WASHINGTON, DC | Development News

[babybackribs2314]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

babybackribs2314:


One million new jobs seems a bit optimistic even for the DC area, considering most economists predict sluggish job growth for the next 5-7 years. That said, know that growth is coming over the next couple of decades and we have a pretty clear choice of whether to build in areas like Gathersburg where everyone will require a car or to build next to our multibillion-dollar investment in metro-rail and create more walkable communities.

Report: Area to add 1 million jobs by 2030

By: Liz Essley
10/27/11
Washington Examiner

"The Washington metropolitan area could have nearly three times the number of commuters on the road by 2030 if it doesn't figure out a way to house 1 million or more new workers close to their jobs, according to a study released Thursday by George Mason University's Center for Regional Analysis.

The housing report looked at predicted job growth for the region -- 1 million new jobs between 2010 and 2030 and an additional 1.8 million workers to replace retirees -- and showed that local governments will need to change the ways they now deal with housing.

"We need to think about housing as part of a larger economic development strategy," said Lisa Sturtevant, a co-author of the report. "Many localities are proactive in seeking big companies to come to their county, such as SAIC, Hilton, etc. But part of their strategy needs to be that the workers who take those jobs need somewhere to live..."

http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/...lion-jobs-2030

The GMU reports actually show that the DC area's job growth should become rather robust again by 2013 or so. The CSA added 1M residents between 2000-2010, so 1M jobs through 2030 actually isn't terribly bullish, especially considering figures assume no job growth from the federal level (which is ridiculous--government expands along with the size of the country, and with the country's population likely to be pushing well past 350 million by 2030, we are going to see a corresponding growth in government...).

I saw this on DCMetrocentric, looks like an excellent plan! 2.5 MSF total.

http://dcmetrocentric.com/2011/10/20...market-update/

[202_Cyclist]

The blog, JD Land, posted a collection of photos from the soon-to-open Foundry Lofts, right behind the US DOT headquarters and the Boilermaker shops and restuarants. These lofts are also next to the new Yards waterfront park, the USS Barry, and the Nationals stadium and not more than a five minute walk from the metro station. As you can see, the views from the top floor are pretty incredible.


Foundry Lofts Construction Progress, November 1, 2011
http://www.jdland.com/dc/quickgallery.cfm?qd=111101

[202_Cyclist]

DC Mud has a post about another infill development along the booming 14th Street corridor.


14th Street Post Office Development Ready to Begin

Image courtesy of DC Mud.

http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/11/14...velopment.html

[202_Cyclist]

The Current newspaper also has a good rendering of the proposed Tenley campus and the Washington College of Law (warning-- huge pdf).

Board OKs American U. Tenley plans

By ELIZABETH WIENER
Northwest Current
11/1/2011

The Historic Preservation Review Board last week designated American University’s Tenley Circle campus as a historic district, then quickly endorsed the university’s plan to restore and reuse two buildings there, demolish several
others, and build new classroom and library space to accommodate its
law school on the eight-acre tract just west of Wisconsin Avenue.

D.C. Historic Preservation Office staffers had worked with the university to develop the proposal, which they called “an extremely good project” that preserves the most memorable structures while allowing “exciting new construction.”

The board’s unanimous vote is the latest step in turning the former country estate and Catholic school for girls into a new home for the Washington College of Law — part of the university’s 10-year plan for its satellite and main campus.

http://currentnewspapers.com/admin/u....02.11%201.pdf

[202_Cyclist]

DC Mud reported that construction is beginning on the mixed-use project by Abdo Development, right next to Catholic University and the Brookland metro station. This is just a couple of blocks away from EYA's new Chancellor's Row development: http://www.eya.com/Chancellors_Row_at_Brookland_Metro . Brookland is also just three stops away from Union Station.

"College Main Street" for Catholic University Breaks Ground


Image courtesy of DC Mud
"The Bozzuto Group and Abdo Development broke ground today on the joint $200-million development "Monroe Street Market," an undertaking that will create a 9-acre, mixed-use village surrounding a new "college main street" to serve Catholic University of America (CUA) in Brookland.

