Anonymous
07/29/2024 14:52
Subject: Re:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Anonymous wrote:A main street needs to be more than commerce and dining. Where are the bandstands, the flowerboxes, the park benches, the parades, the community events and wholesome/festive (not dangerous and nasty) street parties? That is what DC's main streets lack. I've traveled around America and seen Main Streets (shopping districts) that 'get it', and main streets that don't. DC is filthy, rat ridden, unsafe and transactional. It doesn't feel like community. Police and representatives are no where to be seen. And there are few outdoor events that are fun and easy - they are all huge commitments, like watching the fireworks on the mall or the overwhelming Adams Morgan Day type stuff. Our main streets need, local community friendly feel and local events. Cathedral Commons, with its wide sidewalks and occasional block parties, actually tries. I hope City Ridge does too. That's what we need. And to move along vagrants -- if they refuse treatment or help, they gotta move along.
Agreed. They have to make the addicts, loonies and transactional vagrants move along. And enough with camping on the sidewalks and the parks. D.C. spends huge sums on shelters. It’s just that the addicts want someplace else where no one will hassle them for taking illegal drugs. Upper NW has gone down hill since the mayor decided to encourage vagrants to move there. Thanks Bowser!
Anonymous
07/29/2024 14:25
Subject: Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Friendship heights is a retirement community. Too many old people for it to be a “popping” place. Old people stay inside watching TV. They don’t (or can’t) walk enough. I mean this in the most clinical sense possible
Anonymous
07/29/2024 10:02
Subject: Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Landmark Bethesda movie theater...you never go there? Strange.
Anonymous
01/31/2024 06:30
Subject: Re:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
It needs more urban vibrancy, density and bike lanes, of course!
I mean, yes? Friendship Heights needs more people. And then it needs reasons for those people in Friendship Heights to be out and about doing stuff in Friendship Heights. And I don't mean in cars.
Friendship Heights (Md) is the densest CDP in the nation. I don't think it's hurting for people.
The population of Friendship Heights Village CDP in the 2020 Census was a whopping 5,360 people. The equivalent of two MCPS high schools. And 32% of them are 65+. So yes, Friendship Heights actually does need more people, as well as reasons for those people to be out and about doing stuff in Friendship Heights, not in cars.
What does their age matter? The ghoulish ageism of the GGWash crowd rears its ugly head again.
It's still a densely packed area, which I notice you don't deny.
This. I'm not 65+ but to me 'vibrancy' is all ages, and all ages having something to do. I love an Italian piazza with the nonnas sitting gossiping on the bench, the kiddies playing soccer, the lovers strolling, the teens eating ice cream. We need more of that.
Anonymous
01/31/2024 05:06
Subject: Re:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
It needs more urban vibrancy, density and bike lanes, of course!
I mean, yes? Friendship Heights needs more people. And then it needs reasons for those people in Friendship Heights to be out and about doing stuff in Friendship Heights. And I don't mean in cars.
Friendship Heights (Md) is the densest CDP in the nation. I don't think it's hurting for people.
The population is not vibrant enough.
Anonymous
01/30/2024 22:12
Subject: Re:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
It needs more urban vibrancy, density and bike lanes, of course!
I mean, yes? Friendship Heights needs more people. And then it needs reasons for those people in Friendship Heights to be out and about doing stuff in Friendship Heights. And I don't mean in cars.
Friendship Heights (Md) is the densest CDP in the nation. I don't think it's hurting for people.
The population of Friendship Heights Village CDP in the 2020 Census was a whopping 5,360 people. The equivalent of two MCPS high schools. And 32% of them are 65+. So yes, Friendship Heights actually does need more people, as well as reasons for those people to be out and about doing stuff in Friendship Heights, not in cars.
What does their age matter? The ghoulish ageism of the GGWash crowd rears its ugly head again.
It's still a densely packed area, which I notice you don't deny.
I'm the PP you're responding to. As a middle-aged person myself, heading towards 65+, I go out a lot less than I used to when I was younger, and I don't think I'm unusual in that regard. And my parents, who are in their 90s, go out even less than that.
Is 90,847.5 people per square mile dense? Yes, mathematically that's what happens when you have 5,360 people living in a 0.6-mile area where the only land use is big apartment buildings. For comparison, the population density of my house is about 160,000 people per square mile.
Anonymous
01/30/2024 22:02
Subject: Re:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
It needs more urban vibrancy, density and bike lanes, of course!
I mean, yes? Friendship Heights needs more people. And then it needs reasons for those people in Friendship Heights to be out and about doing stuff in Friendship Heights. And I don't mean in cars.
Friendship Heights (Md) is the densest CDP in the nation. I don't think it's hurting for people.
The population of Friendship Heights Village CDP in the 2020 Census was a whopping 5,360 people. The equivalent of two MCPS high schools. And 32% of them are 65+. So yes, Friendship Heights actually does need more people, as well as reasons for those people to be out and about doing stuff in Friendship Heights, not in cars.
What does their age matter? The ghoulish ageism of the GGWash crowd rears its ugly head again.
It's still a densely packed area, which I notice you don't deny.
Anonymous
01/30/2024 21:58
Subject: Re:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
It needs more urban vibrancy, density and bike lanes, of course!
I mean, yes? Friendship Heights needs more people. And then it needs reasons for those people in Friendship Heights to be out and about doing stuff in Friendship Heights. And I don't mean in cars.
