Posts about Wisconsin Giant

Development

Cheh: "broad-based support" for Wisconsin Giant project

by David Alpert   •   February 20, 2009 10:27 am

Many residents of Cleveland Park and the surrounding neighborhoods turned out last night for the first in what could be a long series of hearings on the proposed Giant and mixed-use development at Wisconsin and Newark. Councilmember Mary Cheh, whose ward includes the area, gave a powerful speech in favor of the plan and framing opposition groups as representatives of only a small subset of residents. Those opposition groups managed to boost Cheh's case on their own by cross-examining the project's witnesses at such length that the members of the Zoning Commission repeatedly asked them to stop.

Cheh said,

The District, and Ward Three in particular, need Smart Growth along the corridors. It's in the public interest to have bustling and energetic retail, to have vibrant and robust public life, and attractive amenities, all of which are illustrated in this project. The anchor will be a first-class food store, an amenity that this community has yearned for for years.

It is in the nature of things, of course, that you will have opposition to development. I do not believe that this opposition represents the broad-based view of the community, Cleveland Park, or Ward Three. The people in this room who are from Ward Three know full well that I am out in the community all the time. I listen to residents, they communicate with me all the time, and I seek to communicate with them. There is broad-based support for this development project.

When I campaigned for office over two years ago, I specifically campaigned on a Smart Growth, environmentally progressive platform. Indeed, Giant, the Giant that we have now, was a central issue for me. I used the Giant as Exhibit A in the need to have invigorated development along the corridors. My views found their mark and the voters supported me. My opponent made it a signature issue that that was my position, Smart Growth and environmentally progressive development. ... The voters overwhelmingly put me in office. I would ask the Commission, as they hear the proceedings, to keep in mind this point.

Inevitably, you will hear opposition. But you have to put it in context. Sometimes opponents are vehement; sometimes opponents can raise their voices; sometimes they can be more organized. As the representative, I can say they are not representative of the broad-based view of the people of Ward Three. When you approve this project, you will be serving the public and serving the public interest.

Cheh also talked about the significance of her campaign when she spoke at Greater Greater Washington's first birthday earlier this month. As I introduced her, I mentioned how many people think Ward Three is vehemently opposed to development, but her election proves the silent majority doesn't share the views of some of the more vocal residents. Now, thanks in part to Davis, they're not so silent.

Davis has been organizing supporters of this project for months. His organization, Advocates for Wisconsin Avenue Renewal (AWARE), filed for "party status", which allows cross-examining all witnesses and fuller participation in the process beyond just testifying. Several groups also filed to be parties in opposition, including the Cleveland Park Citizens' Association (CPCA) and several groups of neighbors from various streets.

Zoning Commission Chair Anthony Hood asked the groups to try to consolidate similar interests into a smaller number of groups, but they resisted. Hood then criticized the application of one of the groups, the Washington Newark Neighborhood Coalition (WNNC), saying it didn't show the standard needed for party status. According to the rules, a party must be more impacted than the general public. The WNNC leader pleaded for approval as a party, and the Commission reluctantly decided to grant it despite their misgivings.

After the Giant's representatives, architects, and traffic engineers made their presentations, the opposition groups had an opportunity for cross-examination. At similar hearings, such as the Whitman-Walker project BZA hearing in December, opponents frustrated with a project often attack a wide range of angles, and board members to patiently but firmly urge focus on the key issues. Last night, according to Davis, "The Zoning Commission repeatedly begged CPCA and WNNC to stop cross-examining Giant's witness because the questions were so unproductive, ineffective, and convoluted." That seemed to only reinforce Cheh's earlier point that vehemence need not reflect the broader opinions of the community.

The hearing will resume on April 6. At the beginning, Hood said that he expected the hearing to run over multiple nights, possibly even more than two.

Development

Breakfast links: hardball negotiations

by David Alpert   •   February 13, 2009 8:31 am

PG United? DC United's owner has announced his intention to move the team to Prince George's County, though he has no firm deal yet. Owner Victor McFarlane wanted DC to pay 75% of the cost of the new stadium, the Post writes, potentially costing DC up to $225 million in public money. McFarlane also offered to "let" DC use some of the tax revenue from ticket and concession sales (which it ought to get anyway) to the construction, Yet according to WTOP, the team will pay the full cost of a Maryland stadium.

Vélib not dying: The operator of Paris's extremely successful Vélib bike sharing program is claiming high rates of theft and vandalism. Streetsblog explains that it's a negotiating tactic by private operator JCDecaux to get more money from the city. Don't be surprised if Clear Channel pulls something similar one day regarding SmartBike.