By offering the South Campus land for development, CUA "did the opposite of what many universities do, and put the land [five city blocks] back into the city's tax base" said Jim Abdo, who was exuberant that the project is moving from "vision and concept to actual reality" and is now embarking on three years of construction; the first phase, by Bozzuto Construction, includes 562 residential units, aiming to deliver in mid 2013..."

http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/11/co...ersity-in.html

[202_Cyclist]

I didn't get a chance to attend but Douglas Development presented their plans for the redevelopment of the Babe's Billiards (http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/b...-jemals-babes/ site into a mixed-use building last night at the monthly ANC 3E (Tenley-Friendship Heights) meeting. Contrary to the many emails from the NIMBYs on the Tenley listserve, few people at last night's meeting (as recounted to me) opposed this development. Douglas Development wants to build this site without off-street parking, which predictably, has sent the NIMBYs into a fit. At last night's meeting (again, as recounted to me) Douglas said it can either have parking for 20 vehicles in the basement or additional retail. This site is a two minute walk, at most, from the Tenley metro station, so additional retail would certainly be preferred to parking, which would only encourage more driving and raise the cost of the housing here.

[babybackribs2314]

I feel as though it's easy to forget how much development is planned outside of the expanding downtown area.

While CityCenter et al are massive, the infill going on is the big story... I'm really beginning to wonder whether the District will have over 700,000 residents by the 2020 Census? The pace of development is just mind-boggling and shows signs of speeding up if anything.

I think one of the biggest projects that needs to get underway is the separation of the Blue and Orange lines... the Blue line needs to go through Georgetown etc, both to expand access and to expand D.C.'s core itself...

[202_Cyclist]

babybackribs2314:

I think one of the biggest projects that needs to get underway is the separation of the Blue and Orange lines... the Blue line needs to go through Georgetown etc, both to expand access and to expand D.C.'s core itself...

If DC's planned 37-mile streetcar network is ever completed, this should help. I've been advocating that a Wisconsin Avenue streetcar route connecting the Friendship Heights and Tenley metro stations with the planned terminus of the H Street - Benning Road streetcar line, which is planned to go through Georgetown, be included. This would give passengers along the Wisconsin Avenue corridor an alterative to way to get to Foggy Bottom and Farragut West (and Rosslyn would be a short walk/bike) than via a transfer at Metro Center.

This would also encourage very good infill development throughout Wisconsin Avenue and make this corridor a lot more walkable and enjoyable.

Of course, finding the funding for this, like any transportation investment these days, is a huge challenge.

[202_Cyclist]

Homeland Security expansion may wait

By BRADY HOLT
Northwest Current
11/9/2011

Proposed expansion of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Nebraska Avenue Complex will likely take place years later than originally planned
because of a lack of funding for the project, according to federal officials.

The General Services Administration, which is responsible for federal facilities, still expects to move forward with plans to add between 1,300 and 2,100 seats to the existing 2,390 at the facility near Ward Circle. But the agency is now working to revise its traffic study with the assumption that new buildings will be added to the campus by 2030 rather than by 2020, officials said.

“Congress has basically said to us that given the current budget climate, we can expect less funding in the next few years for construction than we have enjoyed in the past,” said a General Services Administration spokes-person who asked not to be named, citing agency policy. “In general, construction funding for GSA for the next few fiscal years will diminish, and that means implementation of the master plan for [the Nebraska Avenue Complex] will occur more slowly than we originally anticipated.”

http://currentnewspapers.com/admin/u....09.11%201.pdf

[202_Cyclist]

The Tenley and Friendship Heights NIMBYs must be thrilled there is a PEPCO substation going in at Friendship Heights, right next to the metro station, instead of an attractive 7-8 story residential building that would have expanded DC's tax base. At least the PEPCO substation will generate very little traffic and the NIMBYs can probably park directly in front of it. Score one for the anti-progress NIMBYs!

