James Downing - REALTOR®,GRI, ABR - DC Real Estate

Like so many government projects; we hear things long before we see the results - or even the project started. But now it seems a project - will be happening which has been long talked about and even longer awaited.

DC waterfront projects will be seeing some redevelopment over the next 5 years. The SW waterfront will be transformed from the small fish markets and restaurants into a huge neighborhood with residential, office space a new hotel more boat slips and lots of parking.

Read the story here

El Sol Restaurant at 9th Street NW near Florida Ave; is a small Mexican restaurant in the Shaw neighborhood near the "U Street Corridor" of Washington DC. THE LINK ON YELP!

Below is my less than glowing review of the place this week. Sorry; but there are too many other good places in DC to eat than to settle for this.

My Review:

Well this was my 2nd time there. The first time; I thought the food was quite good and the margaritas yummy. The service and atmosphere was just "ok"; but hey - I'll put up a lot for good food.

However this week when we went (on a Wednesday night); the music was so loud (a dance track) - I could barely hear. For a minute I thought I could deal and then when the person I was with could barley hear me speak; I asked the woman to turn it down.

Well she did; but not much. Another loud dance mix song came on just as another table walked in and said "gee it's loud in here". You would have thought that would have been a clue to the server - but she didn't get it and did nothing.

While I love dance music - IN A BAR -not really when I am having a relaxing dinner in a restaurant.

We ended up just getting up leaving and I told her "it's too loud in here" - instead of apologizing she just gave me a blank stare.

The only reason they get 1 star is that I had good food here once before.. but this week was sure a ZERO Star"

There is a block which I know well. It is unlike many blocks in Washington DC; where motorists speed down; ignoring the speed limit; or pedestrians, children walking (or Realtors getting out of their cars).

The block I am currently concerned about is the 1300 block of Taylor St NW, in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington DC.

Often I have seen motorists FLY down this street at 35+ miles an hour (the speed limit is 25); which is often used as a short cut into Rock Creek Park.

Today I had the (displeasure) of almost being run over by a colleagues husbands' landscape company truck. Now HOW EMBARRASSING IS THAT?

I have sent my colleague a message telling her what happened and am awaiting an "OMG" or an "I AM SO SORRY". I am sure I will get that as she is a complete class-act.

However; honestly - do you think I would ever tell a a client to use this (or ANY) company who I see driving dangerously in residential streets? No. When I see this - I would NEVER, EVER use this company. Which is sad; because the owner I am sure is great person, his wife wonderful, and his company probably does a great job - but the act of 1 employee kills a lot of the organizations reputation.

Let's take this 1 step further.

What if (god forbid) - some company's truck hit a pedestrian - child - or Real Estate blogger ? How do you think THAT would impact their business and bottom line?

SLOW DOWN PEOPLE !!!!

**Update** I must give kudos to the owner of this company who personally called me to apologize and promised swift action. The caution is this.. Small Business Owners... it only takes 1 employee to hurt your reputation !

A new measure has been approved by the DC city council.

Now weather this will work, delay the inevitable or just screw things up; time will tell. I think more often than not; the government "helping" doesn't usually work as well in the real world as it does on paper. But we will see.

This new measure allows the homeowner to seek mediation to help negotiate with the lender. Of course if they can't pay - they can'y pay; but it may buy the owner enough time to catch up.

READ THE STORY HERE from the Washington Post

The Federal Government is looking to cut/reduce anywhere they can; and while there are many proposals that will not make it anyplace - one proposal is to reduce the money the Fed gives to operate the Smithsonian Museums and start charging (about $7 or $8).

One recent on-line poll; says 67% of "Locals" are Furious about the charge. The museums have been seen as part of out National Heritage and government and that there should not be a charge; since we "own" a piece of them.

Well that is a nice thought and I agree to a point that DC has always been a great place for families to come on vacation. The museums have long been a place where a family can go for free. There are not too many of those places out there.

However; as someone whom has traveled to many a foreign country; I have yet to find anyone else who does "FREE" admission to any museums. Moreover; why do we let -everyone- in for free? Maybe a fee structure does need to be in place.

Like Disney World; where Florida residents get in for a discounted price; maybe the Smithsonian can offer DC residents a discount (or free).