Skyland Meeting Recap 9-12-07

For those of you who were unable to make it to the latest meeting on Skyland Town Center, the meeting held this past Wednesday focused on the architectural and urban design of the project. Further refinements had been made by Torti Gallas, giving Skyland more of an organically grown look and feel. Included is more façade articulation, less straight lines, and a a bigger emphasis on greening the roofs of the interior parking garages.

Check out the latest plans: Click to enlarge





At the meeting, Gary Rappaport and members of the Torti Gallas design team asked the audience what we wanted Skyland to look like architecturally: modern? Traditional?

Interestingly, most people agreed (what? at a public meeting?!) that we wanted something that was built solidly-- with brick, stone, and cast cement-- rather than with materials like vinyl and stucco which aren't as lasting. We want a design that is unique to Skyland, but that respects the past and is influenced by the architecture and streetscape of places such as Barracks Row, Shirlington, Annapolis, and Bethesda Row. Eclectic, yet elegant!

This development incredibly exciting, and all involved seem totally dedicated to getting it done as quickly as humanly possible.

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Also, just before the meeting I was able to make it over to the Farmers' Market for the Chili Bowl Bonanza. I had to leave before the winner was announced- does anyone know who won 1st prize?

Development Potential: Part 1

(scroll down for maps and images)

Anacostia is home to the highest percentage of vacant and underutilized land in the District. It is literally seconds from everything via very accessible highways and Metro, and boasts some of the best views around.

The sensitive scale of development on 14th Street in and around Logan Circle is a fitting model for the kind of reinvestment many in the neighborhood would love to see here, as is the infill that has gone in all around Capitol Hill over the years. While it is not up to me to decide what should fill these lots and façades, a mix of multifamily and retail seems pretty ideal at this point. (And by retail I don't mean check-cashing shops.) This survey is not official, but is a reflection of many residents' feelings of "this could be so much more".

Part 1 focuses on the development potential of Anacostia's lower Good Hope Road area. Because Good Hope is on a hill leading to the river, most development would boast Federal City and water views:

note: Click on images to enlarge



















images and graphics by DG-rad

workin' away

Stucco work is progressing at Drake's--it's awesome seeing people at work on this!
(and no, the novelty does not wear off)









photos by DG-rad

Skyland Meeting Tonight

...hope to see all of you there!

Click Image to Enlarge:


flyer courtesy of Hillcrest Community Civic Association

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Also, don't forget that tonight is the Chili Bowl Bonanza at the Anacostia Farmers' Market! 5-6:30pm at Peace Park on 14th between U and V Streets.

Opening Tonight at Honfleur

Gesture:
A Memorial to the Lives Lost on September 11th
By Manju Shandler



From the Honfleur Gallery website:

The painting installation Gesture gives a tangible allegory to the size of this loss by grouping together one brick-sized painting for every life taken on that day.

...Gesture is a meditation on the many facets of life, death, the past, and the future that have been inextricably altered by that single day.

When:

Tonight, September 11 at 7:30pm

Where:

Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd SE

images courtesy of Honfleur Gallery

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Update: definitely check this out.

Confirmed: Drake's, Take Two

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Also, a lil' Salvation Army update. Another floor higher:



photos by DG-rad

New Website for the Point

This may be old news, but Poplar Point now has a website. Not to worry, any and all news will still (ideally) break at And Now, Anacostia first!

Pretty much the only update since they announced the RFEI last month is that they have now opened the process up to Joint Ventures rather than strictly sole-source development proposals.

Click Here for Website

composite graphic by DG-rad

Tonight: Intersections @ Honfleur

If you haven't yet gone to one of these, definitely check it out. Very cool scene, amazing poetry, (and refreshments).

When:

Tonight, September 5 at 7:30pm
(and every other 1st and 3rd Wednesday)

Where:

Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd SE

What:

The American Poetry Museum presents
Intersections: A Poetry Reading Series
Curated and hosted by Fred Joiner

Featuring: Alan King, Derrick Weston Brown, and youth poets (F.A.N. and DC Writers Corp)
$2 suggested donation

ANC 8A Monthly Meeting Recap

Last night's meeting was advertised as having a focus on the way Washington Post and Times writers report on happenings east of the Anacostia River. However, nobody from either paper showed up, so it was, for the most part, business as usual.

