River Point Plans Fleshed Out

Several months after it was announced that the former Coast Guard headquarters building was purchased and the buyers were planning to re-purpose the building as a mixed-use residential and retail project called River Point, plans have been submitted by the development team to the Zoning Commission for approval under the Capitol Gateway Overlay District. The project is located between the James Creek and Buzzard Point marinas at 2100 2nd Street in Buzzard Point, about two blocks south of Audi Field. 

According to the submission, the monolithic exterior will be broken up with the addition of cut-outs along the V Street, 1st Street and Anacostia riverfront sides of the building. A series of courtyards will be located on the third floor, including seating areas, a yoga deck, fire pit, movie screen, lawn, kitchen and dining room. The rooftop will include a pool and pool terrace. Residential entrances will be on 1st and 2nd streets. There will be a total of 485 rental apartment units with a mix of studio, junior one bedroom, one bedroom, and two bedroom units, both with and without dens (it appears the condominium component has been removed). Due to its location adjacent to the Anacostia River, the ground floor and adjacent streets will be raised above the 100-year flood plain. 

About 70,400 SF of ground floor retail is planned on all sides of the building. Restaurants will generally be located on the riverfront side of the building while neighborhood-serving retail will be located on V Street. Outdoor seating would be accommodated on the riverfront and 1st Street sides of the building. Some of the retail uses that are being targeted include restaurants, café, pharmacy and a grocery store. 

The Anacostia Riverwalk will run along the south side of the building, connecting to Buzzard Point Park to the east and the 2nd Street Cycle Track to the west. A boardwalk, programmable barges, fixed piers, a shell deck, public art, and a floating garden are planned for the area to the south of the riverfront trail. 

The building will aim for LEED-Silver certification and is expected to get underway later this year.

Renderings courtesy of 2100 2nd Street, SW LLC

Design Concepts for Buzzard Point Park

Earlier this month, the National Park Service hosted a public meeting at the Southwest branch library to discuss plans for the former Buzzard Point Marina property at the tip of Buzzard Point, adjacent to the planned Peninsula 88 condos. The marina closed earlier this year and NPS has been trying to decide how to reuse the park, which will become a much-needed open space refuge as the rest of the peninsula is redeveloped over the next several years. Buzzard Point Park has 3.4 acres of land area with 1,500 SF of shoreline. The park is an irregular shape which ranges in width from 50 to 200 feet. 

Based on public input from a meeting held in July, below is the general design concept for Buzzard Point Park as described by the National Park Service: 

Inspired by the native marshland that historically softened the transition between land and water, the design concept for Buzzard Point Park seeks to restore the natural beauty of the site. Located in a busy urban area, Buzzard Point Park will become a place where residents can stroll down a shoreline promenade lined with trees and marsh grasses, muffling the sounds of the city. The waterfront, once inaccessible, will be transformed into a peaceful retreat for both recreation and relaxation. 

The design begins with the shoreline. In sharp contrast to the hard lines traditionally used in waterfront parks, this concept uses soft edges and organic shapes defined by native marsh plantings. This holistic approach provides shoreline stability and flood protection, while making the waterfront accessible. To enhance this experience, a kayak share program is proposed to allow residents a new way to engage with the waterfront. 

Along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail are a series of Recreational Pods (Rec Pods) offering a variety of play, education, and interpretive opportunities. These spaces are intended to be more multi-functional to meet a variety of recreational needs. Each space can be designed to meet a specific need such as a play area, a splash pad, rest stop, fitness station, public art display, or a simple open lawn area. Visitors seeking active recreation will be able to use the continuation of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, linking to the existing trail ending at Diamond Teague Park. 

Marsh Rec Pod concept

Tower Rec Pod concept

Two design concepts were revealed during the presentation. Common to both concepts are water-based activities with a natural shoreline and a waterfront trail in a unique park setting. The existing Earth Conservation Corps (ECC) building would be repurposed to contain restroom facilities, a kayak launch, and other park support amenities. A small parking lot would be located at the north end of the park near the ECC building. Neither of the concepts include a marina, although some people requested one be included at the public meeting. 

Concept 1 creates a large open lawn and two trails – a 20-foot wide multi-use extension of the Anacostia Riverfront Trail and a 10-foot wide pedestrian promenade closer to the water. A landscaped buffer area would be located on the west side of the park, connecting the lawn area with an arrival plaza along 1st Street. 

Concept 2 also includes a pedestrian promenade, but the Anacostia Riverfront Trail would be located on the river itself with overlooks, leaving more space on the land side for a heavily forested tree canopy and steps leading to the water.

Floating Anacostia River Trail from Concept 2

For more information about the concepts, check out the NPS’ project website. The public comment period will run through January 27, 2017, after which the concept plans may be revised. Then, the final concept plans will be developed and will be vetted during the NEPA process. As funding becomes available to build the park, it will likely be completed in phases.

Renderings courtesy of NPS