Greenbelt wants zoning control: Prince George's state delegates can't agree on whether to let municipalities make their own land use decisions. Doing so could enable towns to force better quality developments in their borders, but could also start a race to the bottom where towns try to attract big auto-dependent malls right at the edges of town, raising tax revenue while pushing undesirable traffic effects off on the neighboring jurisdiction.

Et tu, Schume? New York's arts organizations are upset with Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) for voting for Tom Coburn's amendment prohibiting spending stimulus money on casinos, zoos, swimming pools, parks, museums, theaters, art centers, highway beautification projects, and more. Schumer says he didn't read the amendment before voting for it, and though it only applied to casinos and golf courses.

Cleveland Park anti-walkability association: The Cleveland Park Citizens Association is meeting Sunday to consider a resolution on the proposed Wisconsin Giant. Giant supporters point out that CPCA has already filed to be a party in opposition at next Thursday's Zoning Commission hearing, prior to letting members vote on the association's position. Supporters encourage CPCA members to show up and vote against the opposition resolution.

Sorry, Alexandria: There will be no Metro service at or through Pentagon this weekend. Shuttle buses will connect Pentagon City, Pentagon, and L'Enfant Plaza. Track Twenty-Nine has a handy map and more information.

And: GOOD compares the fuel usage of various modes of transportation over the same distances. Bikes win, buses come in second. ... Casey Trees is running a workshop for homeowners to learn how to plant their own trees. Attendees get a free tree. Tip: Lynda. ... Another DC (area) to NYC bus is starting up. This one, TripperBus, will stop in Rosslyn, Bethesda, and midtown Manhattan. Will it take Wisconsin Avenue between the two? If so, might a stop in Georgetown draw a lot of riders?

Development

Fight for your right for a vibrant Wisconsin Avenue

by David Alpert   •   January 21, 2009 11:39 am

Tonight, the Cleveland Park ANC (3C) will debate the controversial Giant PUD at Idaho and Wisconsin. Both supporters and opponents of the PUD have been working to flood ANC Commissioners with letters. If you live in 3C, please email your Commissioner to ask him or her to support the Giant, and attend tonight's meeting at 7:30 at the Second District Police Station on Idaho Avenue (at Newark St) McLean Gardens Ballroom, 3811 Porter St (near Wisconsin).

Residents have been hotly debating this project on the neighborhood email list. Unlike many past debates, numerous residents have written in support of the Giant. For example, one resident wrote,

There are truly hundreds of citizens and residents of our neighborhood who, though quiet, would like nothing more than to see the new Giant store and accompanying project started and completed at the earliest possible time. We are all disgusted with the present state of Wisconsin Avenue in our neighborhood. Most of us no longer walk or shop anywhere near the area and cannot understand why or how the authorities have allowed it to be like this now for over two years. Nor do we believe the continuing professional critics of the project should be allowed still once more to succeed in getting further delays.

No project of this magnitude will or can ever be perfect or acceptable to everyone. The critics are well aware of this, but nonetheless continue with their multipronged efforts, obviously hoping to still further delay if not thwart the project altogether. Please do not let them do so again. Nothing would more demoralize the neighborhood than to see the deplorable state of that area allowed to continue for any longer than it takes for Giant to carry out its current plans.

Another resident tried to put this debate in context:

I have been in the CP neighborhood for some 42 years. During this time, I have witnessed numerous innovations that have generated great heat, some light, and usually an improved community. ...

Common to these innovations over the years were their very newness, the opposition of a small group in the community willing to turn out for meetings, the silence of the great majority in the community not attending meetings, concerns and reservations that usually have not come to fruition, and eventual acceptance resulting in community betterment.

I see the same situation with the proposed expansion of our Giant, now going into the ninth year of discussion. We hear constantly from a small group of dissidents: Cars will be speeding down my street, my basement will suffer structural damage, parking will be insufficient, it will be a destination Giant, even though there are several larger stores within two miles, and other issues you have heard and read on the ListServe.

It is time to move forward. I think the vast majority of our community wants us to move this project with all haste, even though they don't attend the meetings.

Jeff Davis, organizer of the pro-project organization Advocates of Wisconsin Avenue Renewal (AWARE), wrote,

The difference this time is that the vast "silent majority" is no longer silent. A group of neighbors has joined together to stand up to the small group of naysayers and to speak up for the Giant PUD Application.

