Could Blues Alley Leave Georgetown?

Would Blues Alley still be Blues Alley if it relocated to the Lincoln Theater or the Southwest waterfront, instead of remaining tucked down an alley off of Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown?

Owner Harry Schnipper told The Washington Business Journal that he has several options for potentially moving his club from Georgetown.

The Washington Business Journal reports:

"Schnipper has spoken with Hines Interests LP about going to CityCenterDC, with PN Hoffman & Associates Inc. about moving to the southwest Waterfront and with Hyattsville and Alexandria officials. He is on the shortlist to operate the D.C.-owned Lincoln Theatre."

But Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans says a recent tax break bill he introduced in January is meant to keep the charming local venue right where it has been since 1965.

The "Historic Music Cultural Institutions Expansion Tax Abatement Act of 2013" would provide such an institution with a 10-year property tax abatement among other breaks for property that is newly leased or purchased in DC.

Schnipper told The Georgetowner that he does not currently own the Blues Alley building at 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, which means Evans' proposed tax abatement could apply to the purchase of the venue's current home. The Act, introduced in January, has not been voted on, according to the latest information on the District Council website.

Schnipper said reports of his moving are overstated.

"He is making a mountain out of a mole hill," Schnipper said about The Washington Business Journal article in an interview with The Georgetowner.

Would you be sad to see Blues Alley move from Georgetown? Do you think a tax abatement is necessary to keep the club locally? Tell us in the comments.