D.C.'s First Target Store Set to Open

WASHINGTON - A big bullseye is putting one Northwest neighborhood on the road map toward revitalization.

Target is opening its first store in the District on 14th Street and Park Road in the Columbia Heights neighborhood in Northwest.

The store doesn't officially open until 8 a.m. Wednesday, but D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and others got a sneak peek at the mega-store on Tuesday.

"This day has been coming for a long, long time," Fenty says.

Fenty spoke of the changing face of Columbia Heights, which is rebuilding after riots tore the neighborhood apart decades ago.

"I came back uptown today, driving down 14th Street, and I just really took a mental note of how different 14th Street looks, with the opening of this great new store and urban shopping extravagance," Fenty says.

The Target store is the anchor of a $145 million retail and development center known as the "DC USA" retail complex. The complex will also include a Best Buy, Marshalls, Lane Bryant, Bed Bath and Beyond and Washington Sports Club.

Columbia Heights residents say they're happy because they won't have to leave the city to get to the popular store.

"Now I won't have to go to Virginia," says one resident, who lives across the street from the new Target. "It saves me a trip."

The District is also happy with the revenue that will be staying in the city. Fenty says more than $1 billion in lost revenue goes to to the suburbs each year.

Target's trademark red and white colors are splashed across the two huge floors of the store, which also includes a Starbucks.

Fenty made the first purchase at the new store, picking up batting gloves for his twin sons.

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