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

Pennsylvania-Potomac Avenue Intersection Safety Study Meeting Recap

February 4, 2013
Meeting attendees discuss potential options for improving safety at the Penn-Potomac intersection.

Meeting attendees discuss potential options for improving safety at the Penn-Potomac intersection.

On Jan. 31, the District Department of Transportation held the first of three scheduled public meetings on the Pennsylvania-Potomac Avenue Intersection Pedestrian Safety Study. The primary goal of the study and project is to enhance pedestrian safety at the intersection.   Around 100 attendees had an opportunity to view a presentation on the study and to  ask questions.

Here are the highlights:

  • Sanjay Kumar of DDOT and Karl Kratzer of consulting firm CH2MHill led the meeting and presentation. DDOT has hired CH2MHill to conduct the Environmental Assessment (EA) and PRR, a public affairs firm, to handle the public relations aspects of the  project. Both CH2MHill and PRR will also be  involved in the Barney Circle-Southeast Boulevard project.
  • Since DDOT is seeking federal funds for the project, the agency must complete an EA. The purpose of the Jan. 31 public meeting, or “scoping meeting,” was to determine the purpose, need and scope of the project. Feedback from the scoping meeting will be used to develop alternatives that will be shared with the public during the next public meeting (spring 2013).
  • After detailing existing problems with the intersection – multiple crosswalk locations that create pedestrian/driver confusion, no direct crosswalks across Penn Ave and the reality of pedestrians crossing PA at unstriped locations – Mr. Kratzer outlined the various concepts DDOT was considering for improving the intersection. The concepts ranged from minimal improvements (improvements to exiting crosswalks, changes to signal timing) to full redesign and reconfiguration of the intersection. The goal of the study is to determine which concept will best accomplish the goal of enhancing pedestrian safety.
  • Mr. Kratzer acknowledged that the Penn-Potomac EA actually began in 2009 but was put on hold due to budget constraints. He said the previously developed 2009 concept of a traffic square is no longer a viable option due to lack of space for bus turns.
  • Two new concepts were shared with the audience (see photos below). Concept 1 would create T-intersections at Penn and Potomac Ave and 14th and Penn Ave. If implemented, Concept 1 would keep the existing three lane configuration on Pennsylvania Avenue but would add a direct crosswalk from the Metro plaza to the southern side of Penn Ave. The portion of Potomac Ave immediately in front of the  Metro entrance would be eliminated under this concept, with the potential for additional public space to be added on both the north and south sides of Penn Ave.
  • Concept 2 would introduce a traffic oval to the existing intersection. Traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue proceed around the oval to continue traveling westbound or eastbound. In addition, traffic would enter the oval at various points, with signals at each end of the oval. A new, long crosswalk would bisect the traffic circle, allowing pedestrians to cross directly from the Metro plaza to the south side of Penn Ave.
  • DDOT and CH2MHill noted that these two concepts were meant to begin the conversation with the community and that they expected changes to both concepts as they received community feedback.
  • During Q&A,  residents voiced concern that Concept 2 would actually bring traffic closer to the residential areas near the Metro plaza. Other residents mentioned the need to consider bike traffic, the potential impact of any new configuration on side streets, improvements to the Metro “Kiss & Ride” area at 14th & G Streets SE and the need to think holistically about how this project interacts with other DDOT projects both on the west and east side of the river. Mr. Kratzer acknowledged all of these concerns and encouraged residents to submit their feedback on comment forms.
  • If you missed the meeting, you can e-mail comments and feedback to pennpotomac@prrbiz.com. You can also join the project e-mail list by e-mailing ddot.awi@dc.gov or calling 202-741-8528.
  • There certainly needs to be significant coordination between both the Penn-Potomac and Barney Circle-SE Boulevard projects. I am pleased that the same team will be working on both projects. The Barney Circle-Southeast Boulevard project scoping meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Payne Elementary School (1445 C Street SE). 
Existing conditions at the intersection. You can see the worn pedestrian path in the PA Ave median.

Existing conditions at the intersection. You can see the worn pedestrian path in the PA Ave median.

"Traffic square" concept previously shared in 2009. This concept is no longer on the table.

“Traffic square” concept previously shared in 2009. This concept is no longer on the table.

Concept 1 would create T-intersections at Penn and Potomac Aves. and 14th St. SE

Concept 1 would create T-intersections at Penn and Potomac Aves. and 14th St. SE

Concept 2 would create a traffic oval at the Penn-Potomac intersection.

Concept 2 would create a traffic oval at the Penn-Potomac intersection.

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

15th & D Street SE Building Plans & Preliminary Design

January 30, 2013
View of D Street SE of preliminary design of proposed residential building. Design by R2L Architects.

Preliminary design of proposed residential building (view from D Street SE). Design by R2L Architects.

Around 20 residents attended a Jan.  24 community meeting organized by Commissioner Nichole Opkins (6B06) and me to learn about plans for a residential building at 401 15th Street SE, located at the corner of 15th & D Streets SE. Sheldon Jones and Michel Regignano of property owner Goodeon Kingston LLC presented their preliminary design plans for a 12-unit residential building on the site and answered questions from residents.

While attendees certainly disagreed on various aspects of the project, I felt the meeting was helpful and that Goodeon left with some constructive suggestions for the project. They are also open to hearing additional feedback from neighbors and the community in the future.

A brief recap of the highlights:

  • The building will include 12 residential units (likely condos) and will be five stories in height, the  height allowed under the site’s C-2-A zoning. Almost half of the units (5) will be one bedroom units, while the remaining units will be 2 or 3 bedrooms. As required by inclusionary zoning, there will be one affordable unit.
  • Goodeon Kingston does not plan to seek any zoning relief for the building, which means the ANC and Board of Zoning Adjustment will not have a chance to review the final plans and design.  
  • Goodeon decided against including retail on the first floor of the building, citing a lack of space and current market demand. The first floor units could potentially be used for office space, but Goodeon believes they will likely be residential units.
  • The building includes the required six parking spaces . Parking will take up about half of the first floor of the building and is one of the reasons why retail is no longer part of the plans. Vehicles will enter using the existing curb cut on 15th Street SE.  
  • Goodeon plans to raze the current one-story structure on the site in March. Construction on the new building would likely begin either late this year or in early 2014. John Reid Construction LLC will be the builder.
  • Representatives from R2L Architects presented the preliminary design of the building, sharing views looking south from D Street SE and north up 15th Street SE. Goodeon and the presenters made it clear that they were sharing preliminary plans not final plans and were eager to get feedback from the community. View the preliminary design (pdf).
  • Reaction to the building design ranged from outrage to acceptance. One resident said, “It’s not as ugly as I thought it would be.” Others said the building was too tall and was not in keeping with the character of the neighborhood. Some argued that changing the zoning along 15th Street SE  to R-4 would prevent such out of scale buildings. Others voiced disappointment with the lack of retail on the ground floor and the lack of connection between the building and the surrounding sidewalk.
  • While I agreed that the design could use some work, I did like that the architects stepped back the height from adjacent properties and provided some variation in the facing. The connection between the building and sidewalk could certainly be improved.
  • Mr. Jones said that his team would come out to the community for a follow-up meeting with updated plans. He thanked attendees for the feedback and suggestions, and Commissioner Opkins and I thanked him and his team for agreeing to meet with the community.

What do you think of the building plans? Do you like the design? Can you point to examples of new construction in Capitol Hill and Hill East that both meet the need for additional housing and “fit in?” Please post your comments below.

12 Comments | Development | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

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