Saint Elizabeths - Greater Greater Washington

White House floats 2014 budget

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 08:48:00 EDT

The GSA budget includes $261.5M for Homeland Security at St. E's but zilch for an FBI move. (WBJ) ... The transportation budget calls for $40 billion in infrastructure repairs and more TIGER grants. (Streetsblog) ... It also endorses DC budget autonomy. (DCist)

Comment

What school will go to St. E's?

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:50:00 EDT

by David Alpert

DC is looking for academic institutions for a tech hub at Saint Elizabeths. The city put bidding for mixed-use development on hold until it finds the right university first. (City Paper)

Comment

Tech will come before mixed-use at St. E's

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 08:02:00 EDT

by David Alpert

DC will hold off looking for a developer for a town center in St. Elizabeths East until they first look for a university and tech company (possibly Microsoft) to anchor a hoped-for tech campus. (WBJ)

Comment

DC tech execs ask for better spaces for startups (Jul 6, 2012)
What is a tech company? How do you build a tech sector? (Jul 16, 2012)
A tech investor tax cut won't help the tech sector (Sep 18, 2012)
Where will Georgetown get 100 acres? (Jun 12, 2012)
Howard faces dilemma with mixed-use development (Aug 1, 2011)

Light rail for Southeast DC?

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 08:42:00 EDT

by Thaddeus Bell

The Capital Riverfront BID has proposed a new light rail line running from Union Station to St. Elizabeths. How would it relate to existing transit or the planned streetcar network? (WBJ)

Comment

Union Station Intermodal Transportation Center meeting tonight (May 29, 2008)
Prince George�s and the Post back light rail Purple Line (Nov 17, 2008)
Ride The Tide of light rail, Virginia Beach (Feb 20, 2012)
Montgomery Council agrees on 270 widening, debates BRT versus light rail (Nov 10, 2009)
Tell Maryland MTA you support the light rail Purple Line (Dec 12, 2008)

No rentals at St. E's?

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:27:00 EDT

by Steven Yates

Marion Barry is trying to block any rental housing at St. Elizabeths and instead wants any housing to be owner-occupied. He's concerned with Ward 8 having the lowest ratio of homeowners in DC. (Post)

Comment

Washington's economic future depends on more housing (Oct 17, 2012)
Rally questions Barry's leadership in Ward 8 (Dec 30, 2011)
For Ward 8 Council: Jacque Patterson (Mar 22, 2012)
Long-term homeownership does foster civic engagement (Aug 21, 2012)
Gaston: Move Ward 8 forward, together (Jan 30, 2012)

A lot to do in 5 years

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 08:31:00 EDT

by Steven Yates

Mayor Gray's 5-year economic development plan is certainly ambitious, but some goals might be difficult to achieve. The planned tech center at St. Elizabeths has a ways to go. (City Paper)

Comment

DC tech execs ask for better spaces for startups (Jul 6, 2012)
Go to Gray's town halls (Sep 29, 2010)
Mayor Gray should keep promises on education funding (Jan 17, 2012)
Should urbanists be nervous about Vince Gray? Part 3: Does Gray believe in Smart Growth? (Aug 12, 2010)
The scandal's serious, but the city's solid (Jul 14, 2012)

St. E's plans unveiled

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 08:30:00 EDT

by Steven Yates

Plans for the new public part of the St. Elizabeth's campus include a walkable pavilion that can host events like farmers markets and art festivals. The area will be complete by next summer but could be scaled back if it runs over budget. (Examiner)

Comment

Have you signed the Initiative 70 petition? Pledge today (Jun 15, 2012)
Where will Georgetown get 100 acres? (Jun 12, 2012)
Streetscape-draining front parking lots may soon be out (Jan 19, 2011)
St. Elizabeths plan threatens South Capitol Trail (Jan 11, 2011)
St. Elizabeth's is a campus, not a fortress (Jan 11, 2009)

And...

