Downtown DC is a storefront ghost

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to the Washington Post (just this week) cell phone usage and therefore foot traffic, after work hours and on weekends, in downtown DC is up over the previous peak 2019 levels. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to the numerous new restaurants like La Boucherie at 14th and G, the shopping at places like City Center, and museums like the Portrait Gallery.

But… Cell phone usage is below 60% of 2019 levels during the workday however, which puts DC in the bottom half of the return to work cities. We can blame the GSA and federal agencies for not encouraging workers to return to work or unloading the empty buildings for redevelopment into housing.

What is the benefit of "encouraging" me to commute into the building so I can do the exact same work on my computer that I do at home? The only difference is that I would have more opportunity to chat with the people in my office about our personal lives. Plus I have always packed my lunch, so it wouldn't even help the lunch places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to the Washington Post (just this week) cell phone usage and therefore foot traffic, after work hours and on weekends, in downtown DC is up over the previous peak 2019 levels. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to the numerous new restaurants like La Boucherie at 14th and G, the shopping at places like City Center, and museums like the Portrait Gallery.

But… Cell phone usage is below 60% of 2019 levels during the workday however, which puts DC in the bottom half of the return to work cities. We can blame the GSA and federal agencies for not encouraging workers to return to work or unloading the empty buildings for redevelopment into housing.

What is the benefit of "encouraging" me to commute into the building so I can do the exact same work on my computer that I do at home? The only difference is that I would have more opportunity to chat with the people in my office about our personal lives. Plus I have always packed my lunch, so it wouldn't even help the lunch places.

I would really enjoy seeing these people come out with an idea that was not centrally about coercion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to the Washington Post (just this week) cell phone usage and therefore foot traffic, after work hours and on weekends, in downtown DC is up over the previous peak 2019 levels. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to the numerous new restaurants like La Boucherie at 14th and G, the shopping at places like City Center, and museums like the Portrait Gallery.

But… Cell phone usage is below 60% of 2019 levels during the workday however, which puts DC in the bottom half of the return to work cities. We can blame the GSA and federal agencies for not encouraging workers to return to work or unloading the empty buildings for redevelopment into housing.

What is the benefit of "encouraging" me to commute into the building so I can do the exact same work on my computer that I do at home? The only difference is that I would have more opportunity to chat with the people in my office about our personal lives. Plus I have always packed my lunch, so it wouldn't even help the lunch places.

That’s fine. If Federal workers won’t go back to the office it doesn’t make any sense for the GSA to hold on to all that empty real estate. We’re in the middle of an unprecedented housing crisis and the city would like to bolster the downtown economy. Kill two stones with one bird if the federal government sells those properties for redevelopment. Imagine all the possibilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to the Washington Post (just this week) cell phone usage and therefore foot traffic, after work hours and on weekends, in downtown DC is up over the previous peak 2019 levels. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to the numerous new restaurants like La Boucherie at 14th and G, the shopping at places like City Center, and museums like the Portrait Gallery.

But… Cell phone usage is below 60% of 2019 levels during the workday however, which puts DC in the bottom half of the return to work cities. We can blame the GSA and federal agencies for not encouraging workers to return to work or unloading the empty buildings for redevelopment into housing.

What is the benefit of "encouraging" me to commute into the building so I can do the exact same work on my computer that I do at home? The only difference is that I would have more opportunity to chat with the people in my office about our personal lives. Plus I have always packed my lunch, so it wouldn't even help the lunch places.

That’s fine. If Federal workers won’t go back to the office it doesn’t make any sense for the GSA to hold on to all that empty real estate. We’re in the middle of an unprecedented housing crisis and the city would like to bolster the downtown economy. Kill two stones with one bird if the federal government sells those properties for redevelopment. Imagine all the possibilities.

Most of the office buildings used by the Federal government are privately owned and leased by GSA. This includes several “headquarters” buildings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to the Washington Post (just this week) cell phone usage and therefore foot traffic, after work hours and on weekends, in downtown DC is up over the previous peak 2019 levels. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to the numerous new restaurants like La Boucherie at 14th and G, the shopping at places like City Center, and museums like the Portrait Gallery.

But… Cell phone usage is below 60% of 2019 levels during the workday however, which puts DC in the bottom half of the return to work cities. We can blame the GSA and federal agencies for not encouraging workers to return to work or unloading the empty buildings for redevelopment into housing.

