SS United States Conservancy Kick-Off & Silent Auction

Wharf PUD Presentation Recap

This evening's monthly SWNA meeting was a presentation of the Stage Two PUD for phase I of development at the Southwest Waterfront (called The Wharf) by the Hoffman-Madison Waterfront team. The presentation was held in the Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage. At the presentation, the developers and master planner gave a description of what is planned for parcels 2, 3, 4, 11, and public places including District Pier, Transit Pier, Waterfront Park, and 7th Street Park.  The Stage Two PUD application was submitted to the Zoning Commission on February 3rd. A description of what's planned for the parcels can be found here. 

Monty Hoffman from PN Hoffman gave his vision for the project and mentioned some of the refinements made to the plan since the Stage One PUD was approved in the fall.  For instance, the proposed traffic circle in front of Arena Stage has been removed from the plan. At the water's edge, wooden fending has been added to wrap around the bulkhead and provide a nicer face to the shoreline, especially at the District Pier and Transit Pier. Earlier in the process, a streetcar line was proposed for Wharf Street, but that has been shifted to Maine Avenue due to safety concerns. An extra mews was added to separate the office building and hotel planned for parcel 3. In addition, the facades have been broken down at street level to have more of a human scale to them. The Hoffman Madison Waterfront team is working with Washington Gas on building a Co-Gen plant on Maine Avenue that would use clean-burning natural gas to power the rest of the development. As a result of the Combined Heating and Power Facility (or Co-Gen plant), over 1,000 coal cars per year will be saved since most of the city is powered using coal fuel. 

Pier Mews by the Intercontinental Hotel in Parcel 3b

Next up was Stan Eckstut from Perkins Eastman who gave an overview of what's planned in the development. As much attention was given to the water plan as the land plan, and in fact, the water plan was done first.  Eckstut mentioned that the only other city in the US that has a comprehensive water plan for their waterfront is Baltimore. Along the water's edge at The Wharf, there will be a continuous bench (about 2,000 feet) instead of a railing, so people can enjoy the water more easily. Lighting will be near the base for safety purposes at night, as well as blue lighting along the water's edge to serve as a way to define the waterfront that can be seen from passersby crossing the Case Bridge into the District.  

Aerial view from the water

The Transit Pier is triangular in shape and is located near Parcel 2. This is where most of the dinner cruise ships, water taxi, and charter boats will dock. Music barges will also dock here for festivals.

Transit Pier

Down-channel from the Transit Pier is the District Pier, which will serve at the ceremonial entrance for tall ships and other vessels from around the world that visit the city. The District Pier is very large - 650 feet long (more than twice as long as a football field), stretching from Maine Avenue out into the Washington Channel.  The public space created here will be larger than comparable spaces in other cities, including Covent Garden in London, outside of Faneuil Hall in Boston, or Harborplace in Baltimore. District Pier is designed to serve a variety of purposes, with permanent scaffolding along the sides to facilitate the set-up for events and festivals throughout the year. For instance, the pier can serve as a venue for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, or become a large ice rink in the winter. Closer to Maine Avenue, there will be a large water feature called Water Court next to where people will emerge from a parking garage underneath the District Pier. At the channel end of the pier, there will be the Dock Master building with a pavilion affording views out to the water and back towards the city. 

District Pier

On the land side of the development, the design of the retail space along the wharf and Maine Avenue will vary, but will be smaller format with no big box retail. Along the wharf there will include mostly restaurants, as well as kiosks, while Maine Avenue retail will focus more on neighborhood-serving retail. Meanwhile, retail along the mews will be cafes, and some entertainment venues along what is dubbed "Jazz Alley" between Parcel 4 and Parcel 5. 

Example of retail along Maine Avenue

The design of the buildings will include more masonry than glass in most areas, with the exception of the condo building planned for Parcel 4.  Buildings facing Maine Avenue will more closely resemble the design of buildings in the city, while the wharf-facing buildings will have more windows to allow views out to the water. In addition, at least 50% of the roofs will be green. Parking will all be below grade, which is rare for waterfronts in the US and will accommodate around 1,500 cars. Nearly the same amount of bike parking spaces will be provided. A second Capital Bikeshare station will be installed at 9th Street and Maine Avenue to join the one already at 7th Street (which will move slightly from its present location to be closer to Maine Avenue). 

Example of retail at District Pier

Located between Parcel 3 and Parcel 4 will be the Yacht Club Piazza, next to which will be the Capital Yacht Club clubhouse.

Yacht Club Piazza

Next to Parcel 5 (which is owned by the JBG Companies and is not a part of this PUD submission) is 7th Street Park, a more formal and quiet green space where 7th Street Landing is currently located. Adjacent to the park is 7th Street Pier, which is not included in Phase I of development.

7th Street Park

Next to Parcel 11 is the 4.2-acre Waterfront Park, the details of which can be found here.  The park will be built in Phase I despite being disjointed from the rest of the development because the ANC requested this space be completed early in the process as a concession to the existing community.

