Fort Totten Metro Station Development Meeting Tonight

Tonight, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker will hold a virtual meeting about Metro’s development plans at Brookland station and Fort Totten station (register for link). The meeting will present a 30,000 foot view of the plans as Metro begins the development process at both stations.

Fort Totten station

Metro recently authorized moving forward with a solicitation for joint development of the large parking lot at Fort Totten station (see this post on the authorization). As outlined in the board document, Metro believes there is potential for 750 housing units with retail and expanded Metro Transit Police precinct facilities, along with a parking garage for no loss of long-term Metro parking spaces (408 spaces). Metro plans to keep the small parking lot in front of the 7-Eleven (approximately 58 spaces, which I believe is more than the lot holds today). (Update 8/23: During the meeting, Metro officials stated that they do not plan to change or increase the number of parking spaces in the short-term lot, which is currently around 32 spaces). In the board document, Metro states, “A Compact Public Hearing is not required because there are no changes to the capacity of or access to transit facilities.”

My understanding is that a project at Fort Totten station will require some local funding in order to be viable. So realistically a project is some ways off (and may not happen at all).

There are some questions worth raising. I sent a few questions to Councilmember Parker’s office about Metro’s plan to keep and perhaps even increase the number of parking spaces in the small parking lot, needed site circulation improvements, the decision to cut yellow line service to Fort Totten, Metro’s retail plan, and the need for environmental improvements on the large parking lot, particularly if a development project does not move forward. I believe a representative from Metro will attend CM Parker’s tonight, but I do not know if they will be prepared to answer questions.

August 22: Councilmember Parker Ward 5 Metro Station Development Community Meeting (Virtual)

[Ed. Note: Metro recently released a proposal regarding parking reconfiguration at Brookland Metro station in support of future development at that station. For details, visit Proposed Changes at Brookland-CUA Station. Metro will hold an open house and public hearing on the proposal on September 12, 2023. Public comments on the proposal are due by September 22, 2023. Regarding Fort Totten station, we previously described Metro’s intent to try again to redevelop the large parking lot at Fort Totten station in this post: Metro authorizes solicitation for Fort Totten Joint Development. Update 8/18/2023: View the board’s Fort Totten proposal here: https://www.wmata.com/about/board/meetings/board-pdfs/upload/3C-Approval-of-Seven-JD-Solicitations-and-Six-PHs.pdf (p. 17)]

Ward 5 Metro Station Development Community Meeting
August 22, 2023
6:00 pm

Description from Office of CM Parker

Councilmember Zachary Parker seeks to update Ward 5 neighbors about development opportunities at the Brookland Metro and Fort Totten Metro stations. As a champion for expanding affordable housing, the Councilmember seeks to build support for increasing Ward 5’s (affordable) housing supply and delivering long-needed amenities for our community. Join for an opportunity to learn more about Councilmember’s Parker’s vision for the future of the Brookland Metro and Fort Totten Metro stations.

Register at https://dccouncil-us.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvdeqvrzMuEtFg9O1aeZtTHE7mLSUaZLNW#/registration

Metro authorizes solicitation for Fort Totten joint development

Last year, Metro released its 10-year strategic plan and included Fort Totten in the list of stations for which Metro would seek a joint development partner in the near term. The Washington Business Journal reports that Metro has given the green light to prepare solicitations for joint development at several Metro stations, including Fort Totten.

From the Board document.

At Fort Totten, the proposal could support approximately 680,000 square feet of future development by converting the 408 space Park & Ride lot into a garage and replacing the MTPD precinct.

Aventine Fort Totten is a joint development project that was completed in 2008. In 2013 Metro solicited proposals to redevelop the long-term surface parking lot at Fort Totten station. That solicitation received no bids. Metro subsequently received an unsolicited offer to develop the lot and put out an RFP again in 2014. That solicitation resulted in the selection of Donatelli in 2015. That project was cancelled in 2018. Now Metro is preparing to try again.

Some may or may not know that there is an area development plan for the Riggs Road/South Dakota Avenue NE corridor that was approved by the DC Council in 2009. That plan was fully incorporated into the Comp Plan in 2021. Some also may or may not know that in 2010 Metro released a joint development study for Fort Totten station. All of these combined with the transportation access study that Metro released in 2011 provide good context for plans for the station area. (All of these documents are in the Neighborhood Document Library on the blog).

