Adams Morgan

Adams Morgan’s Line Hotel $46 Million Tax Abatement Appears in Jeopardy after AG Ruling unless “specific D.C. hiring requirements” met

By Prince Of Petworth


1780 Columbia Road, NW

From Councilmember Silverman’s office:

“In response to a request from two D.C. Council members, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine has issued a legal opinion concluding that the Bowser Administration does not have authority to waive specific D.C. hiring requirements put in law in order for the Line Hotel to qualify for a taxpayer subsidy worth up to $46 million. Earlier this month, the Department of Employment Services (DOES) found that the hotel had not met two of seven specific requirements legislated by the Council but said the agency had the ability to create an alternative compliance plan.

“The Adams Morgan Hotel Real Property Tax Abatement Act of 2010 (“Abatement Act”) grants the Line Hotel a tax abatement if the Hotel meets seven statutory conditions. You asked whether the Department of Employment Services (“DOES”) may waive those conditions. We conclude that it may not,” Racine wrote. (more…)

Sad Sign of the Times

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to John Anthony for sending yesterday:

“18th & Columbia at 11am. Doors were very locked. Incidents like this aren’t spasms anymore.”

Council Members “Request Attorney General’s Opinion on $46 Million Tax Abatement for Line Hotel After D.C. Hiring Requirements Not Met”

By Prince Of Petworth


1780 Columbia Road, NW

From a press release:

“D.C. Councilmembers Elissa Silverman (I-At Large) and Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1) sent a letter earlier this week asking D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine to give his legal opinion on whether the executive branch has authority to waive District resident hiring requirements put into law as conditions for the Line Hotel receiving a $46 million tax abatement. The D.C. Council passed special legislation in 2011 requiring the hotel to meet specific hiring targets beyond the District’s First Source hiring law in order to receive the subsidy. The Line Hotel opened last year in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Ward 1 and is still in the process of being deemed eligible for the tax abatement.

The request to Attorney General Racine was made in response to a recently released Department of Employment Services (DOES) determination that, even though the hotel did not meet the hiring targets for D.C. residents clearly outlined in law, the agency had the authority to create a “substitute compliance” that would allow the Line Hotel to qualify for the $46 million in property tax abatements. (more…)

Fundraiser Happy Hour Wed. at the Blaguard for “Nicaraguan grandmothers through their nonprofit, AbueNica, helping asylum seekers – providing food, medical services, lawyers, etc.”

By Prince Of Petworth


2003 18th Street, NW

From an email:

“My family is Nicaraguan and you may have heard about the current humanitarian crisis. My mom and a network of Nicaraguan grandmothers through their nonprofit, AbueNica, have been helping asylum seekers – providing food, medical services, lawyers, etc. It’s crucially needed work as there currently aren’t many supports in place for refugees.

Anyone is welcome! We’ll have happy hour specials all evening, awesome raffle prizes, and members of the diaspora leadership there to answer questions – so even if people want to just learn about what’s going on, it’s a forum for that too.”

From AbueNica:

“Please join us Wednesday, May 8 at 6 pm for a happy hour fundraiser in support of AbueNica, a humanitarian organization working to aid those affected by the violence in Nicaragua.

Our friends at The Blaguard have generously offered to host the event. Your $10 donation gets you access to happy hour specials all evening, plus you’ll be entered into a raffle for some great prizes graciously donated by local D.C. businesses such as Timber Pizza and the Midlands, with additional raffle tickets available for purchase! (more…)

That we even have to contemplate it is telling

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve seen a lot of weird stuff over the years and this might have just skyrocketed to the top. What the hell?

“Dear PoPville,

I saw this magazine tied in front of the Suntrust Bank on Columbia and 18th NW yesterday. The magazine cover talked about 100 top women in business I think, and it’s in a rope knot. It’s not a noose knot, but still a weird knot. And it’s with real rope. Someone had to go through some effort. Those poles aren’t short.

I honestly can’t tell if this is problematic but thought I’d let you guys decide.”

Southern Hospitality aka SOHO space Listed For Lease in Adams Morgan

By Prince Of Petworth


1815 Adams Mill Road, NW

Whoa. Well, when the previous tenant, Adams Mill Bar and Grill closed it was a pretty big deal. Remember when we thought a Panera was coming. We’ll see who’s next.

Any fans of SOHO? They seem to be pretty busy for brunch whenever I walk by on weekends. That is one sweet patio. Stay tuned.

The lease listing for the space: (more…)

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