Photo by philliefan99

Here’s some fun for the end of the day, stemming from that Northrop Grumman news we mentioned below. About halfway down Jonathan O’Connell’s Washington Business Journal story on today’s D.C. Council proposal to offer the defense contractor $25 million worth of incentives, there’s a quote from bill sponsor Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) slamming Crystal City, which rumor has it has emerged as a front runner in the company’s search for D.C. area office space.

Northrop has reportedly been considering properties in D.C., Crystal City and Montgomery and Fairfax counties. Evans took a shot at the competition, saying, “Can you imagine them locating in a place like Crystal City? Oh my gosh.”

Sources on the public and private side of negotiations have said the Meridian Group’s National Gateway in Crystal City is leading the pack of potential sites.

Fightin’ words! So we went straight to Crystal City BID President & CEO Angela Fox, who understandably took umbrage at Evans’ disdain, noting that she was a bit surprised by his remarks since she actually considers the Ward 2 Council member “to be a friend.”

“Northrop Grumman employees would be delighted to be in Crystal City,” Fox insisted, touting her organization’s promotion of Crystal City through fashion events like “Crystal Couture,” summer outdoor film screenings, and cycling events such as the annual U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic.

Fox also took the opportunity to slam the District right back, noting that if Northrop Grumman employees have small kids, they might prefer “to be in a Northern Virginia school district, and they won’t have to cross the river.” Err, she may have a point there.

“Inherently, the [Crystal City] area offers a great value to both employer and employees,” added Fox.

The ball’s back in your court, Mr. Evans.