Pergola at Waterfront Park

After Mr. Eckstut's presentation, Shawn Seaman from PN Hoffman went over the sustainability measures planned for the development. The Wharf will seek LEED-New Development Gold, while the individual buildings will strive for a minimum of LEED-Silver. An elaborate 675,000 gallon cistern system will be constructed to capture the more than 25 million gallons of runoff each year that currently dumps into the Washington Channel due to the lack of permeable surfaces at present. The captured runoff will be recycled to the greatest extent possible, including the provision of chilled water for the Co-Gen plant. Solar power may also be used for lighting throughout the development.

There was a question & answer period after the presentations that lasted nearly an hour. Questions included parking concerns, types of retailers, housing preferences for existing neighborhood residents, recreational opportunities, and traffic disruptions during construction, among many others. All of the questions and answers will be posted soon on the project website. 

Next in the timeline is a set down hearing with the Zoning Commission in April, followed by a presentation to the ANC and vote in May. Public hearings will be held in June and July, with approval anticipated by the Zoning Commission in the fall and groundbreaking in the first quarter of 2013.

Renderings courtesy of Hoffman-Madison Waterfront

Sky House Progress Photos

Over the past couple of weeks, demolition has been underway at the former EPA east tower at Waterfront Station.  Windows have been taken out and part of the concrete skin has been removed.  In its place will be Sky House I, a 266-unit apartment building. More details on what's planned can be found here. Below are a couple photos taken last week:

A new entrance to the building has been created facing the multicolored walkway.

Later in the week, more of the concrete skin and windows have been removed.

Update: A new website has been created for the project, although there isn't much information on it right now. There will be a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. A media advisory describes the apartments as containing sleek interior designs, upscale fixtures, floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood flooring, and contemporary kitchens. In addition, the project amenities will include a roof deck with pool, e-lounge, resident clubroom with gaming elements, pool table and movie screening area, gym with yoga studio, and an outdoor courtyard with sitting areas, TVs, gas fireplace and grills. An official commencement ceremony will take place on Monday, March 12 at 9:30am.  Dignitaries will be present, including Mayor Gray.  It appears that construction on Sky House II with 264 units will now begin in the spring of 2013 instead of May 2012.

SW Duck Pond Update

Over the next month or so, some major infrastructure improvements are planned for the SW Duck Pond, located at 6th & I Streets. An appropriation has been provided by the DC government to do some brick work in the park, including the coping around the water's edge, as well as the retaining walls which are in pretty bad shape.  In addition, the appropriation includes the installation of new globe lighting with outlets at the base to allow lights to be strung around the light poles for special occasions (festivals, holidays, etc). The benches will also be painted. Bids have been submitted and a contractor will be chosen next week.  

Crumbling retaining walls will be fixed.

Under a different funding mechanism, the Neighbors of SW Duck Pond have applied for a grant from DDOT's Performance Parking program instituted when Nationals Park opened to restore the underwater lighting in the pond that have long been disabled. The park is used as a cut-through for people coming to and from the businesses on 4th Street and the Metro, so the addition of underwater lighting will increase safety in the park at night. Estimates for the repairs range from $1,800 - $20,000, depending on the condition of the existing wiring for the underwater lights, but the actual cost won't be known until the contractors get to work on the project.

Last year's fountain "turning on" ceremony.

Work on both projects will aim for completion by April 7, when Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells will be on hand for the annual ceremony to turn on the pond's fountains for the season, the same day as the SW Waterfront Fireworks Festival.  Last season, the pH balance was changed in the pond to return the water to a more natural state and make it hospitable for ducks to return. As a result, the pond water turned green and maintenance was more costly since the filters had to be changed more often. In previous years, the water was chemically treated to keep the water clearer and it will most likely return to that cleaning schedule this season.   

Velodrome Lease Signed for Buzzard Point Site

The Washington Post reported yesterday that a lease has been signed to allow DC Velodrome, a local 501c3 non-profit corporation, to erect a velodrome on part of the 100 V Street parcel owned by Akridge in Buzzard Point. Last fall, the group probably jumped the gun a bit when listing Akridge as a partner on their website, which created speculation in the blogosphere that a velodrome would be built at 100 V Street.  Now that the lease is a done deal, Akridge has acknowledged the agreement.  From the article:

"Locating D.C.'s first velodrome on Buzzard Point is an exciting contribution to the vitality of the neighborhood and the diversity of activities available to the city and the region, while still keeping the site readily available for permanent development," Akridge President Matt Klein said in a statement.

Speaking of permanent development, it was reported earlier this week that DC United was close to signing a lease with the city to remain at RFK Stadium for two more years and that these talks could help spur a final push to build a new stadium for the team, the leading candidate site reportedly being 100 V Street.  Originally, the 100 V Street site was positioned as a secure federal campus, but the office market has been slow to recover from the latest recession and the GSA has cut back on leasing activity.

