With the opening of the District's first Target, DC USA's doors were officially open to the public today.  This truly is a momentous occasion for Columbia Heights.  Considering that this was merely a "soft opening" for Target (the official grand opening is scheduled for this Sunday), DC USA was abuzz with many excited people this evening.  We couldn't help but notice the wonderment in people's eyes as they stepped inside DC USA for the first time -- that is, after we got past our own amazement.

Target is set to open to the public on Wednesday at 8 AM at the DC USA retail complex, several  days ahead of schedule.  Apparently this will be a "soft" opening.  The grand opening is scheduled for this Sunday.  There has been a lot of buzz in the media surrounding this historic day for Columbia Heights and the District.  The following are some interesting articles from major media sources that cover the opening of the District's first Target and the impact it has made on Columbia Heights:

As mentioned in the previous article, Michael Wilkinson of Windsor Consulting was given the opportunity to tour the DC USA retail complex this past Friday.  During the tour, he had a chance to talk in depth with Drew Greenwald, president of Grid Properties (the lead developer for DC USA), about the latest retail developments at DC USA.  Wilkinson was kind enough to share the information he gathered with us.

DC USA Retail Updates 

Written by Michael Wilkinson

DC-USA, as most people in the neighborhood are aware, is nearing completion, with a number of the retailers even beginning to stock their shelves.  Thirty interior photos here.

Target is holding a VIP reception on Tuesday, March 4th, and the city is hosting a ribbon cutting the following Saturday (the 8th), which is the retailer's "soft opening." That store officially opens to the public on Sunday the 9th.  Other retailers will stagger their openings over the subsequent 6-8 weeks.  Almost ready: Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Marshall's, Lane Bryant and Best Buy.

Michael Wilkinson of Windsor Consulting, had the privilege of touring the DC USA retail complex with developers on Friday.  He snapped some photos and uploaded them here.  The following is a detailed account of Wilkinson's walkthrough of DC USA.

DC USA Walkthrough

Written by Michael Wilkinson

Sidewalk along 14th Street has a lot of the small retailers.  Very pedestrian-friendly and likely to add an urban bustle to the whole streetscape.  Enter the building through the main entrance on 14th Street.  Doors to fairly large retailers on right and left.   Escalator directly in front of you.  View to the third floor.  Wide open in front here.  Move toward the rear of the main hallway/entry, on the right is a bank of four elevators.  At the rear is the Marshall's.  Two smaller retailers in between the main 3-story entry and the Marshall's -- these were to be Maggy Moo's and Quizno's.   They are probably going to divide the former Quizno's space into two smaller spots.

The street-level retail portion of the Allegro residential development is being brokered by JBG Rosenfeld.  Two fairly large spaces are being advertised:  2,704 and 3,400 square feet.

We just got word from a number of readers that the Allegro condominium development will become rental apartments.  Allegro condo purchasers were recently sent letters from the developer informing them of the news and providing assurance that their deposits will be returned as a result of the conversion to rentals.

Press release from Donatelli Development

Highland Park Announces Retail Tenants, Conversion To Rental

Donatelli Development and Gragg and Associates announced today they will convert their Highland Park building, nearing completion at the southwest corner of 14th and Irving streets in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Northwest Washington, from condominium to rental.  

In addition, the company announced it has reached agreements with six retailers, including five restaurants, to take space in the retail portion of the development.

There was a fight and stabbing incident over night near the El Salvadoreno restaurant at 3548 14th Street NW.  The following is a message from our Councilmember Jim Graham:

Fight/Stabbing Salvadoreno 14th & Parkwood

Dear Friends:
 
This morning at 3:10 AM, a patron of El Salvadoreno was stabbed five times (once in the head) as  a result of fight that began in this restaurant (CR alcohol license) at 3548 14th Street NW.  The stabbing involving two assailants occurred outside the restaurant.

A letter was sent earlier this month to the residents and businesses within 500 feet of the View 14 project detailing the project and announcing the start of construction.

Letter from Level 2 Development Project Manager, Jonathan E. Kardon

Dear Neighbor:

On behalf of Level 2 Development, I am writing to introduce to you the View 14 Apartments development at 2303 14th Street, between Florida Avenue and Belmont Street (on the east side of 14th Street), and to inform you that construction is beginning this month.

We received some updates on the two Level 2 Development projects planned along 14th Street near the southern boundary of Columbia Heights:  View 14 and 2400 14th Street.  View 14 is located at 14th Street and Florida Avenue NW and will offer 185 apartment units and 36,000 square feet of retail space.  The other project is located at the Nehemiah Center site (2400 14th Street NW) and will consist of 250 apartment units and 18,000 square feet of retail space. 

Project Manager Jon Kardon of Level 2 Development provided a brief progress report for these two projects.

Columbia Heights has had its share of the wave of violent crimes that have been hitting the District in the past few weeks including the fatal shooting of Tayon Glover in the 1400 block of Girard Street NW on August 23.