My OperaCityMarket at O Groundbreaking
Saturday, September 4, 2010 3:50:18 PM
The "groundbreaking" for the new O Street Market took place on schedule September 1, 2010, in the afternoon. There was a tent, plenty of water, shovels, politicians, various other parties, and, like the editor, the usual gawkers.
Is was a shovel-ready day:
And it was a speech-ready day. Jack's was pertinent and short, which was the case for most of the speakers.
Adam Spikell, head of Roadside Development, and Mayor Fenty:
The sheer determination and inventiveness of a man like Spikell make these things happen. They need help, in that so many players both in government, quasi-government, and banking and other businesses, must do essential pieces. Unless these others see the determination of a man like Spikell and his staff (that's Susan Linsky) they know it's probably a waste of time. When a mayor like Fenty lets his staff know that he wants it to happen, it will happen. A mayor who drags his (OK, so far it's still "he") will kill such a complex development.
Many of the players were ready to speak, but they also had to listen first.
Tom Bell, of the Guest House and Sherri Kimbel of Jack's office, were there.
The editor can occasionally be snarky about what he considers over-hyped events. This was very important for the development of DC, not just to this neighborhood. It is the nature of major projects like this for minor, but important players to try to grab as big a piece of the action as they can, even at the expense of the city as a whole. This came to fruition because the grownups were in charge.
Is was a shovel-ready day:
And it was a speech-ready day. Jack's was pertinent and short, which was the case for most of the speakers.
Adam Spikell, head of Roadside Development, and Mayor Fenty:
The sheer determination and inventiveness of a man like Spikell make these things happen. They need help, in that so many players both in government, quasi-government, and banking and other businesses, must do essential pieces. Unless these others see the determination of a man like Spikell and his staff (that's Susan Linsky) they know it's probably a waste of time. When a mayor like Fenty lets his staff know that he wants it to happen, it will happen. A mayor who drags his (OK, so far it's still "he") will kill such a complex development.
Many of the players were ready to speak, but they also had to listen first.
Tom Bell, of the Guest House and Sherri Kimbel of Jack's office, were there.
The editor can occasionally be snarky about what he considers over-hyped events. This was very important for the development of DC, not just to this neighborhood. It is the nature of major projects like this for minor, but important players to try to grab as big a piece of the action as they can, even at the expense of the city as a whole. This came to fruition because the grownups were in charge.
