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.