Barney Circle-SE Boulevard Public Meeting Recap

February 25, 2013
Attendees discuss one option for the new Southeast Boulevard.

Attendees discuss one option for the new Southeast Boulevard.

A big crowd attended the District of Transportation’s Feb. 21 meeting on the Barney Circle-Southeast Boulevard Transportation Planning Study. As with the Penn-Potomac intersection study, the city is seeking federal funds for the Barney Circle-SE Blvd project and must complete an environmental assessment. The Feb. 21 meeting was the first of three planned public meetings on the project.

Here are the highlights:

  • The meeting began with a brief presentation by Sanjay Kumar of DDOT and Karl Kratzer of consultant CH2MHill. As with Penn-Potomac, DDOT has hired CH2MHill to manage and complete the study. The presentation outlined the goals of the larger Anacostia Waterfront Initiative and provided a timeline for the project. 
  • Attendees were divided into smaller working groups with DDOT or CH2MHill facilitators. Each group was asked to provide answers/feedback on the following four questions related to the Southeast Boulevard. I roamed from group to group and heard the following answers:
  • Where is the best connection from the neighborhood to the Southeast Boulevard? 13th, 14th and/or 15th Streets SE?  Most groups seemed to support connecting all three streets to the boulevard as a way to distribute traffic along multiple routes. However, there were a number of attendees who live on or near 13th, 14th & 15th south of Pennsylvania Avenue who preferred no connections between these streets and the boulevard. While I understand the concerns of these residents, I’m also concerned that a boulevard without connections and stop lights is really just another freeway separating the neighborhood from the waterfront.
  • How is L Street SE incorporated into the Southeast Boulevard? Integrated completely, separated slightly or completely separate? I didn’t hear any support for fully integrating the currently quiet, residential L Street SE with the boulevard. There was more support for separating the two with green space and bringing the boulevard up to grade with L Street.
  • How should the city use the space created underneath the elevated Southeast Boulevard? DDOT and CH2MHill asked whether attendees would prefer a multi-modal transfer facility/bus parking lot or a commuter parking lot under the elevated freeway. My sense is that a majority of attendees preferred the former.
  • In addition to pedestrian and bike connections, should the project attempt to provide a vehicle connection between M Street SE and the new SE Boulevard. I heard some support for this idea, but most groups emphasized increasing pedestrian and bike access to the waterfront. Of course, the CSX railroad tracks and the difference in grade between the proposed boulevard and waterfront are obstacles to both goals.
  • DDOT did not specifically ask for feedback on the other major portion of the project – the transformation of Barney Circle into a full traffic circle. I hope there will be more discussion about the circle at the next public meeting.
  • A few groups did raise concerns about plans for “Park Drive,” a proposed roadway connecting Independence Avenue SE with the new Barney Circle via the Anacostia Waterfront. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Park Drive is a bad idea, particularly since it would cut off mixed-use development at Reservation 13 from the waterfront.

DDOT plans to hold the next public meeting on the project in the spring. At that meeting, attendees will review alternatives and provide feedback. ANC 6B’s Transportation Committee also plans to discuss the project on March 6.

Thanks to everyone who came out and participated in the meeting. And a big thanks to Principal Marcus and Payne Elementary School for playing host to both the Penn-Potomac and Barney Circle meetings.

Please post your comments/feedback/questions below. And if you want to be added to the project e-mail list, send an e-mail to barneycircle@prrbiz.com.

One option under consideration would completely integrate L Street SE and the new SE Blvd.

One option under consideration would completely integrate L Street SE and the new SE Blvd.

A second option would separate L Street and the SE Blvd but connect at 13th, 14th and 15th.

A second option would separate L Street and the SE Blvd but connect at 13th, 14th and 15th.

A third option would separate the SE Blvd completely from the neighborhood.

A third option would separate the SE Blvd completely from the neighborhood.

5 Comments | Barney Circle, Penn East, Transportation | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

Residential Building Planned for 1550 Pennsylvania Ave SE

February 19, 2013
A used car lot currently sits on 1550 Pennsylvania Avenue SE.

A used car lot currently sits on 1550 Pennsylvania Avenue SE.