The article states that DC Velodrome plans to open the velodrome by late May or early June, but they are in the process of raising $300,000 to help assemble the track and provide free programming. It doesn't mention in the article the length of the lease, but according to the group's website, the portable cycling track would be up for 3-5 years, leased from Major League Cycling in Lancaster, PA. From the website:

Basic facilities, including a perimeter fence for security, small grandstands, public address/sound system, lights, portable toilets, and a snack bar/storage building of a temporary nature will be installed on site.  There will be parking for approximately 50 cars.

The next couple of years will bring some major changes to the area by the velodrome site.  Right around the same time that the velodrome is scheduled to open, Pepco will decommission the Buzzard Point Power Plant across 1st Street and next year, the U.S. Coast Guard is supposed to move from 2100 2nd Street to their new headquarters at St. Elizabeths in SE.

Rendering of the Buzzard Point neighborhood courtesy of Akridge

Hot Yala Nights Fundraiser Tomorrow

9:30 Club Operators to Run Wharf Center?

It was reported yesterday in the Washington Business Journal that the Hoffman-Madison Waterfront team is in negotiations with the 9:30 Club to operate the Wharf Center entertainment venue planned during the first phase of The Wharf development.  From the article:

Bob Rubenkonig of Hoffman-Madison Waterfront said his company is working with the 9:30 Club with the hopes of bringing a music venue to the Southwest Waterfront site, though he didn't offer many details on the project while speaking on a panel Tuesday at the International Council of Shopping Centers Mid-Atlantic conference. "We think it will be a terrific traffic generator." Rubenkonig said.

The Wharf Center will be a 135,000 SF multipurpose entertainment and cultural venue on Parcel 2, located near the Maine Avenue Fish Market at 9th Street and Maine Avenue. Wrapped around it will be 494 mixed income apartment units in two towers (292 units in the east tower and 202 units in the west tower), and 39,000 SF of ground floor retail.  In addition, there will be a Combined Heating and Power Facility (CHP) that will provide all the necessary heating, cooling, and electrical power sources for The Wharf northwest of 7th Street. More info on what's planned for Phase 1 can be found here.

Rendering of Parcel 2 courtesy of Hoffman-Madison Waterfront

A Couple Quick Items: Sports Edition

- In this week's Capital Business, there's an article stating DC United is close to an agreement with the city to extend their lease at RFK Stadium for the next two years. The article alludes that the pending lease agreement and improved budget situation in DC will allow the team and the city time to come up with a plan to build a new stadium. From the article:

"That two-year extension will then provide adequate time for serious negotiations to commence between the city, Events DC and the team about a new soccer stadium in D.C., and one that meets the needs of the city and one that meets the needs of D.C. United," [Events DC board member William N. Hall] said.

Over the past couple of years, the leading site under discussion for a new stadium has been the 9-acre 100 V Street parcel in Buzzard Point owned by Akridge, near a proposed streetcar line. If a new stadium is built there, Potomac Avenue would become a de-facto entertainment corridor connecting Nationals Park and a Buzzard Point soccer stadium. For more on the potential for this corridor, check out my post about it from last year. Whether the Buzzard Point site is still in play remains to be seen.

Rendering courtesy of Akridge

- The Washington Kastles have resigned Venus and Serena Williams to the team roster for the 2012 season.  Last summer, the Kastles had a perfect season record in their first year playing at The Wharf and won the World Team Tennis Championship. This season will take place from July 9 - 28, but the game schedule has not been released yet.

Open Discussion

What's on your mind, Southwest?  Any neighborhood or citywide issues you want to discuss? This is an open discussion where you can leave comments about anything you want (within reason, of course). Enjoy the long holiday weekend!

Arena Announces 2012-13 Lineup

Earlier this week, Arena Stage announced the lineup for the 2012-13 season, the third season since the Mead Center reopened at 6th Street and Maine Avenue.  The season goes from September 2012 to May 2013 and includes original productions as well as reinterpretations of Broadway shows such as My Fair Lady.  Below is the list of performances and dates:

One Night with Janis Joplin

Written and directed by Randy Johnson

September 28 - November 4, 2012 in the Kreeger Theater

My Fair Lady

Based on Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner/Music by Frederick Loewe

Directed by Molly Smith

November 2, 2012 - January 6, 2013 in the Fichlander Stage

Pullman Porter Blues

A world-premiere co-production with Seattle Repertory Theatre

By Cheryl L. West/Directed by Lisa Peterson

November 23, 2012 - January 6, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater

Good People

By David Lindsay-Abaire/Directed by Jackie Maxwell

February 1 - March 10 2013 in the Kreeger Theater

Lookingglass Theatre Company's production of Metamorphoses

Based on the myths of Ovid

Written and directed by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman

February 6 - March 17, 2013 in the Fichlander Stage

Mary T. & Lizzy K

Arena Stage commission and world premiere

Written and directed by Tazewell Thompson

March 15 - April 28, 2013 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle

The Mountaintop

By resident playwright Katori Hall/Directed by Robert O'Hara

March 29 - May 12, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater

Other Desert Cities

By Jon Robin Baitz/Directed by Kyle Donnelly

April 26 - May 26, 2013 in the Fichlander Stage