AMAZING!!! I just wish it was happening faster. That gross strip-mall offers nothing to the neighborhood. I hope the new retail space does keep a Walgreen/CVS in it though.
The 100 public parking spaces issue has yet to be sorted out. The ANC did not take an official position on them. The City Planner seem to want them and the property owner seems open to them, but the city will likely have to pay for them to be built and manange them for it to happen. Seems likely, but its weird that some folks on 6A didn't support the idea, including the 6A Commissioner who lives just north of it.
It is an 8 story building, but it won't look like that from a H street sidewalk. The upper floors are set back from H, 8th and 10th St, so it will feel less massive than how it appears in the elevation drawings.
Anon 1:48 -- that joke wasn't any funnier when you posted it on the DCmud website. Keep trying every website you can, though, and someone somewhere will probably laugh.
I premise this by stating I am huge proponent of the redevelopment and revitalization of the Corridor.
Why do so many folks criticize everything that was built before 2005? The Autozone and their desirable parking lot were here before you moved into the neighborhood. The same with H Street Storage. You can't expect changes overnight, just because you paid $550k for 2br in 2006 and are now worried you won't breakeven.
To Andrew, developers don't trade property like in the game of Monopoly. These are different owners with different schedules. It is wise for them not to break ground 'till 2012, so they avoid market cannibalization of Steuart's project.
An aside, I just read the MLS yesterday where a listing agent included comments describing the house's proximity to the new "H Street Connection w/ future Whole Foods!" Come on, seriously? Why are Realtors actively lying to potential homebuyers? There is no contract with Wholefoods. In addition, most of you have been up in arms whether there may or may not be a Whole Foods at 3rd and H St. If Whole Foods is concerned with being too close to their Logan store, how do you think they'll manage with 2 stores within 5 blocks from each other. Pssh.
Sorry for the rant, Inked. Just wished folks would be more patient and enjoy the pubs they've got.
rayful, don't confuse internet excitement and impatience with real world impatience and a lack of loving the existing pubs. in fact, don't confuse internet anything with real world anything.
Count me as one more person that thinks the 100 public parking spaces is a very good idea. It's not often you even get the option. If we don't take this opportunity we can never whine about lack of parking in the future.
i have heard a dual argument against parking (i don't per se agree with either) that (a) shoppers should be "persuaded" to use other transportation options by omitting large scale parking (this argument usually applies to big box retailer opponents and is tied into argument b which is) (b) would be parking spaces should be reserved for "the best possible use" (ground floor library/rec center or some such). i personally think some people just want to drive, for various reasons (multiple chores to do/multiple children to transport/limited time, etc) and that transportation options should be multifaceted (good PT, bike racks, *and* parking)
ps: to anon 7:58 who has lived in H since 81, do you have any h street connection anecdotes? let's spice these comments up with some history...
Soul Searcher, At the ANC meeting, the Commissioners' arguments were opposing sides of (a).
Those who voted against asking the city to support 100 extra spaces said that if there are fewer spaces, people will be forced to use other means of transportation. Essentially, make it hard to use cars, and they won't.
The other side that voted "Hell, yes!" said that if the people who are going to drive anyway don't have parking, they will 1) clog up the residential streets by parking their cars there, or 2) just not come which means less business for merchants.
One Commissioner pointed out that the ONLY chance we have of getting the parking is during development when the site can be excavated. After H Street is all done, we can never, ever again add parking, so get what we can NOW.
"Those who voted against asking the city to support 100 extra spaces said that if there are fewer spaces, people will be forced to use other means of transportation. Essentially, make it hard to use cars, and they won't."
This is a silly argument.
Like it or not public transit options simply don't work for everyone. There are a great many in our area that are older, have family or health issues that make public transit inconvenient, etc.
H Street doesn't have a metro stop. And, no, for many a 12 block hike from Union Station isn't going to be good enough.
Yes, we probably will have the trolley. But even that may come back to bite us in the butt and we end up with tracks and no trolley, or ridiculously limited hours.
For many on the Hill, particularly the southern parts, a trip to H by public transit means two different buses, relying on both to be reasonably on time.
This simply is not going to work for many.
Taxi service on the Hill is generally unreliable at best.
If we really want to limit driving why don't we take away all the street parking spaces and make them into flower boxes instead? It's the same argument, taken to extreme.
There is a balance here. Certainly encourage public transit.
But there will always be a fairly large contingent, both from the Hill and beyond, that simply will not come to H if there isn't a reasonable chance of finding parking.
And wouldn't we rather have them parking in a garage rather than circling looking for street parking?
It is unfathomable that Raphael Marshall opposed the additional parking spaces at the H Street Connection. What is wrong with that guy and who is going to run against him?