Friendship Heights (Md) is the densest CDP in the nation. I don't think it's hurting for people.
The population of Friendship Heights Village CDP in the 2020 Census was a whopping 5,360 people. The equivalent of two MCPS high schools. And 32% of them are 65+. So yes, Friendship Heights actually does need more people, as well as reasons for those people to be out and about doing stuff in Friendship Heights, not in cars.
Anonymous
01/30/2024 21:23
Subject: Re:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
It needs more urban vibrancy, density and bike lanes, of course!
I mean, yes? Friendship Heights needs more people. And then it needs reasons for those people in Friendship Heights to be out and about doing stuff in Friendship Heights. And I don't mean in cars.
Friendship Heights (Md) is the densest CDP in the nation. I don't think it's hurting for people.
Anonymous
01/30/2024 20:37
Subject: Re:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Anonymous wrote:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
It needs more urban vibrancy, density and bike lanes, of course!
I mean, yes? Friendship Heights needs more people. And then it needs reasons for those people in Friendship Heights to be out and about doing stuff in Friendship Heights. And I don't mean in cars.
Anonymous
01/30/2024 16:14
Subject: Re:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A main street needs to be more than commerce and dining. Where are the bandstands, the flowerboxes, the park benches, the parades, the community events and wholesome/festive (not dangerous and nasty) street parties? That is what DC's main streets lack. I've traveled around America and seen Main Streets (shopping districts) that 'get it', and main streets that don't. DC is filthy, rat ridden, unsafe and transactional. It doesn't feel like community. Police and representatives are no where to be seen. And there are few outdoor events that are fun and easy - they are all huge commitments, like watching the fireworks on the mall or the overwhelming Adams Morgan Day type stuff. Our main streets need, local community friendly feel and local events. Cathedral Commons, with its wide sidewalks and occasional block parties, actually tries. I hope City Ridge does too. That's what we need. And to move along vagrants -- if they refuse treatment or help, they gotta move along.
They do have some of that - I'm on the mailing list for either the Friendship Heights BID or else the development that has the food hall and whole foods in it, can't remember which. They have low key events like sidewalk art shows on Western every couple of months (more in the summer). They should publicize them more - I only know about them from the emails.
+1 we've been to several outdoor movies there and a holiday event which was really nice
Anonymous
01/30/2024 16:10
Subject: Re:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Anonymous wrote:A main street needs to be more than commerce and dining. Where are the bandstands, the flowerboxes, the park benches, the parades, the community events and wholesome/festive (not dangerous and nasty) street parties? That is what DC's main streets lack. I've traveled around America and seen Main Streets (shopping districts) that 'get it', and main streets that don't. DC is filthy, rat ridden, unsafe and transactional. It doesn't feel like community. Police and representatives are no where to be seen. And there are few outdoor events that are fun and easy - they are all huge commitments, like watching the fireworks on the mall or the overwhelming Adams Morgan Day type stuff. Our main streets need, local community friendly feel and local events. Cathedral Commons, with its wide sidewalks and occasional block parties, actually tries. I hope City Ridge does too. That's what we need. And to move along vagrants -- if they refuse treatment or help, they gotta move along.
They do have some of that - I'm on the mailing list for either the Friendship Heights BID or else the development that has the food hall and whole foods in it, can't remember which. They have low key events like sidewalk art shows on Western every couple of months (more in the summer). They should publicize them more - I only know about them from the emails.
Anonymous
01/30/2024 07:10
Subject: Re:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
A main street needs to be more than commerce and dining. Where are the bandstands, the flowerboxes, the park benches, the parades, the community events and wholesome/festive (not dangerous and nasty) street parties? That is what DC's main streets lack. I've traveled around America and seen Main Streets (shopping districts) that 'get it', and main streets that don't. DC is filthy, rat ridden, unsafe and transactional. It doesn't feel like community. Police and representatives are no where to be seen. And there are few outdoor events that are fun and easy - they are all huge commitments, like watching the fireworks on the mall or the overwhelming Adams Morgan Day type stuff. Our main streets need, local community friendly feel and local events. Cathedral Commons, with its wide sidewalks and occasional block parties, actually tries. I hope City Ridge does too. That's what we need. And to move along vagrants -- if they refuse treatment or help, they gotta move along.
Anonymous
01/30/2024 06:29
Subject: Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
I’m increasingly convinced that retail/shopping developments just have really short lifespans.
Chevy Chase Pavillion was full when they built it. The Wharf is full now. There’s just a cycle.
I do think the redo of the giant/clyde’s etc was a big miss. Even if you have people who want to go to Christian Dior or whatever, it doesn’t make a lively scene.
Chevy Chase Pavillion was full when they built it. The Wharf is full now. There’s just a cycle.
I do think the redo of the giant/clyde’s etc was a big miss. Even if you have people who want to go to Christian Dior or whatever, it doesn’t make a lively scene.
Anonymous
01/30/2024 06:07
Subject: Re:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?
It needs more urban vibrancy, density and bike lanes, of course!
Good call. Building more single family housing in greater Friendship Heights will definitely make it a more vibrant and attractive place for young successful professionals. Should also ensure there's lots of free and easily available parking while increasing the speed limits on the surrounding streets to make driving a breeze. That's the ticket!
No. Just put more diverted, do not enter restrictions and other traffic calming in place to ensure that the residential side streets are safe from the commercial traffic and others. That's the ticket.