Ground was finally broken on the massive, $700 million CityCenterDC development on the site of the city's old convention center this afternoon, a project that's spanned three mayoral administrations and countless starts and stops.
CityCenterDC Finally Breaks Ground
Skadden Signs Letter of Intent for CityCenter DC
Hot news from the Washington Business Journal this morning on the long-stalled CityCenter DC project. Tierney Plumb reports that mega-law firm Skadden has signed a letter of intent to lease 350,000 sq. ft. of office space at the yet-to-be constructed project planned for the old convention center site.
Trapeze School Set to Open This Weekend
There was supposed to be a big press conference for the new D.C. Trapeze School this afternoon, complete with an appearance from the mayor, but the rain kinda put a damper on that parade. Perhaps you've already read about the school being put together in the Washington Post, but when we went by the old convention center site today, it did indeed look like they're ready to start classes this weekend. Check out the D.C. Trapeze School web site for information on classes and schedules. The first classes start this Saturday, and each 2-hour class runs about $55.
BoltBus Moves D.C. Stop Again
Back in December we reported that BoltBus and Megabus had moved their stop from 11th Street NW just above G Street to around the corner on G Street NW between 9th and 10th, right next to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. The move sparked a little bit of controversy, as it wasn't clear whether the location was any better in terms of interrupting traffic, and some customers were reportedly uncomfortable with its proximity to the soup kitchen across the street. Well Penn Quarter Living reports that after Megabus relocated a third time, to 9th Street NW just above H Street along the side of the old convention center site, as of today BoltBus will follow them there. BoltBus's web site confirms the move to 9th and H Streets at the old convention center parking lot.
Library Out, Hotel in at Old Convention Center Site
The Washington Post is reporting on Mayor Adrian Fenty's announcement today that the city has scrapped any plans to build a new main library at the old convention center site, and instead has reached an agreement with a developer to construct a four-star, 400-room hotel.
New ArtWalk Unveiled Today
DCist, admittedly, was not in love with the first ArtWalk, the large installation of murals on the old convention center site at 10th St. between New York Ave. and H St., NW. The third edition of ArtWalk opened this afternoon, and while we still have many of the prior complaints about the space (Astroturf is unnecessary, and the backstops with tarps that make up the walkway are far from aesthetically pleasing), the artwork itself is much better this year, and some of it is actually very good.
MLK Library 'Possible' Bloomingdale's Location
The Examiner ran a story on Monday about Bloomingdale's recent round of talks with the city regarding opening a new store in downtown D.C. Along with the recently approved development at the Old Convention Center site, sources in the Fenty administration told Michael Neibauer that the talks have included the controversial Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 9th and G Streets NW as a "possible option" for the store.
Morning Roundup: All Fired Up Edition
Good morning, Washington. We hope not too many of you were making your way into the city from Montgomery County this morning, as two separate water main breaks forced road closures in Takoma Park and kids to get the day off from school in Germantown. We'll admit it -- we're pretty envious of the students at Fox Chapel Elementary School, who get to spend the day doing whatever they please while we had to show up and actually do work. Isn't it supposed to be Christmas break already?
Morning Roundup: Back to School Edition
Good morning, Washington, and welcome to September. After what was quite possibly the most beautiful weekend in the history of late summer weather in this city, we've finally arrived at the date many of us still associate with "back-to-school" -- the Tuesday after Labor Day. So sharpen your pencils, polish your lunchbox and make sure you have the right Trapper Keeper as we check out today's headlines. At Least Four Weekend Killings: The Examiner...
Go Home Already: High Heels for Everyone
Editor's Note: We're trying out a new end-of-the-day feature this week, affectionately called Go Home Already, which gives us the chance to point out any important headlines we might have missed during the day, great posts from the local blogosphere, a fun photo, and of course, remind you to get the heck out of your office because there are enough workaholics in this city as it is. It's just a trifle, but we're sure you'll let us know what you think in the comments.
Ask DCist: What the Hell Is That Thing?
I've walked by the old Convention Center site recently, and there's this weird artsy-looking walkway between H Street and New York Avenue. What the hell is it? You'd be surprised how many emails we've received with this exact question. You'd also be surprised how a staff of writers and editors as big as our own could be so easily stumped. We had no idea. Until today. According to a press release from D.C. Mayor...
Morning Roundup: It's Getting Hot Edition
Good morning, Washington. Please ignore the still budding trees -- summer is here. Today, highs will head into the 80s and Wednesday, it'll approach 90, according to a number of forecasts. Capital Weather notes that one thing will be missing: significant humidity. Sounds like perfect weather for an excursion to Theodore Roosevelt Island, where this photo, taken by Matt Billings and posted in DCist Photos via Flickr, was shot from.
Morning Roundup: Demolition Edition
Happy Friday, everybody. The weather today will be more of what we've seen this week: partly cloudy, highs in the 40s. The photo above shows promotional materials for the Washington Nationals in a display case at Buffalo Billiards, where baseball supporters held a pep rally last week. We've posted a few photos from our happy hour last night. Yeah, More Baseball: The Post reports today that Baseball President Robert A. DuPuy has rejected a...
Morning Roundup: Angelos 'Festering' Edition
Good morning, Washington. There may be some rain moving into the area, so don't forget your umbrella. Temperatures will be in the 50s approaching 60 degrees. Owners Delay Expos Vote: In a vote that was to officially seal the deal that would bring the Montreal Expos to Washington, baseball owners in Chicago have delayed their vote, the AP, via WJLA, reports. The Post reports that the deal is not in any danger of faltering considering...

