SWNA General Meeting Report: Southwest Development

Even a rainy cool night could not keep residents away from hearing about updates on local development projects, courtesy of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA). A packed church at St. Augustine’s listened while representatives from the Southwest Waterfront Project, Waterfront Station, Arena Stage and the Yards Project in Southeast let the community know of progress in the neighborhood.

Kael Anderson, a SWNA board member, moderated the event. Each presentation was followed by audience questions. Many long time residents have followed the process of these projects for many years, among doubts that the development would ever come. The first fruits are seen as buildings are erected and streetscapes change, but every time a foundation is laid, it represents many years of work and community cooperation.

Shawn Seaman and Elinor Bacon were on hand to deliver the latest news on the billion-dollar plus Southwest Waterfront project. Despite tough economic times, PN Hoffman is still hoping to break ground on the first phase of the new Southwest Waterfront in 2012. Until then, the design phase will be taking up much of the developers time and effort. However, it is possible that we will see some movement before then. Work on new infrastructure could begin as early as 2011, some improvements will be made to the Fish Market by the city, and the District Department of Transportation could soon start some improvement in pedestrian and bike access from the north side of the massive site, connecting with the Tidal Basin. The developer is also looking at the current underused public spaces to bring in more activity to the Waterfront before and during the construction project. Stay tuned to the project website, www.swdcwaterfront.com, in the new year, as updates will being to provide more information.

Gordon Fraley of Vornado reminisced about the 9 years he has been attending community meetings in Southwest to report on the Waterfront Station project. He told the crowd that then next time we see him will most likely be at the grand opening of 4^th Street and the new buildings there. The two new buildings are 90% completed and sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and pavement is appearing on the street. In the next month or so, the entrance to the metro station will be swapped to the west side, and the space between the station and the current Safeway store will be the focus of work to create a metro plaza there. The new Safeway is scheduled to open in April, 2010, with a gradual move in of the D.C. City offices to their new buildings beginning the month before. The developer is currently negotiating with three restaurants to occupy retail spaces on the street level, and workers will be moving furnishings into the offices in the next few weeks.

Our new old neighbor, Arena Stage is roaring to completion. Desiree Urquhart, Director of Government and Community Relations, told the assembly that the new Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater will soon be completely enclosed. The 200,000 square feet of performance and public space will place all of Arena’s facilities under one roof for the first time. Arena Stage will be celebrating 60 years of existence in 2010, just in time for the move in to the new facility in July of that year, followed by the grand opening in the fall. October will bring a black tie gala followed by a Community Day Home Coming for our very own prestigious regional theater, welcoming it to its brand new world class residence.