Since January, 2003
 

December 3, 2006

April 3, 2009
Cushing at N, Looking North (see more)

Contained in the materials for Thursday's meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission is a document that sheds some light on something I've always wondered about--exactly how does the Navy Yard feel about the planned 90-foot-tall office building right across the street at 600 M, on the site of the old Capper Seniors building? And, concurrently, how do the Marines feel about the planned apartments directly between this new 600 M building and the Marine Bachelor Enlisted Quarters on L Street?
The NCPC board is reviewing the Zoning Commission's approval of the slew of Capper zoning changes that I wrote so much about earlier this year, some of which focus on these two new buildings on the old Capper Seniors site. The Executive Director's recommendation document (which provides some good background if you haven't been following along), refers to letters included in the document to the Zoning Commission from both the Navy and Marines stating that the new buildings on what's known as Square 882 "may pose a safety and security threat to the military personnel at both the Navy Yard and the Marine Barracks and that the there will be a visual impact on the Navy Yard Historic District."
Apparently the Navy, Marines, the DC Housing Authority, and Forest City (developers of 600 M) have tentatively agreed to a few steps to mitigate these concerns: the placement of surveillance cameras on the roofs of the proposed buildings, procedures for notifying the Navy and Marines when the roofs are to be accessed, review by the Marines and Navy Yard of tenants wishing to occupy the third through eighth floors of the 600 M office building, and a "window design to enhance security for Navy and Marines." (On this last point, the document says that "the Navy and Marines would request that the windows facing their sites not be operational," but I wonder how tenants in the proposed apartment building along L Street would feel if none of their windows could ever be opened.) The document says that memorandums of understanding between the housing authority and the Navy and the Marines should be able to be completed within the next few weeks.
Additionally, in its letter to the Zoning Commission, the Navy Yard mentions its belief that "buildings exceeding the currently permitted fifty (50) foot height restrictions located across M Street from the Navy Yard Historic District will negatively impact the view shed from the Navy Yard" and "could potentially compromise the integrity of the Washington Navy Yard Historic District, including the Latrobe Gate." It might be worth noting here that the old Capper Seniors building, built in the 1950s and demolished in 2007, was nine stories high, and so an uninterrupted "view shed" is not something that the Navy Yard has always enjoyed since its arrival in the neighborhood back in 1799.
The NCPC's reason for reviewing Zoning Commission cases in DC is to determine whether the proposed actions would have an "adverse effect" on federal interests, and, in this case, the NCPC staff is advising their commission to vote to advise the Zoning Commission that these Capper cases do indeed meet that "adverse effect" standard. Also, the NCPC staff is recommending that the Zoning Commission delay their final action on this case (scheduled for Monday, June 8) to allow the agreement described above to be finalized.
 

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Comments

Michael says: (6/3/09 6:34 PM)
It seems the DoD will never tire of preposterous claims of "security concerns."

IMGoph says: (6/3/09 9:23 PM)
agreed, michael!

BBC says: (6/3/09 11:11 PM)
I for one do care very much about the security of our DoD personnel and DoD facilities. There seem to be enough DoD hating nutjobs out there for me to take these concerns seriously.

Michael says: (6/4/09 12:27 AM)
Maybe we should close off Eastern Market and have car inspections for anyone driving in Southeast? Or require ID to walk within 2 blocks of Barracks Row?

The DoD is full of baloney when it comes to things like this... I deal with it every day.

IMGoph says: (6/4/09 6:18 AM)
bbc: following up on michael's responsei care about everyone's security. but admit it, most federal agencies (including the military, it would seem) have been paranoid the past few years. we didn't say there should be no rules around military installations, but there's no reason to assume the worst from the get-go.

