Warning Period Coming to an End; MPDC To Issue Tickets
from New Photo Enforcement Cameras A warning to
speeders and red-light runners. Following a month of
warning notices only, the Metropolitan Police Department
on Friday, August 5, begins issuing tickets to motorists
caught driving aggressively by 12 new photo enforcement
cameras located throughout DC.
Click here to find out exactly where the cameras are
located.
Out of Gate, Fenty Leads Fundraising Race By
Lori Montgomery and Yolanda Woodlee DC council member Adrian
M. Fenty collected more than $213,000 in the first two
months of his campaign for mayor, leaping ahead of his
declared rivals in fundraising for the 2006 campaign,
according to reports filed yesterday with the DC
Office of Campaign Finance. Council member Vincent B.
Orange Sr. (D-Ward 5), who became a mayoral candidate
June 19, reported raising just over $126,000. The only
other declared candidate, former telecommunications
executive Marie C. Johns, who announced her candidacy
just more than a week ago, said she has yet to start
raising money and will not file a report until January. The reports, which measure
contributions through Sunday, offer a first glimpse into
the intense competition for cash expected to mark the
campaign. Political observers believe that Mayor Anthony
A. Williams (D) is leaning toward retirement, leaving
the city's top political job up for grabs for the first
time since 1998.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/01/AR2005080101468.html
Low-Cost Housing May Ride Market's Coattails
The DC government wants
to require residential developers to include low-priced
housing in most market-rate projects, an effort to use
the seemingly insatiable demand for upscale housing in
the city as a springboard for creating affordable places
to live. The Zoning Commission is
weighing two proposals for the approach known as "inclusionary
zoning," one crafted by a broad coalition of affordable
housing advocates, the other proffered by Democratic
Mayor Anthony A. Williams's Office of Planning. Each plan would require
developers to price some units -- generally between 10
and 20 percent of the project -- below market rate, and
they would be compensated by being able to build
projects as much as 20 percent larger than what zoning
allows. The plans differ on the exact number of units of
affordable housing that would be required.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/30/AR2005073001170.html
Cropp 'Leaning Strongly' Toward Mayoral Run By
Lori Montgomery and Yolanda Woodlee DC Council Chairman Linda
W. Cropp said yesterday that she does not expect Mayor
Anthony A. Williams to seek a third term and that she is
"leaning strongly" toward running to replace him in
2006. "It looks as if it's a
strong possibility," Cropp (D) told reporters and
editors over lunch at The Washington Post. "Right now, I
am talking to the citizens, and my announcement is
geared for September. And at this point, it looks fairly
strong that I would run." Cropp, a 25-year veteran of DC
politics who has also served on the school board, would
be a formidable candidate, political analysts said.
Polls conducted for other campaigns show she is popular
among DC residents and respected by local business
leaders. She also is the only candidate in a field of
five expected challengers who has previously won a
citywide election.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/28/AR2005072802087.html
Williams Proposes Moving Metro Offices to Anacostia By
Debbi Wilgoren Development east of the
Williams (D) said he also
wants the city to build a mid-size municipal building at
the Anacostia Metro station. Together, the projects
would bring more than 1,300 daily workers to an area
that is a 10-minute drive or train ride from downtown
but is desolate, save for the morning and evening rush
of commuters through the station. The proposal comes at a time of
unprecedented focus on the economic development
potential of the
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/03/AR2005080301566.html
Cropp Likes What She's Hearing By
Lori Montgomery Linda W. Cropp says she's
going to wait until September to declare her intentions
for 2006. But the two-term council chairman who not so
long ago was daydreaming about retirement is sounding
more and more like a candidate for mayor. Cropp (D) denied rumors
that she's planning a formal announcement for Labor Day.
But in an interview in her office in the
"I really have been talking
to people all over the city, letting them know I'm
thinking about running for mayor, and asking them, if I
did, would they support me. And I have been very
encouraged," she said. "Just today I went to an event in
Ward 8, and they were saying, 'You gotta get out there.
You know the city. You've paid your dues. You've done an
excellent job as chairman. And you could continue to
move this city forward.' "
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/27/AR2005072700930.html
Celebrating an Architect's Distinctly Utilitarian Vision By
Robert E. Pierre Thousands of patrons visit
Eastern Market on Capitol Hill every week to shop for
flowers, buy fresh meat and cheese or browse among
dozens of vendors selling furniture, paintings, music
and all sorts of crafts -- often oblivious to the
building itself. "They go about their
shopping without noticing the market," said Mike Berman,
an artist and vendor, during a Saturday program meant to
change that. Berman's comment came as part of a
kickoff ceremony for a series of upcoming events
dedicated to the market's architect, Adolf Cluss, who
designed more than 70 buildings after the Civil War.
