May 25, 2007
Morning Roundup: Holiday, Celebrate Edition
Heck yeah, Washington! It's the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend, and we sure hope you're leaving early today. Whether you're staying in town to enjoy a little extra breathing room or escaping via bus, train, car or plane, we'd like to wish you a wonderful and safe weekend. If you're like me, you're driving out to the beach despite surging gas prices -- but according to the WaPo, we're not alone. According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, a record number of Washington area drivers will take to the highways this Memorial Day weekend, gas prices be damned. Apparently we all really like getting sunburned. And now for some headlines:
Levy and Lanier Meeting Goes Well: Yesterday we told you that Susan Levy, the mother of slain congressional intern Chandra Levy, was in town to meet with MPD Chief Cathy Lanier. The WaPo brings word that their meeting went incredibly well, extending their time together from what was supposed to a 30 minute meeting to almost 90 minutes. Levy was quoted afterward saying that the fact that Lanier is a woman meant they could talk more easily: "There was empathy. Only another mother would know how a mother feels. That feminine energy that we share. A trust that was there," Levy said.
Developers Aim to Upgrade Shopping Mall’s Image: Good news for Georgetown shoppers: Western Development President Herb Miller wants to redevelop The Shops at Georgetown Park, the lackluster, depressing indoor mall located on M St. NW. Western is in talks to bring in upscale department store Nordstrom as an anchor, and will meet with residents about the company’s plan at a June 5 neighborhood association meeting.
Briefly Noted: Silver Spring station adding new entrance ... Virginia House to review gaps in psychiatric care ... O'Malley seeks legal review of crime policy.
This Day in DCist: In 2006 we asked whether we should pay to fix the Corcoran's roof and looked at whether the raid on Rep. William Jefferson's icebox was a violation of the Speech and Debate Clause. In 2005 we gave you tips on how to navigate the Shakespeare Free For All and helped you find your neighborhood listserve.
Photo by erin m
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For a mall, I actually don't think the Shops at Georgetown is that bad. It's the wrong place for a mall, certainly, but for a mall, it's not bad.
I just hope they don't shut down that DMV. Since it was upgraded, it's the best one in the city.
I don't have too many problems with that mall, and certainly enjoy its delightful AC in the summer months. But I wonder how some of the more esoteric stores there stay open. Many of them are completely empty every time I go there.
Georgetown Park Mall lackluster? WTF? Did I miss a memo?
Just because it doesn't have mirrors on every interior surface and reek of perfume doesn't make it lack-luster!
I think Nordstrom would do better in downtown. There are plenty of metro stops in downtown. I'm not a city planner or developer by profession, but placing a store like Nordstrom near public transportation seems like a no brainer.
the lackluster, depressing indoor mall located on M St. NW
Georgetown Park is lackluster and depressing? Have you been to many indoor malls lately? Compared to Landmark or Ballston, Georgetown Park is the freaking Alhambra.
Yeah I am in concession with these people, I have never been to Milan or Paris, and I actually work for my money, but Georgetown Shops is a nice place. Maybe you could have a couple spots as to have girls dancing in cages, or fire-breathers, but other than that you shouldn't fix what ain't broke.
Nordstrom doesn't really match the scale of most stores on the M Street/Wisconsin Ave axis. It's too big to fit in harmoniously with the rest of the retail mix in Georgetown.
And while I agree that the mall needs some serious reworking, it's not beyond hope. It just needs to be adapted to modern urban design strategy.
And please keep the DMV location there! It's the only one worth visiting for most needs.
and of course, the one thing that you whiffed on here is that the city is proposing potentially spending $20 mil of TIF funds for this nordstrom's. i don't know about you, but it makes me kinda mad when an upscale (oh hell....just call it rich) store gets to be subsidized by the city. if the business plan works, then pay to fix up the damn place your damn self. this isn't an area that needs help revitalizing itself.