Parking

ANC and residents debate loading, parking for Wisconsin Giant

by Ben Thielen   •   December 16, 2008 1:17 pm

Last night, Giant representatives presented to ANC 3C their proposal for a mixed-use development including a new Giant supermarket on Wisconsin Avenue. Approximately 75 people attended, and like the meeting in October, the room was sweltering. Critics, who seemed out outnumber supporters this time, focused on loading impacts and asked for more parking.

Giant has made some changes to minimize the impact of trucks servicing the supermarket. Residents of Idaho Avenue, which is primarily a residential street are concerned about the noise and traffic from these trucks. Giant proposes requiring the trucks to enter the loading facility via Wisconsin and Idaho Avenue (right side of the image below). Street-Works, the developer, will install a new traffic light at this intersection (which currently lacks a signal). It will also put in new crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety. Additionally, to improve traffic flow on this section of Idaho Avenue, Street-Works has been working with the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) to make Idaho Avenue a two-way street from Newark to Wisconsin Avenue. This section is currently a one-way street.

Despite concerns from residents on Idaho Avenue, it seems that worries about the impacts of trucks are overstated. Street-Works and its traffic consultant are making sure the geometry at the entrance of the loading dock will only allow turns onto Idaho toward Wisconsin Avenue, sparing residents on this street. The trucks going to and from the loading docks would pass the police station, the row of new townhouses, and a section that currently contains a multistory building and a surface parking lot. This will prevent the trucks from significantly impacting the existing single-family residences on Idaho Avenue.

Project opponents also objected to the amount of parking. The current Giant has a large surface parking lot. The proposed project would have two levels of underground parking, and reserve three spaces for a car-sharing program. Currently, many of the patrons at the nearby restaurants park on the Giant property. Someone said last night these establishments use 70 spaces.

There's no need for 70 spaces dedicated only the restaurant, however. Opponents seemed unable to understand the concept of shared-parking arrangements. The retail component of the project on the south parcel will have parking available for patrons and customers. There is also parking available for the professional/office space on the second floor above this retail. The offices will use their spaces during the day, while the restaurants need parking in the evening.

Plus, as a concession to neighborhood residents, Giant will provide 30 free parking spaces in the South Parcel parking garage for customers of retail and restaurants along Wisconsin Avenue and Macomb Street. The representative from Street-Works said these spots will cost nearly $40,000 each, meaning Giant will spend over $1.5 million for this "benefit" to the community.

Unlike past Ward 3 development fights, there is a well-organized group of supporters organizing to in favor of this development. The main showdown will take place on February 19th, when the Zoning Commission takes up the case. The ANC will take a position on the project at its January meeting.

Development

On the calendar: Giant projects and public reactions

by David Alpert   •   December 12, 2008 12:12 pm

Learn about the Wisconsin Giant: Development projects in Ward 3 historically draw the strongest opposition from well-organized groups of residents. For the proposed Wisconsin Avenue Giant, however, the dynamic is reversing, as many residents eager for a new, mixed-use, walkable, modern Giant and retail at the corner of Wisconsin, Newark, and Idaho are rallying to support the project. They're calling themselves AWARE (Advocates of Wisconsin Avenue REnewal), and they're holding a holiday party and open house Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm.

Enjoy hot cider and baked goods, meet with neighbors, and learn more about the proposed supermarket, residences, and neighborhood retail and amenities. See renderings of the proposed project. Find out how to express your views and let your voice be heard in the approval process. GC Murphy's, on Wisconsin Avenue between Macomb and Newark Streets, on the site of the proposed Giant development.

The X3, 96, and 30s buses all run right by the Giant, so it's easy to get to the holiday party without driving. (The great bus service to this corner is also big reason why walkable development is the right choice at this spot.)

Weigh in on priorities for Hine Junior High: At the last community meeting to discuss the future of Hine Junior High on Capitol Hill, residents disagreed about whether the new use should accommodate youth, how much parking the site needs, and more. Help to continue to refine the vision, hopefully in a livable, walkable direction, at the third community meeting Saturday, 10-11:30 am at Tyler Elementary, 1001 G St, SE (just a few blocks from Eastern Market).

See plans for the McMillan Sand Filtration Site: This large parcel at Michigan and North Capitol is slated to become a brand-new neighborhood. See the plans and give feedback Saturday, 10 am-noon at Trinity University's Social Hall, 125 Michigan Ave. NE. Or just see the proposal online at Bloomingdale (For Now).

