Want a Trader Joe's? Then add more residents

Residents in many neighborhoods often say they wish their neighborhood had a Trader Joe's or other new retail options. There's only one real way to get such businesses to move in: Add more residents who can shop there.

Lydia DePillis writes about some recent zoning fights. Along Georgia Avenue, ANC 4B fought a proposal to build 400 apartments and retail at the Curtis Chevrolet site, now slated for a Wal-Mart.

The 4B resolution stated, "Our Community is homeowner-based and family oriented, we want to maintain the character and integrity of our community," and "With the addition of over 1000 more residents in a compact area the likelihood of crime and violence increases dramatically." Lydia says the neighbors wanted a Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and a movie theater for the site.

[Continue reading David Alpert's post at Greater Greater Washington.]

David Alpert is founder and editor of Greater Greater Washington. The
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