News Highlights:

- the Imagine School at the foot of 14th Street and Ridge Place SE has been approved by the charter board, but the design is still unknown, pending decisions about the historic smoke stack. (Please Save!)

- St. Elizabeth's West Campus is destined to become the home of the consolidated Dept. of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard.

- all fire hydrants have been checked, and the malfunctioning ones have been tagged for fixing/replacement.

- Plans for Anacostia Estates, the three-townhouse development on Shannon Place SE are still in development. The developer was at the meeting requesting that the ANC support an exception to a minor sideyard requirement by Pepco.

Most members spoke positively about the project, but they could not publically support until they received more official documentation of proposed changes. The townhomes are designed by local architectural firm Devrouax & Purnell. The design looks good, at least on paper, but it will depend completely on the quality of materials they use (brick, stone, roofing, windows, etc) for whether it contributes in a positive way.

Flyer handed out at the meeting:
(click to enlarge)

courtesy of developer Brenda Tobe

ANC 8A Meeting Tonight

Don't forget tonight's ANC 8A meeting!

When:

7-8:15pm

Where:

1649 Good Hope Rd. SE (UPO Anacostia Community Service Center)

What:

Discussion will include how the Washington Post and Times report on topics east of the Anacostia River.

even more good news

This has now almost turned into live-blogging, but now I have some pretty crazy good news. First, some once-again updated pics:




The good word from the stucco workers at the building today is that it is, in fact, being transformed into a restaurant! As usual, more news as it comes...

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Also, the Salvation Army building is progressing quickly. Another floor has been added, and it is becoming much more evident how tall the finished building will actually be.



photos / graphic by DG-rad

progress

If those things that the sign is advertising are happening behind those walls, this looks like a really good thing. Keep checking back -- this is (I hope) a fast-evolving issue!

I have an email out to the address listed on the sign.

photos by DG-rad, 6:36pm

promised pic

Not sure if this is an improvement over the old look, but hopefully these boards are only temporary and signal further work to be done at the building.

photo by DG-rad

Drake's Building Update

I'm not sure which major decisionmaker is reading this blog, but today there is definitely major work being done at the corner of MLK and Good Hope where Drake's was intending to go. Windows have been removed and new brickwork is being done, and I noticed at least four people working on it.

I will post pictures when I have my camera next! More news as it comes...

Chili Bowl B-o-n-a-n-z-a

When:

September 12, 2007
4:00-7:00pm

Schedule of Events:

4:00-4:45 Competitors drop off chili to be warmed (no crock pots--no electricity!)

5:00- 6:15 Chili Tasting (community judges People's Choice, "celebrity" judges for other 4 categories)

6:30 Awards announced

Where: Anacostia Farmers' Market
(Peace Park on 14th St SE between U and V Streets)

What:

4th Annual Chili Bowl Bonanza chili contest and tasting

The five categories are:

- All-around Chili Champ
- Four Alarm Fire House Hot Award
- Best Vegetarian Chili Award
- People's Choice
- Best New Classic with a Twist

Why:

It's events like these that make Anacostia special. Let's all make it out there for some good eats! Also, Mayor Fenty is scheduled to attend.

If you are interested in submitting your chili to the contest, the deadline to enter is September 7.

Dowload the Entry form here

Any questions should be directed to market director Nadja Strucker, at 202-526-5344.



Thanks to Clagett Farm's blog for the tip!

the corner ________

Could be:

- the corner store
- the corner cafe
- the corner restaurant and bar
- the corner book shop

Nope, unfortunately it is the corner weeds/posters/disaster



Ever wonder what the "Welcome to Historic Anacostia" boarded-up mess at the corner of MLK and Good Hope is hiding?..