A lot of development has happened since those plans and studies were released.

• Fort Totten Square, which includes a Walmart with a decently sized grocery component, was completed in 2014.
• The Cafritz Foundation completed the first phase of its large development project Art Place at Fort Totten in 2017 and is under active construction on the second phase. The second phase is expected to be completed around 2025.
• The Brookland to Fort Totten extension of the Met Branch Trail opened in April 2022.
• The rebuilt Lamond-Riggs Library opened in June 2022.
• EYA is nearing completion of the first phase of Riggs Park Place at the corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE. A number of families have moved into the new townhomes there. Groundbreaking on the senior building/retail component of the project will be next.
• UDC is undertaking a campus plan process for the Bertie Backus Campus at South Dakota Avenue and Galloway/Hamilton streets NE that will see phased campus development over a few years.

In the midst of all of this, we had a pandemic that shifted how people think about designing spaces for large numbers of people to use.

We also have Metro’s decision to stop runing the yellow line to Fort Totten, which is an interesting one from a development perspective. It used to be the case that one could tout the fact that Fort Totten was the only station outside of the downtown core that had three lines servicing the station. Of course, having two lines is not so shabby either, but still just a perspective I have not seen in all the chatter about the yellow line.

Shortly after starting his tenure as the new general manager of Metro last year, GM Randy Clarke made his rounds of the system. I met him at Fort Totten station and told him that hopefully with some lessons learned from what could have worked better with Aventine and previous bids, Metro can put together a package for Fort Totten that will see a high quality project come to the area. I know construction costs are much higher now and there are supply chain issues still. But we can still do better than what Metro did with Aventine. We can have solid, high quality urban architecture & construction; pedestrian friendly design; appropriately scaled spaces; recycling/waste diversion receptacles on the grounds; advanced stormwater management; better connections to the MBT; and wayfinding signs. In other words, we can have what all the plans for this area contemplate, meeting the needs of Metro and the needs of the surrounding neighborhood.

Metro Joint Development Strategic Plan

Last week, Metro released a 10-year strategic plan to guide development around Metro stations. View the plan here.

Plan for Fort Totten Metro Station

The plan includes short and long-term action steps to develop more of the area around Fort Totten Metro station. Specifically, Metro anticipates issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for Fort Totten in 2023. There are a number of steps Metro anticipates needing to do before issuing an RFP though.

Near-term actions (2022-2023)
(1) Complete feasibility study.
(2) Coordinate with District of Columbia on funding needs for a parking garage, MTPD precinct, and bicycle/ pedestrian improvements.
(3) Resolve technical barriers (i.e. 1st Place NE ownership).
(4) Complete due diligence & scoping materials.
(5) Conduct the Compact Public Hearing to Amend the Mass Transit Plan.
(6) Secure funding for changes to transit facilities.
(7) Issue Joint Development Solicitation.

Long-term actions (2024-2026)
(8) Execute Joint Development Agreement.
(9) Support developer’s planning & entitlement activities; approve plans.

Recall Aventine Fort Totten apartments was a joint development project. Since that project was completed, Metro has issued proposals for more joint development around Fort Totten Metro station. The first proposal did not get any takers. The second did generate interest and Metro selected Donatelli for the project. That project ended up getting cancelled. Maybe the third time is the charm. And maybe we will actually get to see the proposals before one is selected.

Fort Totten Station Transit Oriented Development: Maybe, Maybe Not

By David Kosub (Contributor)

Remember back earlier this year, the joy of saddling up to a bar, ordering some tater tots and a beer? I bet you are getting that warm and fuzzy feeling inside too! Well, that was the time pre-COVID-19 of course. This was also a time when the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) released their proposed FY 2021 budget (see this post as a reminder of days gone by).

I was pleased to read, at that time, WMATA was interested in continuing its investment in transit-oriented development at the Fort Totten Metro station (see CRB 0005 on page 215 of the proposed budget). This proposed action spurred on my desire to learn more about the planning, design, and related station improvement concepts under evaluation.

