by Mary Beth Ray
ANC 3F03 Commissioner, chair ANC 3F Vision Committee
Imagine a more beautiful and more vibrant Van Ness. That’s what these renderings do, and that’s what your ANC 3F Vision Committee is doing.
These renderings anticipate a variety of retailers – national and local shops, restaurants, outdoor cafes – as well as trees and copious flowers. The drawings were prepared by Street Sense, the consultant working with the DC Office of Planning’s Vibrant Retail Streets Toolkit project. The aim of these drawings is to define something attainable and affordable that will help our area “read” like a retail area rather than just office space.
The consultants recommend that we highlight our advantages: Connecticut Avenue frontage and car visibility, the Metro station, our wide plaza spaces with lots of outdoor seating opportunity, sidewalk width, the student population, and potentially less expensive lease rates. The two blocks between Veazey and Yuma on the west side of Connecticut are our most heavily traveled and visible space, and therefore will encompass Phase I of our improvements.
With almost 40,000 cars driving through the Van Ness-Connecticut corridor every day, retailers need to be noticed. Awnings and umbrellas highlight their presence to passers by and help draw the eye toward their storefronts. Awnings designed to protrude from buildings, together with the umbrellas and trees, offer shade to enhance the pedestrian experience and soften our ubiquitous concrete. Our Metro station and Bikeshare station make us accessible to pedestrians and cyclists as well, and add to the retail appeal of our neighborhood.
UDC is a key partner, owning a large share of the Connecticut Avenue frontage in our corridor. UDC is seeking retailers for both the student center and the law school ground floor. Hopefully these retailers will complement not only the student population, but also aim to serve residents, visitors and commuters. UDC’s emphasis on green architecture and their environmentally sensitive landscape design for the student center makes them a valuable partner as we seek to green Van Ness.
The Vision Committee is working closely with the Urban Forestry Administration of the DC Department of Transportation, the Office of Planning, and others, to enhance the street tree canopy. We are exploring ways to expand our tree boxes, allowing more root growth for healthier trees and storm water management. Mature trees add beauty, comfort, and the height retailers need to permit visibility. Contrasting pavers that cross Connecticut suggest a safer pedestrian experience, and give drivers a reminder to slow down.
These renderings represent an achievable goal. Members of the Vision Committee have bigger dreams for Van Ness: numerous local shops offering unique products and foods; a central park with trees, water feature and seating; a weekly schedule of community events outdoors; recreational opportunities such as mini-golf, bowling or an ice-skating rink; an international dimension that connects the community with our large embassy presence; and most importantly, large healthy trees, landscaping, and pervious pavement with other environmentally sensitive designs that complement our relationship to Rock Creek Park.
We’re excited about Bread Furst‘s arrival. Who will be next?
Fantine says
First, let’s retire the word “vibrant.” It’s an over-used cliche by now. Second, given the level of traffic on Connecticut Ave, including pedestrians who love to risk life and limb by crossing everywhere EXCEPT the crosswalk and cyclists who feel entitled to ride anywhere on the road, including against traffic and in deviance of red lights, the last thing that we need is more distraction for drivers. And where are these drivers supposed to be parking? The “smart growth” crowd is vehemently opposed to increasing parking (note the campaign to get rid of the service lane in Cleveland Park, even though it has worked well since it was installed), so I’d like to know what these drivers will be doing with these cars when they stop on their way home. Or are you planning of getting rid of the rush hour parking restrictions and converting all of Connecticut Ave into a gridlocked parking lot for three hours twice a day?
Tracy Johnke says
There is a lot of underutilized parking directly across the street from 4250 Connecticut. The underground garage does need better signage, however, and access needs to be better designed to protect pedestrians. And across from 4340 Connecticut, initial plans for Park Van Ness, as I understand them, include parking.
I’m not sure how new signage serves as a distraction to drivers. It certainly would make for a more interesting view for pedestrians. Those two blocks are the most boring of my daily walks to the Metro. And I often wonder if Acacia could do more business if it weren’t tucked away under that arcade.
Paul says
“Directly across from 4250…” I’m lost. Where is the underused parking “across” from 4250? The Giant garage?
Tracy Johnke says
It is indeed the Giant garage. Thanks for helping me clarify.
David Bardin says
You show the Fannie Mae building at 4250 Connecticut Avenue, but not Fannie Mae’s public art work, “Music of the Spheres”, the only public art in our neighborhood. Look:
?? Why doesn’t the photo paste!
Tracy Johnke says
Our upgraded comments system still doesn’t allow for photos, I’m afraid. Not even I, with webmaster privileges, can do it. We want to add that feature with the next upgrade.
David Bardin says
I’ll email you a copy of Sculpture Magazine’s story, “Martha Jackson-Jarvis: The Process of Discovery by Curtia James” about the artist who won the competition and created our only public art. The article starts with the Fannie Mae sculpture, including two photos. Maybe they’ll give FHC permission to reprint.
Tracy Johnke says
Thanks, David!
Tom Lalley says
I applaud the vision committee’s work and find this vision to be a step in the right direction. I’ve been in this neighborhood since the 60’s and that part of Connecticut has always been underutilized compared to the business districts to the south and north.
I disagree with Fantine in that I believe this vision will help cut down on jaywalking by providing better-defined cross walks. Reckless cycling is an issue, and although cyclists have the same legal right to the road as any other vehicle, from what I can see this vision leaves out infrastructure for cyclists that could provide a safe way to use Connecticut Ave.
Dizzy says
“Vibrant” is indeed an overused cliche, but there’s still something to it, especially when everyone – everyone – agrees that whatever the Van Ness commercial strip is, vibrant ain’t it.
Also, if you’re a driver and are distracted by things like awnings, you don’t need to be driving.
The drivers are already there, and when they need to park, they’re already parking, whether in the Giant garage, along Connecticut Avenue, or elsewhere. I see no reason to believe that reinvigorating the Van Ness commercial area will lead to a major influx of new vehicles, especially given the (relatively) strong transit access to the area. Most importantly, the area itself is dense enough to support much more in the way of commerce just from people who live and/or work within walking distance.