They built way too much parking at the Target in Columbia Heights. My understanding is that Target has been completely shocked by the profitability of the store and all the empty parking. Granted, the CH metro stop is right there. But, I'd guess that is playing into the thinking.
certainly the metro benefits columbia heights' commercial core in a way that is not possible on h. also, what is the comparative density of the areas? i would assume columbia heights is far more urban.
having available parking spaces, and having a gigantic parking garage are two different problems.
Raphael also voted against streetcars at the last meeting. No parking, no streetcars, what does he expect to happen? As if his shameful and dishonest opposition to Liberty Tree wasn't bad enough... Seriously, wasn't someone going to run against him?
I cannot believe I read that correctly, Raphael voted against Liberty Tree!! What a nut..We have had dinner there 4 or 5 times now, and see the same folks everytime we go. Why would he do such a thing to the growth of the neighborhood? Raphael, it is time for you to go..find a neighborhood that does NOT want change and buy a house.
Sorry, Oboe, I was long asleep when someone posted at 11:51, but I'll be sure to use this label going ahead, so you know when it's me.
Marshall did oppose Liberty Tree. http://www.voiceofthehill.com/NEIGHBORHOOD-COMMISSIONS/Northeast-Capitol-Hill-commission-ANC-6A-opposes-Liberty-Tree-proposes-crime-fixes
Whatever happened to this guy Wayne said was going to run against him last time? http://frozentropics.blogspot.com/2008/02/booze-clues-argonaut.html Wayne, are you and your guy still around? I don't know the guy, but opposing parking, streetcars, and Liberty Tree is nuts.
29 comments:
Looks a lot nicer than most new developments (and *certainly* an improvement over the existing building), but gosh, it sure is tall.
Why not focus on the (more valuable and currently vacant) 300 block first?
@andrew
Because they're different owners.
Plus, the 300 block *is* actually ahead of this one - it already has full zoning approval.
AMAZING!!! I just wish it was happening faster. That gross strip-mall offers nothing to the neighborhood. I hope the new retail space does keep a Walgreen/CVS in it though.
Rappaport, if you are listening, I present myself as a volunteer to begin demo-ing this site now!!!
Jordan, I agree. Turn the whole area into a temporary parking lot until construction begins.
Do the wig shops and chicken joints stay in the new development?
You must be confused Anon 1:48, there aren't any chicken joints or wig shops in the H Street Connection.
So did the 100 parking spaces for public use make it into the final design? It's unclear.
The 100 public parking spaces issue has yet to be sorted out. The ANC did not take an official position on them. The City Planner seem to want them and the property owner seems open to them, but the city will likely have to pay for them to be built and manange them for it to happen. Seems likely, but its weird that some folks on 6A didn't support the idea, including the 6A Commissioner who lives just north of it.
Why is it that no one is taking on the big storage building? The place is worse than H St. Connection.
Andrew,
It is an 8 story building, but it won't look like that from a H street sidewalk. The upper floors are set back from H, 8th and 10th St, so it will feel less massive than how it appears in the elevation drawings.
Drew Ronneberg
Commissioner, 6A02
Totally agree that the H Street storage building has got to go.
Anon 1:48 -- that joke wasn't any funnier when you posted it on the DCmud website. Keep trying every website you can, though, and someone somewhere will probably laugh.
I premise this by stating I am huge proponent of the redevelopment and revitalization of the Corridor.
Why do so many folks criticize everything that was built before 2005? The Autozone and their desirable parking lot were here before you moved into the neighborhood. The same with H Street Storage. You can't expect changes overnight, just because you paid $550k for 2br in 2006 and are now worried you won't breakeven.
To Andrew, developers don't trade property like in the game of Monopoly. These are different owners with different schedules. It is wise for them not to break ground 'till 2012, so they avoid market cannibalization of Steuart's project.
An aside, I just read the MLS yesterday where a listing agent included comments describing the house's proximity to the new "H Street Connection w/ future Whole Foods!" Come on, seriously? Why are Realtors actively lying to potential homebuyers? There is no contract with Wholefoods. In addition, most of you have been up in arms whether there may or may not be a Whole Foods at 3rd and H St. If Whole Foods is concerned with being too close to their Logan store, how do you think they'll manage with 2 stores within 5 blocks from each other. Pssh.
Sorry for the rant, Inked. Just wished folks would be more patient and enjoy the pubs they've got.
rayful,
don't confuse internet excitement and impatience with real world impatience and a lack of loving the existing pubs.
in fact, don't confuse internet anything with real world anything.
Count me as one more person that thinks the 100 public parking spaces is a very good idea. It's not often you even get the option. If we don't take this opportunity we can never whine about lack of parking in the future.
100 public parking spaces can't materialize too soon.