Before we go further, a quick history lesson is in order. This was not WMATA’s first Fort Totten development rodeo. In the summer of 2018, WMATA and Donatelli Development announced they would no longer pursue plans to redevelop the surface parking lot at Fort Totten into a mixed-used project (see this post). Before that, at the end of 2013, WMATA issued an RFP, which did not get any takers (see this post). I assume WMATA still considers this site as one with much potential, which is why it was mentioned in their proposed budget.

Back to the future, I inquired about the development opportunities under consideration as part of my comments on their proposed budget in March. In addition to some comments related to enhancing safety for visually-impaired riders (see these stories in the Washington Post and WAMU to understand where I’m coming from), I also provided the following comments to them as it related to transit oriented development at the Fort Totten metro station:

“Any proposed planning for transit-oriented development at Fort Totten metro should also align with concepts described in the Upper Northeast element of the proposed District of Columbia’s Comprehensive Plan (such as Policy UNE-1.1.3, Policy UNE-1.2.1, Policy UNE 2.7, and Policy UNE-2.7.1). Moreover, the future design of the Fort Totten metro site, including the streetscape, should  consider elements that enhance safety, walkability, a uniform visual feel, include native vegetation in landscaping, underground powerlines, traffic mitigation, and trash/recycling receptacles.

I appreciated reading about WMATA’s actions to address its environmental impact and sustainability goals. As part of this endeavor, I recommend WMATA consider allocating funds to transforming as much of its impervious surfaces into green space. For instance, in Policy UNE-1.2.7 of the Comprehensive Plan referenced earlier, it calls for the District to do something similar with District-owned institutional spaces. Fort Totten Metro could benefit from such a transformation too. For instance, part of the paved parking lot, large concrete islands, and wider sidewalks at this site could be converted into more environmental friendly spaces with native vegetation, trees, rain gardens, and storm water retainment.”

WMATA’s statements about transit oriented development at Fort Totten station continued into the budget which was subsequently passed too. Well, that was then, and this is now. As most folks know, WMATA is now facing some budget constraints as a result of the pandemic, so it’s unclear what steps will be made regarding transit oriented development at the Fort Totten station going forward.

So, I reached out to their real estate office to learn more. After a few months of silence (and multiple emails from me), here is some of what they recently shared with me:

“In short, we are doing what we call “advanced transportation facility plans”, which is more detailed analysis of how to improve the infrastructure at Fort Totten, which includes first and foremost commuter parking, but also the Kiss & Ride and bus loop. We are very interested in making the property available again for development, but two threshold decisions first need to be made before we issue a new joint development solicitation: (1) the DC Comprehensive Plan needs to be approved by the DC Council; and (2) determination of what the future parking need is at this station.”

In a follow up message, they go on to say, “The developer (once selected) actually designs the buildings and the site. WMATA’s work is limited to figuring out what transit facilities (i.e. parking, bus bays, etc.) the site needs to accommodate, so that the developer can plan our requirements into their plans.”

WMATA does not have any studies to share at this point. But, they added, “Donatelli had done their design work back in 2014/15 or so and this study that WMATA is commissioning (not yet under contract) will be completed in about 12 months.”

Let’s keep tabs on this project to ensure the future of the Fort Totten metro station and surrounding area meets the needs and desires of the community. I’ll share any new information I learn going forward.

Metro-Donatelli Fort Totten metro project cancelled

We are a little late in reporting this development news, which actually happened around May/June. Metro and Donatelli are no longer pursuing joint development of the long-term parking lot at Fort Totten metro station. We previously reported on the joint development proposal here in these posts. You can see from Donatelli’s website that the Fort Totten project is no longer listed on its upcoming projects page. In 2015, Metro selected Donatelli’s proposal to build a mixed-use development with approximately 345 rental units and 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail along with a new parking garage to replace the 422-space surface park-and-ride lot at Fort Totten metro station. The rental market has softened considerably, and lots of building has taken place around Fort Totten metro station with more in store. Fort Totten Square, a project of JBG Companies and Lowe Enterprises, delivered in 2015. JBG had previously proposed rental units for the second phase of Fort Totten Square to be located at South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE. Not too long after completing Fort Totten Square, after seeing the number of rental units in the pipeline, JBG decided to team up with EYA to develop for-sale housing for the second phase instead. The developers hope to break ground on that 160-townhome project by the end of the year. The Cafritz Foundation is still leasing up The Modern at Art Place, a 520 rental unit building at South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE that delivered in the fall of 2017. The second phase of Art Place at Fort Totten is expected to be mostly commercial. That was mostly always the plan. Future phases do have rental residential units on the books. We will just have to see if that actually comes to fruition. So it is no surprise really that developers are realizing that with the number of rentals that were in the pipeline, they would likely not be able to charge the exorbitant rents they had been charging and decided to change their minds.

