Capital Business Blog - Fresh takes on the region's entrepreneurs and companies.

Posted at 05:01 PM ET, 12/27/2011

Developers take a second look at Stevens Elementary School

By Jonathan O'Connell

Former Mayor Adrian Fenty offered the West End school to developers only to see the economy blow up.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 05:01 PM ET, 12/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:05 PM ET, 12/22/2011

Tysons Partnership seeks executive director

By Jonathan O'Connell

Employers and land owners in Tysons Corner are looking to strengthen their position on issues ranging from zoning to transportation funding.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 01:05 PM ET, 12/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:11 PM ET, 12/21/2011

Johns Hopkins: ‘No plans to build housing at Belward’

By Jonathan O'Connell

The university’s position differs from remarks in the past, when an official said the university ought to create a place where people can live.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 07:11 PM ET, 12/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:06 PM ET, 12/21/2011

Emergent CEO to step down in 2012

By Steven Overly

Fuad El-Hibri will retire as chief executive of Rockville-based Emergent Biosolutions effective April 1, 2012, the company announced today, after serving as head of the biotechnology firm since its formation in 1998.

By Steven Overly | 05:06 PM ET, 12/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:19 PM ET, 12/20/2011

Johns Hopkins battles for Belward Farm over dissent of former official

By Jonathan O'Connell

Members of JHU’s administration are battling for the right to build 4.7 million square feet on the farm.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 06:19 PM ET, 12/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:53 PM ET, 12/20/2011

Sandy Spring Bank to acquire CommerceFirst

By Danielle Douglas

The purchase will give the Olney-based community bank an additional $205 million in assets and $180 million in deposits.

By Danielle Douglas | 05:53 PM ET, 12/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:15 PM ET, 12/20/2011

Developers eye post offices in Georgetown, Bethesda, Silver Spring

By Jonathan O'Connell

The USPS is looking to sell dozens of properties nationwide and some of its real estate in the Washington area is already getting snapped up.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 01:15 PM ET, 12/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:39 PM ET, 12/16/2011

Report ranks D.C. last in strength of job incentives

By Jonathan O'Connell

Washington has the weakest economic policies in the country for creating quality jobs, says report.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 04:39 PM ET, 12/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:03 PM ET, 12/14/2011

Montgomery County will pay $19.7 million to retain HHS

By Jonathan O'Connell

Montgomery County was willing to shell out $19.7 million to keep the nearly the department’s 1 million-square-foot lease in Rockville.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 05:03 PM ET, 12/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:25 PM ET, 12/14/2011

Lease means NOAA will stay put in Silver Spring

By Jonathan O'Connell

The new deal extends the current leases to Jan. 1, 2014, and adds another 15 years beyond that, according to the GSA.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 04:25 PM ET, 12/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:28 PM ET, 12/14/2011

Holland & Knight’s lobbying group leaves billable hour behind

By Catherine Ho

Holland & Knight’s lobbying division, one of K Street’s most lucrative public policy groups, is ditching the billable hour starting Jan. 1.

By Catherine Ho | 01:28 PM ET, 12/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:22 PM ET, 12/13/2011

What Bill Marriott has meant to Washington’s hospitality sector

By Danielle Douglas

The Washington region is undoubtedly the epicenter of the hospitality industry thanks to the efforts of J.W. Marriott Jr.

By Danielle Douglas | 08:22 PM ET, 12/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:12 PM ET, 12/13/2011

Eataly closes in on District location

By Jonathan O'Connell

The Italian-themed culinary concept by chef Mario Batali turns to CBRE to help in a Washington expansion.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 07:12 PM ET, 12/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:36 PM ET, 12/13/2011

Bill Marriott’s full statement on his retirement

By Jonathan O'Connell

J. W. Marriott Jr. announced his retirement Tuesday after 39 years at the top of what is now Marriott.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 05:36 PM ET, 12/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:43 PM ET, 12/13/2011

District officials woo Microsoft for St. Elizabeths east campus

By Jonathan O'Connell

Mayor Gray’s top development priority is to redevelop the hospital’s east campus and he is trying to convince Microsoft to join the effort.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 01:43 PM ET, 12/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:38 PM ET, 12/09/2011

Gibson Dunn taps Sidley Austin healthcare partner to lead new FDA sub-group

By Catherine Ho

The firm has hired Stephen Payne to head its new FDA compliance and enforcement practice in Washington.

By Catherine Ho | 04:38 PM ET, 12/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:34 PM ET, 12/09/2011

The battle for Arnold & Porter

By Jonathan O'Connell

The firm, which is acquiring Howard Rice, has become the proverbial white whale of the leasing world.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 04:34 PM ET, 12/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:19 AM ET, 12/09/2011

Senate committee backs FBI consolidation

By Jonathan O'Connell

The FBI is a step closer to moving its headquarters out of the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 11:19 AM ET, 12/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:16 PM ET, 12/08/2011

The legacy of Joseph E. Robert, Jr.

By Jonathan O'Connell

Robert, who died of cancer Wednesday night, became a real estate titan in the 1980s and 1990s.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 03:16 PM ET, 12/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 PM ET, 12/06/2011

Arnold & Porter to acquire California law firm Howard Rice

By Catherine Ho

Effective on Jan. 1, move will bring Washington firm’s worldwide attorney headcount to more than 800.

By Catherine Ho | 07:00 PM ET, 12/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:05 PM ET, 12/06/2011

SAIC says 3Q profits wiped out by $232 million loss provision

By Marjorie Censer

The McLean company said third-quarter profit was wiped out by a provision relating to a contract in NYC under investigation for fraud.

By Marjorie Censer | 05:05 PM ET, 12/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:36 PM ET, 12/05/2011

Final protests over Rockville HHS lease denied

By Jonathan O'Connell

The move ends a contentious bidding process and likely means that the agency will stay in Rockville.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 05:36 PM ET, 12/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:29 PM ET, 12/05/2011

Financing deal means Bethesda construction starts in January

By Jonathan O'Connell

Two local developers have landed a major financial partner that will allow a mixed-use project in Bethesda to begin construction next month.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 05:29 PM ET, 12/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:16 PM ET, 12/02/2011

Post 200: Votes are rolling in, but the race is far from over

By Abha Bhattarai

Last week, we asked you to submit your Post 200 picks. Take a look at some businesses that have been nominated, and submit your own.

By Abha Bhattarai | 12:16 PM ET, 12/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:32 AM ET, 12/02/2011

Office where Watergate break-in took place now for rent

By Jonathan O'Connell

The sixth floor office where the infamous break-in that led to President Nixon’s resignation took place, is empty and up for rent.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 10:32 AM ET, 12/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Capital Business Blog: December, 2011