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 08:29:00 EDT

by Steven Yates

See the parts of the country that use the most oil. (Sierra Club, charlie) ... Microsoft is one of 3 firms still in the running to anchor St. Elizabeths. (WBJ) ... Tysons Corner may drop the "Corner." (WTOP)

Comment

And...

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:22:00 EDT

by Thaddeus Bell

Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry has withdrawn his contract hold on the St. Elizabeths redevelopment. (WBJ) ... Ben's Chili Bowl gets a mural of some famous patrons. (DCist) ... Students in much of the region are returning to school. (WAMU)

Comment

Barry holding up streetcar that was his idea 15 years ago (Jun 19, 2012)
Rally questions Barry's leadership in Ward 8 (Dec 30, 2011)
Gray transition: bold innovators or a return to Barry? (Nov 4, 2010)
For Ward 8 Council: Jacque Patterson (Mar 22, 2012)
Then and Now: Ben's Chili Bowl (Dec 7, 2009)

Wards 5 and 8 get largest slice of the pie

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:13:00 EDT

by Thaddeus Bell

Wards 5 and 8 got the most public development money in next year's budget, mostly from St. Elizabeths and schools for Ward 5. Ward 7 is scheduled to receive the least. (Post)

Comment

Ward 2 now too large, wards 7 and 8 too small (Mar 24, 2011)
No 2:00 am budget surprises please, Kwame Brown (May 23, 2011)
Now you, too, can redraw DC's wards (Mar 25, 2011)
Schwartz to run as a write-in; at-large race gets more interesting (Sep 16, 2008)
Klingle rebuild probably dead (Apr 26, 2008)

St. Elizabeths open to public

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 08:17:00 EDT

by Thaddeus Bell

The east campus of St. Elizabeth's Hospital will be open to the public this coming Saturday. The District is planning to begin redevelopment efforts in 2013 with upgrades to St. Elizabeth's infrastructure. (DCist)

Comment

Where will Georgetown get 100 acres? (Jun 12, 2012)
Saint Elizabeths: reuse or abuse? (Dec 10, 2008)
St. Elizabeths plan threatens South Capitol Trail (Jan 11, 2011)
St. Elizabeth's is a campus, not a fortress (Jan 11, 2009)
GW redeveloping another square; second Foggy Bottom Metro entrance should be priority (Oct 25, 2010)

DC tech execs ask for better spaces for startups

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 10:15:00 EDT

by Ken Archer

7 owners of DC technology companies sent a letter to the DC Council and Deputy Mayor Victor Hoskins today proposing aggressive new initiatives to build the DC tech sector. The executives ask DC to prioritize helping startups find space and to create vision like New York's Innovation Island.

Flanders Technology International 1988 logo via FotoBart on Flickr.

The letter comes as the DC Council prepares to give final approval to property and income tax breaks for LivingSocial and capital gains tax breaks for investors in tech companies. Greater Greater Washington and tech blog InTheCapital sat down with the executives to brainstorm ways to best help the tech sector, and this letter is the result.

Owners of tech startups expressed that District office rents make it hard for them to locate in the city and network with other founders, engineers and funders. Small startups have to pay the same rents as law firms and lobbyists, and won't benefit from property tax breaks like LivingSocial's.

One way DC could help is to promote below market rate rents for tech startups. This could include using office spaces that are more temporarily empty, as startups often need space for short timeframes as they are getting off the ground or growing rapidly before they rent larger spaces of their own.

This could also bring startup founders together in a large space that creates opportunities for networking, collaboration, and getting to know potential investors. DC could help a large number of small startups, and if a small percentage survive to become larger DC-based companies, it will have been worth the investment.

But should this happen downtown? Much of Washington has lower rents than downtown. The second idea is to create an innovation center in one of the large unused parcels in DC, such as St. Elizabeths or Poplar Point.

