Zoning Commission Reviews JBG PUD at 13th and U

On Monday night, March 4, the Zoning Commission reviewed the proposed PUD project by JBG at 13th and U and recommended that some additional work be done to answer questions they had regarding the bulkiness of the roof, construction management plan, effects on the neighboring building to the west, retail window details, LEED checklist, business relocation plan,  bikesharing plan details, and examples of successful RPP limitation requirements in other projects in the District.

Neighboring residents and business owners testified that they are going to be impacted by this large project and asked the Commissioners to consider and address their concerns.  The Commission will revisit the project again in April.

Whitman-Walker "Pillar of Fire" Memorial Installed

I am pleased with the "Pillar of Fire" memorial installation in front of the former Whitman-Walker Clinic at the corner of 14th and S.  Having lived through the AIDS crisis here in DC, it's important to never forget the establishment of this clinic.  The building has been purchased and redeveloped by the JBG Companies as apartments.  I can't wait to see the memorial lit up at night for all to see who visit our neighborhood and our nightlife venues.

JBG Presents Revised Facade Designs

The JBG Companies presented revised facade plans to the community at several forums this month.  You may link here to their site to view the revisions.  They are responding to comments made by the HPRB Board members who cited several concerns regarding the proposed facades for the PUD at 13th and U Streets.  Their representatives noted that the 13th Street side of the building had been trimmed after the board suggested that the building should step down to the residential 13th Street.  In addition, the affected residents along Wallach Place have expressed their concerns about the rear of the building which they will have to face once the project is completed and the board also shared their concern.  JBG architects have made some adjustments to the rear facade to reflect these concerns.  And last but not least, the HPRB spoke at the December hearing about the U Street facade at street level needing to be broken up so that it is not such a long stretch of flat surfacing.

The next hearing of the HPRB to review this project has not been scheduled as of this date.  Their report on the details of their decision following the December hearing follows:   The HPRB directed the applicants to: 1) continue studying the height, massing, setbacks and reveals, along the perimeter of the building and particularly on the north elevation; 2) revise the 13th Street elevation to better address the scale of buildings across the street and on Wallach Place; 3) provide further detailing to the retail base; and 4) further differentiate the retail and residential entrances. Vote: 6-0 (Casarella recused, Ally absent).

The PUD application is scheduled to be reviewed by the Zoning Commission on March 4. 

JBG Unveils Revised Plans for 13th and U Project

On Monday, October 22, the JBG Companies unveiled a revised plan and drawings for their 13th and U project.  I have displayed above the front and rear elevations of the proposed building for your review.  The building is 8 stories tall with 134 apartments.  Twelve of the units will be marketed as "affordable housing units."  There will be no rooftop pool area in the revised plans.  And last but not least, the building has been set back about 5-6 feet on the 7th and 8th floors.

JBG representatives announced that the PUD application was filed recently and that the review process has begun at HPRB and the Zoning Commission (which has jurisdiction on Planned Unit Developments).  Stay tuned for more details as they become available.  Read More

ANC Approves "Pillar of Fire" Memorial for Whitman Walker Site at 14th and S

At the August meeting of the ANC, the Commissioners unanimously approved the proposed "Pillar of Fire" memorial for the Whitman Walker site at 14th and S Streets, now the District Apartments under construction.  It is a sculpture with 360 layers of cut and polished float glass post-tensioned into a steel base and then into a concrete footing.  The multi-faceted piece will catch the light from many directions and will be nocturnally illuminated to reveal slowly changing colors to represent an abstraction of the rainbow flag (see the illustration above).  The Historic Preservation Review Board and the ANC asked that a permanent memorial be placed at that corner to remember what was there before the JBG Companies purchased the property for redevelopment.

For those of us who have lived here a long time, we will always remember the Whitman Walker Clinic at this location.  And for our new residents, this memorial (along with the accompanying plaque) will help inform them of the history of this corner in our neighborhood.  We welcome this creative addition to our Arts District.