BBC says: (6/4/09 9:28 AM)
I feel that requiring ID check to walk within two blocks of the gate is excessive because they would still be outside the gate. However, I feel that people allowed to buy a place that LOOKS OVER THE WALLS AND INTO A MILITARY BASE should be of concern. Quite frankly, if the security folks were not concerned, I would question their competance. Gov't assisted housing that existed there before is a whole different animal from a commercial or residential building where the spaces go to the highest bidder. I would imagine that someone with an axe to grind and enough money would desire a place looking into a base more so that the average joe -> would be willing to pay more than the average joe -> would be more likely to get the place than the average joe.

There have been some cases that are a bit of stretch in my opinion. I don't believe that this is one of them.

Also, since my butt is not on the line if and when something goes wrong, I also have the luxury of saying that so-and-so is parinoid. I suppose that I don't choose to say such things however.


G-Man says: (6/4/09 10:44 AM)
BBC,
Get over yourself. If ever military installment in DC couldn't have a tall building near it, a big chunk of the city would be 2 stories. A CYA mentality can result in never allowing anything to occur because something bad might happen.

Mark says: (6/5/09 9:28 PM)
Wasn't it just a few days ago that some nut walked into an armed forces recruiting center and killed members of our military?

I'm just throwing this out there, but perhaps - being at war and all - there is a reason to be concerned...

Ken Jarboe ANC 6B says: (6/6/09 8:08 AM)
Regarding your comment on the height of the old Capper senior's building, the Navy has a legitimate complaint about the sight line. Capper Senior structure was set back quite a ways from M Street. So it's impact on the visual sight line was greatly reduced. The new building will be right on M Street - creating a canyon effect. Remember that this site is almost to the top of the hill.
For the record, ANC 6B opposed the developer's originally request to put a 110 ft building on that site. Under the first zoning order, the height was brought down to 90ft. We continue to believe that is too high for the site as well - and opposed the latest request. And by the way, the measurement will be from the 7th street side -- so, because of the hill the actually height of the building at the other end will be closer to 110 ft.
What we have here is "development creep" -- let's add just a little more height, take away a little more greenspace, add a few more units, delay the community center once again, etc, etc etc.

G says: (6/7/09 10:07 PM)
The only thing that kept Cap Hill from being your typical SE DC war zone in the past was the Marines presence. Remove the USMC and Cap Hill and JDLand revert back into being unlivable DC swamps.

Trulee Pist says: (6/9/09 9:15 AM)
I am 100% with ANC-6B Member Ken Jarboe on this--development creep. I hope between the ANC and the National Capital Planning Commission, this developer gets reined in.

Having said that, I AM in favor of a new development I am lobbying for, and that's "Ray Mabus Point" where 8th Street meets the Anacostia River (currently behind Latrobe Gate inside the Navy Yard). Think how great it would be for the neighborhood if the Navy could see its way clear to allow a pedestrian walkway from 8th and M Street to the water, then a secured pedestrian walkway west from there to Nationals Park.

On game days, the prefered way to get to the ball game will be to come early, have a bite to eat on Barrack's Row, then walk through the riverside parkland to the game. Beautiful!

So far I've got one vote for this (mine).

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Recent Crime Incidents Archive  
UNIT B/O N ST SE   THEFT /  06/04/13
1500 B/O SOUTH CAPITOL ST   THEFT /  06/04/13
70 B/O I ST SE   THEFT F/AUTO /  06/03/13
2ND ST SE AND K ST SE   ROBBERY / GUN  06/02/13
700 B/O M ST SE   THEFT /  05/31/13
70 B/O I ST SE   THEFT /  05/31/13
1100 B/O 1ST ST SE   THEFT /  05/31/13
54 B/O M ST SE   ROBBERY /  05/30/13
1100 B/O NEW JERSEY AVE SE   THEFT /  05/30/13
4TH ST SE AND M ST SE   THEFT F/AUTO /  05/28/13
1300 B/O M ST SE   THEFT /  05/28/13
900 B/O 5TH ST SE   THEFT /  05/27/13
300 B/O WATER ST SE   THEFT /  05/25/13
1100 B/O 4TH ST SE   THEFT F/AUTO /  05/24/13
UNIT B/O L ST SE   THEFT F/AUTO /  05/21/13

