Hill Rag | August 2007

ANC 6D

by: Roberta Weiner

Commissioners present at the July 9 meeting: Chair Roger Moffatt, 6D05; Treasurer Max Skolnik, 6D01; David Sobelsohn, 6D02; Ron McBee, 6D03; Secretary Rhonda Hamilton, 6D06; Robert Siegel, 6D07. Absent: Vice Chair Andy Litsky, 6D04.

Douglass Bridge Closing
Kathleen Penney, District Department of Transportation deputy chief engineer and the agency’s point person for the reconstruction project now underway at the South Capitol Street end of the Frederick Douglass Bridge, and a team of her associates presented an update on the impact the extensive work is having on the area surrounding the construction.

The project’s purpose is to lower the end of the bridge near the stadium to street level at Potomac Avenue and create an oval green space near the new stadium as an entry point to what is planned to be a beautified South Capitol Street. It is also a prelude to the repair of the existing Douglass Bridge and the plan for a new span to be constructed in the future.

Three days into construction, there had been no traffic accidents, and the traffic problems were minimal, said Penney. She reported that in addition to the large number of heavy trucks servicing the many construction projects in Near Southeast/Southwest, about 20 trucks each day were being detoured to Fourth Street SW, on their way to Buzzard’s Point, and there was extensive signage on Fourth and P streets directing traffic and keeping slowdowns to a minimum.

Penney also reported that 1,200 people (out of 1,500 available openings) had signed up for the Bridge Bucks program, which provides $50 per month to commuters who are parking at outlying Metro stations and commuting by Metrorail or bus. Commuters must apply and go through an interview process to ascertain that they are legitimate car commuters who will make use of public transportation.

Construction takes place between the hours of 4 a.m. and midnight, seven days a week. The project is scheduled to be completed just after Labor Day with incentives being provided to the construction company for early delivery.

Tom Burke, who is overseeing the project on a day-to-day basis, said that water trucks would wet down dusty streets created by the project, and workers would make certain the area was swept clean. Penney added that the contractor and DDOT were planning a workday, probably in the spring, to power wash the houses facing the project on South Capitol Street and do some plantings to beautify the two affected blocks. (See story below)

Parking Lots at the Yards
Kamilah Parker McAfee of Forest City Washington, the firm redeveloping the Southeast Federal Center – the 44-acre area adjoining the Navy Yard – into a commercial, residential and retail development, presented their plans, prior to a Zoning Commission hearing, to create four temporary parking lots with 950 spaces on the land. The project will include both renovated historic buildings and new construction, and will include waterfront access.

The plan is to use the lots for five years until below-grade parking is created by new construction. The lots will be used daily by Navy Yard and federal Department of Transportation personnel, and during events at the baseball stadium. Public parking will be available on an hourly, daily or monthly basis, but priority will be given to baseball parking. The lots have been included in the parking study for the stadium, and people using the lot will be given specific directions for access.

The lots will be built with sustainable design, including landscaping to both help with storm water management and shield the lots from the street. Much of the ANC’s discussion focused on the environmental impact of the lots, with questions raised about the permeability of the asphalt surface and how to deal with water runoff.

Commissioner Skolnik offered a motion to oppose the project, which did not receive a second, and the ANC took no action on the matter.

Grant Proposal: Beautification of the 1400 Block of South Capitol Street SW
Ken Fraser, a resident of the 1400 block of South Capitol Street SW, spoke about a grant filed on behalf of the residents of his block, requesting funds to be used for beautifying his block after the Douglass Bridge construction is complete. The ANC’s Grants Committee had rejected the grant on the grounds that it was for the private benefit of the residents of the block and not the community at large. Fraser argued that the grant would serve the community by providing building and streetscape improvements, and by providing an attractive entry point for incoming commuters. He pointed out that the overpass had hid the buildings for thirty years, and he also expressed his neighbors’ concerns about the damage being done to the buildings by the construction.

The commissioners suggested that Fraser resubmit the proposal with a focus on the public benefits.

The ANC also passed a motion to send a letter to DDOT, urging the agency to immediately compensate the residents of the 1300 and 1400 blocks of South Capitol Street SW for any damage to their properties.

Corcoran Gallery/Randall School Negotiating Team
It was reported that the Corcoran Gallery of Art filed its application for a Planned Unit Development with the Zoning Commission and is awaiting a hearing date, which could be in September. Representatives of the Corcoran and Monument Realty, the developer, held a community meeting in late June to discuss the project with local residents and will host another session on Aug. 1.

The ANC passed a motion to appoint a committee charged with working with the Corcoran to negotiate community benefits and other issues that may arise. The committee will be comprised of Commissioners Sobelsohn, McBee and Moffatt.

Next Meeting
The ANC will not meet in August. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Sixth and M streets SW. For more information, call the ANC office, 202-554-1795 or visit www.anc6d.org.


