DCentric

Good morning, DCentric readers! Enjoy some links before you start your busy day:

Why Does IHOP Qualify as a Small Business in D.C.? “Even with all that assistance, Jackson says he couldn’t have afforded market rate rents in DCUSA. Which raises the question: When a sure-fire franchise can qualify for a mandated “small business” set-aside, why would a developer ever go for an actual independent entrepreneur? Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham says he’s been trying to lure IHOP since 2002, when he proposed a location at 10th and U streets NW. He doesn’t see a substantive difference between a franchise like the Jacksons’ and something homegrown, and has been entirely sanguine about other chains opening on his turf.” (Washington City Paper)

Row houses in Georgetown.

The Story of How Georgetown Found it Grid “While the physical structures hadn’t filled in the street grid by the 1790s, Pierre L’Enfant nonetheless concluded that Georgetown was too developed with its own town plan to be incorporated into his Baroque plan for the city of Washington. This design independence has survived to the present day as Georgetown lacks the circles and radials of the rest of downtown Washington. What didn’t survive was the separate street naming scheme. With the exception of a few streets, Georgetown’s streets were renamed to be consistent with the Washington street naming scheme when it was merged with Washington city in 1872.” (georgetownmetropolitan.com)

Who’s the turkey here? “Ward 8 D.C. Councilman says his annual turkey giveaway will happen Wednesday, a day later than originally scheduled after the former mayor couldn’t come up with the cash for the birds. Barry promised residents in the Southeast ward that he would give away 2,000 turkeys. But on Monday, he was still $9,000 short of the $26,000 he needed to pay for the Thanksgiving centerpieces. In a news release, Barry said he wasn’t to blame. Instead, he claimed it was Giant’s fault for not spotting him the nine grand.” (Washington Examiner )

Man, 19, charged in second killing this month “A 19-year-old man who already had been charged in one fatal shooting in the District this month was arrested Tuesday and charged in a second – the killing of a 17-year-old high school student who was on his way to buy candy bars. Kwan Kearney of the District was charged Tuesday in the death of Joseph Alonzo Sharps Jr. on Nov. 8, police said. The killing, D.C. police homicide Lt. Michael Farish said, was “completely unprovoked.” (The Washington Post)

Food Bank Delivery Van Stolen During Busy Season “It’s been extremely busy for the past couple of days at the Manna Food Center on Gaither Road in Montgomery County, Md. “Today, we have over 350 people picking up food here,” said Executive Director Kim Damion. So it was particularly hard to take what awaited staff and volunteers when they showed up for work this morning. One of their vans was gone. “This is our busiest time of year,” Damion said. “We really require all of our fleet to get out there and pick all of the donations that we have.” (NBC Washington)