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NPR Expansion Expanding in NoMa
Rob Amos, chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C’s Planning and Zoning Committee, reported that “recent upturns” have allowed National Public Radio (NPR) to upsize their plans for their new headquarters in the neighborhood north of Massachusetts Avenue (commonly referred to as “NoMa”) at 111 North Capitol St. NE. The 30,000-square-foot modification to their original concept plan will allow the building to include one extra story as well as another below-grade level to be divided between parking and storage space.
According to Bill Nussbaum, executive director of HQ Building Development at NPR, the upgrade is necessary if the nonprofit radio syndicate is to continue expanding its staff and services after the building is completed in 2013.
“The building that we came in with in November would have fit us exactly as we are today. Because of the economy, because of the change in management, because of construction prices, we’ve had an opportunity to right size the building so that we can stay in the neighborhood far into the foreseeable future,” he said.
There were also several minor modifications to the building’s façade and amenities up for consideration. For instance, the new structure built around the historically protected Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Companies Warehouse will now have a two-sided entrance on North Capitol Street, and NPR reps will soon go before the Zoning Commission to seek approval for a readjusted array of broadcast antennas and a new setback for the building’s penthouse.
Meanwhile, Nussbaum said that a final design for the building’s “corner marker,” a piece of corporate art slated for the headquarters’ exterior plaza/courtyard, is still under consideration. The building’s architects at Hickock Cole have already prepared nearly 20 designs with more coming in every month.
Nussbaum and company are scheduled to take their case for expansion to the Historic Preservation Review Board later in the month, and then to the mayor’s agent for final approval. The ANC had universal praise for the plans and the project as a whole and voted to write a letter in support of the expansion.
Summing up the ANC’s attitude, Commissioner Mark Dixon said, “Everyone in the community loves it, and I just think it’s the best thing coming.”
Restaurant Hours, Noise Cause for Debate
The Alcoholic Beverage Committee brought two pieces of nightlife-oriented business before the ANC with the Toscana Café at 601 Second St. NE holding the top slot. With the summer months rapidly approaching, Toscana management had been hoping to extend their hours until midnight, a move that would also apply to their outdoor seating. Commissioners discussed several issues related to the request, mainly its impact on neighboring townhouses and the restaurant’s outdoor speaker system, known for its constant stream of Frank Sinatra.
Toscana’s counsel, Andrew Kline, stated that the speakers will soon be removed entirely, and his clients had already agreed to narrow their request by closing up shop at 11 p.m. on weekdays. Commissioner Tony Richardson said that he had personally “knocked on every door” within earshot of Toscana, and there was universal consensus that the restaurant was indeed a good neighbor. The ANC voted to negotiate a new voluntary agreement with the restaurant’s ownership that would allow for a conditional extension of the hours.
The one abstaining vote came from Commissioner Ryan Velasco, who argued that the ability to stay open until midnight was not an unreasonable expectation on the part of businesses in a large metropolitan area, such as Washington.
“I think we often forget that we don’t only represent the residents, but also the business owners,” he said. “They’re in our community … and they’re taking a retail space that’s now of a contributing retail use.”
That same argument spilled over in the subsequent debate over the hours and maximum occupancy of Hill Country, a trendy, New York-based barbecue restaurant slated to open at 410 Seventh St. NW later this year. Several neighbors from the Lansburgh apartment building adjacent to the Chinatown site voiced their opposition to the restaurant’s proposed 700-plus capacity and 3 a.m. closing time.
Hill Country CEO Marc Glosserman, a DC-area native, said that his restaurant’s flagship location in New York’s bustling Chelsea neighborhood had never received a single noise complaint during its three years in business despite that fact that it is flanked on both sides by apartment buildings. He also stated that he had hired a sound engineer to ensure that the restaurant’s live music would be dampened sufficiently.
“In coming to this neighborhood and this city, it is really important to us that we are … good neighbors not only to those in the neighborhood, but for the entire community,” said Glosserman at the end of a lengthy question and answer session.
Several Lansburgh residents were forward in their opposition to the restaurant, as was Commissioner Charley Docter. Nanette Paris of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, however, testified that she was “confident a [voluntary agreement] will work” to meet the needs of both Hill Country and its neighbors.
To that end, the ANC voted to oppose the restaurant’s plans but will withdraw their recommendation should the owners “work towards” a voluntary agreement with the commission.
New Youth and Education Committee Chair Found
Following Commissioner Tom Hamilton’s January announcement that he would be stepping down as chair of the ANC’s Youth and Education Committee, the commission initiated a community-wide search for volunteers to take his place. At the March meeting, Hamilton was happy to announce that they had indeed found a new chairperson to fill his old post: Tanetta Isler, a former public school teacher currently working in instructional design.
“My heart is still with community outreach, youth and education, so I’m hoping to serve my community in this way,” said Isler, a resident of 6C04, before the vote to officiate her as committee chair.
Both Isler and Hamilton pledged to work closely with one another in the coming weeks to “ensure a smooth transition.” Hamilton’s nomination of Isler was seconded by Commissioner Anne Phelps and unanimously approved by the commission.
“Welcome, welcome, welcome,” said Commissioner Lena Brown, who first suggested headhunting a local educator or parent from outside the ANC after Hamilton’s resignation. Isler’s duties as committee chair begin effective immediately. |