Mayor Bloomberg offered a large portion of New York's Roosevelt Island, between Manattan and Queens, for a university to build a graduate technology campus. Cornell University submitted the winning proposal, and New York hopes the new campus will anchor technology growth in New York as Stanford or MIT have in Silicon Valley and Boston.

The St. Elizabeths East Campus master plan already notes that one section of the 183-acre campus would make an ideal academic quad. The growth there would also create job opportunities for Ward 8 residents, from software engineering for the most highly skilled to administrative or maintenance jobs at the school and tech companies for the least skilled.

The St. Elizabeths East plan suggests the Maple Quad for an educational institution.

Will start-up founders and employees be willing to commute to a location like St. Elizabeths? It's actually right near Congress Heights Metro. Plus, a critical component of Innovation Island is $100 million to increase transit and pedestrian links to and within Roosevelt Island. DC's planned streetcar line from St. Elizabeths to Anacostia Metro, downtown Anacostia, and over the bridge to Capitol Hill and beyond, could become a Tech Line serving just this function.

The letter is below.

Dear Council members and Deputy Mayor Hoskins,
The purpose of this letter is to thank you for your recent support of the growing technology sector in Washington DC, and to offer some encouragement and feedback as owners of DC technology companies.
As the contraction of federal agencies and contractors begins to affect the DC economy, we believe the DC tech sector is well situated to replace lost jobs and demand for office space. Your efforts to support and invest in the growth of the DC tech sector are therefore very much appreciated. The legislation currently before the DC Council, which provide property and income tax breaks to LivingSocial and capital gains tax breaks to investors in DC tech companies, demonstrate your leadership in this regard.
As the DC government's investment strategy in the technology sector matures, we would endorse an even more aggressive strategy that supports a broader array of companies at multiple stages of growth. An aggressive, transparent, policy-based strategy that targets companies at all stages has the best chance of growing a real ecosystem of technology firms that would provide long-term economic stability for the District.
DC attracts young, talented innovators who are driving this growth. This is a strength to build on, but unfortunately the current Net-2000 incentives provide minimal support to startup technology firms.
Below are some proposals for your consideration that may provide more targeted support to a broader range of DC's tech sector.
Minimize entrepreneurial overhead Finding affordable places to work and network is a central obstacle faced by startups in DC. While large companies can take advantage of property tax breaks, startups pay the same rents as law firms, lobbyists and federal contractors.
The Mayor is able, through his ability to sign master leases, to sublease commercial office space to selected companies at below-market rates. By leveraging this ability to slash office space costs for startup tech firms in the District, conceivably hundreds of startups could receive the type of real estate subsidies that are currently only available to large property owners. If a small percentage of these startups grow, the city would generate a substantial return on this targeted investment.
Replicate NYC's Innovation Island in DC Universities around the world bid for the opportunity to build a world-class technology campus on NYC's Roosevelt Island, what Mayor Bloomberg called Innovation Island. The winner, Cornell, will develop this campus on city-owned land, which will be upgraded with $100 million of public transportation improvements.
DC is currently evaluating options for the development of St Elizabeths, Poplar Point, and other parcels of city-owned land. A major strategic investment like Innovation Island would bolster the city's supply of talented engineers and entrepreneurs. DC's own innovation campus could be used for technology education, startups, incubators and co-working spaces.
Incentivize IT innovation in sectors with local customers and acquirers The IT executives of many sectors, particularly hospitality and law firms, are in Washington DC or its inner suburbs. Just as DC's new workforce intermediary will target workforce development investments in the hospitality sector, we should target technology business development investments in sectors with clusters in the DC area.
We should consider expanding our economic development relationships with major DC sectors like hospitality and law to support IT innovation in those sectors. These are the natural replacements of technology providers to the federal government whose contraction will challenge our economy.
We are excited about your leadership in initiating a private-public partnership to build our tech sector, and provide these proposals for an aggressive, broad-based investment in this sector in the spirit of that partnership.
Sincerely,
Michael Goldstein, Principal
Endeavor DC
Dave Sandrowitz, Principal
Fortify
Jonathan Lunardi,CEO & Co-founder
VeteranCentral.com
Stephanie Hay, Co-founder
FastCustomer.com
Andrew Mason, Co-founder
Eventstir.com
Daniel Kleinman, Founder
MegaPixel Software
Navroop Mitter, Co-founder & CEO
Gryphn Corporation
Lindsey Mask, Founder
LadiesDc.com

Update: Michael Goldstein, principal at the Endeavor DC accelerator, has added his signature to the letter.