What is the benefit of "encouraging" me to commute into the building so I can do the exact same work on my computer that I do at home? The only difference is that I would have more opportunity to chat with the people in my office about our personal lives. Plus I have always packed my lunch, so it wouldn't even help the lunch places.

That’s fine. If Federal workers won’t go back to the office it doesn’t make any sense for the GSA to hold on to all that empty real estate. We’re in the middle of an unprecedented housing crisis and the city would like to bolster the downtown economy. Kill two stones with one bird if the federal government sells those properties for redevelopment. Imagine all the possibilities.

Most of the office buildings used by the Federal government are privately owned and leased by GSA. This includes several “headquarters” buildings.

Then why is the GSA wasting money on unused office space? They should end those leases now so the building owners can pursue other ventures with tax breaks from Mayor Bowser, like redevelopment into housing and retail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to the Washington Post (just this week) cell phone usage and therefore foot traffic, after work hours and on weekends, in downtown DC is up over the previous peak 2019 levels. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to the numerous new restaurants like La Boucherie at 14th and G, the shopping at places like City Center, and museums like the Portrait Gallery.

But… Cell phone usage is below 60% of 2019 levels during the workday however, which puts DC in the bottom half of the return to work cities. We can blame the GSA and federal agencies for not encouraging workers to return to work or unloading the empty buildings for redevelopment into housing.

What is the benefit of "encouraging" me to commute into the building so I can do the exact same work on my computer that I do at home? The only difference is that I would have more opportunity to chat with the people in my office about our personal lives. Plus I have always packed my lunch, so it wouldn't even help the lunch places.

That’s fine. If Federal workers won’t go back to the office it doesn’t make any sense for the GSA to hold on to all that empty real estate. We’re in the middle of an unprecedented housing crisis and the city would like to bolster the downtown economy. Kill two stones with one bird if the federal government sells those properties for redevelopment. Imagine all the possibilities.

Most of the office buildings used by the Federal government are privately owned and leased by GSA. This includes several “headquarters” buildings.

Then why is the GSA wasting money on unused office space? They should end those leases now so the building owners can pursue other ventures with tax breaks from Mayor Bowser, like redevelopment into housing and retail.

You should read up on contract law. GSA has committed to reducing the office footprint through non-renewable of leases and consolidation of space when leases come up for renewal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to the Washington Post (just this week) cell phone usage and therefore foot traffic, after work hours and on weekends, in downtown DC is up over the previous peak 2019 levels. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to the numerous new restaurants like La Boucherie at 14th and G, the shopping at places like City Center, and museums like the Portrait Gallery.

But… Cell phone usage is below 60% of 2019 levels during the workday however, which puts DC in the bottom half of the return to work cities. We can blame the GSA and federal agencies for not encouraging workers to return to work or unloading the empty buildings for redevelopment into housing.

What is the benefit of "encouraging" me to commute into the building so I can do the exact same work on my computer that I do at home? The only difference is that I would have more opportunity to chat with the people in my office about our personal lives. Plus I have always packed my lunch, so it wouldn't even help the lunch places.

That’s fine. If Federal workers won’t go back to the office it doesn’t make any sense for the GSA to hold on to all that empty real estate. We’re in the middle of an unprecedented housing crisis and the city would like to bolster the downtown economy. Kill two stones with one bird if the federal government sells those properties for redevelopment. Imagine all the possibilities.

Most of the office buildings used by the Federal government are privately owned and leased by GSA. This includes several “headquarters” buildings.

Then why is the GSA wasting money on unused office space? They should end those leases now so the building owners can pursue other ventures with tax breaks from Mayor Bowser, like redevelopment into housing and retail.

GSA is giving up buildings as fast as they can. I doubt the mayor is happy about more empty office space that can be redeveloped into condos nobody wants over empty retail fronts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to the Washington Post (just this week) cell phone usage and therefore foot traffic, after work hours and on weekends, in downtown DC is up over the previous peak 2019 levels. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to the numerous new restaurants like La Boucherie at 14th and G, the shopping at places like City Center, and museums like the Portrait Gallery.

But… Cell phone usage is below 60% of 2019 levels during the workday however, which puts DC in the bottom half of the return to work cities. We can blame the GSA and federal agencies for not encouraging workers to return to work or unloading the empty buildings for redevelopment into housing.

What is the benefit of "encouraging" me to commute into the building so I can do the exact same work on my computer that I do at home? The only difference is that I would have more opportunity to chat with the people in my office about our personal lives. Plus I have always packed my lunch, so it wouldn't even help the lunch places.

