Comments on Development remains elusive at Poplar Point - Greater Greater Washington

Comment by Roy

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:59:32 EDT

How about making it what it was and plant trees? It'll be beautiful again and the trees will naturally reduce the pollution.

Comment by Build up DC

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:06:14 EDT

Secret of the Ooze, DC version?

Maybe the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hang out in the tunnel underneath Poplar Point. I wouldn't be surprised, Metro Transit could use the help fighting crime at Anacostia metro!

For centuries this land has absorbed the raw sewage and sludge , I can only imagine what would happen if you did eat the dirt... you'd keel over.

Also, nice pictures. Looks pretty desolate.

Comment by Sivad

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:58:35 EDT

Would be a great location for a new FBI facility.

Comment by selxic

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:44:33 EDT

It's still worth noting RFK and Poplar Point are federal land.

Comment by Richard Layman

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:06:12 EDT

WRT some of the very good comments in this thread, I believe that development will come to Poplar Point, maybe even with Disneylandish aspects (in the past I suggested a bunch of things, including even a soccer stadium).

The thing is despite the location on a/the river, this area is still not a primary location for development in the city. Until the better equally empty locations are absorbed (Res. 13, McMillan, AFRH, Walter Reed, Southwest Waterfront, Capitol Riverfront in SE, even St. Elizabeth's, etc.), redevelopment of Poplar Point and the RFK Stadium complex will languish.

Once those other sites are absorbed, things will change. It may happen during my professional lifetime (about 20 more years). It may not.

(I think Wheaton has the same issues, not because it's not a great place with great opportunity, but because other developable locations within MoCo are still seen as more desirable.)

Comment by selxic

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:13:42 EDT

All of the plans whether Clark Realty or DC United were to be done in phases, but people likely would call Poplar Point a failure if it didn't sprout up all at once (Nationals Park, Red Bull Arena). Almost ironically, it's a failure now because there is still nothing there. Eventually, the city will still be looked to for infrastructure. Hopefully, it's just a matter of when.

Has there been any movement with plans to relocate the helicopter landing pad?

Comment by Sgc

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:53:59 EDT

The underlying cause of the problem is the sheer cost to do anything with that piece of land. Even if the District had gone along with Williams's original deal with United, MacFarlane, whose business took a huge hit in the recession, probably wouldn't have been able to deliver on it.

To make the land worth the infrastructure cost to develop, a whole bunch of stuff would have to come in at the same time, something that seems predicated on a roaring economy.

Comment by selxic

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:01:58 EDT

I'm not sure you understand the size of Poplar Point, Robert Mandle. Plans have always been to keep parkland, but Anacostia Park is more like Long Bridge Park and not that far away.

Comment by HogWash

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:33:15 EDT

Why has the environmental assessment taken 14 years? I don't know how it normally works but that seems like a very long time.

This waste of space is ridiculous and I hope this mayor leaves office with something in tow.

Comment by fischy (Ed F.)

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:31:17 EDT

Regarding the DC United proposal -- there were actually two different deals. Tony Williams signed a deal with the team that would have turned over much of the development to the team. a San Fran developer named Victor McFarlane invested in the team based on that premise. The team would have built the stadium at its own cost, and would have had serious incentive to push forward with developing the surrounding area.

Fenty came in and unraveled that deal, electing to choose hos own favored developer. So, the team was left with the idea of just building their new stadium there. As the city refused to fund infrastructure improvements that deal flagged. Finally, the team gave up on the site when Fenty's developers backed out leaving no plan and no planners. McFarlane sold his stake in the team, and now the team is trying to get the city's help in financing a stadium on the other side of the river, at Buzzard's Point -- which is probably a less promising site for the team because it's farther from the Metro and also harder to get to by car. If Barry could step up and pressure Gray on this, I'd bet the team would still prefer to build on the Polar Point site...or even nearby Barry Farms.

Comment by Robert Mandle

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:28:09 EDT

Sorry, I forgot to include the name of the park - Long Bridge Park. Here is a link - http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/parksrecreation/forums/northtract/parksrecreationforumsnorthtractnorthtractoverview.aspx

Comment by Robert Mandle

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:26:48 EDT

Arlington County just built a brand new park on similarly contaminated land and it is gorgeous. The people of Arlington agreed to fund it through a $50-60 million bond issue. DC could finance a similar funding stream and look to Arlington as a case study.

Comment by Don't Believe DC Govt Doubletalk

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:08:38 EDT

I was at the book discussion and cringed when Harriet Trengoning talked up Poplar Point as if it was going to be Disneyland in SE. Far from it and I think her smart enough to know better. After the dust settles from these public meetings nothing ever really happens, at least not in the 13 years I have been east of the river.

We should know by now but I'll say it again, DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE!

Comment by Richard Layman

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:59:22 EDT

The Anacostia Community Museum has a waterfront/parks revitalization study initiative underway. They had a presentation a few weeks ago with people from Louisville, Brooklyn, and DC (Steve Coleman of Washington Parks & People). I'm thinking in part this has to do with Poplar Point and the Anacostia generally. They have a simple flyer/brochure on the initiative.