43 comments

What is a tech company? How do you build a tech sector? (Jul 16, 2012)
Will LivingSocial help build a tech hub in DC? (Apr 24, 2012)
What would you ask LivingSocial or DC officials? (Jul 5, 2012)
LivingSocial tax deal needs stronger hiring requirements to grow a tech hub in DC (Jun 14, 2012)
Let's attract companies with our workers, not with subsidies (Jun 21, 2012)

And...

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 08:34:00 EDT

by David Alpert

An illuminated helmet can operate as a brake light, turn signal, or just look cool. (Fashioning Tech, Bossi) ... DC looks to activate St. Elizabeths with temporary events. (City Paper) ... Like Prince of Petworth? (Or don't?) Then you'll love Titan of Trinidad!

Comment

Shuttle goes to fresh food

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 08:41:00 EDT

by David Alpert

A new shuttle bus will transport residnets of Ward 8 to the ward's farmers' market, one of the few nearby opportunities for fresh produce. Organizers hope to serve an upcoming St. Elizabeths market as well. (Post)

Comment

Where will Georgetown get 100 acres?

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:37:00 EDT

by Topher Mathews

The agreement on the Georgetown University campus plan says that so long as relations go well, the parties will start discussing in 2018 some long-term goals, including one to "identify and develop next 100 acres."

Photo by the author.

The agreement doesn't give context for this goal. Given the timing, I'd guess the purpose of this new 100 acres is to relocate the hospital and medical school. But regardless of what purpose this 100 acres would serve, the bigger question that jumps to mind is: where is GU going to find 100 acres?

Georgetown University's main campus is 100 acres. There aren't many available parcels close by that are that large. But there are a few:

St. Elizabeths

St. Elizabeths is a historic psychiatric hospital located across MLK Ave. in Ward 8. It has 350 acres spread over its west and east campuses. At one point the hospital served 8,000 patients. Nowadays it serves only a very small group of patients, primarily those determined mentally incompetent to face trial (including Albrecht Muth).

In 2007, the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to consolidate its many offices around the DC area onto the west campus of St. Elizabeths. The District kept the east campus, and is planning to redevelop it. The east campus is 170 acres itself. So there's definitely room if GU wanted to be an "anchor tenant" of the development. The city would probably be happy to make a deal with GU if it meant the construction of a top notch hospital square in the middle of the city's poorest ward.

Alternatively, DHS has dragged its feet actually moving to the west campus. A senior DHS official said that they doubted the move would ever happen. It's remotely possible that DHS might be looking to back out of the deal, and GU could step in.

Old Soldiers Home

The Old Soldiers Home is a massive 250-acre plot of land in Ward 5 that contains the historic Lincoln cottage, where Abraham Lincoln escaped the summer heat. Right now the campus still houses a small population of retired veterans, but about half of the property is a golf course.

In 2005, the administrators of the home proposed to develop the southern section of the property. After some pushback from the surrounding neighborhood (and, as I hear it, from retired generals who like to golf) the plans seem to have been shelved.

It's a lot less likely an option for GU than St. Elizabeths, but you never know.

Reservation 13

Reservation 13 is the location of the old DC General hospital. The city has been working on plans to redevelop the parcel for years. Despite having issued an RFP several years ago, the city recently went back to square one on the project.

If building a hospital is part of plans, rebuilding a hospital on the site of the old DC General could make GU's pitch appealing to the city. But I doubt this would happen.