Here is what the NIMBYs fought so vociferously against:


Image courtesy of DC Real Estate blog: http://blog.developersagent.com/


From mixed-use to substation? Pepco buys 5220 Wisconsin

Michael Neibauer
Washington Business Journal
11/14/2011

"The project formerly known as 5220 Wisconsin Avenue, Akridge’s proposed mixed use development slated for the heart of Friendship Heights, may instead be transformed into a ... substation.

Pepco in late September quietly purchased the parcels that comprise 5220 Wisconsin Ave. NW for $14.5 million from Akridge, which decided some months ago to focus on other projects rather than develop there.

The parcels are adjacent to an existing Pepco substation..."

[202_Cyclist]

Here are some more renderings for American University's Tenley campus. American University wants to move its Washington College of Law from the semi-suburban Spring Valley location to its Tenley campus, on the corner of Wisconsin and Nebraska Avenue. This location is a five minute walk from the Tenley metro station and is well-served by the 30s buses serving the Wisconsin Avenue corridor, rather than a mile away from the metro station at its current location.

I'm not an architect but I think this campus plan does a good job blendning the new buildings with the historic Capital Hall building.

As with any development in upper Northwest, the NIMBYs are vehemently opposed to this rather modest (the trees are taller than the proposed buildings) proposal. If you're in the DC area and support this, there is a public meeting about the Tenley campus plan on November 30, at at St. Mary’s Armenian Church at the corner of Fessenden and 41st St.

http://www.american.edu/finance/fas/...esentation.PDF

[202_Cyclist]

WalMart previously said it planned to build four stores in the District. In another time, I'd have opposed building WalMarts in DC but I'm indifferent now. At least some of these stores will have decent urban design and a few of them will not be surrounded by acres of surface parking. This will create jobs (both building the stores and with the ongoing retail positions) at a time when unemployment is near 12% in the District and 20% in certain parts of the city where WalMart wants to build. Some of the areas where WalMart proposes building are a long way from a super-market-- the well-known food desert. I'm skeptical that it will put that many 'mom & pop' stores out of business and instead, I think it will create more competition with other big-box stores, stores like CVS or Walgreens, and supermarkets like Safeway and Giant. Many DC residents also already travel out of the district to make their purchases from big box stores in Virginia or Maryland and this will help to keep sales tax revenue in the District, helping to improve District services.

Wal-Mart plans to open six stores in the District

By Nikita Stewart and Jonathan O’Connell
Washington Post
November 15, 2011

"Wal-Mart will announce Wednesday that it intends to open six stores in the District, two more than it originally planned, and broaden its reach east of the Anacostia River, an area grappling with unemployment and a lack of retail amenities, city officials said.


Image courtesy of the Washington Post.

The announcement is expected a year after the company revealed its aggressive plan to enter the District for the first time, a push for the Arkansas-based company, which has saturated rural and suburban areas and has begun moving into major urban markets..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...fPN_story.html

Here's a rendering of the proposed Fort Totten location.

Image courtesy of DC Urban Turf.

[202_Cyclist]

The Washington City Paper has a post about an attractive development planned by Douglas Development Corporation in the Mount Vernon Triangle area.

An Elegant Addition to Mt. Vernon Square

Image courtesy of the Washington City Paper.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/b...vernon-square/

[202_Cyclist]

D.C. area is behind the curve on housing and jobs forecasts

By Brady Dennis
November 17, 2011
Washington Post


A sign marks a house for sale by the owner in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Washington in 2010. (Image courtesy of Washington Post)


"Even as the housing slump drags on, and it seems there are far more houses than anybody wants to buy, a new analysis warns that the Washington area doesn’t have nearly enough housing for the wave of new workers that will arrive in coming decades.

Researchers at George Mason University say the area is projected to add more than a million new jobs by 2030. With that growth comes a vexing problem: How do you house those new workers in ways that are both affordable and don’t worsen the soul-crushing commutes that already plague the region’s residents?