Metro anticipates reissuing a request for proposals in another year. In the meantime, Metro is interested in hearing what residents would like to see at the site. Likely any RFP would require replacing the parking one-to-one. Based on previous guidance, after construction of a parking garage, there would be roughly 2.3 acres of developable space. The neighborhood needs office space, but as previously stated the second phase of the Cafritz project is supposed to deliver another 100,000 square feet of commercial space. I have always thought Aventine at Fort Totten (née Fort Totten Station, a joint development project between Metro and Clark) unfortunately set a terrible precedent for development around Fort Totten metro. Metro has acknowledged previously that it did not always get transit-oriented development right. Just because something is built next to the metro station, does not mean it is automatically designed well. The way Metro chopped up its properties around Fort Totten metro to offer for development has not been good for the neighborhood. Ideally, Metro would be able to start all over conceiving of the entire Metro property as a whole to be developed. Of course that cannot happen now.

Any design is complicated by the fact that Fort Totten is a major metro station with lots of bus bays, a long-term park-and-ride, and a short-term kiss-and-ride that is kind of awkwardly placed in the middle of everything. In 2011, DDOT released a plan for improving access to Fort Totten metro by redesigning circulation of buses, pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists. The joint development project was supposed to incorporate some of the recommendations in that plan. Now that Metro has cancelled the joint development, it is unclear how much of a priority it is to implement the recommendations of that plan. A couple of recommendations, such as a sidewalk on the south side of Galloway Street and connecting the station to the Met Branch Trail, are finally getting underway, but many seemingly simpler recommendations have not been done yet. Anyways, look forward to hearing more from Metro about their plans for development around Fort Totten metro station in the upcoming months.

 

Donatelli bid

Neighborhood development roundup: We still have questions

With the announcement of WMATA’s selection of a joint developer for the park-and-ride lot at Fort Totten metro station, now is a good time to look at the state of development in the neighborhood. Even as the first major development nears completion, questions remain about how retail will ultimately shape up for the neighborhood.

1. Fort Totten Square

Fort Totten Square Phase I with potential Phase II rendering

Developer: JBG & Lowe Enterprises

Location: Riggs Road between 3rd Street and Chillum Place NE

Expected delivery: Mid- to late-2015

• Mixed use development anchored by 117,000 square foot Walmart
• 10,000 square feet of ancillary ground floor retail
• 345 rental apartments

Fort Totten Square emerged the winner to be the first major development in the neighborhood. The Walmart anchor will be joined by Subway and Five Guys. There are two other retail spaces that have not been leased. Residential leasing personnel are being hired for the luxury apartments, so this development will be ready to accept residents without all of the pieces to the retail puzzle in place. Early in the development process, the developers indicated they were hoping to sign a coffee shop or a sit-down restaurant to the development. We cannot give the odds on either of those happening at this point.

In addition, talks are said to have begun again between District officials and the developers for sale of District owned land across the street from Fort Totten Square in order to build a second phase to the development. The developers provided an initial concept plan for the mixed use development for the second phase with less housing and more retail. We cannot say with any certainty though what will happen with the negotiations or the concept plan.

First to deliver, Fort Totten Square still leaves questions about what type of retail and amenities we can expect for the neighborhood in the near future.

2. Art Place at Fort Totten (Building A)

Art Place at Fort Totten Building A

Developer: Cafritz Enterprises

Location: South Dakota Avenue between Galloway Street and Kennedy Street NE

Expected delivery: 2017 (though construction is undoubtedly behind schedule)

• Mixed use development
• Over 100,000 square feet of retail
• 520 rental apartments

Art Place at Fort Totten is a multi-phase planned unit development (PUD).  The only tenant we know about for the first phase (Building A) is X-Sport Fitness. We are pumped about potentially having a gym in the neighborhood, but we are really interested in knowing what other anchor retailers are being targeted for Building A. The development team indicated early on that Building A would be constructed with the potential to locate three restaurants there. We also know the building will also have space for an ANC office and a daycare center.