Lots of things happening around Barney Circle these days. In addition to the planned Barney Circle transportation project, Penn Avenue Partnership, LLC  plans to build an 80-84 unit residential building at 1550 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, located at the intersection of Penn Ave and Barney Circle. Neighbors can learn more about the plans and ask questions of the owner and developer at a meeting on Wednesday, February 27, 6:30 pm at New York Pizza (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue SE).

In addition to the initial plans (pdf), here are some additional details about the project:

  • The northern portion of the proposed building will be three stories, matching the existing three story rowhouses on the 1500 block of Penn Ave SE. As the building approaches Barney Circle, it will rise to five stories, the maximum allowed in the C-2-A zone. The initial design is by Eric Colbert & Associates.
  • Penn Ave Partnership is seeking two variances and a special exception from the Board of Zoning Adjustment. This means that ANC 6B will have an opportunity to weigh in on the project, perhaps as early as March.
  • One variance will be for parking. The plans call for 31 parking spots – 23 in an underground garage and 8 along the alley (a.k.a. “Freedom Way”) which runs behind the property. This is 11 spots short of the required 42 parking spaces. The applicant argues that the property’s unique shape makes it difficult to provide 42 parking spaces and that building a second underground level of parking would be prohibitively expensive. Additionally, the applicant points to the site’s proximity to the Potomac Avenue Metro and other transit to make the case that meeting the full parking requirement is not necessary.
  • A second variance request relates to a requirement for a loading dock that can accommodate 55-foot trucks. The applicant argues that the unique shape of the property and the narrowness of Freedom Way makes providing such a dock overly burdensome.
  • The special exception request is a technical matter relating to roof height requirements of the mechanical penthouse.
  • While there are currently curb cuts on Penn Ave and Kentucky Ave, the plans call for vehicles to enter the new building via Freedom Way. While I certainly support the idea of removing curb cuts, Freedom Way seems ill-suited to handle traffic in and out of the building. In addition, the current one-way configuration of Kentucky Ave. SE means that Freedom Way will be the only northern access point. Vehicles will have a difficult time navigating the alley, particularly if it remains two way.
  • While no final determination has been made, the projects 80-84 units will likely be apartments.
  • While parking and traffic flow are certainly concerns, the project would significantly increase foot traffic along the 1400 & 1500 blocks of Penn Ave, providing a major boost for existing and proposed retail along the corridor.

Again, the owner, developer and architect will present their plans to the community and answer questions on Wed., Feb. 27, 6:30 pm at New York Pizza. In the meantime, post your questions and comments below.

Initial design of proposed residential building courtesy of Eric Colbert & Associates.

Initial design of proposed residential building courtesy of Eric Colbert & Associates.

19 Comments | Barney Circle, Development, Penn East, Potomac Avenue Metro | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

Barney Circle-SE Blvd Planning Meeting This Thursday, Feb. 21

February 18, 2013
Rendering of the new Barney Circle from the 2005 Middle Anacostia River Crossings Study.

Rendering of the new Barney Circle from the 2005 Middle Anacostia River Crossings Study.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, the District Department of Transportation will be holding the first public meeting for the Barney Circle – Southeast Boulevard Transportation Planning Study. The meeting will take place from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Payne Elementary School, 1445 C Street SE.

As I detailed in a previous post, the Barney Circle-SE Blvd project will have a major impact on Hill East. DDOT plans to make Barney Circle a full traffic circle and connect the new circle to the Southeast-Southwest Freeway via a newly constructed Southeast Boulevard. I plan to ask DDOT a number of questions about the project, including:

  • Is DDOT committed to building a full traffic circle at Barney Circle, or is the agency considering other alternatives?
  • What will a full traffic circle mean for traffic along surrounding streets? Will Kentucky Avenue remain one way?
  • How will bike traffic proceed around the new Barney Circle?
  • Would building a full traffic circle exacerbate the current traffic situation on 17th Street SE?
  • What will DDOT do with the middle of the new Barney Circle? Build a park? Monument? Garden?
  • Would 13th, 14th and 15th Streets connect to the Southeast Boulevard?
  • Is DDOT still considering the construction of Park Drive, a roadway that would connect Independence Avenue to Barney Circle?
  • What is the timeline for the project, and is it fully funded?

