As a indication of how important the Cathedral Commons project is, Giant is preparing to remove chemicals found in the soil and groundwater where the development will be, reports the
Washington Business Journal. Chlorinated organic solvents, used in dry cleaning, were found, though a
Giant spokesperson says that they are not from any current or recent tenants. The Wisconsin Avenue and Newark Street site is one of a dozen locations in the District where chemicals have been found and are being cleaned up.
Cleveland Park residents have been looking forward to large,
modern supermarket to replace the dilapidated 1950's style Giant that is currently in operation. The project also includes a residential and retail complex, and an estimated 500 parking spaces.
Despite
lawsuits and the decade-plus long
battle among neighbors, the supermarket, residential and retail complex has not been derailed. The great majority of Cleveland Park's residents couldn't be happier...and more relieved.
Conclusory statements as to public sentiment one way or another about issues do not always prove the point. As in "the great majority of North Korean residents couldn't be happier...and more relieved" about their future.
ReplyDeleteI've heard some wild comparisons before, but comparing Cleveland Park to North Korea takes the cake. In any case, sometimes what the majority of people want is what the majority should get: A large, modern supermarket and a revitalized Wisconsin Avenue. Only a handful of NIMBYs oppose this project that's supported by the mayor, former mayor, Ward 3 councilmember and most everyone else.
ReplyDeleteI immediately noticed the subtle, but evident, editorial bias in assuming that a majority of residents want the Giant monstrosity. If it is built, I wonder how that same majority will feel when they find inadequate (and expensive) parking, traffic problems, and the absence of local retailers in favor of bland, national tenants that can be found in any strip shopping center or mall.
ReplyDeleteNo subtle bias intended: I'm the author of this article and long-stading supporter of the Giant. The article is my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI have two problems with the previous comment. First, it's pessimistic without evidence. For example, how does the poster know that "bland, national tenants" will move into those retail spaces?
Second, anonymous comments aren't worth very much. While we allow anonymous comments on All Life Is Local, we encourage people to put their names to their words.
I appreciate that you allow anonymous postings and must remain so as my professional relationships are at odds with my personal views that are against the current Giant development plan. The fact remains that the regulators allowed Giant to include fewer that the zoning-mandated number of parking spaces for this development primarily because the former administration wanted to discourage the use of automobiles and encourage walking and biking. While that may be a laudable goal, it is nonsense when it comes to families and the elderly intending to have a major grocery shopping trip. For most of us, that requires a car. Given that the anchor is a Giant supermarket and if the project is ever built, the lack of parking will become immediately evident. That, by itself, should have been enough to torpedo the current plan.
ReplyDeleteIs there any question but that building more, and wider roads leads to more auto traffic? Is there any question that building more dedicated parking leads to more auto traffic?
ReplyDeleteI am stunned by the hubris of this (and similar) conversation. By example, the "community" had the Cathedral and Sidwell Friends build huge parking garages. To my laypersons eye, all this has done is encourage students and staff at both schools to drive to their respective campuses, without any sort of alleviation of street parking.
We live in an urban environment, and as such, expect that people will use the streets, and visit whatever amenities exist in any community.
As it currently stands, many people in Cleveland Park drive to other neighborhoods to shop and to eat. This new grocery store will be boon for the walkability of our neighborhood. I would submit with the same hyperbole as 10:33/3:54 - there will be little noticable impact on residential parking because most people will be able to walk to the retail opportunities that will exist in the new development.
Certainly, as it stands, people who go to 2Amys etc park on the residential streets. What is going to change?
We live in a city.
What is going to change is that MORE people will be parking on the street if the development is allowed because the proposed parking is insufficient to support the proposed uses. It had been suggested to the developer that they add another level of underground parking (which would not change the appearance of the development one bit because it could be added by excavating another story down. The developer refused and was able to obtain its approvals even though the parking is insufficient under the zoning code. So, if you think the street parking situation is untenable for the neighbors now, just wait.
ReplyDeletePanic in the streets! Oh no! People might actually shop and the new Giant and frighteningly drive, too. I don't think anyone takes any of this big, bad anti-Giant hysteria seriously anymore.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about the street parking. The DC government said that they are considering zoning the streets in the area of the development for 24/7 residential permit parking. So if Cathedral Commons built less parking than what is required, then that will be their problem and the problem of their commercial tenants. Grocery and restaurant patrons can always come by bus or walk.
ReplyDelete"Grocery and restaurant patrons can always come by bus or walk." Virtually no one with a family of one, two, or three children can or will do their weekly grocery shopping using the bus or walking. That is neither feasible, nor realistic. Look at any other Giant, or Safeway or Whole Foods -- free, convenient parking is essential to a grocery store. To the extent that the new Giant becomes a "destination" store, rather than one serving the immediate community, it will increase not only the parking demand, but increase traffic on the local streets.
ReplyDelete"The DC government said that they are considering zoning the streets in the area of the development for 24/7 residential permit parking."
ReplyDeleteNot happening -- certainly not to forbid all non-residential parking. Can you imagine life if ANY visitor to your home, repair person, etc. -- had to obtain a temporary parking permit even for a five minute visit? Any residential parking program must make allowance for temporary parking without a permit, and two hours appears to be the minimum amount that is feasible. Thus, there will be no effective way to prevent retail customers from parking temporarily on neighborhood streets.