At the ANC 5A08 SMD meeting on March 18, we learned that negotiations are taking place to have the children’s museum occupy the warehouses located at 5458-5462 3rd Street NE, rather than in Building B of Art Place as originally envisioned by the development team.

We will have to wait and see what happens with this development. The development team has long said they will be looking at the effect of Walmart’s opening on the retail landscape for the neighborhood, so they cannot provide any updates on future phases of the development. We still have questions about Building A though that also cannot be answered at this time.

3. WMATA/Donatelli Fort Totten Joint Development

Developer: Donatelli Development

Location: Existing park-and-ride lot on 1st Place NE

Expected construction start date: 2017

• Mixed use development
• 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail
• 345 rental apartments

Donatelli bid

WMATA is up to its usual MO with the joint development of the park-and-ride lot at Fort Totten metro station. There were two proposals for the joint development. WMATA initially indicated they would make both proposals public. They presented the two concepts to ANC 5A’s commissioners (Fort Totten – Presentation to ANC 5A (Feb 11-2015)), but did not present at an ANC meeting. WMATA ultimately selected Donatelli.

We know the other bid was submitted by Jair Lynch.  That proposal was more arts-focused to piggyback on the concept of the Arts Place development. However, that bid proposed fewer apartments than the Donatelli bid (302 versus 345).

Jair Lynch bid

We have long had the sense that WMATA is not too concerned about placemaking in its development projects, despite the inclusion of a placemaking element in the RFP.

Given that there has always had long been vacant ground floor retail space at Aventine Fort Totten (another WMATA joint development project at Fort Totten), we definitely have questions about the type of retail Donatelli anticipates bringing to this project.

Residential Development

The uneven retail landscape is interesting give the huge interest from homebuyers in the neighborhood. Median home sale prices have increased and homes have sold more quickly. The Hampshires, a subdivision of detached single family homes and townhomes by Comstock Homes, has attracted a lot of interest. A PUD application was recently submitted for the Totten Mews, another project of Comstock Homes, in nearby North Michigan Park. Several newly constructed homes by independent developers have also popped up in the neighborhood.

It is clear that many people love what the neighborhood has to offer: large open park space, relatively affordable homes with outdoor space, close proximity to a major metro line and downtown, low crime, civic-minded neighbors. Newer homebuyers are certainly attracted to the potential development coming to this established neighborhood. The small area plan identifies even more potential development sites. As we can see from development in the pipeline though, the state of retail for the neighborhood remains a big question mark.

Donatelli selected for Fort Totten joint development

Courtesy Donatelli Development

Update 3/13/2015: Post updated with photos

Update 3/11/2015: The Washington Business Journal published an article with renderings.

Original post

WMATA (Metro) announced yesterday afternoon that Donatelli Development has been selected to develop the park-and-ride lot at Fort Totten metro station. The proposed development will have 345 residential units and 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail and will be designed to achieve at least LEED Silver certification. The existing 422 parking spaces will be replaced in the new development. If the project receives final approval from Metro’s Board of Directors, construction is anticipated to begin in 2017.

We have not seen any renderings of the proposed development (see update at top of post). At ANC 5A’s February meeting, commissioners reported that they received an update from Metro that a selection was pending and that Metro would encourage the selected developer to present its plan to residents and solicit feedback. One commissioner stated her top concern is retail. We too are interested in potential retail, but we are really interested in the design as well. As we can see from the still vacant ground floor retail space at Aventine at Fort Totten (also a Metro joint development), design and retail success go hand in hand.

This proposed development follows large-scale neighborhood developments in progress, Fort Totten Square (scheduled for completion this year) and the first phase of Art Place at Fort Totten (anticipated 2017 completion).

Metro news: Grocery pickup & bidders for development of long-term parking lot

Catching up on news, starting with metro news

Grocery pickup at Fort Totten metro station

WMATA is negotiating an agreement with Giant’s online Peapod service to allow grocery pickup at three metro stations, including Fort Totten metro station. The six-month pilot project could start as early as spring 2015. There will be a minimum order of $60 and a $2.95 pickup fee. Customers will prepay online and choose a pick-up day of Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The other two stations involved in the pilot project are Glenmont and Van Dorn Street. The project was initiated by Giant.

