Citypaper Sexist column highlights K Street sex trader

Jason Cherkis from the City Paper describes the life of a sex trader named Diane who drives her white Mercedes SUV to 6th & K Street NW to prostitute herself.

Diane has been a sex worker for about 10 years. Before the luxury condos, bright grocery store and trendy coffee shop moved in, the area used to be a real hang-out spot. 600 K Street wasn’t just a stroll. The block had a party atmosphere when she started coming around. Not every girl was a sex worker. But soon, she couldn’t help but notice the bills changing hands.

When Diane first started working, she used her earnings for clothes and accessories—what she calls “fashion.” Then she started using PCP. The money could more than cover her habit. She says the night of a Howard homecoming was her best—she made $2,500. But some nights are just a lot of standing around leaning suggestively against a Mercedes SUV.

WCP: Glut City?

Washington City Paper's Housing Complex blog has mentioned the Mount Vernon Triangle twice in the last week.

Last week the mention was MVT's ranking in $/sf for Q4 condo sales. This week's HC posting offers a less flattering tilt coining our 'hood Glut City.

I won't really refute the author's point that there is presently a substantial amount of vacancy in the Triangle's new construction. However I think thats focusing overly on the negative. Madrigal Lofts has gone to settlement on well over 100 units in the last twelve months - how many other DC condos can say that? The inventory is moving. It's still going to take awhile as so much of it arrived at the same time.

WCP: How much does a Square Foot cost?

The Washington City Paper's Housing Complex blog has a new posting entitled How Much Does a Square Foot Cost in Adams Morgan, Penn Quarter, Etc.? The blog author met with real estate research firm Delta Associates to evaluate 2008Q4 condo sales. In the posting Mount Vernon Triangle gets stacked up against the competition...

Citypaper: D.C. Brunch Culture Sucks

Washington City Paper rants against brunch options in the district. Complaints range from too expensive, mimosas are gross, to the writer despising that people get dressed up for what she believes should be a casual meal.

Since when did brunch become a stressor? Are we that Type A? I hope someone takes her to that new Jim Carey movie when it comes out. She might also want to try brunch at Busboys. I have and really enjoyed it. French Toast & Hot Chocolate. Mmmmm.

BuildingDC.com discusses Madrigal Lofts

Jesse Kaye of BuildingDC.com has a new video blog posting discussing Madrigal Lofts. He briefly touches on the Mad Money promotion and the use of full page ads in the Washington City Paper.


However the crux of the post is that he questions The Mayhood Company's use of radio advertising as an effective way to spend their client's marketing dollars. His analysis is based around the assumption that the national average income of radio listeners is $65K/year. Jesse breaks down what loan products Countrywide would be presently willing to offer to an applicant making $65K/year and concludes it's not enough for anything but the smallest unit at Madrigal Lofts.

It's a very narrow perspective and seems more geared towards real estate industry insiders than information the general public would benefit from. It also does not delve into the prospective alternative advertising options with statistics or Jesse's recommendations. What's the average income of City Paper readers? Does any local medium have a deep penetration into high income local singles? Maybe the Washingtonian - anything else?

Has anyone heard the radio ads? Are they cheesy? Do they have the stereotypical announcer guy voice over? =)

Washington City Paper: Hoods and Services

The Washington City Paper is running a guide to D.C. Neighborhoods coined "Hoods and Services". The article does not drill down to specific D.C. neighborhoods but rather clusters then in to tongue and cheek names ranging from Carryouterbanks to HUDson Valley to Turrets Syndrome.

The Mount Vernon Triangle falls into a hood labeled Land of the Lofts. Undoubtedly a play on words relating lofts to past sci-fi works. This pseudo-community includes Logan Circle, Shaw, Mount Vernon Square, and Chinatown/Penn Quarter and ranks second overall in the "power rankings" to C-SPANistan.

The content for Land of the Lofts includes an essay, Census 2000 Stats and scores/blurbs on Kid-Friendliness, Housing, Eats, Consumer Good, Nightlife/Culture and Intangibles.