Again, I encourage Hill East residents to attend this meeting, particularly if you live south of Potomac Avenue and east of 14th Street SE.

3 Comments | Barney Circle, Transportation | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

ANC 6B February Meeting Recap

February 15, 2013

On Tuesday, Feb. 12, ANC 6B held its February full commission meeting at the Hill Center. Here is a brief recap:

  • Resolutions renewing the Commission’s Transportation Committee,  Hill East Task Force, Outreach and Constituent Services Task Force and Zoning Regulations Review Task Force were unanimously approved by the commission. The Transportation Committee will now be a permanent standing committee of the commission while task forces remain subject to annual renewal
  • The Commission unanimously elected the following Commissioners to serve as committee/task force chairs:
  • Nominations of resident members were also approved by the Commission. I’m particularly grateful to former 6B09 Commissioner Keith Smith and 6B09 resident Darren Cole for agreeing to serve as resident members on the Transportation Committee and Outreach & Constituent Services Task Force, respectively. I plan to seek additional 6B09 resident members to serve on the ABC Committee and Hill East and Outreach & Constituent Services Task Force.
  • After a lengthy debate, the Commission voted 6-2-1 to oppose the design of a proposed new rowhouse at 820 C Street SE. Since the case was a historic preservation case (the property is located in the  Capitol Hill Historic District), the commission’s opposition was based on the butterfly roof design. I voted with the majority in opposition, mainly due to the owner’s inability to come to an agreeable compromise with adjacent neighbors.
  • The Commission voted 8-0-2 to send comments (pdf) to the District Department of the Environment on the Capitol Power Plant’s application for air quality permits. The Commission is concerned about the plant’s continued use of coal and the applicant’s use of peak years of energy production from coal to set a higher limit for emissions than is necessary.
  • Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg (6B04) reminded the audience of the upcoming Feb. 21 District Department of Transportation meeting on the Barney Circle-Southeast Boulvard Transportation Planning Study, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Payne Elementary School (1445 C Street SE).
  • I announced that the DC Council’s Committee on Human Services is holding a hearing on management and conditions at the DC General shelter on Thursday, Feb. 28, 6:00 pm at 1900 Massachusetts Avenue SE.
  • At the request of Commissioner Ivan Frishberg (6B02), the Commission voted unanimously to send a letter (pdf) to the District Department of Transportation requesting the results of Brent Elementary School pedestrian safety study. Commissioners Nichole Opkins (6B06), Chander Jayaraman (6B08) and I plan to ask DDOT to do a similar study for Payne Elementary School in March.
  • ANC 6B’s March meeting will be on Tuesday, March 12, 7 pm at the Hill Center.

Leave a Comment » | ANC 6B | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

Tuesday Quick Takes: Speed Camera, ANC 6B, Barney Circle, DC General

February 12, 2013
  • On Feb. 1, the Metropolitan Police Department installed the long-awaited speed camera at 17th & D Street SE. I’m pleased that the camera is finally in place and hope that it will slow vehicles down while the neighborhood awaits implementation of the 17th & 19th Street Safety Improvement Project recommendations.
  • ANC 6B’s February meeting is tonight (Feb. 12), 7:00 pm at the Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. The commission will be electing committee/task force chairs, voting on resident members and voting on proposed comments to the District Department of the Environment on permits related to the Capitol Hill Power Plant. View the agenda.
  • The District Department of Transportation will hold the first public meeting on the Barney Circle-Southeast Boulevard Transportation Planning Study on Thursday, Feb. 21, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Payne Elementary School (1445 C Street SE). As I’ve written in a previous post, DDOT has major changes planned for Barney Circle and it is critical that residents attend the meeting and weigh in on the project.
  • Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham, chair of the Council’s Committee on Human Services, has announced that the committee will hold a Thursday, Feb. 28 hearing on the management of DC General Shelter for homeless families. The hearing announcement comes in the wake of a Washington Post article and heartbreaking opinion column by Petula Dvorak detailing terrible conditions at the shelter.  The hearing will begin at 6:00 pm and be held at DC General, 1900 Massachusetts Avenue SE.

Leave a Comment » | ANC 6B, Barney Circle, Reservation 13/Hill East Waterfront, RFK/Stadium Armory, Transportation | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

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