Most of them have since been torn down, but the
survivors in the District include the Smithsonian's Arts
and
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/27/AR2005072700911.html
Congress Questions Height of Proposed Office Near
Capitol (To
read more on property protection,
click here.)
WASHINGTON, DC-Development plans for a 12-story office
that could be as much as 200,000 sf have run into a bit
of interference, as the US Congress weighs in on the
structure's proposed height of 130 ft. That height that
is 20 feet over
Calling on
the District of Columbia Office of Zoning for a height
variance, project developer the JBG Cos. submitted its
plan to erect the facility--which will occupy a site
that is currently home to a parking facility adjoining
the company's 205,000-sf office building at
In the
amendment the Senate leaders call for the zoning
approval to be voided unless the US Capitol Police Board
concludes that the variance will not compromise
congressional security, nor result in increased
government spending for increased security; Frist, Reid,
the Speaker and Minority Leader of the US House of
Representatives, sign off on the Police Board's
assessment; and the Police Board submits its approval in
writing to the Board of Zoning Adjustments and the
Zoning Commission.
http://www.globest.com/news/337_337/washington/136756-1.html
$87M Mixed-Use Condo Gets Under Way (To read more on the
multifamily market,
click here.)
Situated
atop the Columbia Heights Metro Station,
The
residential element, however, is just part of the
package.
http://www.globest.com/news/339_339/washington/136839-1.html
NASA Signs 49,800-SF Deal
The terms
of government's lease of the third and fourth floors
with property developer and owner Trammell Crow have not
been disclosed. The real estate company is currently
marketing space in the 12-story, class A tower for $50
per sf. One
http://www.globest.com/news/339_339/washington/136868-1.html
Kennedy Center Cancels $650M Expansion Plan (To read more on the
debt and equity markets,
click here.)
http://www.globest.com/news/340_340/washington/136895-1.html
Downtown DC Building Sells for $27M
Transwestern Commercial Services' Investment Services
Group and Cambridge Property Group represented the
seller. An 11-story structure, 1726 M St. sits
equidistant from
While the
property is over 40 years old, it has kept up with the
times through major renovations in 1982 and 1998.
"During a five-year holding period, we were able to add
value through physical upgrades to the building and
stabilized leasing from the top floor to the parking
garage," Cambridge vice chair and president T. Michael
Scott.
http://www.globest.com/news/340_340/washington/136927-1.html
Consulting Firm Takes 10,800 SF on I Street
WASHINGTON, DC-A new name will be added to the tenant
roster at the 384,200-sf office property at 1625 I St.
NW now that Ballentine Barbera Group has committed to a
10,800-sf space in the trophy building. The consulting
firm inked an 8.5-year lease agreement and will relocate
from its current home at
Building
owner Brookfield Properties was assisted by Cassidy &
Pinkard's Kerri Mulligan and Zeke Dodson, Ballentine
Barbera was represented by Kevin Howard of Grubb &
Ellis. Cassidy & Pinkard is currently marketing space in
the 12-story tower for $42 to $47 per sf. Law firm
O'Melveny & Myers LLP is the lead tenant in the
building. 1625 I
http://www.globest.com/news/341_341/washington/136977-1.html
$42M Financing Deal Closes for 2000 K St. (To read more on the
debt and equity markets,
click here.)
MetLife
Real Estate Investments--with Sue Busick and Brian Casey
of the firm's
http://www.globest.com/news/341_341/washington/136941-1.html
Insults Fly as Probe of Md. Firings Nears By
Matthew Mosk State lawmakers have yet to
launch their probe into Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich
Jr.'s personnel practices, but an ugly partisan clash is
already developing. First, the Republican
governor's chief counsel questioned whether certain
Democrats had the capacity to conduct an impartial
investigation. A Democratic lawmaker fired back,
accusing the governor of "Karl Rove-style" tactics and
of "trampling on the rights of respected state
employees."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/03/AR2005080302098.html
Chevy Chase Plans Pause in Building To Stave Off March
of the Mansions By
Cameron W. Barr The Town of
The incorporated town's
five-member council unanimously agreed last week that a
freeze on demolitions, new construction and substantial
renovations was necessary. Yesterday, town lawyers
released a draft ordinance that might be voted on as
early as Aug. 10. Opponents are pondering lawsuits and
said the town is infringing on property rights. The town joins other jurisdictions
in the
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/02/AR2005080201730.html
Residents Find Small-Town Vision Blurred
In
Clarksburg, Home Buyers Accuse Developer of Betraying
Original Plan By
Peter Whoriskey The advertising campaign
for
In words and pictures,
promotional literature described the community as if
Norman Rockwell had drawn the plans: It would have a
town square, and the homes, shops and restaurants would
be rendered in "traditional architectural styling." "A new American classic town,"
boasted the sign inside the sales center, itself a
restored historical home with a wraparound porch and
white picket fence.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/30/AR2005073001441.html
Ehrlich lauds transportation earmark for ICC by Douglas Tallman
Congress has showered
The Transportation Equity Act, approved overwhelmingly
on Friday, spends $286 billion over the next four years,
money collected from the 18.4 cents per gallon motorists
pay for the federal gasoline tax.