Active Public Space Permits Archive  
1011 1ST ST SE    COLIN CLARK 
Pending
excavation; new  
 03/03/14
to
05/01/14
    COLIN CLARK 
Approved (Pending Payment)
paving; landscaping; new  
 04/23/14
to
06/27/14
815 4TH ST SE    Comcast Cable 
Assigned
excavation  
 05/06/13
to
07/05/13
1101 4TH ST SE    Comcast Cable 
Assigned
excavation  
 05/06/13
to
07/05/13
1200 - 1299 BLOCK HALF ST SE    Washington Nationals 
Issued
streetfixture; new  
 08/24/12
to
08/15/13
200 - 299 BLOCK TINGEY ST SE    Northeast Remsco Construction Incorporated 
Pending
paving; excavation; new  
 01/01/13
to
12/31/13
200 - 299 BLOCK VIRGINIA AVE SE    Phil Sheridan 
Issued
excavation; new  
 05/20/13
to
07/18/13
909 HALF ST SE    Ruben Companies Ruben Companies 
Pending Document
excavation  
 03/01/13
to
09/01/13
23 I ST SE    23 I LLC c/o Ruben Companies 
Pending
paving; new  
 11/30/12
to
11/29/13
200 I ST SE    Todd Stone 
Pending
streetfixture; new  
 11/21/12
to
11/22/13
17 M ST SE    1015 HALF STREET SE LLC 
Pending
excavation; new  
 07/23/12
to
07/22/13
100 M ST SE    Gordon Biersch Restaurant And Brewery 
Pending
new  
 01/07/13
to
06/30/13
    WASHINGTON GAS 
Issued
excavation; new  
 05/06/13
to
07/04/13
    WASHINGTON GAS 
Assigned
excavation  
 04/23/13
to
04/22/14
401 M ST SE    cris FLACK 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/22/13
to
06/20/13
900 M ST SE    Corman Construction 
Issued
excavation; new  
 09/11/12
to
09/10/13
922 M ST SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/30/13
to
06/28/13
1201 M ST SE    Michael Manoski 
Pending Document
excavation  
 05/06/13
to
05/05/14
1333 M ST SE    WASHINGTON GAS 
Assigned
excavation  
 05/01/13
to
04/30/14
1500 M ST SE    DC Water 
Pending
excavation; new  
 02/15/13
to
07/30/13
1111 NEW JERSEY AVE SE    NJA Associates LLC 
Assigned
paving; streetfixture; landscaping; excavation; new  
 06/03/13
to
06/02/14
125 O ST SE    TRAYLOR/SLANSKA/JAY DEE JOINT VENTURE(DAMIAN RUPPERT) 
Issued
paving; streetfixture; new  
 12/24/12
to
12/23/13
300 TINGEY ST SE    Northeast Remsco Construction Incorporated 
Pending
paving; excavation; new  
 12/14/12
to
12/13/13
301 TINGEY ST SE    Potbelly Sandwich Works LLC 
Issued
new  
 03/21/12
to
11/27/14
401 TINGEY ST SE    Northeast Remsco Construction Incorporated 
Pending
new  
 02/18/13
to
08/31/13
601 VIRGINIA AVE SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/30/13
to
06/28/13
301 WATER ST SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Assigned
excavation  
 04/19/13
to
11/30/13

Recent Issued Building Permits Archive  
926 3RD ST SE   
06/06/13 
WILLIAM SHIVELY / DAVID FONTANA MCKEEVER SERVICES CORP.
B1307524 / CONSTRUCTION
NON STRUCTURAL FRAMING MODIFICATIONS AND FOOR VENT MODIFICATION.
1015 3RD PL SE   
05/30/13 
CHEN / ASTRUM SOLAR
B1307196 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALLATION OF A GRID-TIED 12-PANEL SOLAR SYSTEM ON ROOF OF HOUSE.
   
