Park View, D.C.

(Neighbors and community leaders settling in at the beginning of the 1125 Spring Road meeting.)

The first of two OurRFP public workshops focused on redeveloping the former Hebrew Home at 1125 Spring Road got off to a good start on Saturday, April 9th. The meeting began shortly after 11 a.m. with words from Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd and Brian T. Kenner, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. Vann-Di Galloway (Chair, ANC 4C) and Kent Boese (Chair, ANC 1A) were also recognized. ANC 1A Commissioners Matthew Goldschmidt (1A04), Richard DuBeshter (1A06), and Darwain Frost (1A07) also participated in the workshop.

Residents who were unable to attend the meeting can learn more about the project as presentation materials and future meeting dates are posted on the OurRFP 1125 Spring Road Web site and can fill out the online engagement forum questionnaire here.

Preceding the public group discussions, a brief presentation provided information on the OurRFP process, a site analysis, and a framework for the workshop. The RFP timeline will consist of two workshops — the April 9th meeting followed by another workshop in May. DMPED anticipates releasing the RFP solicitation in June 2016.

Some key data shared during the presentation included:

• The lot is 144,400 sq. ft. in size;
• The site includes three buildings. The development will not include the small building at the western edge of the site;
• The former Hebrew Home structure is historic, but the Robeson School is not and can be razed;
• The property has good access to transportation. It’s near the Georgia Avenue Metro station, numerous bus lines, and Capital Bikeshare stations; and,
• The site has a walk score of 93 and a bike score in the 80s.

(Map showing transit options surrounding 1125 Spring Road (from presentation materials).)

Additional ideas where presented on what the massing of new construction could look like if it were by right vs. part of a Planned Unit Development (PUD).

(Existing affordable housing surrounding the Hebrew Home site by location and number of affordable units (from presentation materials).)

Following the presentation, each of the 13 working groups discussed what they would like to see on the site. Each table had a facilitator and a scribe who wrote down key ideas which were later shared out at the close of the workshop. Participants were encouraged to frame their conversations around three topics:

1. The former Hebrew Home site;
2. The Robeson School; and,
3. Public Space and Sustainability.

While these discussion topics were helpful for framing the discussions, it was difficult to discuss each of these without an understanding of the entire project. For example, there seemed to be a general consensus in the room that affordable housing is a high priority as well as housing for seniors. There is also concern about traffic and parking and more than one group requested that DDOT perform a traffic study. But these issues apply to the entire project rather than its parts.

Within my working group, there was general agreement that the RFP should start from the position of including a strong affordability component, and then let the financing drive the configuration of affordable and market rate housing to a balanced level. There was an understanding that the economics of development will have an impact on what can be financed and that, at the end of the day, the development must become a reality for any housing to exist.

We also discussed the massing of the new construction on the Robeson site. Some suggested that a by right approach would be more in keeping with the neighborhood and better fit in. I countered that I would prefer a PUD process for three reasons. The first is that it would allow for a slightly larger building. The existing Hebrew Home building is one story taller than allowed by by right, and I think that an additional story on the new construction that matched the height of the historic building would not be out of place, especially as it would be located between the Hebrew Home site and the Raymond School & Recreation Center. Secondly, this would result in more oversight and community opportunities to participate. Thirdly, the building as zoned is residential, yet the existing Hebrew Home building has a space on the first floor with a separate entrance that could support a small store or possibly another use such as an early childhood development center. These options should be vetted by the community to see if they are a good fit for the neighborhood rather than not discussed.

It is clear that people want the new construction to fit into the neighborhood context. Personally, I’m agnostic with regards to the style of architecture (i.e. traditional, modern, contemporary, etc.). However, I strongly voiced that the resulting new building should be architecturally compatible with the neighborhood’s character by pulling inspiration from the architectural vocabulary that surrounds it. This can be done through materials, massing, or architectural details. The group also agreed that we want a quality building, a place where residents want to live and that will enhance the community for years.

With regards to the living units, we discussed the need for family sized units and apartments for seniors. Within this context, we briefly discussed the two parts of the project and where these types of units might fit within the development context. I also added that I would like to see every unit (if possible) be ADA compliant. With this I am thinking more long-term. As units become vacant in the future it would be ideal if any resident in need of housing would be able to move into the building and not be prevented due to the units configuration.

One of the last things the group discussed was the public space and sustainability. As part of this discussion, we talked about trees, benches, green roofs, and other possible uses for the existing green spaces. As this is an opportunity to enhance our natural environment, I also mentioned that we should advocate for all trees and landscaping to be native plantings. The green space between the small building at 1131 Spring Road and the Hebrew Home is also large enough for a small park or other type of public space. With this in mind, I believe that the property can help meet several of the goals in the Sustainable DC Plan. These goals are:

• Goal 2.1: Plant 8,600 new trees citywide per year until 2032;
• Goal 2.4: Require trees and green space on all new development sites;
• Goal 2.5: Stipulate use of native plant varieties for District government plantings and landscaping; and,
• Goal 3.5: Create small parks and green spaces in areas with inadequate open space.

With all of this in mind, I’m looking forward to continuing the dialogue at the May meeting, and encourage everyone to participate as time allows.

This entry was posted on April 11, 2016 at 7:01 am and is filed under Development, Historic Landmarks, Housing. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments.

Tags: Columbia Heights, Development, housing, Petworth