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) hailed the decision on
ICC funding.
http://www.gazette.net/200531/weekend/a_section/288430-1.html
Knapp: More staff won't solve planning woes by Douglas Tallman A
Inadequate staffing is a "red herring" to mask other
management failures, said Councilman Michael J. Knapp
(D-Dist. 2) of
"The issue isn't enough site plan enforcement folks. We
didn't have a process in place to make sure we were
asking the right questions in the first place," Knapp
said.
http://www.gazette.net/200531/montgomerycty/county/287651-1.html
ISO: A Sale Without an Agent By
Gayle Young Like so many relationships
these days, it started when his ad on the Web site
Craigslist.org caught her eye. She called him to express
her interest, and they agreed to meet on a bright
Saturday afternoon in June. Rita Johnson was a law
school student from
By the next morning, she was ready
to commit.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/29/AR2005072900944.html
Barcroft: A Lake Superior In Fairfax By
Lester J. Davis Elliot and Vicki Haugen
have always enjoyed country living, with its wide-open
spaces and lush greens. But when the couple moved
to the
Then one of Elliot Haugen's
co-workers suggested he visit
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/29/AR2005072901006.html
The Quest for Quiet By Dan
Rafter When Mat Thorp bought his
home in the
That was 40 years ago, when
Thorp worked long hours in the aviation field and
traveled extensively. Living so close to the airport --
with the quick access it gave him to cities across the
country -- outweighed the negatives of noisy days. His viewpoint changed once Thorp
retired and began to spend more time at home. The
turning point, he recalled, was a reception he hosted on
his patio in 2001. When he replayed a video of the
event, Thorp was struck by the number of times an
airplane would roar overhead, cutting short
conversations and drowning out laughter.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/29/AR2005072900962.html
Eminent domain battle reignites by Margie Hyslop
The two hottest words in both Congress and the state
legislatures around the country these days are "eminent
domain," and the Maryland General Assembly is no
exception.
The
The Maryland Attorney General's Office says that state
law on eminent domain mirrors the high court's decision,
and in fact local governments here may have broader
powers to seize private property.
http://www.gazette.net/200531/weekend/a_section/288425-1.html
Walking around town with Guv'ner Bob: Part II
Aug. 5, 2005
Bob
Ehrlich
rolled up his shirtsleeves, loosened his tie, threw on
his shades and took a stroll through sweltering downtown
In
a wide-ranging conversation that touched on topics as
diverse as Martin O'Malley's homeland security
speech in
He
also signed a few autographs for a pair of
http://www.gazette.net/200531/weekend/a_section/288434-1.html
All-but-Declared Candidate Comes Calling By
Ovetta Wiggins Baltimore Mayor Martin
O'Malley (D) has been spending a lot of time lately
in
Last week, O'Malley visited
the place
Actually, O'Malley has been making
more than a few stops in the county in recent weeks.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/03/AR2005080301176.html
Low-Cost Housing Planned in St. Mary's By
Joshua Partlow and Ann E. Marimow The St. Mary's County
commissioners agreed this week to support an affordable
housing development along
The development, called
Hunting Creek, would include 100 units -- 30 in duplexes
and 70 townhouses -- on 20 acres that are part of a
larger tract donated by Facchina Construction of La
Plata. "There's need all over," said
Swynice M. Hawkins , acting president of the
Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee.
Residents "just can't afford the market rate that we
have now."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/03/AR2005080300092.html
Affordable Housing Part of Debate By
Susan DeFord and Mary Otto A move to slow housing
growth in Howard's rural west failed to pass the County
Council last week. The proposal, debated at the
council's last meeting before its August recess, was
part of a housing chart that allocates how many units
can be built each year in parts of the county. The
Department of Planning and Zoning had proposed shifting
100 units out of the rural west and using them for
affordable housing in the east. Christopher J. Merdon
( "We're putting the cart
before the horse by changing the allocation," he said.
"The first step should be amending the general plan."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/03/AR2005080301038.html
Va. Rail Plan Exempted From Stricter Cost Gauge
By Peter Whoriskey
The
project to extend Metrorail through Tysons Corner would
be exempt from new federal cost standards under the
transportation bill Congress passed last week,
effectively removing a key guideline it would have
flunked.