Next week: Monday night, the Sustainability area of the DC Zoning Update will discuss how our zoning can address water conservation and protection. 6:30-8:30 pm at 441 4th St NW, 11th Floor, Room 1107.

Wednesday evening is the public meeting on bus stop standards, 5-7:30 pm at WMATA headquarters, 600 5th Street, NW.

I'm also interested in hearing what people have to say at the ANC 4B meeting on Georgia Avenue development, including the proposed Sheridan Theatre landmarking and proposals for the Curtis Chevrolet (Georgia and Missouri) and Sabor Restaurant (Georgia and Sheridan) sites. 7 pm, Takoma Rec Center, 300 Van Buren Street, NW.

Update: I knew I was forgetting something this weekend. I've added the McMillan Sand Filtration Site community meeting, also Saturday.

Education

Better Know a Single-Member District: 3C03

by David Alpert   •   October 20, 2008 2:45 pm

"The fightin' 3C03"

3C03 is one of three SMDs in the neighborhood of Woodley Park. Woodley combines some large residential buildings along Connecticut with single-family homes farther away, a small but lively retail strip, and perhaps the greatest concentration of large institutional land uses in any neighborhood its size. There are two very large hotels, the Omni Shoreham and the Marriott Wardman Park; the Marriott is the largest hotel in DC and host to many large conventions. Woodley has several schools, including the Oyster Bilingual charter school, the Maret private school, and the Aidan Montessori School. It has a Metro station. And then there's the elephant, or should I say panda, in the room: the National Zoo.

Perhaps not surprisingly, Woodley is a desirable neighborhood, especially for young parents such as Anne-Marie Bairstow, one of two candidates running for the open 3C03 seat. Bairstow's oldest child attends Oyster, and before that was enrolled at Aidan. That brought Bairstow into some of the neighborhood's recent development battles, as Aidan sought to increase its enrollment amidst neighborhood concerns over traffic and other imapacts. Bairstow said that "things were done wrong on both sides" in that fight, and knowing what she knows now, would have "had everyone sit down ... and talk through the process early on." She feels that Oyster doesn't know how to be effectively involved in the Woodley community, and hopes to repair and strengthen that relationship if elected to the ANC. Building bridges in the neighborhood is a refrain all ANC candidates bring up frequently, regardless of their positions on specific issues; Jenelle Dennis, Bairstow's opponent in the race, also talked extensively about working together to solve problems like these.

Dennis, who does not have children, lives on Connecticut Avenue near the neighborhood's northern edge. She grew up in various neighborhoods of upper Northwest Washington before her family moved to Newton, Massachusetts, but she always wanted to come back here. She attended the School of Foreign Service in Georgetown, returned to Boston for law school, and then finally settled in DC. Dennis now works as a real estate attorney in Bethesda. (And she takes Metro almost every day.)

Bairstow was drawn to DC during college, when she came during her summers to work on national politics but gradually found herself gravitating to local issues instead, first to social work, where she worked with the homeless, and then to urban planning, in which she has a masters from UVA. She worked for the Downtown BID and then most recently was Director of the Adams Morgan Partnership (their BID).

Bairstow also ran Mary Cheh's primary campaign for DC Council. In 2004, a group of Ward 3 residents including Bairstow met with each candidate running for the open Council seat. They were so impressed with Cheh that they decided to throw their full support behind her, and even ran the campaign. As we all know, they succeeded, giving Cheh a huge victory in the primary despite a very crowded field.

As an urban planner and a past board member of WABA, Bairstow believes in urban livability as we do on GGW. She feels that "the suburban way of living is wrong and urban way of living is right," adding that "I feel somewhat self-congratulatory that I made the decision to live in the city" and stay to raise her children. She believes that density is appropriate around Metro stations, including Woodley's.

ANC 3C is the epicenter of development debates today: not so much in Woodley Park, though it's had its share of big fights such as when the Marriott wanted to add a residential tower on their property (the project is now stalled due to the economy), but because of the Giant, which sits at the western edge of 3C. To put it simply, Bairstow favors the Giant, and Dennis, while more cautionary in her statements, does not support the project right now.

Development

"Traffic, traffic, traffic, parking, parking, traffic, parking"

by Bianchi   •   October 17, 2008 1:58 pm

Those were the words of OP's Jennifer Steingasser at Wednesday's Giant meeting in Cleveland Park. Steingasser was referring to the fact that concerns about the project are almost all actually transportation concerns, not zoning concerns.