05/30/13 
KEITH C CHEN / JOHN A. TETI
E1305656 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1112 3RD ST SE   
05/30/13 
RONALD HULEN
F1300388 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALL A WROUGHT IRON FENCE IDENTICAL TO THE NEIGHBORS FENCE WITH A GATE. THIS WORK HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD OF THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
770 M ST SE   
06/11/13 
MADISON 770 M STREET LLC / JOHN W. HYRE
E1305930 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/12/13 
MADISON 770 M STREET LLC / RALPH THREATT
E1305985 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1201 M ST SE   
05/30/13 
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO / CARLOS MONTES
P1305330 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/08/13 
JEFFREY KNIGHT / JEFFREY KNIGHT; JEFFREY KNIGHT; JOHN WEEKS
E52893303 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/12/13 
CARLTON RAY / MICHAEL MANOSKI
AH1300643 / CONSTRUCTION
PERFORM TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES
880 NEW JERSEY AVE SE   
06/07/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / WILLIAM C SMITH + CO
AH1300641 / CONSTRUCTION
WORK FROM 7PM TO 7AM TO INSTALL NEW SEWER UTILITY THIS PERMIT IS ONLY GOOD FOR THE DATES OF 6 / 11 / 2013 & 6 / 12 / 2012
   
06/13/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / JOHN H THOMSON
E1305998 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1100 NEW JERSEY AVE SE   
06/07/13 
SQUARE 742 LIC / JIM CALABRESE
AN1300156 / CONSTRUCTION
THIRD AND FINAL EXTENSION TO AN1100087 TO EXPIRE 9 / 03 / 2013.
300 TINGEY ST SE   
06/05/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC / FRANK V CANTWELL
E1305771 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/31/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC /
P1305350 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/06/13 
JOE SPINNELL / GEORGE HOCKADAY-BEY; JOE SPINNELL; GEORGE HOCKADAY-BEY
E29318180 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/10/13 
FOREST CITY / MG PERMITS GARY BRENT
B1307169 / CONSTRUCTION
NEW TENANT ALTERATION FOR GNC TO INCLUDE M.E.P.
   
06/10/13 
FOREST CITY WASHINGTON / FOREST CITY WASHINGTON; MG PERMITS GARY BRENT
SG1300305 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALL 3 WALL SIGNS
301 WATER ST SE   
06/05/13 
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA / AMANDA GANGINIS / WILL TEASS
B1306803 / CONSTRUCTION
INTERIOR ALTERATIONS OF EXISTING CORE AND SHELL SPACE INCLUDING NEW INTERIOR DOORS INTERIOR PARTITIONS EXTERIOR LOUVERS AND TOILET ROOMS. MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING WORK IS LIMITED TO COMMON AREAS AND TEMPORARY HEATING AND LIGHTING FOR TENANT SPACES. WORK IN TENANT SPACES SHALL BE PERFORMED UNDER A SEPARATE PERMIT. THIRD PARTY PLAN REVIEW: TPR13-0002-13-21
   
06/07/13 
FOREST CITY / FVI 2020
TL1300076 / CONSTRUCTION
RESTAURANT WITH 156 SEATS AND 196 OCCUPANTS ON THE FIRST FLOOR INTERIOR WORK ONLY
   
06/10/13 
FC LUMBER SHED LLC / DOMINIC E TOTARO
P1305531 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/13/13 
FC LUMBER SHED LLC / RICHARD V CAREY
P1305646 / SUPPLEMENTAL
AH = After Hours; B = Alteration & Repair; D = Demolition; E = Electrical; FB = Boiler; M = Mechanical; P = Plumbing and Gas; PC = Post Card; R = Raze; SG = Sign; TL = Tenant Layout; TN = Tent; RW = Retaining Wall;

Real Property Sales Archive  
No commercial transaction records added or modified in the past two weeks.