...an Anacostia Economic Development Corporation sign (Ironic, no?) stranded in an overgrown basement-level pit!

This corner has so much potential, it is really too bad that it is used to advertise long-ago events and portray our neighborhood as blighted for those just entering it.

photos by DG-rad

What Ever Happened to Drake's?

Proposed location, photo by DG-rad

Last October the news was in blogs and local papers: a sit-down restaurant was coming to historic Anacostia. This was news because there wasn't a restaurant of that quality in the neighborhood, despite many residents' eagerness to spend their money within walking distance. And this is still the case.

Most notably, there was a feature article in the Washington Business Journal proclaiming the arrival of Drake's Restaurant & Lounge at the corner of MLK and Good Hope, a new American-style sit-down restaurant and sports bar where, among other conveniences, people could come for Sunday brunch.


promo handouts, photo by DG-rad

But that was last October, and the article noted that the establishment, created by Anacostia resident Drake Wilson, should be opened by the end of 2006.

"It's a neighborhood where carryout restaurants dominate the sidewalks and the hype that builds up for coming retail attractions often is followed by letdowns." -WBJ

Should we be expecting another letdown? Is Drake just waiting for this area to see some more revival before he invests more? Or is this site part of the larger Anacostia Square project, as it appears to be in early renderings?


interior, notice the old "Anacostia" scripted sign, photo by DG-rad

I wrote an email asking about the progress to the address listed on the still-active Drake's website, but as of a couple weeks, no response. I'll continue to dig, but if anyone has information about Drake's, please comment away!

The Post on DC's Riverfronts

While there wasn't much coverage of our side of the Anacostia waterfront (mostly because there isn't any new news to report), this article from Sunday's Post paints a good picture of DC's efforts to revive its extensive riverfront property and parkland.

I especially like the interactive graphic, which, shown from the Anacostia perspective, places an emphasis on our long-forgotten river frontage. Not the view of DC most people are used to seeing.

Skyland Meeting Recap 8-15-07

Last Wednesday's meeting about Skyland Town Center was the usual mix: there were some that were against any change at all, and there were others that were eager to see the wrecking ball and a complete re-do of everything that is Skyland. It was really great to meet some of you all there-- let's keep that up!


NEW site plan by Torti Gallas, courtesy of The Rappaport Companies

The most exciting element of the meeting was the unveiling of the revised site plan (above) by Torti Gallas, a town planning and architecture company best known around here for projects like Kenyon Square and Highland Park in Columbia Heights, The Ellington on U Street, Arlington East at Bethesda Row, and the recent Shirlington addition. They are the perfect addition to the Skyland team because they are experts at urban infill with a lasting aesthetic, and at designing spaces where people love to congregate. It will, however, be critical for the buildings to a have a diversity of design (like at the previously mentioned projects or at Rockville Town Square), rather than the sterility often achieved by it all looking the same-- my criticism of some large projects of similar scale such as City Vista in Mt. Vernon Triangle.


OLD site plan by Leo A. Daly

More highlights of the new site plan:

- the new site plan draws the development together, disbursing the parking garages around the site rather than in one unsightly location. (see above OLD site plan)

- better connection with adjacent neighborhood through use of townhomes or low-density multifamily along the Eastern periphery

- natural grade throughout project

- parking above large format retail building

- commitment to design excellence (we'll hold them to that)

If all goes according to plan, we should be able to live/shop/play/work here in March 2011.

header graphic and minor additions to site plan graphic by DG-rad

Solomon G. Brown Corps Community Center

rendering courtesy of WCS Construction

The Solomon G. Brown Corps Community Center, expected to be completed in June 2008, is the new Salvation Army building (not thrift store) going up at the corner of MLK and Morris Rd. It will really depend on the quality of materials they use on the exterior for whether it ends up looking like a contributing piece of our main street.

