Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Happy New Year!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Playing Catch-Up on News and Whatnot
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Scenes from Southwest: The Blizzard of '09

Saturday, December 19, 2009
Renovations Underway at L'Enfant Plaza's Retail Promenade

(Left) Here is a rendering of the sculptural glass entryway.
(Right) This is a rendering of the food court, which is a part of phase one of construction.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Hirshhorn Museum Looks to Expand

On the drawing board is a 145-foot-tall temporary inflatable structure that's intended to sit in the concrete-bound courtyard and balloon through the top of the building...Made of a strong vinyl material, it will protrude like a mushroom, providing a strong contrast to the doughnut-shaped main building...The estimated budget for the inflatable addition is about $5 million...and the museum plans to raise an additional $5 million for storage and programs. The plan has been presented to the Hirshhorn's board and the Smithsonian Board of Regents, and the staff is planning informational meetings with the National Capital Planning Commission and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Randall Neighbor Day 2009 is Coming Up
Friday, December 4, 2009
Market Inn Demolished
Movement at Old First District HQ
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
What Should Waterfront-SEU Metro be Renamed?
Monday, November 30, 2009
I missed the 2nd Annual Cantina Cup...
According to the National Maritime Heritage Foundation (NMHF) website, the NMHF was founded in the year 2000 to fill the need for a maritime heritage program to serve as a focus for education and community development. They manage community sailing and maritime education programs in the national capital region and is headquartered at the Gangplank Marina on the Southwest Waterfront. Last year, the Cantina Cup regatta was held in late September. Did anyone attend this year's regatta? If so, how was it?The October sailboat race run by the National Maritime Heritage Foundation brought in more than 100 racers, more than double the turnout from last year. Spectators gathered at event partner Cantina Marina (600 Water St. SW) for a view of the action, as well as on other boats and waterside locations...[Blair] Overman [of NMHF] said the event was a success, but next year event organizers want an expanded “big boats” course on the Potomac River and more viewing points for spectators. Ideally, they will bring spectators out on boats to watch the race from the center of the [Washington] channel.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Signs of What's to Come Along the New 4th Street
St. Matthew's Tree Lot Will Return, SW Waterfront to Get Livened Up
Thursday - Friday: 5pm - 8pmSaturday - Sunday: 1pm - 5pmOther times be appointment (202) 484-3189 or email (stmatthewsdc@hughes.net)
6-7 ft Scotch Pine: $255-6 ft Frazier Fir: $456-7 ft Frazier Fir: $557-8 ft Frazier Fir: $65
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Parade of Lighted Boats Set for December 5th
Sunday, November 22, 2009
PAT Recommends Buzzard Point Should Be Primarily a Residential Neighborhood

