Hearst Elementary School modernization
Construction and renovation of the main building of Hearst is moving along quickly and on schedule. The community expects to hear new plans about the additions in the next few weeks now that the Council has approved the budgets that included funding for Hearst. – Adam Tope, ANC 3F chairman
Broad Branch stream daylighting
DDOE has solicited contractors for the construction of this project, reviewed proposals, and made a recommendation for a service provider for this work. Because of the projected cost of construction, it is likely that this contract will have to be approved by the District council before we proceed to construction. Council is currently in recess, but we are hopeful that they will take this matter up soon after their return.
Should the District Council approve the contract, we anticipate beginning project construction in September. Because the contract has not yet been finalized, we cannot yet say with certainty the projected length of time for project completion. However, we believe it will take between 4-6 months to complete most of the work. – Steve Saari, watershed specialist, District Department of the Environment (DDOE) (Read more about the plans)
Linnean Playground stream restoration
Biohabitats, Inc., the stream restoration designer, has drafted designs and vetted them through DDOE and DC Water. These designs will be used to obtain the required federal permits needed in advance of construction. So far, the restoration construction timeline has not changed, but is still set for the end of 2013.
The monitoring work, performed by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), is also proceeding as planned; however, at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), DDOE is working to add an additional monitoring parameter to the monitoring scope of work. EPA would like to have data on the amount of iron Regenerative Stormwater Channel restoration materials have the potential to add to the stream system, and the relationship that available iron has to the occurrence of iron “floc”, which, while it occurs naturally, is detrimental to the health of macroinvertebrates. For this reason, DDOE is working with UMCES to add a study of iron to our water quality monitoring work. – Suzy Wald, DDOE (Read more about the plans)
And several updates from ANC commissioner Sally Gresham:
WAMU at 4401 Connecticut Avenue
The second, third, fourth and sixth floors are occupied in the American University-owned building. The WAMU studio operation interior construction is expected to wrap up by the end of August, as is the streetscape improvements outside. Construction of this public space was delayed because the main gas lines were not located as indicated on maps. AU, DDOT and Washington Gas have resolved the issue.
BF Saul’s Park Park Van Ness project
Michael Vergason Landscape Architects and Torti Gallas Architects presented their plans for the public space at 4455 Connecticut Avenue at the July 16th ANC 3F meeting. One welcome change to the streetscape is an expansion of the sidewalk from 8 to 10 feet. Special pavers will be used in the retail/sidewalk cafe and entrance driveway areas. And willow trees will be planted in the six tree boxes planned for the sidewalk instead of red oaks.
The ANC requested downward facing streetlights, and ANC 3F and the Vision Committee are researching approved DDOT streetlight fixtures for replacement of existing streetlight fixtures along the Connecticut Avenue corridor, along with DDOT’s Transportation Operations Administration staff and Saul.
The DDOT Public Space Committee (PSC) hearing was on July 25th. Commissioners Sally Gresham and Karen Perry testified on behalf of the ANC 3F resolution in support of BF Saul’s public space plans. David Bardin, a 3F04 constituent, testified for better soil enhancement techniques in the tree boxes and under public space pavement areas.
BF Saul will work with the ANC and Capital Bikeshare on relocating the CaBi station at the site. Construction is due to begin September or October and last 27-28 months.
Forest Hills Playground redesign
The Department of Parks and Recreation and Trust for Public Land have completed a preliminary conceptual design. The sketches will be presented at a community meeting in early September.
Forest Hills Connection is following even more projects happening (or potentially happening) in the ‘hood:
- Broad Branch Road reconstruction
- UDC Student Union construction
- Pepco undergrounding
- DC Water sewer repair in Soapstone
- Intelsat headquarters renovation and >search for new tenants
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