DC POPULATION GROWING GIVE OR TAKE 30K

The bueraucrats at the Census bureau out in Suitland finally figures out D.C. is growing, reports the WaPo. All those new condos in gentrified H St. NE and Petworth really do have brought new inhabitants to the city.

What does this say about the condo glut? Perhaps the builders have caught on early and it will only be a matter of time before they are filled and prices start going up again. Perhaps in 2008. Perhaps in 2010.

THE OLD RENTAL TO CONDO BACK TO RENTAL TRICK

In D.C. (presumably the whoe area), an estimated 25% to 40% of condos under development or apartments that were converted into condos for sale will be put back on the market as rentals, says Marcus & Millichap, an investment brokerage firm. The trend could put a damper on rising rents, reports USA Today.

If the trent applies to the whole area, the condos in D.C. surely will rent faster than those outside the Beltway.

SENATORS PUT UP SOME CASH FOR NEW DC LIBRARY

In approving the DC Appropriations bill, the Senate Approriations Committee $15M of the requested $30M for a new library downtown. "The Committee believes that a better library system will help the District lower its adult illiteracy rate of 37 percent and help improve lives and opportunities of DC residents," the panel said.

Whether you are for or against replacing the library, you have to hand it to Mayor Tony for his ability to move his pet projects forward.

WHAT'S UP IS DOWN AND WHAT'S DOWN IS UP

The rules for feeling safe in D.C. are changing. No longer can you say don't cross 16th St. or if I'm in Georgetown I don't need to worry about getting mugged or worse.

"This is a big difference from what we've seen in years past," Police Chief Charles Ramsey said in the WaPo, noting that criminals tended to stick within a mile of their homes when setting out for a night of robbery or burglary. "And it's a pattern that we've been tracking."

If this trend holds greater regional cooperation will be needed to fight crime in D.C. Good luck on that one.

Furthermore if you are not safe in Georgetown because its rich and attracts criminals what about Bethesda or Alexandria? Probably not safe either.

SCORE

DC Bubble still can't beleive the Lerners fought the partial below ground parking at the new stadium, which was endorsed yesterday according to the WaPo. We hope this does not get DC's relationship with the Lerners off on the bad foot. Perhaps the below grade parking will hinder construction creating short-term problems, but over the long-term its a win for D.C., for the stadium, for the Nats and the Lerners.

Herb Miller has proposed building 925 parking spots in two parking structures that go one level underground and four stories aboveground. The garages would be surrounded by retail shops on the first floor and condominiums that would make the total height of the structure 13 stories. A hotel, possibly in the Aloft chain, franchised by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., would be added near N and First streets.

Miller should be praised, not cursed.

WHEN BALDUCCI'S SAYS "NO" THEY MEAN...

maybe.

WashBiz is reporting that Balducci's is looking hard again at a store in Gallery Place/Downtown. The company will make more decisions in the next 60 days. Three-months ago, Balducci's backed out a deal, but now they may back-out of the back-out.

Or sublease the space to Magruder's or A&P Fresh Market."We've been promised a grocery store for a long time," says Jo-Ann Neuhaus, executive director of the Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association, who mobilized people to send e-mails.

C'mon Balducci's we need those two-buck tomatoes in Downtown. We really do.