Initial bids received for development of long-term parking lot

In other metro news, after receiving an unsolicited offer to develop the long-term parking lot at Fort Totten metro station, WMATA re-released the RFP for joint development of the parking lot and received two “solid” initial proposals. Recall from this post that WMATA issued an RFP for joint development of the parking lot in November 2013 and received no proposals. At that time, WMATA stated it suspected the cost of replacing the parking lot was an obstacle and also that investors were probably waiting to see how planned development in the area would shape up. Accordingly, WMATA stated it planned to re-release the RFP in a year or two once Fort Totten Square and Art Place were further along. Now it appears that hunch was correct, as Art Place is well underway in construction and Fort Totten Square is expected to come online in spring 2015.

The RFP is largely the same with an emphasis on transit-oriented development. The development should promote safe, walkable, attractive communities with quality design and placemaking elements. As we stated in our post last year on the topic, let’s hope these initial proposals are more attractive than Aventine Fort Totten (and Rhode Island Row). WMATA plans to discuss the timeline and initial proposals in general terms at an ANC meeting, so stay tuned for that.

No bidders for Fort Totten metro development

The Washington Business Journal brings us news that there were no submissions to WMATA’s solicitation for joint development at Fort Totten metro station.  The solicitation to develop the large park-and-ride lot went out in November 2013.  Submissions were due March 7, 2014.  Stan Wall, WMATA’s director of real estate and station planning, presented on the project at an ANC meeting in January 2014.  From the WBJ article:

There were no submissions for Fort Totten. At that site, Metro offered a relatively small parcel and required the replacement of roughly 400 commuter parking spaces. The cost of the project would be more than the value of any new development, Wall said, but he expects interest to grow over time.
“It’s not quite ready but I think it’ll be back in a year or two,” he said of Fort Totten.

Essentially, the cost of replacing the 400 or so parking spaces alone is a pretty high financial barrier to development of the property right now.  In addition, potential developers were wary about the two developments already in the pipeline, Fort Totten Square (which will bring 345 apartments to the area) and Art Place at Fort Totten (which is estimated to bring close to 900 apartments).  Once Fort Totten Square is completed in spring 2015 and Art Place is further along, developers will be able to see more clearly the level of investment in the area.

It is not clear if any of this will impact DDOT’s accessibility project around the metro station.  While DDOT is coordinating with WMATA because some of the potential changes will affect WMATA’s property, DDOT’s project is completely separate from WMATA’s solicitation for joint development of the large parking lot.

 

 

Recap of ANC 5A meeting: Zoning, Library, Fort Totten metro station

Highlights from the January 29th ANC 5A public meeting:

Miscellaneous items

• The commission elected the same slate of officers.
• The commission is looking for an office assistant available to work around 20 hours per week.  Direct inquiries and leads to your commissioner.
• Ward 5 Councilmember McDuffie said that the Ward 5 Industrial Land Transformation report is still under review, but he hopes that the task force can have that out to the public in the next couple of months.
• Art Place at Fort Totten:  The Cafritz team will likely have to file for a PUD extension.
• Path between Gallatin & Galloway Street NE:  Expect notice of a meeting for SMD 5A08 regarding the National Park Service environment study.
• Hotel:  Developers presented on a new Marriott brand hotel proposed for a site at Michigan Avenue NE and Irving Street NE.  A parking lot currently sits at this site.  The area was part of ANC 5C prior to revision of the ANC boundaries.  Now it is in ANC 5A.  The developers believe the area, with several hospitals and universities, will be well-served by a hotel and they plan to provide discounted community rates on rooms and hotel facilities.  They also emphasized the importance of hiring from the community.
• McMillan Sand Filtration Site:  The commission plans to draft a resolution in support of ANC 5E’s resolution on the first phase of the McMillan project.

Zoning

The ANC plans to draft a resolution requesting more time to review the zoning update.  The Ward 5 hearing on the zoning update is 9:00 am on Saturday, February 8, 2014, at Dunbar High School.  The Ward 4 hearing is at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at Wilson High School.  The Office of Zoning will accept written testimony after today’s deadline for written submission, but might not have time to review it before scheduled hearings.  Individuals can also testify in person.  Early sign up is encouraged since testimony will take place on a first come, first serve basis.  Instructions and more information are available on Zoning’s site.