And I've lived 1.5 blocks from H st since 1981.
i have heard a dual argument against parking (i don't per se agree with either) that (a) shoppers should be "persuaded" to use other transportation options by omitting large scale parking (this argument usually applies to big box retailer opponents and is tied into argument b which is) (b) would be parking spaces should be reserved for "the best possible use" (ground floor library/rec center or some such). i personally think some people just want to drive, for various reasons (multiple chores to do/multiple children to transport/limited time, etc) and that transportation options should be multifaceted (good PT, bike racks, *and* parking)
ps: to anon 7:58 who has lived in H since 81, do you have any h street connection anecdotes? let's spice these comments up with some history...
Soul Searcher,
At the ANC meeting, the Commissioners' arguments were opposing sides of (a).
Those who voted against asking the city to support 100 extra spaces said that if there are fewer spaces, people will be forced to use other means of transportation. Essentially, make it hard to use cars, and they won't.
The other side that voted "Hell, yes!" said that if the people who are going to drive anyway don't have parking, they will 1) clog up the residential streets by parking their cars there, or 2) just not come which means less business for merchants.
One Commissioner pointed out that the ONLY chance we have of getting the parking is during development when the site can be excavated. After H Street is all done, we can never, ever again add parking, so get what we can NOW.
"Those who voted against asking the city to support 100 extra spaces said that if there are fewer spaces, people will be forced to use other means of transportation. Essentially, make it hard to use cars, and they won't."
This is a silly argument.
Like it or not public transit options simply don't work for everyone. There are a great many in our area that are older, have family or health issues that make public transit inconvenient, etc.
H Street doesn't have a metro stop. And, no, for many a 12 block hike from Union Station isn't going to be good enough.
Yes, we probably will have the trolley. But even that may come back to bite us in the butt and we end up with tracks and no trolley, or ridiculously limited hours.
For many on the Hill, particularly the southern parts, a trip to H by public transit means two different buses, relying on both to be reasonably on time.
This simply is not going to work for many.
Taxi service on the Hill is generally unreliable at best.
If we really want to limit driving why don't we take away all the street parking spaces and make them into flower boxes instead? It's the same argument, taken to extreme.
There is a balance here. Certainly encourage public transit.
But there will always be a fairly large contingent, both from the Hill and beyond, that simply will not come to H if there isn't a reasonable chance of finding parking.
And wouldn't we rather have them parking in a garage rather than circling looking for street parking?
just curious with a few questions
are there any commercially successful areas of dc that don't have public parking garages?
are there any successful commercial areas in any city of 600,000 people or less that don't have access to parking spaces?
and if there are those places, how to people get to them, and with what frequency does the transit run?
the east/west running X2 is quite frequent. Other bus access to H is few and far between.
does anyone know the cost of evening parking at Union Station?
are there any plans for a bike valet or bike sharing program in the eastern end of h?
It is unfathomable that Raphael Marshall opposed the additional parking spaces at the H Street Connection. What is wrong with that guy and who is going to run against him?
They built way too much parking at the Target in Columbia Heights. My understanding is that Target has been completely shocked by the profitability of the store and all the empty parking. Granted, the CH metro stop is right there. But, I'd guess that is playing into the thinking.
certainly the metro benefits columbia heights' commercial core in a way that is not possible on h. also, what is the comparative density of the areas? i would assume columbia heights is far more urban.
having available parking spaces, and having a gigantic parking garage are two different problems.
the target has 1000 parking spaces.
Raphael also voted against streetcars at the last meeting. No parking, no streetcars, what does he expect to happen? As if his shameful and dishonest opposition to Liberty Tree wasn't bad enough... Seriously, wasn't someone going to run against him?
Raphael Marshall needs to go. I have been so unimpressed with him for years.
Hey Anonymous,
Could you at least pretend to change your alias when spamming FT with anti-Raphael Marshall postings? You owe us at least that much.
Thank you.
I cannot believe I read that correctly, Raphael voted against Liberty Tree!! What a nut..We have had dinner there 4 or 5 times now, and see the same folks everytime we go. Why would he do such a thing to the growth of the neighborhood?
Raphael, it is time for you to go..find a neighborhood that does NOT want change and buy a house.
Sorry, Oboe, I was long asleep when someone posted at 11:51, but I'll be sure to use this label going ahead, so you know when it's me.
Marshall did oppose Liberty Tree. http://www.voiceofthehill.com/NEIGHBORHOOD-COMMISSIONS/Northeast-Capitol-Hill-commission-ANC-6A-opposes-Liberty-Tree-proposes-crime-fixes
Whatever happened to this guy Wayne said was going to run against him last time? http://frozentropics.blogspot.com/2008/02/booze-clues-argonaut.html
Wayne, are you and your guy still around? I don't know the guy, but opposing parking, streetcars, and Liberty Tree is nuts.
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