Buzzard Point is a separate neighborhood from the Capitol Riverfront or Southwest Waterfront, with distinct opportunities and constraints. The PAT recommends that Buzzard Point become a primarily residential mixed-use neighborhood of varying density with improved access to the waterfront. The existing public housing in the northern part of the area should be preserved and upgraded. There are nine major points about the current condition of Buzzard Point that need to be considered when planning for the future, including:
- Much of the area is low & medium density affordable housing.
- There is limited accessibility to and from Buzzard Point.
- Fort McNair acts as a wall.
- River access is blocked.
- The area is flanked by a major sports entertainment district and a large retail center under construction at Waterfront Station.
- There is a huge amount of development occurring to the east of Buzzard Point.
- There are poor multimodal connections to the area.
- Industrial uses in the area aren’t conducive to residential development.
- The Pepco power plant is an impediment.
However, there are some transformative events that will occur over the next 15 years that will have an impact on development in Buzzard Point. The DC Streetcar project will bring streetcars to Buzzard Point; the Coast Guard will relocate to St. Elizabeth’s in Southeast; South Capitol Street and bridge will be rebuilt; and there will be new waterfront connections. Since these events will take a long time to happen, change in the area will be incremental. Following is an analysis of how the planners think different sections of Buzzard Point should be developed:
2nd Street
The Anacostia Riverwalk should be extended from Buzzard Point to M Street via 2nd Street. The historic SW Community House on 2nd Street should be restored as a museum or café.
Potomac Avenue
Potomac Avenue should be extended westward to 2nd Street. Since the road extension will reach the entrance to Fort McNair on 2nd Street, mixed-use development could happen along that stretch which would support the military base, including a retail node. In keeping with L’Enfant’s street grid plan for the city, triangle parks should be created where the diagonal Potomac Avenue crosses east-west and north-south streets.
Since the distance between the Southwest Waterfront and Nationals Park is only a half mile along P Street, a pedestrian link should be maintained along this street. The PAT recommends that the proposed streetcar alignment along M Street be changed so that the transit line turns south from M Street to 1st Street, SE, then turn down Potomac Avenue until its new terminus at 2nd Street, SW, then turn north on 2nd until P Street, west on P until 4th Street, then north on 4th until it reaches the Waterfront-SEU Metro station at 4th & M Street. The new alignment would better connect Buzzard Point with the rest of the Capitol Riverfront and Southwest Waterfront.
The Waterfront
Once the Coast Guard vacates its headquarters building for St. Elizabeth’s, the building, along with Jemal’s building, which is visible along the waterfront as you cross the South Capitol Street bridge, should be purchased by the District government and transformed to a mix of open space and limited redevelopment. This is one of the more ambitious aspects of the PAT’s plans because it involves the District spending a large sum of money acquiring these sites, but the current buildings block access to the waterfront and redevelopment would open up a lot of space. Also, the city could recover part or all of the cost of acquisition through the sales of development rights to other parcels in the District. As an aside, a representative from Monday Properties, the Coast Guard’s current landlord, stated that the likelihood of the headquarters building being demolished in the next 15-20 years was slim to none, so this aspect of the plan may take longer to fulfill. Some ideas for the waterfront range from providing large parks along the river to creating marinas framed by housing (an example being the Pier Homes along the Inner Harbor in Baltimore).
If Akridge’s 100 V Street project is developed as planned, the PAT thinks it would be a major missed opportunity for the area. An alternative would be to build medium-density housing developed in partnership with the federal government for military families and/or new federal government hires. The northern part of the site could support 2-3-story buildings, while taller 5-6-story buildings could be developed closer to the waterfront.
South Capitol Street Oval and Steuart Site
Great care should be given to the planned traffic oval at the intersection of South Capitol Street and Potomac Avenue. The oval will be 7-acres, but if DDOT doesn’t properly design it to accommodate pedestrians, the result could be a large hole in the urban fabric of the community. The area at the terminus of South Capitol Street where the street meets the river (also known as the Steuart site) should have a major iconic cultural attraction…a la Sydney Opera House. The site should be engaging from the water side (perhaps with a grand staircase like the Lincoln Memorial) as well as on its land side facing the traffic oval.
Pepco
The District should work with Pepco to gradually shrink the footprint used for electrical generation consistent with sound energy practices. As properties become available, they should be developed for uses compatible with housing. Once the power plant building is decommissioned, it should be redeveloped as a low-impact attraction like a museum, gallery, etc. An example given by the PAT was the Tate Modern in London.
Once the presentation is available online, the PAT will allow public comments on their plans, so they can produce a final report in February or March of next year. Above is a map I made of Buzzard Point showing where the planners recommend changes in the area.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
All You Need is Gov...Patriots Plaza Nabs USDA
The General Services Administration negotiated and signed the deal on behalf of USDA, which is consolidating five other locations throughout the District and Northern Virginia. Patriots Plaza III was completed in September — USDA will begin moving into the building in December 2010.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Buzzard Point Town Hall Meeting Set
Friday, November 13, 2009
South(west) Beach?
Tregoning also has ideas for PN Hoffman’s 30-plus acre Southwest waterfront: “Considering what it is, it really gets very little use. What if we put a beach there? With umbrellas. I mean, I wouldn’t be encouraging people to swim in the Anacostia, you know, but a place to hang out, catch a little sun, relax. It could be fabulous.”
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Waterfront Station Restaurant News!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Scenes From Southwest: Parks

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
ANC Votes to Approve Extension of Old Friendship Baptist Church Redevelopment
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A Couple Quick Items
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Firehouse Deal Approved by DC Council

Ceremonial Demolition of Old First District HQ

Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Streetcar Investment May Spur Development in Buzzard Point

Monday, October 26, 2009
MLK Memorial About Ready to Start Construction

The memorial is planned for a four-acre crescent-shaped site amid the cherry blossoms on the northwest shore of the Tidal Basin. The centerpiece is to be a 2 1/2 -story granite sculpture of the slain civil rights leader. Called the Stone of Hope, it depicts King standing with his arms folded as if emerging from the stone. At 28 feet, it will be eight feet taller than the statue of Abraham Lincoln in the memorial to the 16th president and will rest on pilings driven as far as 50 feet down to bedrock.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Weekend Events
- Francis Scott Key Bridge
- Canal Road, NW from M Street to Reservoir Road
- Reservoir Road, NW from MacArthur Blvd. to Canal Road
- MacArthur Blvd., NW from Foxhall Road to Reservoir Road
- Foxhall Road, NW from Canal Road to MacArthur Blvd.
- M Street, NW from Canal Road to Wisconsin Avenue
- Wisconsin Ave, NW from M Street to K Street
- K Street, NW from Wisconsin Avenue to Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy.
- Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy., NW from K Street to Independence Ave.
- Memorial Bridge
- West Potomac Park
- East Potomac Park (Access to Golf Course and Tennis Courts will be Available)
- Maine Avenue, SW from East Basin Drive to Independence Avenue
- Independence Avenue, SW from Maine Avenue to Ohio Drive
- Ohio Drive, SW between Independence Avenue and Lincoln Circle
- Lincoln Circle from Ohio Drive, SW to Henry Bacon Drive, NW
- 23rd Street, NW from Lincoln Circle to Constitution Avenue
- Constitution Avenue, NW from Henry Bacon Drive to 15th Street
- 15th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- 17th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- Madison Drive, NW from 15th Street to 3rd Street
- 3rd Street, NW from Pennsylvania Ave, NW to Maryland Ave., SW
- Pennsylvania Avenue, NW from 3rd Street to E. Capitol Circle
- 1st Street from Pennsylvania Ave., NW to Maryland Ave., SW
- Maryland Avenue, SW from S. Capitol Circle to 3rd Street
- Jefferson Drive, SW from 3rd Street to 15th Street
- 14th Street, SW from Jefferson Drive to northbound HOV lanes
- HOV lanes from 14th Street, SW to HOV ramp at S. Eads Street
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Scenes from Southwest: Starbucks