For one, the whole Reservation 13 is only 67 acres. And the city doesn't want to go from one single use to another for the property. Second, even if the city thinks it's a good idea, the neighbors really don't want one large institutional use for the property.

Those are the only properties I can think of in the District proper. GU, of course, could explore site in Virginia or Maryland, but I suspects they want to remain more central.

So if I had to bet, I'd say St. Elizabeths.

26 comments

St. Elizabeth's is a campus, not a fortress (Jan 11, 2009)
Saint Elizabeths: reuse or abuse? (Dec 10, 2008)
Georgetown and neighbors agree on residential campus (Jun 7, 2012)
Georgetown U needs to manage transportation demand (May 13, 2011)
Then and Now: Homes near AFRH (Apr 23, 2010)

Restaurant pavilion right for St. E's?

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:42:00 EDT

by Thaddeus Bell

DC wants to bring a restaurant pavilion to St. Elizabeths. The idea faces significant hurdles to success, including passing the Historic Preservation Review Board. (City Paper)

Comment

Chevy Chase won't be a historic district (Oct 21, 2008)
Are you an architectural historian? (May 28, 2009)
Preservation staff reject solar panels on Cleveland Park home (May 31, 2012)
Historic Preservation Review Board vacancies go unfilled (Aug 15, 2011)
Gray keeps Harriet Tregoning! And others (Dec 17, 2010)

And...

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:46:00 EDT

by Steven Yates

Mayor Gray is looking for restaurants for the St. Elizabeth's campus. (Washington Times) ... Take a tour Northern Virginia development projects. (Post) ... Is the Potomac not most endangered river after all? (Post)

Comment

What's green and fun in the spring? A Greenbelt bike tour, a Dupont green festival, and bike fundraisers (Apr 6, 2010)
Streetcar to GU should top Mayor Gray's jobs agenda (Sep 15, 2011)
Georgetown restaurants not threatened by chains (Apr 27, 2011)
On the calendar: Lockwood, Gray, Walter Reed, McMillan Sand, Lincoln Park CaBi, retro bikes and much more (Oct 14, 2010)
On the calendar: Streams of consciousness (Jun 2, 2011)

Austerity brings uncertainty

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:31:00 EDT

by David Edmondson

The Department of Homeland Security headquarters at St. Elizabeth's is beset by Congressional politics, causing delays, rising costs, and uncertainty for the neighborhoods banking on its success. (Post)

Comment

St. Elizabeth's is a campus, not a fortress (Jan 11, 2009)
Southeast has as many neighborhoods as Northwest (Apr 2, 2010)
St. Elizabeths plan threatens South Capitol Trail (Jan 11, 2011)
GGW discusses: Displacement versus gentrification (Feb 17, 2011)
East of the River won't be changing so fast, so soon (Dec 23, 2010)

DHS delayed

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:29:00 EDT

by Steven Yates

The latest spending bill delays by 5 years the DHS headquarters consolidation at St. Elizabeth's. The cost will rise $500 million as a result. (Federal Times)

Comment

SmarTrip upgrades delayed... again (Oct 27, 2009)

Ward 8 wants construction jobs

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:36:00 EDT

by Jamie Scott

Dozens protested the lack of District residents working on the St. E's reconstruction yesterday. But the federal government doesn't have to hire local and construction jobs aren't necessarily sustainable. (City Paper)

Comment

Tax cuts and tech jobs won't solve DC unemployment (May 11, 2011)
DC's employment stable yet unemployment rising (Nov 2, 2009)
Better service jobs are the path to fixing unemployment (May 27, 2011)
Speeding suburban driving to DC won't fight unemployment (Aug 10, 2011)
Should Barry be worried about next year�s Ward 8 primary? (Jul 13, 2011)

St. E's triggers TOD

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:34:00 EDT

by David Alpert

The upcoming St. Elizabeth's development is catalyzing more development nearby, with a 7-story building proposed at Congress Heights Metro. (Examiner)

