Q and A from SWNA Meeting 2-27-12 at Arena Stage
Where can I read up on the possibilities of
a Wharf Metro Station with an entrance on the South
Side of Main Avenue?
There are several on-going studies being
completed regarding transportation and access issues
throughout the Southwest quadrant. Contact the
National Capital Planning Commission for more
information on their SW Ecodistrict Project or the
District Department of Transportation for more
information on their SE/SW M Street Transportation
study. Specific questions regarding metro operations
should be directed to WMATA.
Has it been considered to add an Entrance to
Waterfront Metro at Maine Avenue and 6th street?
Near the onset of the design process HMW met with
WMATA to discuss the potential of an additional
station entrance at Waterfront Metro Stations. Due
to a number of engineering, logistical, and
financial constraints it was determined by WMATA to
not be feasible.
You described the Parcel 3A Building as a Graduate
School as an "Office" building, Should I infer that
this will NOT be a Classroom Building?
Parcel 3A is
designed and will be constructed as a Class-A Office
Building. The Graduate School USA will operate from
this building and will include both
classroom/educational and office/administrative
uses. Because Graduate School USA focuses on
professional advancement, continuing education, and
adult education it has different needs and is not
structured like a "typical" university.
The 12ft Wharf elevation is designed with a 100 year
flood in mind. Recent Studies by UMD and others
indicate potential for significant sea level rise by
2050. Has Sea Level Rise been given any
consideration in the planning?
The Elevation of the Wharf has been determined in
concert with the District Department of the
Environment (DDOE) and Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)'s best practice guidance to be 18"
above the 100 Year Flood Elevation.
When will condo floor plans be available and when
will you be taking deposits for a unit?
Residential Unit floor plans are still being refined
and developed. Reservations are anticipated to begin
in 2013 once construction has begun. Interested
parties are encouraged to sign-up on the Wharf
website for our home purchaser database and email
updates:
http://swdcwaterfront.com/about/contact.htm
The current waterfront/wharf has a very little
opportunity for panhandling and loitering. What
Plans are in place to mitigate the misuse of common
areas and additional tourism dollars far as
opportunities for panhandling?
The Wharf will be an actively managed public use
environment. The safe and pleasant enjoyment of the
space will be a primary focus of this management
effort. Management will be provided by the project
association which is funded by building owners at
the Wharf.
What are your responses to comments from the
Commission of Fine Arts?
The design and development team was thrilled with
how well received the overall project was by the
Commission of Fine Arts and feels that the unanimous
approval of the master plan is an important
milestone for the project. We understand and
appreciate the helpful comments that were received
by the Commission on other project matters and will
continue to work with the Commission and Staff to
address the comments.
Where are the Public Restrooms and Grass Areas for
Pets? In the Vicinity of residential areas?
Public
Restrooms in Phase 1 are planned to be located in
the mews space between Parcels 3A and 3B. Grass and
green areas are distributed throughout the project.
These will be accessible to responsible pet owners.
Are there any pedestrian links to L'Enfant Plaza?
The planned improvements to Maine Avenue will help
to reduce pedestrian crossing distances though the
proposed inclusion of curb bulb-outs. HMW intends to
work with the National Park Service to make
lighting, accessibility, landscaping, and surface
improvements to the existing asphalt path that links
Maine Avenue to the L'Enfant Promenade.
What are your expectations that HR 723 or another
bill will pass in the 112th Congress. Do you have a
Plan "B" if legislation does not go through?
HMW is
confident that the bills necessary will pass in this
session of Congress and is committed to providing
increased public access to the water while
maintaining diverse and broad maritime activity, and
a vibrant liveaboard community.
What is the plan for dredging the channel to allow
the large ships to access the channel?
The dredging
of Federal waterways is an operation performed by
the US Army Corps of Engineers. The channel west of
the police pier is sufficiently deep to accommodate
tall ships and large vessels and in fact has hosted
dozens of these ships over the last several years.
The confluence of the Anacostia and the Potomac has
shoaling that prohibits the largest of vessels from
entering the channel. There is an effort now from
the District to have this area dredged by the Corps
to accommodate larger vessels to pass this point in
the channel.
Has any consideration been given to increasing the
residential zone 6 ONLY street parking?
Zoned street
parking controls are maintained and determined by
the District Department of Transportation. HMW is
supportive of efforts by DDOT to increase Zone 6
Residential Permit to the extent that they are
supported by the ANC and community.
Please keep in mind re Policy & Plans for Current SW
residents. For those of us who have purchased
condo's, will we/ can we have preference to
purchasing the New Condos?
HMW will work to ensure
that existing SW residents are made aware of
residential sales and rental opportunities at the
Wharf and given preference within the extent
allowable by all applicable laws, guidelines, and
standards. HMW has established a Housing
Subcommittee to evaluate issues around housing with
community leaders.
There are no plans to complete the Pier 7
recreations pier or the market square pier with
transient docks. Where do you plan to host visiting
vessels that wish to moor or anchor? What are the
plans for DC Sail? (in the interim Period between
Phase 1 and Phase 3)
"HMW intends to build the
Transient Market Docks as part of Phase 1.
Additionally, visiting boats can dock on the Transit
and District Piers. The CYC and Gangplank Marina
will continue to host visiting vessels.
It is anticipated that DC Sail will be able to
remain in their general current area until Phase 3."
Will there be opportunities for low income people in
public housing to work at the wharf? Will anything
be done to help these people- some below the poverty
line and help schools?
