As your editor-in-chief stepped outside this morning for a brief stroll, he couldn’t help but notice that the long-vacant piece of prime real estate located on the northeast corner of the 14th and U Street NW intersection had a new feature: a sign indicating that a Subway restaurant was “opening soon.”

Despite the fact that there are two Subways — at 1115 U St NW and 1946 New Hampshire Avenue NW — located no further than three blocks in either direction from the property, it would appear as if the sub-flinger has scooped up the first floor of the 2001 14th Street building where Local 16 owner Aman Ayoubi is building out a restaurant and lounge.

As someone who lives in the neighborhood, I’m pretty sure I can speak for many residents in saying that the landlord’s decision to broker a deal with Subway is quizzical. Even if the property owners were determined to have a fast-food joint to occupy the space, it would have been nice if it was at least an operation that didn’t already have two locations within walking distance. (Why have you forsaken us, Fred Smoot?)

Then again, perhaps we shouldn’t be so surprised. Subway consistently tops the rankings of the best franchises to open — and its relatively small franchise fee would certainly buffer what will obviously be an incredibly expensive rent bill at the location. But with zoning space for restaurants so tight along the corridor, putting another Subway in the space just feels like a big missed opportunity.