Comment

East of the River won't be changing so fast, so soon (Dec 23, 2010)
Southeast has as many neighborhoods as Northwest (Apr 2, 2010)
The plight of the blight: River East liquor stores (Jul 10, 2009)
Should east of the river Circulator go to Shipley or Teeter? (Jul 15, 2011)
Donatelli builds what investors will fund (Mar 10, 2008)

2 visions for St. E's

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:44:00 EDT

by David Alpert

St. Elizabeth's East could either have windy roads and separated clusters of uses, or a main boulevard and mixed uses. Shouldn't this be an urban design no-brainer by now? (City Paper)

Comment

Electronics maker to St. E's

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 08:33:00 EDT

by Jamie Scott

Computer equipment maker MVM Technologies will move its HQ to St. Elizabeth's. It will employ 2,800 DC residents in three years. (WBJ)

Comment

Moving AU law school could revitalize Tenleytown (May 26, 2010)

St. E's will still move ahead, needs food

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:12:00 EDT

by David Alpert

DHS and GSA are insisting that St. Elizabeth's will move ahead. Republicans proposed cutting funding for the project. DHS is also looking for options to provide food, like food trucks or temporary markets, since at least at first, there won't be huge cafeterias. (Post)

Comment

Food trucks enhance brick-and-mortar restaurants (Mar 16, 2011)
Will tax incentives make food deserts bloom? (Dec 4, 2009)
Food insecurity in the District (Feb 5, 2009)
Food trucks could fill in retail gaps (Apr 22, 2010)
Grocery stores scarce for many DC residents (Jan 22, 2009)

House committee would halt St. E's

Fri, 27 May 2011 08:55:00 EDT

by Erik Weber

The House Appropriations Committee would halt construction of the DHS complex at St. Elizabeths, according to the Homeland Security budget they passed out of committee yesterday. (CQ, Gavin)

Comment

House passes Amtrak bill (for real this time) (Jun 11, 2008)
Donna Edwards gets on transportation committee (Jul 10, 2008)
Good environmental bills die, bad transportation bills wounded in Virginia House (Jan 31, 2011)
Senate committee backs infrastructure, but not bike lanes (Jan 27, 2011)
Voting rights hearing going on now (Jan 27, 2009)

St. E's at risk?

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 09:15:00 EDT

by David Alpert

Might Congress cut money for the DHS headquarters consolidation at St. Elizabeth's? It would save $4 billion. GSA is trying to see if they can fit more people in than originally planned, through desk sharing and teleworking. (Capital Business)

Comment

Steps to govern DC

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 08:43:00 EDT

by Erik Weber

DC's budget shortfall has shrunk by $100 million to $320 million (WAMU) ... Mayor Gray and Chairman Brown have different ideas for getting contractors to hire DC residents (City Paper) ... Gray will create new entities to oversee St. Elizabeth's and Walter Reed, but not like the ones Fenty disbanded in 2007. (Post, Gavin)

Comment

Have faith in our ideas and vote Gray (Sep 13, 2010)
Cheh, Brown ask to shelve Tenley library PPP (Oct 29, 2008)
Ask Kwame Brown to maintain public access in downtown Ward 7 (Oct 1, 2009)
Klingle rebuild probably dead (Apr 26, 2008)
Would Gray maintain or reverse DC's momentum? (Jun 21, 2010)

Is Congress Heights really in?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:59:00 EDT

by Erik Weber

After the Post Style section declared H Street NE "out" and Congress Heights "in," UrbanTurf profiled the Southeast neighborhood. Given the details available, they fear the Homeland Security development at St. Elizabeth's Hospital campus will bring little to the area. (Congress Heights)

Comment

Southeast has as many neighborhoods as Northwest (Apr 2, 2010)
East of the River won't be changing so fast, so soon (Dec 23, 2010)
St. Elizabeth's is a campus, not a fortress (Jan 11, 2009)
Suburban supermarket and strip mall dropped in Congress Heights (Apr 10, 2008)
Then and Now: The Old Naval Hospital (Aug 31, 2009)

St. Elizabeths plan threatens South Capitol Trail

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:41:00 EDT

by David Cranor

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Department of Homeland Security at St. Elizabeths is available for comment. It includes several improvements that should appeal to cyclists, but at least one alternative threatens the important, planned South Capitol Street trail.

