The Architectural Record has a nice article on Fort Totten Square with a few renderings (click link to see photos).  The architect, Hickok Cole, noted how the topography of the land was favorable to incorporating underground parking.  From the very beginning of the project, the architects stated they wanted to build something that was more modern for the neighborhood.  They accomplish that with several types of material on the Riggs Street facade, but they incorporate more brick veneer for the apartments on the 3rd Street side to blend in with the more residential feel of that street.  They also use more brick on the retail space at the corner of Chillum Place.

The developers noted they want to attract young people who want access to the city without paying downtown prices.  Judging from the renderings, the residents will be enjoy two beautiful courtyards with a pool and other amenities.  At the Fort Totten Square community meeting, someone did ask about neighborhood access to the pool.  The answer is to become friends one of the residents there.

On a personal note, I have never been crazy about the amount of blue branding incorporated into the design.  However, it will be a massive structure, so once we see it at scale, perhaps it will not seem as overwhelming.

Fort Totten Square view from 3rd & Riggs. Photo courtesy of JBG

Fort Totten Square courtyard. Photo courtesy of JBG

Commissioner Angel Alston is holding a community meeting for SMD 5A08 tonight. 

Location: UDC-CC, Backus Campus, Room 129. 

Time: 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm

On the agenda:  (1) Art Place at Fort Totten update; (2) National Park Service comment period on improvements to metro shortcuts between Gallatin and Galloway Street NE.

Today, the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association and DC Public Library are sponsoring, “What’s Developing at Fort Totten Square,” at the Lamond Riggs Library at 7:00 pm.  Hear from the developers and elected officials and get your questions answered. 

On Wednesday, March 19, 2014, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm at UDC-CC’s Backus Campus, the National Park Service is holding a public meeting about the path between Gallatin Street and Galloway Street NE that is used as a shortcut to access Fort Totten metro station.  Residents have expressed concern about the safety and condition of the path for several years.  The NPS has stated it needs to do an environmental assessment before making any long-term improvements to the path.  The public meeting will provide a chance to share concerns and ideas about improving the path.  For special assistance to attend the meeting or for additional information about the project, contact NPS at (202) 895-6004 or rocr_superintendent@nps.gov.

Comments about the path will be accepted through April, 7, 2014 (mailed comments must be postmarked by April 7, 2014).   Be aware that your comment including personal identifying information (such as name, email address, mailing address, phone number) may be made publicly available at any time.  Comments may be submitted:

• Electronically at http://parkplanning.nps.gov  (the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public comment website)
• Written comments by fax at (202) 895-6015
• Written comments by mail to:

Superintendent

Rock Creek Park

North Michigan Park Pedestrian Access Improvements Environmental Assessment 

3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW

Washington, DC 20008-1207

Edit:  The forum was scheduled for tomorrow.

The Lamond Riggs Citizens Association’s mayor forum originally scheduled for tomorrow, March 11, 2014, at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ is cancelled and will be rescheduled due to the mayor’s “State of the District” address.  Go to lrca.info for notice of the new forum date.

Now that we know construction will start on the first stage (Building A) of Art Place at Fort Totten, we can turn to the second stage (Building B).  We have always been told that Building B is on the backburner until construction of Building A is underway. 

A quick refresher:  The Cafritz team received approval to move the grocery store from Building A to Building B.  They then asked for flexibility on including a grocery store in Building B at all because Walmart is opening down the street with a grocery component.  They also submitted a plan for Building B that included some recreational components (e.g., ice rinks).  The Zoning Commission held a public meeting in 2012, at which time the commission expressed a number of concerns regarding the design of, uses, and community amenities in Building B.  The commission asked the Cafritz team to come back with a plan that addressed their concerns. 

The update:  The Zoning Commission included an agenda item on Art Place in its January 2014 meeting because of the delay in setting a hearing for Building B.  On January 8, 2014, the Cafritz team submitted a letter to the commission ostensibly to provide a status update on Building B.  That letter requests more time (specifically one year) to provide a more detailed update on Building B.  They say they are continuing to pursue the children’s museum and the recreational component of Building B.  However, they state it is difficult to assess what large-scale retail component they can attract for Building B due to Walmart’s pending opening in Fort Totten Square.  They say they have been told that retailers are waiting to see Walmart’s effect on retail potential in the area before committing to Building B.  To support their letter, they provided a letter by HR Retail, which is responsible for marketing the project.  Both letters mention the demographic changes taking place in the neighborhood, which they say are leading retailers to want to wait to assess what uses would appeal to not just existing residents but future residents as well.  Therefore, the Cafritz team says they believe it is best to focus on their top priority–relocating the Riggs Park Plaza resident–and get Building A completed.  They requested to return to the commission with a status report once they determine what modifications to the design and uses of Building B would be most appropriate for “this fast-changing community.” 

At the January meeting, commission members expressed concern about how open-ended the project seems to be.  They stated they would give the Cafritz team until July 15, 2014, to come back with an end date for the first phase as well as a phasing plan for the rest of the project.   

Click on the thumbnails to read the letter (all of these documents are publicly available on the DC Office of Zoning website by searching case number 06-10B)