Alleged Cocaine Dealers Get Off: In 2005, after FBI and D.C. police investigators busted a Ft. Washington house that contained more than $1 million and 100 kilos of cocaine, they thought they’d shut down one of the biggest drug rings in the city. But 17 months later, a U.S. District Court jury handed down not guilty verdicts on most charges facing alleged kingpin Antoine Jones and his co-defendents. Jurors commented afterword that the prosecution lacked convincing evidence tying the defendents to the drugs or to any larger conspiracy.
Firm Spending Millions to Revamp Laurel Mall; Others Wonder, Why Bother?: Today’s Post details the efforts of Somera Capital Management to revitalize Laurel Mall, which has fallen on tough times in the twilight of the era of enclosed Shopping Malls, with many wondering if further investment is throwing good money after bad. In a world of cut-throat competition where a significant facelift is required every seven years, shopping centers can quickly go from bustling to vacant. If they’d only listen to us, they’d know there’s a better way to organize retail for the health of the city.
Briefly Noted: Region’s office space vacancy rates edge up for fourth straight quarter… Brazen early evening shooting at Union Station on Saturday… WTOP reports that some Cleveland Park residents are up in arms about the impact two new restaurants will have on parking.
This Day in DCist: Last year, we said goodbye to the MCI Center and watched GW win a big one. In 2005, we were shocked that a developer would intentionally misname their building to capitalize on neighborhood caché. Good thing no one’s tried that again.
Photo by Flickr user Karon.