"The Wharf is anticipated to
create 650 to 1,000 jobs during construction and
2800 jobs during operations, 1,000 of which will be
service jobs
HMW also is working collaboratively with the ANC,
SWNA and CBCC to assure to the extent possible that
SW/Near SE residents, in addition to residents in
Wards 5, 7 and 8, benefit from those jobs. The jobs
created at the Wharf will provide employment
opportunities for a broad range of skill sets and
will provide ample opportunity for jobs for District
residents. HMW worked with the District of Columbia
in the creation and development of the District's
workforce intermediary program which will help to
prepare District residents for available jobs.
Further, HMW has been supportive of active
construction trade academies in the city."
Have you responded to the USACE letter of Aug 2011?
(Specifically the US Army Corps of Eng. Expressing
concerns about: 1: Washington Channel Navigation? 2:
Building over water including - Capital Yacht Club,
Gangplank Buildings? Unauthorized piers near Cantina
Marina, Structures on district pier.
Yes, HMW has
provided a response to the USACE, has had repeated
follow up meetings with the USACE, and has
participated in multiple Joint Evaluating Committee
meeting with the USACE and other relevant agencies.
We continue to work diligently with the USACE to
resolve their comments.
It was announced that for the benefit of the
neighborhood the buildings would be turned
perpendicular to the water, to open up views of the
water. They may be turned, but it still looks like
from Maine Avenue the connecting pieces of the
building are all 130 feet tall, and still form a
wall of buildings between 7th & 9th streets. Can
some of the cross buildings be lowered to provide
more diversity and heights from Maine Avenue view?
HMW has work with the community, ANC, Office of
Planning, National Capital Planning Commission, US
Commission of Fine Arts, and other groups to develop
the approved Master Plan for the project and the
approved Stage 1 Planned Unit Development. This plan
preserves major view corridors and introduces
several view corridors that do not exist today.
Significant steps have been taken to introduce some
setbacks along Maine Avenue. The project will be
designed and constructed in accordance with the
Stage 1 Planned Unit Development.
Are you going to widen Maine Avenue?
No, the
right-of-way for Maine Avenue will not be made
wider. HMW is proposing improvements to Maine Avenue
that will make it operate as a "complete street"
which provides for the safe, equitable, and
sustainable use of Maine Avenue by all road users
including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit
users.
How will infrastructure work affect Maine Avenue?
HMW is working with the District Department of
Transportation and our engineering and construction
team to finalize our construction sequencing, and
maintenance of traffic plans for the infrastructure
relocation. We are working to minimize the
disruptions to pedestrians, bicyclists, and
motorists. As these plans are finalized and approved
by DDOT we will post them to our website.
Will the old concrete path that leads to the Titanic
Memorial be replaced?
This path is owned,
maintained, and operated by the National Park
Service. HMW is in discussions with NPS regarding
this property and others near the Wharf about
potential improvements to these properties; however
these improvements are not currently part of the
Master Plan or Stage 1 Planned Unit Development
approval.
Will the project be cobblestoned — it is difficult
for women in heels and those in wheelchairs to walk
on them?
We will ensure that the waterfront
environment is accessible under the ADA guidelines
and appreciate the accessibility concerns that have
been raised. Final material selections for all areas
of the Wharf are currently underway and the
community's concerns regarding mobility and
pedestrian comfort will be taken into account.
How will the Fish Market be integrated?
HMW is in the
process of completing a master plan for the Fish
Market with the District of Columbia. The Fish
Market will be integrated into the larger project.
Improvements will be make to increase the safety and
functionality of the market while providing a wider
range of market options and maintaining it's
historic feeling and operation.
What will happen to Phase 3 of the site?
Exact plans
for the operation of the remainder of the Wharf site
during and after construction of Phase 1 is not yet
finalized. It is anticipated that portions of Phase
3 will continue to operate largely as it does today
while other areas will be utilized for construction
staging, temporary project parking, and temporary
programming and events.
Will the multi-purpose cultural venue hold sporting
events?
While the exact programing of the
multi-purpose cultural venue has not be finalized it
is being design to be highly flexible and will be
able to accommodate a variety of uses including live
music, performing arts, conventions, convocations,
film premiers, and certain sporting events.
What is the anticipated size of the multi-purpose
cultural venue? How is parking addressed?
The size
of the venue has not changed from earlier
submissions and from the District's cultural use
requirement. While the exact programing of the
multi-purpose cultural venue has not be finalized it
is being design to be highly flexible and will be
able to accommodate a variety of uses including live
music, performing arts, conventions, convocations,
film premiers, and certain sporting events. The
parking will be managed though transportation demand
management strategies that will support access to
the site from public transportation, walking, and
bicycling, will implement market based performance
parking pricing, will utilize a shared-parking
strategy that maximizes the use of all available
parking on-site, and will work with near-by parking
garages (such as L'Enfant Plaza ~1,500 parking
spaces) to provide alternative parking locations
immediately adjacent to the site.
Who will administer the project and site programing?
There will be a building funded project association
that is responsible for the maintenance, management,
administration, and programing of the Project.
How are active water uses addressed at the Wharf?
The Wharf supports all variety of water usage
including active water uses such as kayaking,
sailing, educational programs, and Dragonboats. 7th
Street Pier has been designed with these uses in
mind and will have publically accessible floating
docks that can be used as a kayak launch.
How are potential bicycle and pedestrian conflicts
on Maine Avenue going to be managed?
The bicycle
path along Maine Avenue will be separated from the
primary pedestrian sidewalk by a low-impact
development (LID) planting zone or café zone.
Potential crossing points are highlighted and
designed to the highest safety standards to protect
both pedestrians and cyclists.
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