Projects Underway
Boilermaker Shops
Twelve12/Yards
Lumber Shed
Park Chelsea 
  
Nationals Park
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What's New Around the 'Hood
Food Options Map
Parking/Transportation
Ballpark Construction Photos
Stadium Event Photos
In the Pipeline
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Virginia Ave. Tunnel
Square 701
Monument/Half Street
1111 New Jersey
Nat'l Comm. Church
Capper Apartments
Square 882
250 M Street
New SoCap Bridge
Florida Rock
23 I Street
Congressional Square
1000 South Capitol
SC1100
New Marine Barracks
Factory 202/Yards
Completed
Canal Park ('12)
Capitol Quarter ('12)
225 Virginia/200 I ('12)
Foundry Lofts/Yards ('12)
1015 Half Street ('10)
Yards Park ('10)
Velocity Condos ('09)
Teague Park ('09)
909 NJ Ave. ('09)
55 M ('09)
100 M ('08)
Onyx ('08)
Nationals Park ('08)
70/100 I ('08)
Seniors Bldg Dem. ('07)
400 M ('07)
SoCap Bridge Fix ('07)
US DOT HQ ('07)
20 M ('07)
Capper Seniors 1 ('06)
Capitol Hill Tower ('06)
Courtyard/Marriott ('06)
Overviews
Capper/Carrollsburg
Ballpark District
New Jersey Ave.
M Street
South Capitol St.
WASA
The Yards
Lower 8th Street
East M Street
Boathouse Row


Links of Interest

JDLand.com Wins 2008 Knight-Batten Citizen Media Award
As part of the Knight-Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism, JDLand was given the 2008 Citizen Media Award. Read all about it.

Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District
Covering Near Southeast & Buzzard Point.

Studies/Initiatives/Government Documents:
11th Street Bridges EIS
South Capitol St. Bridge EIS
South Capitol Gateway Corridor/Anacostia Access Study
Anacostia Riverwalk Trail
NCPC's New Vision for South Capitol Street (2005 Update)
Anacostia Waterfront Initiative (2005)
Near Southeast Draft Urban Design Framework (2003)
Urban Land Institute South Capitol Street Corridor Report (2003)
Neighborhood Strategic Action Plan (2002)
DC Streetcars (may run down M Street SE someday)

Capitol Gateway and Southeast Federal Center Zoning Overlays
Two documents that spell out in extreme detail exactly what the requirements are for developments along South Capitol, M, in the Ballpark District, and at "The Yards". Read also my short explanatory treatise on these two overlays.

Pre-Redevelopment Media Overviews:
A Transformed Neighborhood Awaits Stadium (WP, 8/15/05)
      includes huge map of development plans
The Morphing of a Forgotten Neighborhood (WP, 9/2/2004)
      A brilliant take on the neighborhood!
Betting Big on Near Southeast (WP, 7/15/04)
Hope for the Waterfront (WBJ, 01)
Seeking a Better View On the Waterfront (WP, 3/8/98)
 

DC Government
Mayor's Office
Planning/Economic Development
   Office of Planning
DC Consumer & Regulatory Agency
DC Office of Zoning
DC Municipal Regulations | Zoning
DC Dept. of Transportation

DC City Council
Tommy Wells

ANCs: 6D | 6B
David Garber (6D07)
Kirsten Oldenburg (6B04)
Police: MPD-1D | PSA 105

Other Organizations
National Capital Planning Commission
Earth Conservation Corps
Capitol Hill Restoration Society
Barracks Row Main Street
Marines Community Integrated Master Plan
 

 

News Publications
The Hill Rag
The Southwester

Other DC Neighborhood/City Blogs
SW DC - The Little Quadrant That Could
The Hill is Home
Congress Heights on the Rise
Greater Greater Washington
WashCycle
Penn Quarter Living
Frozen Tropics
The Triangle
14th and You
The 42
Beyond DC
Richard Layman
 




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