ANC Approves New Design for Florida Rock Project
ANC 6D reviewed the latest in a decade-long series of proposals for the waterfront property south of the new ballpark, current location of the Florida Rock concrete plant and future site of Riverfront, a large development consisting of residential, office and hotel buildings, along with substantial retail and open space. The Zoning Commission will hear the proposal within the next several months.

The site’s developers have revised the project several times in order to meet changes requested by the Zoning Commission, most recently to take the new ballpark into account so that the siting of the buildings enhance the Grand Stairway of the ballpark on the southern side of the stadium.

The project will include a park on its western edge, and a large water feature, called the Cascade, in the center of the project. It will also include a galleria, a glass-enclosed retail pavilion. In addition, there are plans to include a landing place for a water taxi and other marine elements. There will be a walking/bicycle trail along the riverfront.

David Briggs, of Holland and Knight, who represents the developers, pointed out that the amount of residential development has been increased, and will include 25-30 units of workforce-level affordable housing. The project not only will be LEED certified, but money will be set aside to maintain the advanced ecological features. They are working with consultants to make certain that the development offers neighborhood oriented retail as well as larger scale establishments. The development will have 1,100 below-ground parking spaces.

The construction will be in three phases, beginning in the summer of 2009 with the westernmost office building and the park space. Phase two will be the residential construction, and phase three, which can’t begin until the Douglass Bridge is rebuilt and rerouted, currently scheduled for 2015, will contain another office building and the hotel. ANC commissioners expressed concerns about preferences for Southwest residents for project jobs, and access to housing and were assured that more discussions would take place as the project proceeded. The commission voted 5-2 to support the project as it has in the past.

1111 New Jersey Ave. SE
The developers of 1111 New Jersey Avenue SE came before the commission to ask support for a design review of their proposed matter-of-right building required by the Capital Gateway Zoning Overlay that applies to development projects in near Southeast. The Zoning Commission hearing is Jan. 31.

The proposed office building will be built on the land surrounding the east entrance of the Navy Yard Metro on a site that Donahoe Construction purchased from Washington Metro Area Transit Authority. It will be a LEED certified glass building, 130 feet tall and will contain 5,700 square feet of retail space. The site will also have a large setback from the street that will be landscaped and have space for café seating.

Several commissioners had serious concerns about the lack of any benefits for the community and were told that the developer felt that providing LEED certification, parking and ground floor retail were sufficient benefits. Because of this, the ANC voted 5-0 to not support the project and to testify to that effect at the Zoning Commission.

Square 700 Alley Closing
Monument Realty, which is developing several buildings directly north of the baseball stadium on Half Street SE, asked the ANC to support the closing of an alley north of N Street to allow the construction of a residential building of 150-200 units with ground floor retail and underground parking. The closing must be approved by the District Council, and the developer will file the application in mid to late February.

Monument, through its attorney Christy Shiker of Holland & Knight, proffered a package of community benefits including affordable housing, in accordance with new District Inclusionary zoning regulations that have not yet been finalized, First Source employment, LEED certification, and a contribution to the community benefits fund that is being established to fund projects in Southwest/Near Southeast.

Discussion focused on additional benefits as the project proceeded, such as job preferences for Southwest/Near Southeast residents, and whether written assurances of could be provided that discussion could continue on outstanding issues. Shiker said that Monument Realty was reliable about the provision of benefits. A motion was offered to support the alley closing, with a request that negotiations continue with regard to community benefits. The motion failed 2-2-1, but the commission will continue to work with the developer.

Resolution Opposing the Closing of Anthony Bowen Elementary School
A resolution opposing the closing of Anthony Bowen Elementary School was brought before the commission. Bowen is included on the planned closing list presented by Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, with its students being consolidated with Amidon Elementary School, which is approximately eight blocks from Bowen.

The resolution points out that combining the two schools will create a student body that leaves no room for new enrollment and does not take into account the approximately 10,000 new residents who will be moving into Southwest in the next five to eight years. It also stresses that the academic status of the two schools is about equal, and that proficiency tests are improving at Bowen. Finally, it’s noted that children currently at Bowen will have not only a longer walk to school, but one that crosses several major arterial streets that will have a major increase in traffic over the next several years.

The resolution calls for the release of the documentation for the selection of Bowen for closing, a review of the selection process for Bowen’s closure and asks that a meeting be requested with Rhee and Fenty. The resolution passed unanimously.

Election of Officers
The ANC unanimously re-elected its current officers for 2008: Chair – Roger Moffatt; Vice-Chair – Andy Litsky; Treasurer – Max Skolnik; and Secretary – Rhonda Hamilton.

The commission also passed a motion continuing its monthly business meetings on the second Monday of each month, except August, when there is no meeting, and October, when the meeting is on the third Monday because of the Columbus Day Holiday.

ANC 6D will hold a meeting Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m., at 25 M St. SW, to hear presentations for which no vote is necessary. Included on the agenda is a presentation by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development on the future of the lot on which the fire station at Sixth and D streets SW is located.

The ANC is still soliciting applications for grants of up to $1,000 from non-profit organizations in Southwest/Near Southeast that provide programs and/or services for local residents. For criteria and more information on how to apply, visit the library section of the ANC website, anc6d.org.

Roll Call
Commissioners present: Chair Roger Moffatt (6D05), Treasurer Max Skolnik (6D01), David Sobelsohn (6D02), Ron McBee (6D03), Vice Chair Andy Litsky (6D04), Secretary Rhonda Hamilton (6D06) and Bob Siegel (6D07).