Museum Momentum

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
A Couple Quick Items
Friday, October 16, 2009
Exterior of Arena Stage Two Weeks From Completion
Thursday, October 15, 2009
9th Street Bridge Reopens
The project will make the bridge safer and more aesthetically pleasing. The concrete bridge deck on the 9th Street Bridge will be replaced, including a new walkway and staircase to Frontage Road at L’Enfant Plaza. The work will also include the replacement of the bridge bearings…new roadway lighting, milling and resurfacing of the approach pavement and re-painting the exterior girders on the bridges. DDOT will also repair the roof slab of a DC Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) pumping station that is beneath 9th Street.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Madison Courts Restauranteurs
Michael Vick Preaches About Dog Fighting
Monday, October 12, 2009
Waterfront Station Residential on Tap

But with the housing market being what it is, we are probably going to be a little patient on this one and not put it out on the street for bids until conditions improve.
Shooting in the Neighborhood
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Engine 13 Land Deal Delayed Again by Council

Wednesday, October 7, 2009
A Peek Inside First District Headquarters
Monday, October 5, 2009
October Issue of The Southwester is Available
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Signage at Constitution Center
Open House at 1D HQ
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Lincoln Memorial Improvements Approved
In their October 1st meeting, the NCPC will discuss improvements to the DC World War I Memorial. Back in April, the DC World War I Memorial received funding for its restoration, thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As a part of the restoration, the memorial will once again become a band shell and the landscape will be restored to its original configuration. The completion date has been pushed back to September 2012.Designed by Sasaki Associates, the project will add more pedestrian and bike-friendly paths around the reflecting pool and on the elm walk, improve the Reflecting Pool’s water quality and structure and relocate benches and trash cans.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
SWNA Forum Tomorrow
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Emelina Back in DC
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Greenery Arrives Outside of Constitution Center
Sunday, September 20, 2009
CVS Opens at The Portals
Monday - Friday: 7am - 9pmSaturday - Sunday: 9am - 9pm
Friday, September 18, 2009
Road & Metro Station Closures
Groundbreaking at CNG Facility in DC Village
Monday, September 14, 2009
SEU Loses Accreditation
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Scenes from Southwest: The Waterfront

Saturday, September 12, 2009
Road Closures This Weekend
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Packed House at Safeway Town Hall Meeting

- The West Tower office building will be named 1101 4th Street and the East Tower will be named 1100 4th Street
- 1100 4th Street will open in March 2010
- There will be 8 or 9 retailers in phase I for a total of 85,000 square feet (55,000 SF will be the new Safeway)
- Included in those 8 or 9 retailers will be 3-4 restaurants
- Specific retailers will be announced within the next six weeks or so as tenant agreements are reached
- Other retailers will start moving in around March or April 2010
- The paving of 4th Street should start next month
- 4th Street will open by March 2010, but could possibly reopen before that date
- Vornado will be the property manager and will have an office on-site
- The site of future phases of development will be grassed over until they are ready to be built
- The developer can't get financing right now to redevelop the old EPA towers into residential, so over the next six months, they will dress up the buildings so they don't look like the eyesores they appear to be now
- The new Safeway will be 55,000 SF, nearly double the size of the current store
- It will be modeled after the Mount Vernon Triangle store - photos of which can be found here
- The store will have a bakery with a hearth oven, gelato, prepared sandwiches, a sushi bar, seating areas with a fireplace, a pharmacy, an assortment of gourmet cheeses, and a floral department, among other things
- The store will be shaped like the letter J as opposed to a rectangle
- If the Class B license is approved, the store will sell beer and wine
- The store will include a Starbucks and a Bergmann's drycleaning desk
- There will be five regular registers and eight self-checkout registers
- Public restrooms will be available
- The main entrance to the store will be off 4th Street
- There will be below-grade parking off 4th Street with an elevator and escalator serving the garage that will go directly to Safeway
- The first level in the garage will be dedicated for retail parking
- Parking will be free for 2 hours for Safeway patrons
Spotlight on Design: Bing Thom

Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Waterfront Metro Station Plaza Renderings
The white rectangle on the right side of the image is the Metro elevator. What do you think of the Metro plaza design?