August 2007 · CSNA General Membership Meeting Minutes

Thursday, 9 August 2007 · 7:00 – 8:30 PM

True Reformer Building · 1200 U Street, NW

www.csnadc.org

Welcome and Introductions

Community Report, Announcements Special Presentations

·        CSNA U Street Development Showcase – Jon Kardon provided a recap of CSNA’s U Street Development Showcase, held on Saturday, August 4 during the Midcity Dog Days Sidewalk Sale.  The event was a success, with over 15 participating development-related organizations including sponsors Donatelli Development, PN Hoffman, Senate Realty, Perseus Realty, DCRealEstate.com, Lakritz Adler / Robertson Development, and the M.A. Winter Co.  Other participants included Level 2 Development, Capitol Green Roofs, Councilmember Jim Graham’s staff, Latino Economic Development Corporation, DC Economic Partnership, DDoT 14^th Street Study, Office of Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Zipcar, and the Office of Historic Preservation..  Thanks to all volunteers who helped throughout the day, and to all sponsors and participants!

·        Special Guests at Upcoming CSNA Meetings –

o       September: Department of Transportation

o       October: Department of the Environment and/or Department of Public Works

o       November: Ramon Estrada, Dupont Circle ANC2B Commissioner

·        CSNA Officers Update

o       Kristin Longhauser has agreed to serve as Vice President

o       Phil Spalding has agreed to serve as Membership Chair

o       Vacancy remains at Clean & Green Chair position

·        CSNA Board Insurance

o       CSNA voted 11-0-0 to approve renewing the insurance for $541.

Renovation of 2208 14^th Street – Bill Bonstra, Bonstra Haresign Design, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o       Bill Bonstra and his design team presented the plans to renovate 2208 14^th Street.  The space will be programmed for a two story restaurant.  The existing building will be expanded in the rear, and the façade will be modified.  Bonstra has been working with Steve Colcott at the Office of Historic Preservation on the design.  Based on the locations of the windows and door, the original use of the building was most likely a rowhouse, and at some point in the past, the use changed to retail.  The original details around the windows remain and will be preserved.  The cornice, which may or may not be original, will either be retained or replaced.  The ornament over the right upper window will be retained.  The proposed storefront is a wood-framed glass storefront with a bay window.  There will be a new entry at the front, with an awning above.  The rear of the building would have 19’ available for parking and loading.

The site is on the HPRB and ANC1B schedules for September.

Ernest Springs commented that the awning would attract people who would sleep and urinate underneath the awning.  Bill Bonstra responded that an open awning would be an option.  Ernest also commented that in the rear, there would be contention if dumpsters would be located in the alley, and Bryan Martin Frivida commented that dumpsters should be placed within private property.  Bill Bonstra responded that he would look at the rear parking and loading layout to see if the dumpster could be placed within private space.

CSNA voted 13-0-0 to support the plans for 2208 14^th Street with a statement of concern of the awning and that Bonstra Haresign modify the plans to address concerns with the awning.

YMCA Redevelopment Presentation, Jill Homan, Perseus Realty, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it and Fred Greene, FLGA, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

           
Jill Homan and Fred Greene presented the plans to redevelop the YMCa and historic properties at 14^th and W Streets, NW.  The development will include a new 45,000 sf YMCA, approximately 230 apartment units, approximately 13,000 sf of retail, and 150 – 180 parking spaces.  The YMCA will include an Olympic size 4 lane pool, a basketball court, daycare center, wellness center, state of the art gym, and locker rooms.  8% of the apartments will be affordable units at up to 80% Area Median Income.

The redevelopment involves two public approval actions, including closing the southern half of the north-west alley between W Street and Florida Ave, and between 13^th and 14^th Streets.  The developer is also seeking HPRB approval.  HPRB has required the developer to preserve 30’-40’ depth of the existing retail structures along 14^th Street, and step back the new construction behind it.  The project is on the HPRB September agenda.  Presentations have already been made at the YMCA and at ANC1B.

Other details of the site:

-There will be two residential entrances on W Street

-Loading and dumpsters will be located at the southeast corner of the site

-YMCA buses will be parked where the north-south and east-west alleys intersect

-The existing YMCA is trading the value of their land for a condominium in the building, and better, newer facilities.

Jean Homza expressed concern that the loading area is insufficient and too far from the retail, and it will place a burden on 14^th Street as delivery trucks will likely load from the street.

John DeTaye of Councilmember Graham’s Office asked whether the building will incorporate green building elements.  Jill Homan said that she would follow up on this question.

Cheryl Cort requested that the project include more affordable housing, and suggested that 30% of the air rights over the portion of the alley that may be closed be dedicated to affordable housing.

