Wednesday, June 29, 2011

WBJ: Breaking Ground at 3rd & H Street

Washington Business Journal offers an update on the Steuart Development project in the 300 block of H Street. 360º H Street is a massive development with 215 apartments, 41,2000 sq. ft. for its anchor Giant, and 1,500 additional sq. ft. of retail space.

21 comments:

4th and G said...

Why does the groundbreaking depend on Gray's availability? To the best of my knowledge, taxpayers don't pay him to shovel dirt.

ro said...

I'm pretty sure it's written into the Constitution that no major construction project shall commence without the presence of a bunch of politicians in hard hats holding gold-plated shovels awkwardly pretending like they actually have something to do with the project.

oboe said...

On a slightly different note, I've noticed the trees on 5th Street outside of H Street Development Corp are dying. If anyone reading this knows them or how to get in touch with them, could you ask them to water their trees?

Thanks!

Gonzo said...

Ro - hilarious.

Who is in charge of watering trees? I know that in NOMA, we have people funded by BID to do this. Does the city plant the trees but leave them to wilt? Just curious.

Anonymous said...

Deadbeat mayor aside, this is great news.

-Jordan

lightman said...

Also on a similar note, the new lights seem to have a mind of their own. About 50% randomly refuse to light up on any given day. I have doubts if the street car will even run reliably if they can not even get the lights working correctly.

@HStreetDC said...

The landscaping contractor who planted the trees is contractually obligated to water them for a period of time following their planting. The trees are also guaranteed for a year.
Margaret Gentry, community communications manager for the streetscape project, told me that they're aware that some trees appear to be distressed and likely dead. They're watering them intensively and if they don't recover, the trees will be replaced during the fall planting season in mid-October.
All of the trees are receiving a deep watering at least once a week. You may see the water trucks moving down H Street if you're around during the days that they're watering the trees.

Anonymous said...

It would be helpful if dumbshits would stop chaining their bikes to the trees. Recently I saw two on a tree in front of Sticky Rice. ..yeah I know the owners my work there.

oboe said...

The landscaping contractor who planted the trees is contractually obligated to water them for a period of time following their planting. The trees are also guaranteed for a year.

Ah, thanks. I just assumed they were being neglected, since our block has several new trees (unrelated to the H Street project) and we were given large tree-gators and instructions to fill them once a week.

So long as someone's doing it.

Anonymous said...

The business owners on H ST could do us all some good and run a hose out to the trees in the AM. I know it's not their job, but it would help H ST along which benefits everyone.

Anonymous said...

to the aspiring arborist - how does chaining a bike to it affect the well-being of the tree in any way? Please enlighten me.

Anonymous said...

I also noticed that tall weeds are growing in between the rocks of the plantar boxes. Some tree boxes on H have a significant amount of weeds growing in them. Is anyone doing anything about that issue?

7th and h said...

anon 11:06-

the bark of young saplings is easily damaged by activities as chaining a bike to it. Once damaged, if even slightly, the young tree is quite susceptible to dehydration and disease leading to death

inked said...

11:06,
it's true. The bark is basically the circulatory system of the tree. Damage it, and a tree can't get the water and nutrients it needs. It the case of the creep who recently hung his bike from a small branch, you could also break the branch.

Stephen Harper said...

On a groundbreaking note: Tomorrow is Canada!! Are any H St bars/restaurant having specials?

Gonzo said...

The point about the grass growing on the cobblestone around the tree is a good one. I don't see how this can be managed. Might have been a good idea in theory, but not practice.

Somehow I don't think H St. businesses are going to run a hose from their kitchens, out the front door to these trees. The process needs to be managed centrally.

Free the bark!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 11:06:00 AM

Besides hruting the tree as documented above or perphaps becuase of hurting the tree it is against DC law.

So all in all an uncool move.

Anonymous said...

Anything neighbors can do to help the trees? I mean, I drive up and down H 2-3 times a day. I could dump a bucket of water into the tree containers.

Seems ridiculous that I would have to, but it's better than letting them die. Is there any danger in over watering the new trees?

Dave B said...

Given the numbers of bikes chained to trees, I think more tree education is in order. I think people just dont know.

Maybe like a yellow flag with a tree on it that says "Don't chain your bike on me"

Anonymous said...

Sure, and while you're at it, get them to install more bike racks.

Unknown said...

Sounds like a job for chicken wire.