That’s fine. If Federal workers won’t go back to the office it doesn’t make any sense for the GSA to hold on to all that empty real estate. We’re in the middle of an unprecedented housing crisis and the city would like to bolster the downtown economy. Kill two stones with one bird if the federal government sells those properties for redevelopment. Imagine all the possibilities.

Most of the office buildings used by the Federal government are privately owned and leased by GSA. This includes several “headquarters” buildings.

Then why is the GSA wasting money on unused office space? They should end those leases now so the building owners can pursue other ventures with tax breaks from Mayor Bowser, like redevelopment into housing and retail.

You should read up on contract law. GSA has committed to reducing the office footprint through non-renewable of leases and consolidation of space when leases come up for renewal.

I only read the Mayor’s statements to the press as published in the Washington Post, our newspaper of record. She has asked the GSA to free up those offices for redevelopment now (or for workers to return to work). I don’t think she means “let’s just all wait for the lease to expire.” She wants results for her downtown turnaround plans. It’s not just her or the councilors; I think a lot of folks are becoming impatient with lethargic pace of movement on this issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not "downtown" but still in the middle of DC-- I had to run an errand at Union Market today around 2 pm, and it was absolutely hopping. I drove to save time and I shouldnt have-- lot at UM was totally full, 6th Street spots totally full, no street parking on surrounding streets. Finally found a spot in the garage under the Latin market over on 4th. UM itself was packed, lines at bunch of stalls, indoor tables full, many outdoor tables as well. This was Wednesday afternoon, a lot of the weekend stalls were not even open, same with the bars. The Latin market was more dead but I popped into trader Joe's for a minute and it was busy too.

I've had similar experiences recently in Navy Yard, the Wharf, and Georgetown.

There is absolutely no reason you can't recreate this downtown with the right investment.

It’s hilarious that you don’t see the pattern.

PP here and I genuinely do not know what you are talking about. These are all neighborhoods that saw a ton of economic investment, do you mean that pattern? That is also what I think they should do downtown.

Also while Georgetown has been nice for a while, Union Market, Navy Yard, and the Wharf were all really rough neighborhoods before all this development went in. I live on Capitol Hill and the transformation is dramatic. As little as 10-15 years ago, these were neighborhoods you would not walk around in at night comfortable, they were just warehouses and crappy little shops, or empty lots. Union Market used to just be permanently filled with trash. There was violent crime and drug activity. Now these places are the bougie-est parts of DC. So there is absolutely no reason we can't do the same think downtown. It might look a little different because it's converting an office district instead of warehouses and industrial properties, but this idea it's impossible just does not add up. It obviously is.

As a 25 year resident of DC, you are spot on. They can re-create this in downtown DC and it would be even better than the current Union Market, Wharf & Navy Yard. Downtown DC has so much potential.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not "downtown" but still in the middle of DC-- I had to run an errand at Union Market today around 2 pm, and it was absolutely hopping. I drove to save time and I shouldnt have-- lot at UM was totally full, 6th Street spots totally full, no street parking on surrounding streets. Finally found a spot in the garage under the Latin market over on 4th. UM itself was packed, lines at bunch of stalls, indoor tables full, many outdoor tables as well. This was Wednesday afternoon, a lot of the weekend stalls were not even open, same with the bars. The Latin market was more dead but I popped into trader Joe's for a minute and it was busy too.

I've had similar experiences recently in Navy Yard, the Wharf, and Georgetown.

There is absolutely no reason you can't recreate this downtown with the right investment.

It’s hilarious that you don’t see the pattern.

PP here and I genuinely do not know what you are talking about. These are all neighborhoods that saw a ton of economic investment, do you mean that pattern? That is also what I think they should do downtown.

Also while Georgetown has been nice for a while, Union Market, Navy Yard, and the Wharf were all really rough neighborhoods before all this development went in. I live on Capitol Hill and the transformation is dramatic. As little as 10-15 years ago, these were neighborhoods you would not walk around in at night comfortable, they were just warehouses and crappy little shops, or empty lots. Union Market used to just be permanently filled with trash. There was violent crime and drug activity. Now these places are the bougie-est parts of DC. So there is absolutely no reason we can't do the same think downtown. It might look a little different because it's converting an office district instead of warehouses and industrial properties, but this idea it's impossible just does not add up. It obviously is.

As a 25 year resident of DC, you are spot on. They can re-create this in downtown DC and it would be even better than the current Union Market, Wharf & Navy Yard. Downtown DC has so much potential.

