Great Streets mtg 4/24

[from the Editor]

On Tuesday (4/24) I attended the third and final Great Streets meeting. It was a lot to take in, but I'll try to summarize what's coming soon to the lower Petworth stretch of Georgia Avenue.

The proposed changes to the streetscape are really comprehensive and, in my opinion, well-conceived. It's going to feel radically different in about a year and a half when they're done. Improvements will cover the corridor from Otis Place north to Webster Street with extra emphasis on two 'nodes', the Metro/Georgia/NH area (Metro node) and the Georgia/Upshur/Kansas/9th intersection (park node).

As I understand it, in general the whole strip will be getting new lighting, street furniture (benches, trash cans, etc), tree plantings, crosswalks, brick sidewalks, and other amenities like bike parking. The area around the east Metro entrance will be made into a plaza, with trees around the edges and the existing concrete pavement replaced with more varied and aesthetic pavers. There's also the possibility for some kind of kiosk with outdoor cafe seating.

The Georgia/NH intersection itself will be greatly narrowed, allowing for easier crossing. Mainly this will be done through 'bulb-outs', extensions of the sidewalk areas on all corners. Again, trees will be added and more attractive pavers will be used on sidewalks and in crosswalks.

The park node, at Georgia and Upshur, will have substantial changes as well. Starting a block south, the short block of 9th Street south of Taylor will be closed and made into green space. 9th between Taylor and Upshur (where a Farmers Market will hopefully come soon) will be made one-way southbound, with diagonal parking spaces added. The parking was one of many elements incorporated from community input. The street will have nice eco-block pavers replacing the existing asphalt.

The triangle park adjacent to that block will see new plantings and a trellis-type shade structure.

Moving north and east, the 4200 blk of 9th (the Post Office block) and the 800 blk of Upshur will get roughly the same added amenities as Georgia Ave: brick sidewalks, new street furniture, lighting, trees...

The Great Streets folks rightly recognize this area as having real potential as a community hub. One of the main anchors would be what is now the Murrell building at the NE corner of Georgia and Upshur. Their mockups envision a rehabbed building with bustling street life and cafe seating outside the ground floor retail.

Unlikely, I thought, given that the current tenant is a real estate company that seems to barely use the space. Well, as it turns out, I learned just yesterday that neighborhood developer LaKritz Adler has succeeded - after what was apparently a grueling process - in getting the Murrell Building under contract. They are planning a renovation of the building to be completed later this year. Robb LaKritz says their plans are to open a new, vibrant neighborhood business on the ground floor consistent with the renderings and sketches being proposed by the Great Streets plan. Robb also told me that LaKritz Adler will move its offices into the second and third floors, and that they've hired local Petworth architect Brie Husted to work on the project (who also designed Temperance and Domku).

In addition to the streetscaping component of Great Streets, the effort will use Tax Increment Financing to attract and support developers and property owners along Georgia Avenue.

All of this WILL happen, and quite soon. The money is there and the designs are almost done. I personally heard one of the lead designers enthusiastically vow that the Petworth section will be the first stretch completed in the larger project that stretches from Howard U in the south to Eastern Ave in the north.

While construction is expected to start in the fall (around the time Park Place is finished) It's not too late to provide input into the final plans. Residents can email ideas, suggestions, concerns to [email protected]. For more details, the Middle Georgia Avenue project website is here. You can also email project manager Wolde Makonnen at [email protected].

Comments

[Bill]

Sorry, apparently this IS slated to begin next fall, not this fall... I stand corrected. And slightly bummed.

[J.Con.]

Great job on reporting this!

[GforGood]

I was there too. I think there is one (rather important) mistake in the otherwise great report. If I am not mistaken, the construction will only start the fall of 2008.

The next phase in the project is detailed engineering design and (I guess) costing/budgeting.

Another important point the city folks made was they are going to require developers of new properties/condos to install the kind of sidewalk infrastucture required by the plan. This may mean that some bits do not upgrade until the development is completed, in particular if construction is expected to start fairly soon (if a condo is say 5 years out, the city would likely revamp the sidewalks etc. and not wait for the construction to start).

[Son]

This fantastic news! And I agree the Murrell Building and surrounding green spaces will be a great focus point for the Ga Ave-Upshur node. Husted Design does exceptional work so I am sure it'll go very well.

I love hearing about new developments to make the stretch of Georgia Ave more pedestrian friendly - definitely a step in the right direction. In the meantime, we as neighbors can help improve the stretch by participating in the Adopt-a-Bus-Stop program through WMATA. I just signed up to adopt the stop at the NW corner of Georgia and Quincy St NW.

It's easy to sign up and the commitment does not seem overly burdomsome. And your participation can add some pride to our community while keeping it clean. Check it out at:

http://www.wmata.com/about/met_news/story.cfm?ID=1251

Both individuals, and groups (civic, churches, schools, unions, businesses etc) can sign up. And you'll get recognized by a placard at the stop too.

[Dan]

This is incredible news! I agree with the Prince, thanks so much for the scoop. The Murrell Buidling has the potential to be a real flagship on Upshur. Wonderful timing by Lakritz.

[Prince of Petworth]

Bill you are a rockstar. Thanks so much for this. It sounds fantastic!

[Cliff]

Thanks so much for that comprehensive summary of the meeting. Its the only one I've missed and I was looking forward to it.