Here is the floor-by-floor breakdown:

1st Floor: Retail Tenant
2nd Floor: Childcare Center that is open to the community
3rd Floor: Corps Community Center
4th Floor: Workforce Development
5th Floor: Wellness Center with "aerobics classes, cardiovascular machines and weight-lifting equipment"

Fortunately, there is an effort being made for the retail to be something of greater value than another check-cashing storefront. One Salvation Army newsletter from December 2006 mentions CVS as the type of tenant they are looking for for the ground floor. (keywords here are "the type of tenant")

This is what the Center looks like now:


photos by DG-rad

Public Meeting: Skyland Town Center

When:

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 (Tomorrow!) from 6:00-9:30pm

Where:

Hillcrest Recreation Center (click for map)

What:

Focused discussion on:
- Project Timeline
- Refinements to Masterplan by new architects
- Key Elements of Housing Component
- Affirmation of Retail Mix

Sponsored by the Skyland Development Team in consultation with Council Members Yvette Alexander, Marion Barry, Kwame Brown, and Vincent Gray

Click Here for Formal Announcement

Also, here is a link to Skyland Development Team's answers to some of ANC7B's questions regarding the new development. From the looks of it, this will be a very conscienscious development, taking into account urban sustainability, pedestrian-friendly design, and local business support.

Picturesque Anacostia

From time to time I will post excerpts from old newspaper articles about or referencing Anacostia. (with a wink to JD who had the same idea)
Check out this pretty amazing article from 1890:

"There is no more beautiful and picturesque suburban village in such delightful proximity to any city than Anacostia is to the Capital City.

"Sweet Auburn" may have been the "loveliest village of the plain," but Anacostia, with her reach of streets up the easy stretch of hills that decline from the Maryland shore to the banks of the Eastern Branch of the Potomac that separates it from the southern section of the city, must claim the prize as the loveliest village of the hills, or "divide the crown" with some extremely beautiful hamlet.

The village from the city looks picturesque, indeed, with its rich emerald background of undulating sward and rich foliage, but from the village, in a gaslight view of Washington, it does not take an extravagant stretch of the imagination to recall the "Loroli" on the River Rhine.

And while the village is borrowing some of its beautiful designs in architecture, it is also imitating the neighboring city in its general business and public enterprise. It is in all its features a very desirable adjunct to the city proper as a place for suburban residence. Its situation is healthful and delightful, many of its most attractive sites being 200 feet above the level of the river. It will soon have greatly increased street car facilities from all parts of the city, which will give an additional impetus to crown its emerald slopes with neat cottages and more pretentious villas.

It has now two churches and a public school-house of no mean proportions. Its stores, both wholesale and retail, compare favorably with like establishments in the city, and enjoy a very considerable trade from the contiguous counties of Maryland, whose trade must pass through its streets to enter the city. The streets are well laid off, lit with gas, and are being rapidly built up and properly graded, and otherwise improved."

excerpt from "Picturesque Anacostia", The Washington Post, June 8, Eighteen-Ninety

Header graphic by DG-rad

crosswalk striping

photo by DG-rad, 10am 8/11/07

There are a lot of street and sidewalk touch-ups going on this morning on MLK: rebricking in front of the new Jamaican Restaurant at MLK and V, painting on the offramp, and re-striping. We're sprucin' up!

Poplar Point RFEI Announced

This morning the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development's office released the Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for the development of Poplar Point.

For the Website, Click Here

For the RFEI, Click Here (PDF)

Square On

The front page of this week's print edition of the Washington Business Journal is dedicated to Anacostia Square, the future mixed-use project (40,000 SF retail; 30,000 SF office space; 80 residential units) at the corner of MLK and Good Hope. The article is essentially an announcement that the project, a joint venture between Douglas Development (Ventana, 7th Street Historic Row) and the Anacostia Economic Development Company (Anacostia Gateway), can now move forward after the Historic Preservation Review Board approved demolition of all but the facades of the historically significant--or at least aesthetically historic--buildings at 1909-1913 MLK Ave. Butch Hopkins, president and CEO of AEDC, expects construction to begin in August 2008. (!)

*Note: this very blog broke similar news over two weeks ago--though I acknowledge that WBJ still has a slighty higher readership.

