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Smart Growth Alliance News
Smart Growth Alliance recognizes seven new proposals in DC, Montgomery, Arlington, Fairfax Counties, and the City of Falls Church
August 8, 2006
A jury formed by the Washington Smart Growth Alliance has recognized seven new development proposals located throughout the Washington region. The SGA is a coalition of six regional organizations, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Coalition for Smarter Growth, Enterprise Community Partners, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Metropolitan Washington Builders’ Council, and ULI Washington. These organizations, some of whom hold opposing views on growth issues, formed the SGA four years ago to encourage policies and projects that promote smart growth.
The Washington region is projected to get 2 million more people and 1.6 million new jobs by 2025. The challenge for policy makers is to find ways to accommodate this growth in a way that adds value to our neighborhoods and protects the environment. "We need to provide more choices for people," said jury Chair Jessica Cogan Millman, "A growing share of the housing market are people looking for places they can live and work where they don't have to drive to do everything. Proposal like these will help us use our land more wisely to put development in the right places and help the region preserve and enhance its valuable natural resources, working lands and recreational opportunities."
Avalon at Wheaton – Montgomery County
Wheaton, located along Georgia Avenue in eastern Montgomery County, has not benefited as much from the economic growth of other successful Montgomery County central business districts such as Bethesda and Silver Spring. This has begun to change, and Avalon at Wheaton, a project of AvalonBay Communities, should be a catalyst for this change. Their proposal will bring sorely needed residential and retail development to the revitalizing Wheaton business district. The planned grocery store within the development will add value for the new and existing residents. A new park, which will be available to the public, on the east side of the property and the inclusion of the moderately priced dwelling units on site makes this the right project at the right time for Wheaton.
Central Place – Arlington County
The JBG Companies is proposing a residential building and an office building directly above the Rosslyn Metro station. The company has worked closely with the city and the surrounding business owners to design iconic buildings in an area often criticized for its uninspiring architecture. The company has taken care to provide amenities on the ground as well, allowing for ground floor retail, and more importantly, funding the construction and design of a new public park between the two new buildings. Vibrant public spaces will be critical in Arlington’s attempt to turn Rosslyn into a livable neighborhood from the strictly commercial district that exists now. Of note as well, the top floor of the office building will be a free, public observation deck that will allow for outstanding views of the Washington skyline.
Ecco Park – District of Columbia
Located a ¼ mile from the Takoma Metro station, the SGA Companies “Ecco Park� will redevelop what is now an old gas station and truck rental lot into a residential and retail project that promises to bring new life to what is now a moribund corridor between the Takoma Metro station and Takoma Park’s commercial district. Besides the building itself, investments will be made to ensure that the sidewalks are widened, street trees are planted, and benches are provided. Building a new project within a designated historic neighborhood can present challenges, and the SGA Companies deserves credit for working with city planners, local business associations, neighborhood groups and historic preservation offices to come up with a design that would fit in historically and functionally with the community. Going above what is legally required, the SGA Companies promises to provide 10% of the units as affordable and apply several green building techniques including a green roof.
Falls Church Gateway – City of Falls Church
Located near the Arlington County line along one of the city’s main corridors (Lee Highway), Akridge’s Falls Church Gateway will provide a mix of residential, retail, and commercial uses in an area currently comprised of older office buildings and surface parking lots. In an effort to help the project fit into the context of the neighborhood, the design of the mixed-use project will step down to respect the adjacent residential neighborhoods. The mix of uses, including neighborhood-serving retail, with a pedestrian-friendly mews street and “village green� open to the public will create an active setting throughout the day. The project’s open space will connect to Isaac Crossman Park and Four Mile Run, one of the region’s most heavily used bike trails.
Midtown Springfield – Fairfax County
Redeveloping older suburban centers into modern mixes use districts will be critical as our region continues to grow. Redevelopment efforts in Springfield have been stymied in the past, but KSI’s proposal would provide the needed catalyst for the revitalization of the entire area. The proposal will add a mix of office, housing, retail, and hotel uses all connected with wide sidewalks, street trees, and a large public plaza. The project would implement transportation demand management techniques, including a shuttle to the nearby Metro station, structured parking, and a green roof and other low impact development techniques to help manage storm water runoff from a site that currently lacks any on-site storm water management best practices technology.
Randolph Square – Arlington County
Monument Realty’s “Randolph Square� will be an impressive capstone project to the Village at Shirlington, which is one of the most successful suburban, mixed-use districts in the region. The addition of office tenants, ground floor retail space, and a “wrapped� parking garage will add much-needed uses to the neighborhood. Importantly, the garage will share uses between the office tenants and the existing retail and restaurant businesses. Additional transportation demand management techniques will also help with traffic, such as contributions for the new bus shelter, traffic calming, and Smart Trip cards for on-site employees. They are also incorporating several green building techniques into the project.
Square 54 – District of Columbia
The redevelopment of Square 54 represents an important opportunity for The George Washington University, the Foggy Bottom and West End neighborhoods, and the entire city to bring quality development to a prime location across the street from the Foggy Bottom - GWU Metro station. The joint project between Boston Properties, Inc., KSI Services, Inc., and the University, will bring a vibrant, mixed-use development to the 2.6 acre vacant parcel - the former site of the GWU hospital. In addition to the Class A office space and market and affordable apartment housing options, the proposed project will provide much-needed neighborhood-serving retail, including a proposed grocery store. The project also incorporates an interior courtyard that will provide a better and more direct pedestrian connection across the site and an inviting, open public space.
Each quarter the SGA jury reviews project proposals in the Washington area that are under review or subject to review by local government agencies. Since the recognition program began in 2002, the SGA jury has recognized more than thirty-five proposals in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. To learn more, visit www.sgalliance.org.