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ANC 6D Recap 2: Canal Park, Community Center, CSX Letter
Moving from the "P" portion of Monday's ANC 6D meeting (pylons and parking) to the "C"s: * Canal Park: Chris Vanarsdale of the Canal Park Development Association gave an update on construction, the bottom line of which has not changed from what's been mentioned the past few months, that because of unexpected issues, the park's opening has been delayed until November. Unmapped utilities that required a redesign of the stormwater management system have been a big stumbling block, but Vanarsdale also mentioned the soil-related difficulties when building on the site of an old canal. Construction is now 60 percent complete, and the work on the pavilion is almost done. Here are the presentation slides, and you can also check out the official web site for more details (along with my project page). Oh, and they're thinking about offering Zamboni driving lessons! * Community Center: The DC Housing Authority has filed a request with the Zoning Commission for an extension for construction of the planned Capper Community Center, which already received one extension back in 2010 that 6D supported. DCHA has apparently requested that the Zoning Commission act within 30 days on the request, news of which the ANC received on Monday. So the commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter urging postponement of the zoning case so that the ANC can address the request and form a response with a vote at next month's meeting. Commissioners Litsky and McBee also both commented that the project shouldn't be getting another extension. UPDATE: Here is the letter sent on behalf of DCHA to the Zoning Commission asking for the extension: it would be for two years, requiring building permits by July 1, 2014 and construction underway by July 1, 2015. * CSX/Virginia Avenue Tunnel: The commissioners voted 6-0-1 to send this letter to the appropriate parties laying out the ANC's opinion on the plans to reconfigure the Virginia Avenue Tunnel. After listing the various ways that the proposed construction "would put people, homes, businesses, and fragile historic resources at risk," the letter states: "[W]e strongly believe that the best options for our community are for CSX to either leave the Virginia Avenue Tunnel in its current state (Concept 1) -- with the suggestion that if this option were chosen that the tunnel would be fully maintained for the safety of both the trains below and the communities above, or to reroute additional train traffic outside the District of Columbia [...] instead of in an expanded Virginia Avenue Tunnel." But, if the construction does occur, "it is absolutely imperative that the health and safety of our many residents, the economic and physical well-being of our businesses, parks, religious institutions, homes, and historic buildings, and the north-south access for all existing modes of transportation be preserved and enhanced." A number of Capitol Quarter residents in attendance also spoke in support of the ANC's support. The next public meeting on the plans for the tunnel will be May 21 at 6:30 pm at Nats Park. One more recap post to go, probably tomorrow.
Alex B. says: (5/15/12 1:48 PM)
160,000,000 4,000,000,000
Alex B. says: (5/15/12 1:48 PM)
160,000,000 4,000,000,000
Alex B. says: (5/15/12 1:51 PM)
Whoops! Apologies for the erroneous posts. Just wanted to compare the costs of replacing the VA Ave tunnel in place (CSX estimated those at $160 million in 2010) and the costs of one of NCPC's bypass options (range $3.2-5.3 billion - split the difference and call it ~$4 billion). $160,000,000 $4,000,000,000 That's a big difference.
JD says: (5/15/12 1:52 PM)
Whew, I thought you were being really snippy about a typo or something!
JES says: (5/15/12 2:20 PM)
Anyone else not realize until now how friggin' huge that ice rink is gonna be?
The Hoff says: (5/16/12 7:35 PM)
I'm with you, JES. I guess I figured that with a rink management company lined up it was going to be big enough to need it but I could never really picture it. It's going to be pretty great when it's all said and done.
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