Although initially focused on this Anacostia project, the bulk of the article is about the tedius process of trying to develop around structures deemed historic. Having worked for an infill urban development company in the past, I know firsthand the difficulty of trying to develop a financially feasible project, while also appeasing the DC Historic Preservationists.

Ultimately, however, I support the fastidiousness of preservationists because the end result usually has more character, a more human scale, and doesn't erase a past aesthetic that is, in most cases, entirely worth preserving when comparing the attention to detail and quality of construction and materials to that of today.

"Our purpose is to prevent the demolition of historic buildings," said Tim Dennee, architectural historian for the D.C. Historic Preservation Office. "What would happen if we allowed everyone to demolish their homes or buildings just because they've fallen into disrepair? We'd have no historic buildings in this city."

Backside of 1913 MLK Ave, picture courtesy of Washington Business Journal

On a separate note, the article also mentions that there have been over 100 applications for the recently announced grants for up to $35,000 to spruce up Anacostia homes in historically sensitive ways. That is major news for the neighborhood. Thank you all!

images for header graphic courtesy of Washington Business Journal

The DC Region is experiencing a drought, and Anacostia is not immune to its ill-effects. From today's Examiner article:

"Farmers in Virginia and Maryland are fretting over brown-eared corn and drooping soybean crops. Here in the city, our communal crop is trees, and they are suffering.

It’s time to get out our buckets and our hoses, check the ’hood for newly planted saplings and drench them. Every day, if possible."

Our trees add value, beauty, health, and pride to our neighborhood, and it is our responsibility (and hopefully, desire) to make sure they stay alive.

For a Great piece on the importance of street trees, see this post from The Goodspeed Update.

photo used in graphic courtesy of flickr user stgermh

the continuing conversation

There is a good editorial in today's Post that offers good clarification and focus to the Poplar Point discussion. Highlights:

It's wrong to think of Poplar Point as just another hunk of land waiting to be developed in the District of Columbia.

...The success and popularity of D.C. United is undeniable, but Mr. Fenty is smart to keep the city's interests, not the team's, foremost. Absent other plans (which could well include stadium proposals), it's hard to judge what is the best for the District.

...D.C. United's disappointment and that of its backers in Ward 8 is understandable. The community is tired of being told yet again to wait for the commercial and residential development it so desperately needs.

...It's important to stress that Mr. Fenty's action does not preclude D.C. United's project but only ensures that its merits will be weighed against those of other possible developments. If, indeed, it is the best project and one that enjoys widespread community support, D.C. United should have little problem proving it.

The good news is that the efforts attributed to this issue are reminding people outside of Anacostia that yes, our neighborhood exists and it is worthy of public discussion outside of news of violence and urban disrepair.

Need a grant for your neighborhood, organization, local biz, etc? Are you extremely creative? Are you sort of a fan of American Idol?

If so, the Case Foundation's "Make It Your Own Awards" are definitely for you. Essentially this is a competitive grant program wherein the Case Foundation will allow you and me to vote for the grant idea we like best.

The basic idea:

"We recognize that improving communities takes ongoing commitment and persistent action from the people who live in them.

That's why we will provide funds to individuals, and individuals working with small organizations and groups, who join together to imagine and implement innovative ideas and solutions that lay the groundwork for long-term social change.

We want to lift up these efforts to show that they're not happening in isolation, but are part of a growing movement that can, and will, transform our communities."

The catch--you only have until August 8th. So get writing!

Apply Here

fenty on the point

Direct from Mayor Fenty (is there a nickname I could be using here to the same effect as Mayor Bowtie?)

He has gotten a lot of flack for his decision to offer up Poplar Point to a competitive Request For Proposals (RFP), but that does not mean that he is anti-affordable housing, anti-development or anti-soccer stadium. We have been waiting years for major development East of the River, and this is a good way to ensure that what we get is something we can all be proud of.

Click Here to Watch the Video interview with the mayor.

video courtest of WUSA Channel 9
(windows media player)