Mayor Fenty Question and Answer Session

Mayor Fenty introduced himself to CSNA, expressing that his administration has focused on making Washington, DC a “World Class City.”  So far, the Fenty administration has focused on community policing, education, HIV prevention, juvenile justice, child welfare, business development, and other areas.

ANC1B Commissioner Phil Spalding stated that the Fenty administration should reconsider the police third district redistricting, and avoid separating the 14^th and U Street commercial corridors into two different police districts.  Mayor Fenty stated that Police Chief Lanier felt that the redistricting was necessary to allow the third district to move around its manpower.  He stated that any further PSA boundary redistricting should be done through comprehensive strategy, and should not be changed immediately

Scott Pomeroy of the MidCity Business Association thanked Mayor Fenty for his support of the Hospitality Resource Partnership (HRP).  Scott expressed that the HRP does need stronger buy-in and support, especially from MPD.  Mayor Fefnty suggested organizing a small meeting with Bridget Davis, a representative from Councilmember Graham’s office, and a representative from MPD to move the HRP forward.

Ernest Springs, CSNA Historic Preservation and Development Chair, asked Mayor Fenty what his office could do to modify plans for the Lincoln Theatre so that it is a benefit to the community, rather than consider building a condominium building in the parking lot.  Mayor Fenty said that the Office of the Deputy Mayor intends to keep the Lincoln Theatre open until a decision is made on the use.  He expressed that the Lincoln Theatre RFP process should be a transparent process in which the community should provide input and provide a consensus opinion.

Christine Holst, CSNA Business Development Chair, proposed that the Fenty Administration consider utilizing the government and quasi-government owned lots for paid public parking use.  These lots include the Housing Finance Agency garage, the lot used by the fire department, the Grimke Building, the WMATA lots, and the Sherman Ave. lot.  Mayor Fenty stated that his administration would look at these properties and provide feedback.

Cheryl Cort, CSNA Transportation Chair, proposed that a scheme be in place for visitors to pay for parking and not be able to find a free parking space, and that the city manage parking supply more rationally.

Jean Homza, MidCity Business Association representative, asserted that the MidCity businesses are opposed to the split of the PSA district.  Jean asked when a comprehensive plan for PSAs will be considered.  Jean also echoed Christine and requested that the city utilize lots for parking.  Jean also requested that a CCTV camera be added at the 9^th Street Metro station.  Additionally, Jean expressed that the businesses do not want the Metro hours to be cut back.  Mayor Fenty responded that his administration will find a way to weigh in on the Metro hours and find a way to make up funding gaps.  He said that he will speak with Chief Lanier one more time about redistricting and make last minute suggestions on the redistricting.

Scott Pomeroy explained the need for a Greater U Street Business Improvement District.  He stated that the green team has been successful and the businesses have been appreciative of the services provided, but 75% of the green team workers will soon be transitioning into new jobs, and the program will need to continue.  Scott asked what will happen to small businesses that have been affected by a 400% increase in property taxes.  Scott also stated that U Street will be torn up next year, and will adversely affect businesses during the construction.  Scott commented that BIDs has not been a priority at the government level, and that they should be encouraged by the government with resources dedicated to it.  Mayor Fenty stated that it makes sense for his administration to support a U Street BID, and that he could offer a staff person from the Deputy Mayor’s office to assist in the setup.  He also stated that there should be no reason that government should not be able to provide adequate clean and safe services.  John DeTaye of Councilmember Graham’s office also expressed that Councilmember Graham has a bill to place a tax cap on small commercial businesses.

It was expressed that CVS, which is opening at the Mason’s Building, at 1000 U Street, has kept the neighborhood out of the process.  Neighborhood groups want to appeal decisions made by DCRA officers.  Mayor Fenty said that DCRA has sent out investigators, who agree with the the loading dock issues.  He said that the Deputy Mayor’s office could become more involved in the process.  Phil Spalding said that he would provide dates of DCRA action to Mayor Fenty’s office.

Christine Holst expressed that the Sherman Ave. RFP process should consider the DDOT plan to continue the W Street through the Sherman Ave. property to improve traffic flow and restore the street grid.

Chryl Cort expressed that while the city has made significant progress on fostering affordable housing, the city should apply as many resources as possible towards affordable housing.  She recommended that the city look at other creative public benefits, such as exchanging alley closures for increased affordable housing in projects.

Jean Homza expressed that larger projects are not being held accountable for infrastructure improvements.

Scott Pomeroy expressed that there should not be a conflict between dogs and kids in city parks, and that this conflict needs to be addressed.  John DeTaye expressed that developers are allowing dogs in residential buildings without offering a place for dogs to play, which is placing a strain on shared park space.  Mayor Fenty said that the government needs to show some movement on the dog park issue, and that action should be expected.

Questions, Comments, Concerns

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