Comments on: Ellwood Thompson’s Update – Mayor Fenty at NCHCA Meeting Tonight

By: Sam E J

Sam E J — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:57:56 +0000

I personally would like to see a Trader Joe’s in that location. I have been emailing them pretty consistently asking them to explore the possibility of moving into that space. I would encourage others to as well.

By: James in Washington

James in Washington — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:07:21 +0000

So is the fact that ET is playing Hamlet here, trying to figure out what it is going to do, actually preventing something else, anything else, from going in there? If so, then I say someone needs to tell ET to shit or get off the can – as my father would say.

By: dcmom

dcmom — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:13:25 +0000

Why should the city help another grocer open in this area? Giant, Target, Yes Organic are all within reasonable proximity. We need diversity of services, not another place to buy food.

By: Dead Presidents

Dead Presidents — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:18:12 +0000

@ Bonnie

A good portion of people who can’t shop at ET, which is actually a lot more moderately priced than Whole Foods and close to Giant prices, don’t pay any income tax anyway.

By: CH Dude

CH Dude — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:06:30 +0000

VOC: the current accounting on DCUSA have filed to take into account the additional development has spurred in the immediate area and the payroll side of the equation.

“It’s jobs, stupid…”

By: voiceofreason

voiceofreason — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:55:37 +0000

“The DCUSA project will be a net gain for the city within the 5-10 mark when you included all the related economic activity it fostered in CH.”

Highly suspect argument. DC is STILL paying for the damn parking garage, out of affordable housing funds, and the actual tax revenue coming out of DCUSA is 50% less than was projected when it was developed. Meanwhile, some of the spaces there remain vacant. The last figures I saw from a few years back indicated that it would take 20 years to pay off the TIF, and I’d wager that due to the economy slumping, it’s even longer now.

By: New2CH

New2CH — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:50:30 +0000

I am not wading into the debate about whether or what DC can or should do to help ET, but my understanding Bonnie is that Ellwood’s is not priced at Whole Foods levels of unaffordability, and would instead provide real competition for the Giant (maybe priced marginally higher, but also have better quality produce, meats, fish, etc.).

There was no specific discussion at the meeting about potential city subsidies for ET. My understanding is that financing is still an issue due to the tight credit markets (which are hindering lots of potentially profitable businesses, not just ET). David Stein, director of building operations at DCUSA, is working with ET and DCCH to figure out alternative financing arrangements. You can reach David at dstein@shopdcusa.com. He is VERY excited about ET being in DCUSA. David also suggested that we continue to contact Rick Hood at rhood@hoodproperties.com to express community support and enthusiasm for ET, as evidence for Rick and anyone else he contacts of the level of excitement / support for this particular store.

Full meeting minutes from last night will be posted on the NCHCA website later this week. Thanks.

By: CH Dude

CH Dude — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:46:26 +0000

In times of slow economic growth and high unemployment, government must act as a catalyst to get the people working again. This would do exactly that. You’d start with constructions activity/jobs, then you’d have store stocking and prep, them you’d have the actual store operating. A small quick infusion of funds would help create a steady and log term stream of economic activity. I’m not advocating that DC gov fund the entire place, just the small bridge funding that ET needs to move with it’s already secured funds.

VOC: The DCUSA project will be a net gain for the city within the 5-10 mark when you included all the related economic activity it fostered in CH.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:24:35 +0000

Why should city tax dollars be spent to develop a private business? Isn’t it the responsibility of the business to secure its own financing in order to open? The government, especially the DC gubment, shouldn’t act as a bank to finance private business.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:18:14 +0000

DC shouldn’t use taxpayer funds for an organic grocery story that is probably out of the price range of most of its taxpayers.