Poll: What Should Fill the Fill Old Blockbuster Space?

The Adams Morgan Blockbuster location closed late last year. The retail space at 1805 Columbia Rd is in a prime spot: just a block from busy 18th Street, on multiple bus lines and walkable from the Woodley Park Metro station. It is located in the first floor of the photo pictured above.

What would you like to see there?

poll by twiigs.com

Columbia Heights Plaza Just Works

Color me jealous. I love the Columbia Heights plaza. The city has created a space that just works for the neighborhood. It has become a bona fide gathering spot in short order; even in the face of consistent construction around it.

It's really simple actually: a water feature, some grass, landscaping, places to sit and some retail. Doesn't hurt that there are eateries nearby that serve hand held, cheap food (Sticky Fingers Bakery, Julia's Empanadas, FrozenYo).

Remember when it was just a field of gravel and some trees? Not very attractive. The solar lamplights act as a sort of public art and the semi-grassy artificial hills are always filled during late afternoons and evenings.

What if Lamont Park could be that place for Mount Pleasant? We really don't have a central place like Columbia Heights plaza here in Mount Pleasant. Occasionally Lamont Park can be; during music festivals or the farmers market. But, by in large, it takes a special event for the place to fill up on any given day. That's too bad. What would it take for Lamont Park to be attractive to you on a daily basis? You can choose more than one.

poll by twiigs.com

West Elm Out. What's Next?

Furniture retailer West Elm is closing it's downtown location at Metro Center, vacating a prime location for more retail or entertainment. West Elm is a purveyor of high-end furnishings.

I really liked their style and aesthetic, but most of the pieces were waaaaayyyyyy out of my league. So, I window shopped, went in a few times, but never bought anything. Wondering if they would have done better on "Furniture Row" on and around 14th Street NW near U. There you'll find Muléh, Vastu, soon to be Room and Board, Reincarnations, Urban Essentials, Goodwood, Millennium, Miss Pixie's and a few others.

As for the downtown space vacated by West Elm, I'm betting on a clothing store. It would join other clothing related retail near that corner including, Guess, American Apparel, Jos. A Bank, H&M, Zara, Macy's, Peruvian Connection and a few blocks away, Urban Outfitters and Ann Taylor Loft. I have no idea what's going into the new space, but here are some options:

poll by twiigs.com

Poll: Paying More for Metro

Beginning on March 1, 2010, you, I and everyone else using WMATA will pay more to use it. Last week the Metro Board of Directors voted to implement a 10 cent fare increase for the months of March, April, May and June of this year. The increase, which in theory is temporary, will raise nearly $10 million, helping bridge a budget gap which totals $40 million. And that's just for this fiscal year. I suspect the surcharge will become permanent.

What that means for most of us in the city is: rush hour base subway fare will increase to $1.75 and riding the bus with Smartrip will increase to $1.35. If you still use cash to ride the bus, you'll pay $1.45. See full details on the official press release.

Let's say you take a short subway ride or bus ride to work. Throw in six casual transit rides a week. That's less than $5 more dollars per month to ride Metro bus and rail.

I can live with it. I know Metro has it's fair share of management issues. And equipment equipment issues. And recently, serious operator issues. But one of the things they do need is money. Money to maintain the equipment we already have, money to increase the safety of the system and money to maintain and increase the services offered. I am willing to pay even more. What about you?

poll by twiigs.com

Vote on the Real World DC Poll

???Will you watch the Real World DC? I want to know. Just vote 'yes' or 'no' on last week's post and let me know. I'll use the results for a piece after the show debuts. As of this evening, it's about 75-25 YES.

Friday Fun Post: Real World DC Trailer + Poll

Real World XXIII: Washington DC - MTV Shows

poll by twiigs.com

Friday Fun Post: Renaming Columbia Heights Station

Five days out of the average week, I use Metro rail to get to and from work. The station I use is Columbia Heights. Every morning I make the trip there and every afternoon, I make the trip from Columbia Heights station back to Mount Pleasant. I see dozens of you doing the same daily (some on an identical schedule down to the minute!).

Whether you cross over on Irving, Park, Monroe or Newton, the quick walk over to 14th Street and the Metro are truly a great reason to live in Mount Pleasant. We get the quaint quirkiness of our neighborhood without the coming and going of traffic on busy 16th or 14th Streets. At the same time, we're within walking distance of the second largest rail system in the United States. Not too shabby.

Since it's our Metro of choice, would you support renaming the station "Columbia Heights-Mount Pleasant?" Greater Greater Washington mentioned this as a possible aid to the neighborhood businesses. We'd literally be put on the map for DC area residents and visitors who had never been here. On the other hand, it is not actually in the neighborhood and could possibly cause confusion for some who don't know this part of the city well. What do you think? Vote on the poll and leave a reason for or against in the comments.

poll by twiigs.com

Friday Fun Post: Best Adams Morgan Bar

This is all about you. I have an opinion, but I want to know what YOUR favorite Adams Morgan drinking hole is. Criteria is pretty wide open. Cheap drinks, expensive drinks, decor, ambiance, hot bartenders, good food, sports bar, quiet, loud, good people watching, DJs and dancing; whatever you think makes a bar great. Any reason is a good reason. I only listed a few here, so if I'm missing your favorite, please list the bar in the comments and maybe I'll show some love next time around.

poll by twiigs.com