The S. Capitol Street trail is the dotted orange line.

To accommodate the increase in jobs, the EIS primarily adds vehicular capacity by widening South Capitol Street, adding interchanges to I-295, and more. One area of such widening is at the interchange between 295 and Malcolm X Avenue. Alternative 1 rebuilds the I-295 S/South Capitol Street interchange to allow southbound traffic to use South Capitol and Malcolm X to reach the West Campus Access Road.

But to handle the added traffic, it would push South Capitol to the west using the same right-of-way that DDOT plans to use to build the South Capitol Street Trail (circled in black below). The EIS does make it clear that planners are aware of the trail, but it seems they are either unaware or unconcerned that these plans threaten it.

Alternative 1 of I-295/Malcolm X Avenue interchange expansion. Image from the EIS.

GSA should either pursue Alternative 2 or work to modify Alternative 1 to allow for the South Capitol Street Trail. If you contact GSA or go to the public hearing on Thursday night make sure they know how important this critical link is and that any alternative must not preclude construction of the South Capitol Street Trail.

But all is not gloom and doom. There are other more positive developments. As mentioned before, both alternatives for the West Campus Access Road include a 10-foot wide multi-use trail along the road from South Capitol Street (south end), across Malcolm X Avenue, and continuing to Firth Sterling Avenue/Defense Boulevard. This adds another north/south connection to the District's trail system. Even the No Build Alternative includes bike lanes and a sidewalk on the Access Road (but not all the way to Malcolm X Avenue).

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Alternative 2 widens the street by 8 feet more than Alternative 1, from 78 to 86 feet wide, to make room for bicycle lanes. This will, unfortunately, involve removing 27 trees - as opposed to 21 for alternative 1. Still, this is the better alternative of the two, as new trees will be planted to mitigate the impact.

There are also plans to extend 13th Street on the east campus, and that extended street may include bike lanes.
Finally, the Great Streets initiative for MLK Avenue includes plans to add bike racks.

According to GSA, only about 1% of employees are expected to bike to work at the new facility. But the multi-use trail is expected to become a main route for the 8% of employees expected to walk from the Metro station. GSA notes that other steps can be taken to get more people to bike. For example, the EIS notes that by building a smaller parking lot to serve the FEMA building, employees would be encouraged to use public transit, bike or walk to work.

The EIS also recognizes that planned bicycle lanes on Howard Road and along the new MLK Avenue Bridge over Suitland Parkway, as well as unplanned improvements from the Wilson Bridge would do more to improve bike/ped access. This, along with the South Capitol Street Trail—if they don't inadvertently kill it—should help the bicycle mode share to climb higher.

GSA will be holding a public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for the amendment to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Headquarters Consolidation Master Plan at St. Elizabeths on January 13, 2011, from 6-8:30 pm at the Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, John H. Kearney, Sr. Fellowship Hall, located at 2616 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE, Washington, DC. You can also submit comments online.

Cross-posted on The WashCycle.

6 comments

DDOT ponders four decisions for Klingle Valley trail (Jun 21, 2010)
South Capitol: L'Enfant strikes back (Feb 17, 2008)
Trail network emerging east of the river (Jan 5, 2011)
Klingle Valley to get 10-foot trail, lights, trail connection (Jan 13, 2011)
DDOT defines Met Branch Trail options to the north (Nov 15, 2010)

Developments in the works for 2011

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 08:32:00 EDT

by Erik Weber

Lydia DePillis previews the development
expected to take place in the District in 2011. Major projects include the McMillan Sand Filtration Site, Walter Reed, Hill East, and St. Elizabeth's Hospital. (City Paper)

Comment

No mixed-use next to St. E's?