Lamond Riggs Library

The ANC plans to draft a resolution requesting the full modernization and renovation of Lamond Riggs Library at its current location.  Recall that the Cafritz project potentially includes a new, state-of-the art neighborhood library in a later phase of the development.  However, since there is no indication of when the project will actually break ground on the first phase, the ANC believes it does not make sense to make the update of the library contingent on the Cafritz project.  Recall from this post that the FY 2014 budget included zero funding for renovating the library, but there is proposed funding for FY 2015 & 2016.  The budget summary noted that DC’s chief librarian was in communication with the Cafritz team about the libary.  We look forward to seeing the resolution the commission draws up at a future meeting.    

WMATA Joint Development for Fort Totten Metro Station

Stan Wall, WMATA’s real estate development director, presented on WMATA’s joint soliciation for proposed development of the park-and-ride lot (west parcel) at Fort Totten metro station.  As mentioned in previous posts, WMATA anticipates that this project will be all or primarily residential, with possibly a very small retail component.  Below is a 4 pager that was distributed at the meeting showing conceptual designs of circulation pattern, massing, potential development concepts, and a timeline for the project.  A developer can propose a concept not shown as long as it meets the requirements in the solicitation. 

Mr. Wall said that WMATA’s chief concerns with this project are that it enhance the community and have good placemaking and design elements.  He noted that Aventine Fort Totten (and even Rhode Island Row), while transit-oriented in the sense that they abut a metro station, are not so great in terms of looking like they fit, enhancing the community, or having good placemaking elements.  In addition, with this project, they hope to add more eyes to the street around First Place NE, thereby making it safer for those accessing the station from west of the tracks. 

WMATA plans to hold community meetings after proposals have been submitted.  They plan to have boards for each proposal so that residents can say which elements of each they like.  That way, WMATA can work with the developer they ultimately select to incorporate certain things the community found favorable even if those elements were not originally in the proposal.  

Submissions are due March 7, 2014.  The total time for selection of a developer and negotiating an agreement is expected to be one year.  If the project needs to go through the planned unit development (PUD) process (for example if the developer wants to do something not currently permitted under zoning laws), then expect additional time.  All told, the project is expected to be completed in the 2017-2018 timeframe. 

For those interested in learning more about the project before the community forums begin, it’s worth taking a look at the 13 pages from the solicitation pertaining just to Fort Totten station: Full WMATA Fort Totten Development Section (source:  WMATA Joint Development Solicition November 2013 (pdf)).

Fort Totten Metro Development Call for Propsals

On November 4, 2013, WMATA released its solicitation for proposals for transit-oriented development at Fort Totten metro station (pdf).  This solicitation includes only the large parking lot (called the West Parcel).  It does not include the short term parking, kiss and ride, bus bays, or taxi areas (these make up the East Parcel).  The submission deadline line is March 2014.

Large parking lot at Fort Totten metro station slated for redevelopment

The request calls for primarily residential development and a parking garage with at least 425 parking spaces.  The residential component can be rental, ownership, or both.  Metro contemplates it will contain at least 300 units in buildings up to seven stories.  The development must comply with inclusionary zoning laws. It may include street level retail (particularly closer to the metro entrance) and a childcare center.

The developer will have to double the number of bike racks and lockers and provide a bike & ride facility close to the Metropolitan Branch Trail.  The proposed development plan will have to improve bike connectivity in the area and bike lanes to connect to trails are encouraged.  The solicitation notes that a bikeshare station is planned for the west parcel and that DDOT plans to construct a segment of the MBT west of the station.

Just as a highlight, the cover letter to the solicitation states the proposals should promote quality development and placemaking and “emphasize principles of transit oriented development: safe walkable and attractive communities providing synergy with the transit service.”  The solicitation notes the forthcoming development of Fort Totten Square and Art Place at Fort Totten.  Once all of these projects are complete, the area around the metro will look very different.  As mentioned on the Fort Totten walking tour, community residents hope the development will not look like a suburban project (like Aventine at Fort Totten).  It is worth taking a look at all of the details of the request for proposals beginning on page 21 of the linked document.