Gt 08 10 2016

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The Georgetown Current

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Vol. XXVI, No. 2

Serving Burleith, Foxhall, Georgetown, Georgetown Reservoir & Glover Park

Latham project cleared to proceed

dOG DAYS

■ Development: New hotel

to open in 2019 at vacant site By MARK LIEBERMAN Current Staff Writer

The redevelopment of the Latham Hotel site in Georgetown is moving forward after a brief dispute with neighborhood leaders over the scale and use of a proposed rooftop lounge atop the

building. The New York-based development firm Thor Equities closed on the property at 3000 M St. NW for $53.35 million last month with plans to rehabilitate the vacant 10-story building into a luxury hotel with retail on the three lowest floors. The Board of Zoning Adjustment voted last month to approve relief from land-use regulations to construct a partially enclosed

rooftop deck, and the Old Georgetown Board approved the historic preservation aspects of the project design concept in May. With those decisions out of the way, the developer can proceed with construction, scheduled to begin early next year and conclude in time to open both the hotel and retail by early 2019, Thor’s Joshua Greenwald told The Current. Back in May, members of AdviSee Hotel/Page 12

New pedestrian traffic signals win praise By MARK LIEBERMAN Current Staff Writer

Brian Kapur/The Current

For the 17th summer in a row, the MidCity business area celebrated its “Dog Days of August” festivities over the weekend with discounts, treats and special prizes. Over 60 shopkeepers and restaurateurs from the neighborhood surrounding 14th and U streets NW took part in the event.

A recent D.C. Department of Transportation initiative to improve pedestrian safety at some of the city’s most dangerous intersections has been effective and well-received so far, neighborhood leaders say. The latest phase of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Vision Zero campaign to end transportation-related fatalities in the city by 2024 involves adding crosswalk signals and other related enhancements at 21 intersections, including 10 in Northwest. Some crosswalks required a new traffic signal, while others needed a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk signal, also known as a “HAWK,” or a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), according to the Transportation Department. At a HAWK signal, drivers get a red light after a pedestrian pushes a button; unlike at a conventional traffic signal, motorists soon see a flashing red that See Signals/Page 12

Brian Kapur/The Current

The intersection of Georgia Avenue and Sheridan Street NW, one of 21 sites citywide with recent safety upgrades, received new stoplights.

Program helps students expand global horizons

Washington Circle area may be on tap for art installation

By MARK LIEBERMAN

■ Foggy Bottom: Golden

Current Staff Writer

Abigail Koerner has been studying Chinese in school for more than seven years. During middle school, she took a trip to China and fell even more in love with the language. When the opportunity to return to the Asian country came earlier this summer, she couldn’t pass it up. The first time Koerner went, she spent money she’d earned from babysitting on a trip that took her to most of the “tourist-y” areas. This time, she wanted to go deeper. “Instead of just being 13 and put on a plane to China, I was 17 and really ready to see things in a more mature way, having a deeper understanding of the world we live in and taking a more global perspective,” said Koerner, a Woodley Park resident and

Triangle BID to pursue effort

By CUNEYT DIL Photo courtesy of Melvin Saravia

School Without Walls student Melvin Saravia, seen here in France, took part in D.C. Public Schools’ study abroad program this summer.

rising senior at Wilson High School. “It’s a privilege to go on this trip.” Nearly 400 other students from across the city got to experience a similar privilege this summer through the D.C. Public Schools Global Education program, which let all students in eighth and 11th grades apply See Abroad/Page 5

Current Correspondent

The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District is looking at public art to mark a prominent gateway into downtown, a space known currently for the K Street underpass. The corner of 21st and K streets — the BID’s western boundary — “right now is fairly gray and concrete and steel,” said David Suls, director of planning and eco-

nomic development at the BID. Golden Triangle, bounded by Dupont Circle to the north and Pennsylvania Avenue to the south, has used public sculptures and light installations in recent years to add color through the neighborhood. The latest project, expected to be some combination of lighting and sculpture, could “soften the feel of the block, and add some visual interest,” Suls said. The group has $500,000 to spend on the project, half of which comes from a city grant. The idea of a gateway piece on See Artwork/Page 13

NEWS

SPORTS

SHERWOOD

INDEX

Walter Reed project

Steel Frog

Ugly exit

Calendar/16 Classifieds/22 District Digest/4 Exhibits/17 Getting Around/15 In Your Neighborhood/14

Preservation board offers mixed feedback on sprawling redevelopment concept / Page 2

Former Maret football star Sean Davis is now standing out at Pittsburgh’s camp / Page 9

Orange’s resignation capped off a troubled period for the veteran D.C. Council member/ Page 6

Opinion/6 Police Report/8 Real Estate/11 Service Directory/20 Sports/9 Week Ahead/3

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