The
exemption, tucked into the 321-page legislation, allows
the controversial project to win federal funding despite
scoring only a "medium low" rating for
cost-effectiveness. A recent change in federal standards
called for projects to receive a cost-effectiveness
rating of "medium" or better.
"It
means we don't have to meet the new criteria," said
Marcia McAllister, a spokeswoman for the Dulles Corridor
Metrorail Project, an arm of the state government. "The
same rules for cost-effectiveness that we were subject
to last year continue to apply."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/01/AR2005080101559.html
Two-Decade-Old Office Building Goes for $197 Per SF
MCLEAN, VA- T&M Venture II has acquired the 68,500-sf
office building at 7601 Lewinsville Rd. for $13.5
million or $197 per sf. The 18-year-old property was
sold by BPG Properties Ltd. affiliate Lewinsville
Investors LP, which had acquired the four-story
structure for $9.6 million five years ago. According to
Fairfax County Records, the property has a current
assessed value of $10.4 million.
Bill Prutting, first vice president of CB Richard Ellis,
acted as the sole broker. "This building is a very
attractive property due to its proximity to Tysons
Corner, low-market vacancy, building features and
visibility from the Capital Beltway," Prutting notes.
The
property had an occupancy level of 70% at the time of
the sale. Luxury homebuilder and mortgage banker NVR
Inc. once called 7601 Lewinsville home, but relocated
its headquarters to neighboring Reston to accommodate
its need for additional space.
http://www.globest.com/news/340_340/washington/136925-1.html
Albemarle Point Trades for $67M
CHANTILLY, VA-Washington Real Estate Investment Trust
has picked up Albemarle Point, a 296,000-sf flex and
office space business park, for $67 million from DuPont
Fabros. The class A portfolio of six structures was
developed between 2001 and 2005 and is currently 97%
occupied by a roster of 16 tenants that includes the US
Department of Defense and the US Federal Aviation
Administration.
Eastdil represented the seller, while WRIT relied on
internal representation. Situated on 29 acres off
Interstate 66 and Route 50 near the Washington Dulles
International Airport, Albemarle Point consists of five
single-story flex structures accounting for 206,600 sf
and one two-story office building featuring 89,400 sf of
space.
"We
like the location of this property, as the area is
experiencing growth with escalating rents," Sara
Grootwassink, CFO of WRIT, tells GlobeSt.com. "In
addition, we will be able to experience some operating
synergy, as we now own more than 1.1 million sf in the
Dulles area."
http://www.globest.com/news/339_339/washington/136858-1.html
$67M Financing Deal Closes for Shopping Center
(For
more retail coverage, click
GlobeSt.com/RETAIL.)
(To
read more on the debt and equity markets,
click here.)
FAIRFAX, VA-Fairfax Corner Retail LC of Virginia has
received a $67.2-million refinancing package for the
Fairfax Corner Retail Center, a 205,000-sf shopping
destination. The company will use the money to replace
construction financing on the property.
The
transaction was orchestrated by Rockville, MD-based
lender Suburban Capital Markets Inc. The funding came in
the form of a fixed-rate non recourse-loan with a
10-year maturity and 35-year amortization.
Located on a 32-acre parcel off I-66, Fairfax Corner
Retail was developed over the last two years as a retail
element of the 1.2-million-sf Fairfax Center mixed-use
development. It features a 130,000-sf office structure,
multifamily residences and a movie theater with tenants
such as Ann Taylor Loft and Elizabeth Arden.
http://www.globest.com/news/337_337/washington/136787-1.html
9 new red-light cameras, three new photo radar cameras
go live
Tuesday,
City Considers Trading Zoning Changes on Upscale
Projects for Economic Diversity
Sunday,
Friday,
Thursday,
Thursday,
Thursday,
By Barbra Murray
By Barbra Murray
By Barbra Murray
By Barbra Murray
By Barbra Murray
By Barbra Murray
By Barbra Murray
Duncan Is Latest To Trade Words With Ehrlich Camp
Thursday,
Wednesday,
Sunday,
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Young Buyers, Sellers Shun Tradition in Favor of Sites
Such as Craigslist
Special to The
Saturday,
Special to The
Saturday,
Homeowners View Shelter From Noise as a Must-Have
Amenity, Surveys Show
Special to The
Saturday,
Ruling sparks national push to change laws
Staff Writer
Thursday,
Thursday,
Thursday,
Language in Federal Bill Benefits Tysons Project
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 2, 2005; Page B01
By
Barbra Murray
August 3, 2005
By
Barbra Murray
August 2, 2005
By
Barbra Murray
July
29, 2005
