Comments on: Will Chains Fill 14th Street?

By: Navajo

Navajo — Sat, 12 May 2012 15:17:00 +0000

What a nice photo. What a great building. Is there anyone measuring the effects of such a nice building? Many will look at it and see it as better torn down, with a Target there.

By: That Guy

That Guy — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:06:00 +0000

Naming it “Malcolm X Park” would be a great way to lower property values. Maybe the neighborhood will become more affordable that way and stop evil gentrification?

By: RoyBarDC

RoyBarDC — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:43:00 +0000

Personally I don’t think gritty is a requirement for an interesting place to live. I have been in the Logan Circle community since 1991 and I won’t shed a tear when the last pawn shop and storefront deli leaves (take the Fishmarket, please.) While there will inevitably be some chain retail additions as part of all the new retail space coming on the market, there are still plenty of smaller buildings that will not be suitable to those sorts of businesses that can continue to provide a venue for smaller retails operations. Of course, the increasing rental rates may become more challenging for businesses with smaller margins but we live in a free market economy and unless the district government wants to reduce property taxes for landlords that rent to local, non-liquor related businesses, there is not much to be done other than patronize the businesses you want to survive. And there are other parts of the city
that are currently underserved that would welcome new retail operations. That is all part of constant evolution of the city. I think the most important thing is to maintain a presence of the arts in the neighborhood and given the strength of the Studio Theater, the renovations of the Source and the Howard theaters and the presence of many small music venues, the unique character of the neighborhood will likely persist for some time. I plan to enjoy it.

By: Vze3dnta

Vze3dnta — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:29:00 +0000

I’ve lived off 14th Street for eleven years, and I think the NYT article got it right. Whole Foods started the wave, and the transformation of the neighborhood has been remarkable so far. I have given up on preserving and remnants of funkiness, but it’s the price of progress. I just hope it doesn’t end up looking like the monstrosity that was created in Columbia Heights, which looks like a suburban mall.

By: Sean Gallagher

Sean Gallagher — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:22:00 +0000

was driving down florida a few weeks back and as i went through the 12th-16th street area of FL and saw how crowded it was and how commercial it’s getting i felt thankful that i live over on 3rd.’ reading this i am even more thankful.

By: Sean Gallagher

Sean Gallagher — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:22:00 +0000

i should say it was U st. same thing.

By: monkeyrotica

monkeyrotica — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:59:00 +0000

Chains will come and new residents will come attracted by those chains. Then the small indie stores will move further out where the rent is cheaper and the neighborhood a little less upscale, and the process starts all over again. It’s what makes living in a city interesting: constant change. Georgetown was once a bluecollar African American community. Now it’s a dull, expensive little tourist trap. Worse things can happen to 14th Street.