Shaw-Dupont Citizens Alliance Hosts Inaugural Membership Meeting

Last night I attended the inaugural membership meeting of the newly formed Shaw-Dupont Citizens Alliance which was held at its new meeting place, the Thurgood Marshall Center on 12th Street NW. Council Member Jim Graham was represented by staff person John Detaeye and the meeting room was full of members and interested neighbors.  The board members, headed by Joan Sterling (President), discussed a variety of community issues and concerns, including the proposed moratorium, parking, arts overlay district, and development in the neighborhood.  Refreshments were provided and everyone had a chance to mingle at the end of the evening.  Also attending was Christina Parascandola, President of the Meridian Hill Residents Association.  If you are interested in joining SDCA, please visit their website to learn more about their mission and boundaries.

JBG Unveils Plans for Residences at Former Hotel Site

Last week the JBG design and management team unveiled plans for a residential building at the former 13th

and U hotel site. They cited community opposition to the height and massing of the proposed hotel as one reason for switching to a residential building that will contain 135 one and two bedroom apartments with 72 parking spaces for residents. Loading and unloading for the building and Rite-Aid will be inside an enclosed docking area off of the 13th Street side of the building. Trash will be kept inside the building and there will be a roofdeck for residents to enjoy.

The project is slated to be a Planned Unit Development (PUD) since the building will need special zoning treatment to allow the 90 foot height (with an 18 foot mechanical override) that JBG is seeking. The DC Zoning Commission defines a PUD as “a planning tool which allows a developer greater flexibility in site planning and building design. This flexibility permits the developer to incorporate amenities in the project that exceed those that could have been achieved under the general provisions of the Zoning Regulations.” There will be some Inclusionary Zoning units required by law for this size project in order to provide some affordable housing to the community.

Community leaders will have to learn the details of what a PUD entails  and decide what community benefits they will seek from JBG for approval of their proposed project. Stay tuned for more upcoming information about this project. JBG will design and launch a website dedicated to this project soon...the project manager is Brook Katzen and he can be reached at bkatzen@jbg.com.

To learn more about the PUD process go to: http://tinyurl.com/PUD-Process-Fall-2011-ANC-1C

JBG Unveils Construction Schedule

JBG Project Manager James Nozar has announced the construction schedule for District Condos at 14th and S. Excavation will occur during April and be completed by June. Concrete will be poured from June through November. The utility work will be done from June through November. The exterior work on the building will be done from October through April. Interior work will take from January through October of 2012. Streetscape details will be completed in September. Construction will occur from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. We wish the construction team the best as they proceed to build this new addition to our neighborhood. If you have any questions, please call James at 202.295.7348.

Demolition Begins at Whitman Walker Site

Today the wall of the laundry at the corner of 14th and Swann Streets fell as demolition continues at the Whitman Walker clinic site...the home of the new DISTRICT CONDOS by The JBG Companies. The 125 units will be completed in June 2012. I am pleased that the revitalization resumes on 14th Street...after all the planning that has been done in the past few years!

JBG to Begin Construction of Whitman Walker Condos

Later this month the JBG Companies will begin demolition of the buildings along 14th Street at the site of the former Whitman Walker Clinic at the corner of 14th and S Streets, according to James Nozar, Project Manager. The original anchor building, the former Hudson apartments, will remain and will be renovated (seen at the lower left in the drawing above). The plans for the JBG project were approved about two years ago that include spaces for a major restaurant and retail shops on the ground floor which will span the entire block up to Swann Street. The 125 units will be smaller in size than conventional condominiums, offering purchasers an opportunity to buy a condo in the neighborhood at a slightly lower price. There will be underground parking on two levels for residents and shops.

When the Historic Preservation Review Board approved the project, they asked that a memorial be created and placed in the lobby of the anchor building to commemorate the former Whitman Walker Clinic at this location.