Commenter, now contributor, Bianchi attended the meeting, and sent me her thoughts. Here is some of her interesting color commentary, to add to the details Ben Thielen already covered yesterday.—David

The meeting was held in a suffocating room with no air circulation. It was swelteringly hot, literally. The approximately 100-200 people were visibly sweating, fragrant and waving handouts of the plan on their faces like fans. A quarter of those in attendance stood around the edges of the room because there weren't enough chairs. I arrived late and stood.

It wasn't just the temperature that was high—passions were too. One woman, who prefaced her comments by saying she supported the project, but just had some questions/concerns, asked about parking for the residential piece of the project while complaining that there was already too much density in the area (read “not enough street parking"). A man near her interrupted and said, "Yeah, you support it, just not in your back yard." She angrily shot back that was not true, she just had specific questions.

A gentleman who's lived nearby for many years pointed out that right next to this parcel is a very low density area with two parks. He recommended more residential units on the Wisconsin Avenue side than are currently planned because transit is plentiful here, our city needs the life and tax revenue of new residents, and Wisconsin is a major corridor and thus should have people living on it.

He also offered the observation that at 2 in the afternoon you can park anywhere you like. It gets crowded around 7 pm when people come home from work. He suggested that if some of his neighbors lived car-free as he has for years they could solve their own parking and traffic problem. He was applauded by half the room.

A young woman new to the area acknowledged that parking can be a problem but that she and her husband knew that before they bought. They chalked it up to, "It's a city. What do you expect?" She was applauded by half the room too.

Apparently the meeting was productive. Someone said it was, compared to the last one, and the OP reps concurred. Then it was adjourned for the debate. I forgot to ask about bike racks.

Development

Wisconsin Giant plan is not too giant

by Ben Thielen   •   October 16, 2008 1:53 pm

Please welcome GGW's newest correspondent and frequent past commenter, northwest resident Ben Thielen.—David

Last night, residents and ANC commissioners discussed plans for a new Giant grocery store at Wisconsin and Newark Avenues, NW. The development will also include about 140 residential units, 55,000 square feet of small retail space, and 14,000 square feet of general/professional office space on the second floor. About sixty percent of the attendees supported the proposal, but opponents of the project fought hard, arguing that there's not enough parking (I think there should be less) and the project would attract people and traffic from more than a mile away (it won't).

Last night's meeting was sponsored by ANC 3C09 Commissioner Nancy MacWood, an avowed opponent of this project. At least 75 people attended including ANC Commissioners Trudy Reeves (3C06) and Lee Brian Reba (3C01). Joel Lawson, Jennifer Steingasser, and Maxine Brown Roberts, all of the D.C. Office of Planning, answered questions from the audience about the planning and zoning process for this development. The meeting quickly shifted, however, to a discussion of the arguments for and against this project.

The existing supermarket is very dated and insufficient, with a large surface-level parking lot. The area on the opposite side of Newark Avenue has street level retail on the first floor and general professional space (law office, insurance, etc) on the second floor. Steingasser said this project, which will change the zoning to allow a little more density and height, is not inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan for the area (approved in 2006) and this project will not be at the maximum density. The Office of Planning supports this project and believes that the parcel now is currently underutilized.

One lady in attendance asked the OP representatives if it is the District's policy to increase density. I responded that while I don't know if it is a goal of the District to increase density, the District has clearly supported smart growth and transit-oriented development. I said that this project is well-served by numerous buses (several 30s-line buses, H4, 96, etc) and that this will allow residents to walk to amenities and destinations instead of driving.

Someone said that the new Giant will be destination retail and will attract people from more than a mile away. This is entirely nonsensical. The development of a new Giant is a local project, to meet local needs. Here is a list of other supermarkets in nearby neighborhoods:

• Tenley has a Whole Foods and a Safeway.
  
• Friendship Heights has a Giant and will soon be getting a Whole Foods
  
• Van Ness has a large, modern Giant
  
• Glover Park has a Whole Foods and a Safeway
  
• Woodley Park has a Safeway and a new Harris Teeter nearby in Adams Morgan.

The suggestion that this new Giant will be a destination store for people living outside this neighborhood, thereby generating traffic, is defied by even a casual look around all of the other supermarkets in Northwest.

There was also the usual chorus of complaints that this project would not provide sufficient parking and neighbors would have to park far away from their residences. According to Trudy Reeves, "An underground garage for 396 cars is proposed under the Giant... the residential units in the north parcel will all have one parking space each under their building (DC law only requires one space for every two units, so they are providing double the requirement). The eight townhouses on Idaho will each have 2 parking spaces (only one is required)."

