Push to make Washington's downtown more liveable

Washington

IN a 43-square-block portion of the booming central business district here are just 23 residential units, condos in a row of four late-19th century town homes on Jefferson Place, just south of Dupont Circle.

It is a minuscule number compared to the 33 million square feet of office space in the same area.

With construction cranes for new office buildings dominating the skyline, owners of older buildings may face a choice: upgrade to current standards to compete - an expensive proposition - or convert to residential use.

The choice has b…