(1) The Real World DC: You’ve Seen the House, Now See the Cast?

(2) The Fall of Hammer Communications: How a Georgetown Ad Agency Built on McMansions Ended up in a Pile of Debt

(3) The D.C. Real World House: Bedrooms, Game Room, and Confessional on First Floor

(4) Ten Questions for the Dude Behind “Arlington: The Rap�

Read More “Top Blog Posts of the Past Week” »

Some bad news, but glimmers of a turnaround…

Delta Associates latest condo report was released today, showing that the DC-area pipeline is drying up and that condo prices have dipped a tiny amount in the city.  There are fewer and fewer area projects converting from condos to apartments.This year, 15 condo projects—totaling 2,432 units—were canceled.

At least one blogger is proffering that there will be some project reversions—buildings that started out condo, then became apartments and then went back to condo. “The takeaway for anyone contemplating buying a new condo is that, if Delta is right, prices won’t go much lower than they are right now,” writes Will Smith with UrbanTurf.

Read More “State of the D.C. Condo Market Today” »

Blog post by Jason Cherkis.

DCist is reporting that the Real World DC cast may be arriving right friggin now. Has anybody been this excited by the arrival of more d-bags into D.C.? DCist writes:

“A tipster just texted that the D.C. Real World cast appears to be arriving as we speak — she reports seeing a blonde girl with a suitcase walking through Dupont Circle, looking clueless and being trailed by a camera crew.�

The Anti-Real World DC blog has pictures (see above) capturing the apparent awkward move in.

“Hi. I’m Ethan. I will be playing the drunken frat boy in cargo shorts.�

“Hi. I’m Zoe. I will be playing the drunken ditz who hooks up with you in the second episode.�

There’s more after the jump!

Read More “Real World D.C. Cast Arriving Now! Really?” »

Two D.C. energy auditors out on the job

The Downtown Business Improvement District is reporting that Washington DC will receive $30 million in energy efficiency and conservation funding through the US Department of Energy.

The DC government plans to use 75% of the funds for agencies in need of energy efficiency improvements, with the remaining 25% going to District Department of the Environment (DDOE) programs that provide direct services to businesses and residents. The anticipated end result: reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

For a breakdown of which agencies will be receiving the most cash, check below the jump:

Read More “DC Distributing $30 Million in Energy Efficiency Stimulus Funds” »

Yesterday, the DC Council passed, on first review, a bill allowing the city to contribute an additional $72 million in public funding to the construction of the convention center hotel.

Image by Cooper Cary

First, we learned that Ben Bernanke’s childhood home went into foreclosure (no Mom and Pop Bernanke were not the current owners). Then, the AP wrote about Tim Geithner’s New York home, which is currently being rented at a rate likely too low to cover mortgage payments.

And now the Wall Street Journal is reporting Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chair Sheila Bair is suffering through this housing market as well. Her home in Amherst Massachusetts—where she was once a professor—was listed and then pulled off the market.

Read More “Sheila Bair Is Latest Obama Official Suffering in Housing Downturn” »

Last night, Capitol Hillers testified before ANC 6B about the various development proposals—promoting hotels, retail, housing, and subsidized non-profit office space—for the Hine Junior High School site, an important parcel between Pennsylvania Avenue and Eastern Market on Capitol Hill.

The ANC had planned to pick out a favorite and pass their choice onto the city. That didn’t happen though.

Read More “ANC Refuses to Pick Favorite Hine School Development Proposal” »

The DC Real World house last night: Looks wild, huh?

Yesterday, Twitter flooded with reports on Real World DC spottings, and some pictures of the suspected housemates even surfaced.

But what does that all mean REALLY?

Read More “The Real World DC: All Quiet on the S Street Front” »

Update: The Real World DC: All Quiet on the S Street Front. The only lights on at the Real World house last night were on the upper levels—where staff offices and production spaces are located.

Rampant reports! People are tweeting about the Real World cast members, who’ve supposedly arrived today. They’ve been spotted with crew members around the Logan Circle area.

Also, there are locals outside the house waiting for everyone’s arrival, and they’re eating ice cream sandwiches! And, no way are they going to share those ice cream sandwiches!

Here’s what we got so far via Twitter:

brightestyoung How long does it take a real world crew member to put together a chair? 3 ice cream sandwiches

gtownjason Just walked by some real world taping on 16th & P. LAME

Katelicte uh oh, the Real World DC cast moves in(to my ‘hood) today….Linking to Brightest Young Things: “16th and mt pleasant 2 girls- blond, strawberry blond, regularly dressed- jeans and casual. looked youngâ€� Taking a left on Mount PLeasant street, towards The Raven, La Casa and Tonic. Maybe coming back from the ZOO? 5 person crew in tow.

Read More “The Real World DC: You’ve Seen the House, Now See the Cast?” »

Eastern Market’s new “hotspot” will be the first free outdoor wireless offered by the city government, according to an announcement today. Over the next 12 months, the District “will launch an additional 200 hotspots in other locations around the city, including public schools and additional outdoor locations.”

Plus, there’s now a map identifying every free, city-operated wifi spot.