In a letter I sent to Councilmember Mary Cheh (Ward 3) I suggested the developer reduce the number of parking spaces. This project can utilize shared parking arrangements to accommodate the surrounding restaurants. Since the employees of the professional office space in this project will have different work hours than the peak hours for the surrounding restaurants, this provides and excellent opportunity for shared parking arrangements. Additionally, I was told at a previous meeting that this parking for the residential units will also include at least one space for Zipcar parking.

I left before the end to watch last night's other debate, but according to the City Paper, Steingasser said a hearing is coming up soon, with building possibly starting by late next summer.

Development

Breakfast links: End of the world as we know it

by David Alpert   •   October 16, 2008 8:37 am

OMG 140 people might live on Wisconsin! City Paper shows a flyer warning people of traffic mayhem if the Giant project is built on Wisconsin Avenue in McLean Gardens. In an email to the Cleveland Park list, opponent Nancy MacWood wrote, "I think many of us have assumed that we would absorb some of the District's move to attract new residents. ... But frankly no one contemplated the amount of new residential units that Giant is proposing." Given the many supporters, I think quite a few people contemplated just that.

Is it ever OK to hit back at cars? Reacting to the driver who intentionally hit a bicyclist around 14th and Constitution, DCist asks, "Is there ever a case when it might be appropriate for bikers to hit back at drivers? ... Do you all think responding to vehicular assault by banging your fist down on a trunk is so wrong? And what about a well-placed U-lock to a tail light? Where do you draw the line?" WashCycle says don't do it, and I agree. (If it's a robotically controlled car, on the other hand...)

In an economic crisis, come here: BusinessWeek made a top ten list of the best cities during a recession. Number one: Arlington. Number two: Washington, DC. Via Consumerist.

Keep arguing about the height limit: Ryan Avent gives an economic take on the height limit and its opportunity cost. BeyondDC thinks we should raise the limit in targeted areas outside downtown; Avent argues for including downtown.

Meanwhile in Maryland: Some Montgomery County employees want so badly to drive SUVs, despite the county's policies requiring less polluting cars, that they've resorted to renting SUVs on the county's dime; some Bethesda residents oppose everything; Edmonston building a "green street"; Accokeek doesn't need another strip mall.

Development

Wisconsin Ave Giant is a great project

by David Alpert   •   June 3, 2008 4:51 pm

I've been picking on bad projects a fair amount lately, so it's time to highlight a good project: the proposed redevelopment of the Wisconsin Avenue Giant in western Cleveland Park. This project will replace bland, single-story buildings and large surface parking lots along Wisconsin Ave and Idaho Ave with an appropriately scaled mixed-use project that will engage the street with many individual stores and residences.

The north parcel, in the triangle made by Wisconsin, Idaho, and Newark Street, has small stores all around on the ground floor and residences above. There is also an opportunity for businesses on the second story (of the types that prefer the lower rent and lower visibility of an upstairs location, like yoga studios).

South of Newark Street, the Giant will occupy most of the site. However, the project places several smaller stores in front of the store on both the Wisconsin Ave and Newark Street sides. On the Idaho Ave side, which is more residential, there will be townhouses fronting on the street.

This is a great solution to the problem of blank walls around big supermarkets. A supermarket usually wants to put full-height shelves around all its walls, blocking any windows. Therefore, when we build a supermarket right on the street, we end up with long blank walls. Here, the Giant gets to have a nice entrance on the street, but the rest of the store is inside the block, allowing it to have no windows without hurting the streetscape.

The project does have two levels of underground parking. While I usually complain about excessive parking, I don't think this is excessive. Supermarkets do generate more vehicle trips because people do indeed buy a lot of food at once and make frequent trips to the supermarket. Until we have lots of corner stores allowing people to walk to the corner to buy some fresh produce, that's going to continue. Also, this area isn't very close to any Metro stations. Wisconsin has bus service, but there's less potential for complete transit-oriented living than right at Columbia Heights, Eastern Market, or Georgetown.

My favorite part of this project is the treatment of Newark Street. Too often, traffic engineers either design the road entirely for cars and try to keep people off while maximizing vehicle speed, or close a road completely which is great for pedestrians but can create "superblocks" and dead space that is less safe. Instead, this project paves the center section of Newark Street with something like cobblestones, creating a wide plaza that's open to cars but also more pedestrian friendly, using subtle visual cues to show that this isn't a rapid driving space.

Why can't these folks design all the development projects in DC?