Also, does anyone remember the hell hole 14th street was back in the late 90s/early 2000s. Even the 9:30 club was sketchy. All of those areas are burgeoning now. Same could totally happen in downtown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not "downtown" but still in the middle of DC-- I had to run an errand at Union Market today around 2 pm, and it was absolutely hopping. I drove to save time and I shouldnt have-- lot at UM was totally full, 6th Street spots totally full, no street parking on surrounding streets. Finally found a spot in the garage under the Latin market over on 4th. UM itself was packed, lines at bunch of stalls, indoor tables full, many outdoor tables as well. This was Wednesday afternoon, a lot of the weekend stalls were not even open, same with the bars. The Latin market was more dead but I popped into trader Joe's for a minute and it was busy too.

I've had similar experiences recently in Navy Yard, the Wharf, and Georgetown.

There is absolutely no reason you can't recreate this downtown with the right investment.

It’s hilarious that you don’t see the pattern.

PP here and I genuinely do not know what you are talking about. These are all neighborhoods that saw a ton of economic investment, do you mean that pattern? That is also what I think they should do downtown.

Also while Georgetown has been nice for a while, Union Market, Navy Yard, and the Wharf were all really rough neighborhoods before all this development went in. I live on Capitol Hill and the transformation is dramatic. As little as 10-15 years ago, these were neighborhoods you would not walk around in at night comfortable, they were just warehouses and crappy little shops, or empty lots. Union Market used to just be permanently filled with trash. There was violent crime and drug activity. Now these places are the bougie-est parts of DC. So there is absolutely no reason we can't do the same think downtown. It might look a little different because it's converting an office district instead of warehouses and industrial properties, but this idea it's impossible just does not add up. It obviously is.

As a 25 year resident of DC, you are spot on. They can re-create this in downtown DC and it would be even better than the current Union Market, Wharf & Navy Yard. Downtown DC has so much potential.

Also, does anyone remember the hell hole 14th street was back in the late 90s/early 2000s. Even the 9:30 club was sketchy. All of those areas are burgeoning now. Same could totally happen in downtown.

Yes. 14th Street north of Thomas Circle was still burned out from the 68 riots in the 90s. Downtown, F Street, after Garfinkels and Woodies closed due to bankruptcy, became a no man’s land of cheap retail and run down buildings. Until redevelopment in the 00s. And downtown blossomed. Despite hollowing out post pandemic, downtown still looks nice, and the Mango is building a flagship clothing store in the heart of the F Street retail zone, so all hope is not lost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things are shifting, much of it as a result of cultural change driven by the pandemic, and there will be ramifications that aren't good. Urban spaces are going to see decline, the question is how much and how bad is it going to get; I think it might get really bad.

Urban spaces see a decline because the US has an idiotic policy of having people live in the burbs, work in offices downtown and spend their lives in lines in car commuting. I am from Europe and spent time recently in Milan, Copenaghen and Rome. The pandemic brought problems everywhere but those cities are still full of people and open stores. I work at connecticut snd k and all the stores in the block closed down a while ago. There is nothing there other than offices and with people working from home stores cant afford to pay the hire rent with the reduced foot traffic. Downtowns are becoming deserts in US towns because downtowns were reduced to be office buildings and nothing else

You have a very limited view of the world.

Urban renewal was a generational event leading need to demographic trends from from the late 90s until the mid-2010s. Those demographic trends are now shifting.

You seem to think that there’s been some conspiracy when it’s always been and always will be consumer preferences. Just because people don’t like to consume what you like to consume doesn’t mean that there is some nefarious plot. That notion seems to be a hallmark of certain left wing thinking going back to Chomsky or perhaps it’s embedded in the whole Marxian false consciousness thing. The problem is that it is just not true.

what “demographic trends” exactly? something tells me you are the kind of person who believes everything is just a “demographic trend” that policymakers cannot do anything about … except when it comes to ensuring everyone has free parking and can drive 50mph, in which case, policies need to rule with an iron fist to protect that.