The study found that local communities have yet to plan adequately for the looming demand, leaving open the possibility of a housing shortfall that could hurt the region’s economy, lower the overall quality of life and drive away employers and employees..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...SUN_story.html

[Onn]

Washington DC is the new Vegas! It's growing into a different kind of large city. And even with all development that's already taken place, there is still not close to enough room for all the people that the jobs boom is attracting.

[202_Cyclist]

The 600 foot bridge connecting the waterfront Yards Park by US DOT and the Nationals stadium with Diamond Teague Park is scheduled to open today. This will further extend the Anacostia riverfront trail. Already, the walk stretches from the Yards Park to the Navy Yard and the USS Barry. Eventually, a twenty mile trail on both sides of the Anacostia is planned.


Image courtesy of DC Mud.

Anacostia Riverwalk Trail Gets a New Extension
http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/11/ca...-gets-new.html

The JD Land blog has a good photo of the pedestrian bridge.
http://www.jdland.com/dc/file-view.c....JPG&qg=111101

[202_Cyclist]

The Washington Post had an editorial this past weekend advocating that the FBI relocate its aging headquarters from the current J. Edgar Hoover (excellent film, by the way) building to a suburban location near a metro station in Prince George's County. Prince George's County has plenty of land available next to its metro stations and there is a regional imbalance of jobs between the more affluent western half of the DC region and the eastern half. This could help address that. Additionally, the security requirements of this fortress-style building don't make for a lively street environment at its current location in downtown DC.

The next FBI headquarters

November 19, 2011
Wsahington Post

"PITY THE 17,300 workers and contractors assigned to FBI headquarters. Divided between the J. Edgar Hoover Building on Pennsylvania Avenue, where about half of them work, and 21 annexes in leased office buildings scattered over the Washington area, they are a beleaguered lot, judging from a report by the Government Accountability Office. Security is below par. Lacking super-secret conference facilities to discuss highly classified material, they are forced to shuttle from location to location. And, since the explosion of FBI hiring following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, usable office space is at a premium.

Nowhere are the problems more dire than at the Hoover Building, a crumbling, obsolete, concrete pile of Brutalist architecture that opened for business in 1974. Surrounded by a dry moat but, owing to its mid-city setting, still plainly vulnerable to attack, the FBI headquarters is an efficiency expert’s nightmare: horribly configured; stunted by endless interior corridors and, as countless sun-starved FBI office workers have learned, all but impervious to natural light..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinio...ZcN_story.html

Greater Greater Washington opposes this proposal.http://greatergreaterwashington.org/...-is-not-ideal/

[202_Cyclist]

The JD Land blog has some great photos from opening of the bridge connecting the Yards waterfront park with the Diamond Teague park. Unfortunately, the weather was terrible yesterday.

http://www.jdland.com/dc/quickgaller...22&blogid=3582

[202_Cyclist]

Wheaton dreams of a better downtown but clings to family feel


( Sarah L. Voisin / THE WASHINGTON POST ) - Herbert Quinonez walks near a parking lot for Wheaton businesses. He is concerned that during redevelopment of the downtown area there might not be ample parking.

By Luz Lazo
November 23, 2011
Washington Post

"Wheaton — home to Montgomery County’s first shopping mall — has lagged behind the pace of redevelopment in other areas of the county in recent years.

Now, residents say, the community has the potential to become a version of downtown Bethesda, with new mixed-use developments built around easy access to Metro. But residents don’t want to lose Wheaton’s focus on family-owned small businesses.

Small retail strips with bakeries, international markets and rotisserie chicken restaurants now line the crossroads of Georgia Avenue and University Boulevard..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...3pN_story.html

[RobertWalpole]

I love DC. It slightly edges out Boston as my second favorite American city. However, its new architecture absolutely sucks. New York and London have demonstrated that very beautiful groundscrapers are possible. To be honest, I'd like to see the height restriction lifted so that DC can get better buildings.