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Potential new road, just west of Minnesota Avenue, would run north from Benning Road, behind DOES and "Phase II," and south from Benning, behind Senator Theater shopping area.

Decision time is approaching for the District's transfer of public land at the northwest corner of Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road to the Donatelli/Blue Skye development team. A Land Disposition Agreement (LDA) for the “Phase II” project, adjacent to the DOES headquarters now under construction, was under committee consideration just before the DC Council's summer recess. The quick decision some expected was delayed. It will likely be taken up again, however, as soon as the council is back in session on Sept. 18.

Committee staff members – for both Government Operations, chaired by Mary Cheh (Ward 3), and Economic Development, chaired by Kwame Brown (at-large) – say a markup on the LDA legislation will be scheduled shortly after the recess ends. At issue for Government Operations is whether the land is “surplus” or might be needed in the future, possibly for a public road. At issue for Economic Development is whether ceding $10 million in land for this development will yield sufficient return for the affected neighborhood and for the District as a whole.

ANC 7D will consider both issues at its September meeting. Meanwhile, ANC 7D Chair Willette Seaward is working with commissioners and other stakeholders to develop consensus around a more general community benefits agreement (CBA).

Public Right of Way
The Minnesota Avenue Great Streets plan shows a street connecting the Benning Road Bridge northward to the Government Center development and southward to Dix Street. (See graphic). Provision for this road was suggested – but not required – in the District’s request for proposals for “Phase II.” While their chief competitor did include this road, Donatelli/Blue Skye did not. Chris Donatelli, president of Donatelli Development, told ANC 7D in July that this can be reconsidered.

In 2006, a traffic study, commissioned by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), predicted that, without these roads, traffic delays will be 2 ½ times worse by 2025 than current levels. (See table.) The Coalition for Smarter Growth testified to the council committees:

“... the new intersection and street connection shows marked improvement over today’s congested traffic conditions, and show a major improvement compared to the ‘no build’ scenario for 2025. Note that the Minnesota Ave. & Benning Road intersection is a top DC location for vehicle and pedestrian accidents. Dispersal of some of the turning movements from the Minnesota & Benning intersection is likely to improve the safety record as well, but this was not analyzed.”

The CBA group is currently recommending “a public right-of-way or easement in perpetuity for a future street connecting the Benning Road Bridge to the Government Center and [Washington Metro Area Transit Authority] parking access road, as shown in Minnesota Avenue Great Streets drawings …”

Ayris Scales, project manager for the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), argued – at the committee roundtable and at ANC 7D's meeting, both in July – that the proposed road was never funded and that “an executive decision” had been made that it is not needed.

Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander raised the question of the road several times during the roundtable. In an August interview she expressed confidence that committee chairs would find a solution to support the LDA while “looking at the best option for safety.”

Other Benefits
Beyond the easement/right-of-way, the CBA wish-list, as of press time, was topped by a “dedicated community space adequate in size and layout for accommodating community meetings and events, local art exhibits and gallery space, and informal performance space for local dance groups.”

In addition, the list called for a transparent “urban design and architectural review ... to ensure a high quality project for the community including, but not limited to, review of site configuration, building orientations, facade design, materials and sustainability.”

Other CBA items discussed have included green-space, local public art, compliance with the Great Streets streetscape plans and contributions to improved pedestrian, auto and bus flow. Community members also want to make more explicit the development team's commitment to strengthening downtown Ward 7's “main street” through appropriate retail recruitment and hiring.