part of the reason that Giant had to sell-out to Ahold some years ago. And I think the agreement to hire ONLY union workers is part of the reason the stadium costs shot up. Finally, I remember talking to one of the Metro subway architects about 10 years ago. He was really upset at how much it cost to ride the Metro trains. He said that the high costs were largely due to the fact that although the trains were designed to be operated without drivers except in special cases, the Union demanded (and won) that all trains be manned at all times, and furthermore, that only the most senior (also highest paid) bus drivers be promoted to operating the subway trains. He said this was a rediculously huge expense that was only in place because of the union. I'm sure the union can rationalize their stance, but I don't think the unions are always doing what's fair or what's best for everyone involved overall. I welcome Harris-Teeter.
Well I can say that my girlfriend and I are one of the yuppies moving into the neighborhood. We just signed a lease for one of the townhouses across from the Citadel on Kalorama. The prospect of a Harris Teeter in a year was definitely a selling point for us. A good grocery store is one of the best aspects of a healthy and vibrant community. I can tell you I am looking forward to a fresher and nicer variety of produce than the current Safeway does not provide (and lines of less than 10 people would just be a cherry on top of my sundae).
As to unionized vs. non-unionized groceery workers, if Safeway and Whole Foods are at all representative of each then I implore you Harris-Teeter, please don't let those commies screw with you. Whole Foods on P has by FAR the friendliest, most helpful and generally pleasant workers I have seen at an East-Coast grocery store.
I'd second the comments about traffic. With those skinny little streets around 17th & Kalorama already taxed to capacity, when this thing opens, it's going to look like P St. in front of Whole Foods -- only with streets half as wide. To quote one of my favorite former DC residents, it's going to be a total shit-show.
Oh, and yes, 1700 Kalorama is also a "Jemal" development, although in this case, it's Doug's son Norm doing the project.
Man, this is really a horrible idea from an urban planning standpoint. Adams Morgan already has ample issues as a very high density area in DC with a lot of traffic. Hopefully they provide ample underground parking to meet the demands of shoppers or residents with cars will have even more to bitch about.
"Well I can say that my girlfriend and I are one of the yuppies moving into the neighborhood. We just signed a lease for one of the townhouses across from the Citadel on Kalorama. The prospect of a Harris Teeter in a year was definitely a selling point for us. A good grocery store is one of the best aspects of a healthy and vibrant community. I can tell you I am looking forward to a fresher and nicer variety of produce than the current Safeway does not provide (and lines of less than 10 people would just be a cherry on top of my sundae)."
Actually I'd argue that decent butchers shops, bakeries, and smaller corner markets would actually be the best aspect of a healthy and vibrant URBAN community. You know, actual specialized retailers who provide food to the community that fit the footprint of existing spaces in the neighborhood and suit the environment better. So next time you want better produce why don't you walk the extra two blocks to Yes! where you'll find better quality organic produce in an existing storefront instead of the Safeway? But then again, anyone that uses the term 'commie' to refer to unions probably has no concept of shopping at anything less than a chain grocery store and can't fathom the idea of walking out with anything less than a full cart's worth of groceries.
"But then again, anyone that uses the term 'commie' to refer to unions probably has no concept of shopping at anything less than a chain grocery store and can't fathom the idea of walking out with anything less than a full cart's worth of groceries."
Couldn't have said it better.
Well, I have to agree with the silliness of the "commie" remark. However, I also must note that Adams Morgan has FEW, if any, quality corner markets, butchers, bakeries, etc. In fact, most of DC doesn't! And if we did, of course, I'd prefer to shop there. But if given the option of a Harris Teeter or a continued lack of grocer options, I'll take the big corporate chain.
And I'll third the traffic issue. Since they started replacing the abandoned buildings and empty lots around the corner with yuppie lofts, there's already been a big increase in traffic load. Kalorama between 16 and 17 is a tight squeeze when you pass someone, as is anywhere on Ontario; 17th between Crescent and Kalorama has already seen a big increase in people driving the wrong way up the one-way street because they can't bother to drive around the block to legally get to their condo parking. Imagine what will happen if there's a traffic draw like a supermarket.
I'm way too lazy to even go to the Safeway on Columbia, so I'll benefit from a Harris Teeter more than anyone, but I don't think anyone should underestimate the barriers to it realistically getting there, or how painful the transition will be for those of us in the neighborhood.
Let's also not underestimate the benefits of having a grocery store in the neighborhood and the amount of us living in Adams Morgan who SUPPORT the new HT.
After two years of enduring Safeway's inventory shortages, I am fully supportive of the proposed Harris-Teeter. As for the traffic comments--I agree that it will be a problem, but I've heard that the site has ample parking capacity.
Parking's not the issue so much as traffic flow. Think about where supermarkets in the area are. Columbia Road (Safeway), 14th Street (Giant), P St. (Whole Foods)... Kalorama or 17th between Belmont and Euclid don't exactly stand out as comparable thoroughfares. Which is why I don't think I'm underestimating the benefits of the supermarket once it's already in place and the streets have been redone, etc. It's the transition I'm concerned about.
I suppose they could always eliminate on-street parking in the area to make sure wider roads are available for the shoppers. In that case parking WILL become a problem for those of us who don't live in condos with built-in parking, despite any parking lot that is built for the HT.
Am I shopping at a different Adams Morgan Safeway than everyone else? The loads of complaints from commenters every time this comes up don't line up with my shopping experiences there. It's cheap, doesn't have inventory problems except that you wouldn't want to go fruit shopping the day before the fruit delivery, and it's open til midnight every day - really, how much later does a grocery store need to be open for you to consider it 'convenient'? I don't consider it crappy at all.
Alyson - Most complaints are made by comparing that particular one to Safeways in the suburbs, or hell, even the new Giant in Columbia Heights. Dirty, understaffed (and what staff they have are universally apathetic and unhelpful), fruit flies in the produce section...As for inventory, try shopping on Sunday any time after the morning and see whether they have inventory problems.
Staying open past midnight would still be nice, though then you're dealing with the post-bar crowd looking for food to crave the drunk munchies. Also, it's pretty irritating that the only grocery/convenience store in the area open past midnight is the 7-11 all the way at Kalorama and Columbia.
The issue of the size of the roads and delivery trucks is easily solved. Have a satilite delivery location and shuttle the items to the store. Or demand that suppliers who stock there own items on HT's shelves use smaller veichles. Its not like DC is the only city in the world with road conditions like this.
When is this place opening?
Any word on when this HT is opening?
As for inventory, try shopping on Sunday any time after the morning and see whether they have inventory problems.
C'mon now dude! That's true of almost any grocery store I've ever been to in the area; the Whole Foods on P and the new one in Alexandria, the Teeter in Pentagon City, and every Safeway and Giant in the area. Even when you go to Eastern Market you have better selection on Saturday than Sunday.