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ANC 6D

by: Roberta Weiner
Commissioners present at the July 9 meeting: Chair Roger Moffatt, 6D05; Treasurer Max Skolnik, 6D01; David Sobelsohn, 6D02; Ron McBee, 6D03; Secretary Rhonda Hamilton, 6D06; Robert Siegel, 6D07. Absent: Vice Chair Andy Litsky, 6D04. Douglass Bridge Closing Kathleen Penney, District Department of Transportation deputy chief engineer and the agency’s point person for the reconstruction project now underway at the South Capitol Street end of the Frederick Douglass Bridge, and a team of her associates presented an update on the impact the extensive work is having on the area surrounding the construction. The project’s purpose is to lower the end of the bridge near the stadium to street level at Potomac Avenue and create an oval green space near the new stadium as an entry point to what is planned to be a beautified South Capitol Street. It is also a prelude to the repair of the existing Douglass Bridge and the plan for a new span to be constructed in the future. Three days into construction, there had been no traffic accidents, and the traffic problems were minimal, said Penney. She reported that in addition to the large number of heavy trucks servicing the many construction projects in Near Southeast/Southwest, about 20 trucks each day were being detoured to Fourth Street SW, on their way to Buzzard’s Point, and there was extensive signage on Fourth and P streets directing traffic and keeping slowdowns to a minimum. Penney also reported that 1,200 people (out of 1,500 available openings) had signed up for the Bridge Bucks program, which provides $50 per month to commuters who are parking at outlying Metro stations and commuting by Metrorail or bus. Commuters must apply and go through an interview process to ascertain that they are legitimate car commuters who will make use of public transportation. Construction takes place between the hours of 4 a.m. and midnight, seven days a week. The project is scheduled to be completed just after Labor Day with incentives being provided to the construction company for early delivery. Tom Burke, who is overseeing the project on a day-to-day basis, said that water trucks would wet down dusty streets created by the project, and workers would make certain the area was swept clean. Penney added that the contractor and DDOT were planning a workday, probably in the spring, to power wash the houses facing the project on South Capitol Street and do some plantings to beautify the two affected blocks. (See story below) Parking Lots at the Yards Kamilah Parker McAfee of Forest City Washington, the firm redeveloping the Southeast Federal Center – the 44-acre area adjoining the Navy Yard – into a commercial, residential and retail development, presented their plans, prior to a Zoning Commission hearing, to create four temporary parking lots with 950 spaces on the land. The project will include both renovated historic buildings and new construction, and will include waterfront access. The plan is to use the lots for five years until below-grade parking is created by new construction. The lots will be used daily by Navy Yard and federal Department of Transportation personnel, and during events at the baseball stadium. Public parking will be available on an hourly, daily or monthly basis, but priority will be given to baseball parking. The lots have been included in the parking study for the stadium, and people using the lot will be given specific directions for access. The lots will be built with sustainable design, including landscaping to both help with storm water management and shield the lots from the street. Much of the ANC’s discussion focused on the environmental impact of the lots, with questions raised about the permeability of the asphalt surface and how to deal with water runoff. Commissioner Skolnik offered a motion to oppose the project, which did not receive a second, and the ANC took no action on the matter. Grant Proposal: Beautification of the 1400 Block of South Capitol Street SW Ken Fraser, a resident of the 1400 block of South Capitol Street SW, spoke about a grant filed on behalf of the residents of his block, requesting funds to be used for beautifying his block after the Douglass Bridge construction is complete. The ANC’s Grants Committee had rejected the grant on the grounds that it was for the private benefit of the residents of the block and not the community at large. Fraser argued that the grant would serve the community by providing building and streetscape improvements, and by providing an attractive entry point for incoming commuters. He pointed out that the overpass had hid the buildings for thirty years, and he also expressed his neighbors’ concerns about the damage being done to the buildings by the construction. The commissioners suggested that Fraser resubmit the proposal with a focus on the public benefits. The ANC also passed a motion to send a letter to DDOT, urging the agency to immediately compensate the residents of the 1300 and 1400 blocks of South Capitol Street SW for any damage to their properties. Corcoran Gallery/Randall School Negotiating Team It was reported that the Corcoran Gallery of Art filed its application for a Planned Unit Development with the Zoning Commission and is awaiting a hearing date, which could be in September. Representatives of the Corcoran and Monument Realty, the developer, held a community meeting in late June to discuss the project with local residents and will host another session on Aug. 1. The ANC passed a motion to appoint a committee charged with working with the Corcoran to negotiate community benefits and other issues that may arise. The committee will be comprised of Commissioners Sobelsohn, McBee and Moffatt. Next Meeting The ANC will not meet in August. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Sixth and M streets SW. For more information, call the ANC office, 202-554-1795 or visit www.anc6d.org.