(More un)intended consequences of economics and land use

Generally, industrial land uses can't afford to pay as much rent as higher value uses, although the needs are still important, and must be met somehow--production, distribution, and repair

But generally, it's easier to locate uses in industrial areas (the quest to relocate the so-called gay clubs excepted, see "NE Residents Fear Clubs Bill Would Create a 'Red-Light Zone" and"Relocated Adult Club Is Facing Shutdown in NE" from the Washington Post) and "Influential gay zoning official ousted" from the Blade) because there usually aren't resident groups to get worked up about the change. In fact, residential use, for the most part, is about the only use precluded from locating in industrially zoned districts.

One of the unintended (I hope) consequences of the public charter school movement is the location of many such facilities in industrial districts, pushing up the price of the space for other lower margin activities that don't enjoy capitation fees from the local government revenue stream. A number of charter schools are located on places like 8th Street NE, abutting the railroad tracks, or on Chillum Place NE. That means fewer light industrial and distribution businesses. Fewer options for innovative startup and incubation space.

And as more of this land is rezoned to allow for housing, there are even fewer places for industrially-oriented uses.