Have you met a generation of people called Millennials? Many are in their 40s now and past their move to the city after graduation phase. Over half of Millennials own homes, which is greater than GenX when they were the same age. And generally speaking, they are fleeing cities to buy their homes in the exurbs.
https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2024/1/24/millennials-are-fleeing-cities-in-favor-of-the-exurbs

And this migration of Millennials from cities to exurbs is mostly driven by consumer preferences for a single family house with a yard. In fact, survey after survey shows (as well as decades of behavior) that Millennials (and consumers generally) prefer to have those things even it it means that they have to live further away from work.
https://www.redfin.com/news/millennial-homebuyers-prefer-single-family-homes/

The entire progressive urbanist thing is literally to force people to live next to them so they don’t feel lonely.

lol dude. DC’s population is growing, not shrinking - driven by new babies. https://mayor.dc.gov/release/2023-census-data-highlights-continued-population-growth-washington-dc#:~:text=As%20of%20the%20July%201,than%20deaths%20in%20the%20year.

got any other great insight?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not "downtown" but still in the middle of DC-- I had to run an errand at Union Market today around 2 pm, and it was absolutely hopping. I drove to save time and I shouldnt have-- lot at UM was totally full, 6th Street spots totally full, no street parking on surrounding streets. Finally found a spot in the garage under the Latin market over on 4th. UM itself was packed, lines at bunch of stalls, indoor tables full, many outdoor tables as well. This was Wednesday afternoon, a lot of the weekend stalls were not even open, same with the bars. The Latin market was more dead but I popped into trader Joe's for a minute and it was busy too.

I've had similar experiences recently in Navy Yard, the Wharf, and Georgetown.

There is absolutely no reason you can't recreate this downtown with the right investment.

It’s hilarious that you don’t see the pattern.

PP here and I genuinely do not know what you are talking about. These are all neighborhoods that saw a ton of economic investment, do you mean that pattern? That is also what I think they should do downtown.

Also while Georgetown has been nice for a while, Union Market, Navy Yard, and the Wharf were all really rough neighborhoods before all this development went in. I live on Capitol Hill and the transformation is dramatic. As little as 10-15 years ago, these were neighborhoods you would not walk around in at night comfortable, they were just warehouses and crappy little shops, or empty lots. Union Market used to just be permanently filled with trash. There was violent crime and drug activity. Now these places are the bougie-est parts of DC. So there is absolutely no reason we can't do the same think downtown. It might look a little different because it's converting an office district instead of warehouses and industrial properties, but this idea it's impossible just does not add up. It obviously is.

As a 25 year resident of DC, you are spot on. They can re-create this in downtown DC and it would be even better than the current Union Market, Wharf & Navy Yard. Downtown DC has so much potential.

Also, does anyone remember the hell hole 14th street was back in the late 90s/early 2000s. Even the 9:30 club was sketchy. All of those areas are burgeoning now. Same could totally happen in downtown.

9:30 was on 9th and F

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not "downtown" but still in the middle of DC-- I had to run an errand at Union Market today around 2 pm, and it was absolutely hopping. I drove to save time and I shouldnt have-- lot at UM was totally full, 6th Street spots totally full, no street parking on surrounding streets. Finally found a spot in the garage under the Latin market over on 4th. UM itself was packed, lines at bunch of stalls, indoor tables full, many outdoor tables as well. This was Wednesday afternoon, a lot of the weekend stalls were not even open, same with the bars. The Latin market was more dead but I popped into trader Joe's for a minute and it was busy too.

I've had similar experiences recently in Navy Yard, the Wharf, and Georgetown.

There is absolutely no reason you can't recreate this downtown with the right investment.

It’s hilarious that you don’t see the pattern.

PP here and I genuinely do not know what you are talking about. These are all neighborhoods that saw a ton of economic investment, do you mean that pattern? That is also what I think they should do downtown.

Also while Georgetown has been nice for a while, Union Market, Navy Yard, and the Wharf were all really rough neighborhoods before all this development went in. I live on Capitol Hill and the transformation is dramatic. As little as 10-15 years ago, these were neighborhoods you would not walk around in at night comfortable, they were just warehouses and crappy little shops, or empty lots. Union Market used to just be permanently filled with trash. There was violent crime and drug activity. Now these places are the bougie-est parts of DC. So there is absolutely no reason we can't do the same think downtown. It might look a little different because it's converting an office district instead of warehouses and industrial properties, but this idea it's impossible just does not add up. It obviously is.

As a 25 year resident of DC, you are spot on. They can re-create this in downtown DC and it would be even better than the current Union Market, Wharf & Navy Yard. Downtown DC has so much potential.

Also, does anyone remember the hell hole 14th street was back in the late 90s/early 2000s. Even the 9:30 club was sketchy. All of those areas are burgeoning now. Same could totally happen in downtown.

9:30 was on 9th and F

Pretty sure they're referring to the new location.

[Anonymous]

It's so funny how DC voters consistently vote 90% for the party that destroys the place. Reap what you sow and the people in the suburbs laugh at how much of a dump you people live in.