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 08:48:00 EDT

by David Alpert

NCPC staff say a Comprehensive Plan amendment for mixed-use development on MLK Avenue adjacent to St. Elizabeth's is "contrary to the federal interest" because of the historic wall and security needs for the DHS headquarters. (Housing Complex)

Comment

Keeping you Posted

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:31:00 EDT

by David Alpert

Dr. Gridlock reviews the status of WMATA budget discussions and the feedback from the public hearings ... Henri Cauvin reviews the history of St. Elizabeths and plans to build a new DHS headquarters. (Post)

Comment

DHS needs even more space

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:24:00 EDT

by David Alpert

Even the huge St. Elizabeth's campus isn't big enough for the entire Department of Homeland Security. GSA will issue an RFP for 1.1 million more square feet. How about a site on top of Metro station? (DCmud)

Comment

Hopefully not just like the Pentagon

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:34:00 EDT

"In her own Special Olympics-like gaffe, the [DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano] referred to St. Elizabeths as being in 'a very run-down part of the District of Columbia.'" But, DHS also hopes their upcoming move to the Ward 8 campus will "do the same thing for the surrounding neighborhood that the CIA did for Langley and the Pentagon did for Northern Virginia." Great, but this is still part of the city, not part of the 'burbs. Ideally DHS will "do" more for Ward 8 than just drawing large amounts of auto traffic to the area. (DCmud, Jaime)

12 comments

St. Elizabeth's is a campus, not a fortress (Jan 11, 2009)
Lauriol Parking Improvement District? (Feb 15, 2008)
Greater Greater Pentagon (Mar 6, 2008)
Saint Elizabeths: reuse or abuse? (Dec 10, 2008)
Big box retail at Poplar Point? (Sep 15, 2008)

On the calendar: St. E's, WABA gala, Anacostia cleanup, District 4

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EDT

St. Elizabeths West Campus. Photo by Jaime Fearer.

See St. E's: As GSA plans to move DHS to the Saint Elizabeths West Campus come closer to fruition, the DC Preservation League is again offering a walking tour of the west campus of the National Historic Landmark on Saturday, April 4 at 10 am. Here are pictures from the last tour. You can RSVP by calling the DC Preservation League office at 202.783.5144 or emailing rsvp@dcpreservation.org. The tour should fill up quickly so sign up soon. (by Jaime Fearer)

Celebrate with WABA: WABA's tireless efforts to make our city safer for bicyclists depend on our support. You can support them and have a great time at their annual gala, on Saturday, March 21. The event will honor Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Congress's leading bicycle advocate. It's $80 for WABA members and $115 for non-members. Get your tickets here.

Support a trash-free Anacostia: The DC Council will hold a hearing on the bill to incentivize reusable bags on Wednesday, April 1. The hearing will start at 2 pm and continue into the evening to enable people to testify either in the afternoon or after work. To sign up, email or call Aukima Benjamin, abenjamin@dccouncil.us or 202.724.8062. Tell her when you'd like to testify. Never testified before? Just write out up to 3 minutes of comments and bring a few copies with you.

District Four-um: The Action Committee for Transit and the Sierra Club are organizing a forum for County Council candidates in Montgomery's District 4 on Wednesday evening, March 31st. Mark your calendars and look for more updates soon.

5 comments

Has preservation become an echo chamber? (Dec 16, 2008)
Saint Elizabeths: reuse or abuse? (Dec 10, 2008)
Support the Bicycle Safety Enhancement Act (Nov 13, 2008)
What's green and fun in the spring? A Greenbelt bike tour, a Dupont green festival, and bike fundraisers (Apr 6, 2010)
Prince Georgians can only communicate by paper mail or in person on Planning Board nominee (Mar 1, 2010)