Big GDS news

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The Connecticut Avenue"model" is kind of interesting if you know about Washington city planning, because it was planned with areas of apartment buildings, typically set back from the street with wide lawns, interspersed with districts of low-density retail (think Woodley, Cleveland Park, the area around Politics & Prose and Chevy Chase DC. Really dense "mixed-use" wasn't really part of the equation. The lawns and park-like setting for many of the apartments were so important, that they are considered part of the historic landmark if the buildings are landmarked (as the Kennedy-Warren, Broodmoor and many others are). You see a bit of the Connecticut Avenue "model" with McLean Gardens and the Fannie Mae properties, where buildings are set back with green space. Sidwell Friends and the new GDS campus do (or will) provide more green setback. So, yes, the traditional Connecticut Avenue template is certainly a good one.

They key difference is that Connecticut Avenue has the residential density along the avenue to somewhat support the retail nodes (except for the dying Cleveland Park). Without the same kind of residential density along Wisconsin Avenue, there will never be a fully realized retail environment. I suppose the dead space that GDS will create along Wisconsin Avenue fits the vision of those who oppose change to a tee.

"Dying Cleveland Park"? Someone should tell the landlords that set commercial rents and the homeowners and their agents who price the houses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The Connecticut Avenue"model" is kind of interesting if you know about Washington city planning, because it was planned with areas of apartment buildings, typically set back from the street with wide lawns, interspersed with districts of low-density retail (think Woodley, Cleveland Park, the area around Politics & Prose and Chevy Chase DC. Really dense "mixed-use" wasn't really part of the equation. The lawns and park-like setting for many of the apartments were so important, that they are considered part of the historic landmark if the buildings are landmarked (as the Kennedy-Warren, Broodmoor and many others are). You see a bit of the Connecticut Avenue "model" with McLean Gardens and the Fannie Mae properties, where buildings are set back with green space. Sidwell Friends and the new GDS campus do (or will) provide more green setback. So, yes, the traditional Connecticut Avenue template is certainly a good one.

They key difference is that Connecticut Avenue has the residential density along the avenue to somewhat support the retail nodes (except for the dying Cleveland Park). Without the same kind of residential density along Wisconsin Avenue, there will never be a fully realized retail environment. I suppose the dead space that GDS will create along Wisconsin Avenue fits the vision of those who oppose change to a tee.

It's interesting that the neighborhood retail strip on Connecticut that has the most interesting, diverse and useful mix of retail -- Chevy Chase DC -- has the lowest residential density in the vicinity. The area with the highest residential density -- probably Van Ness -- has had the most lackluster, unstable retail and restaurant history.

[Anonymous]

Van Ness is its own worst enemy of 1970's bravado. That is why it is a failure.

I am not sure why you think Chevy Chase has low density. It has nothing but 9-12 story buildings from Livingston to Nebraska.

[Anonymous]

Well, that's sort of a shame. I thought the plans they had for Safeway were pretty great. Not Clarendon at all, but actually more like a fancy version of the Tenley Hill building. And I think the Cleveland Park Giant complex looks pretty nice. I mean, I'll probably be driving there now to get groceries. The Van Ness Giant is impossible to park in. Whole Paycheck is a joke.

My neighbor says GDS has been difficult, making no effort to curtail shoplifting at the now deceased Safeway. We don't need another astroturf field. I hope the ANC squeezes them for all they've got.

Yeah, GDS is an option for us, but it's not an option for a while. So I am sure it will be more tempting in a few years with a new campus, but I kind of feel like we lost something that would benefit a much larger group of people, including people without kids. We all agree they're people, right? You were one once, yes?

[Anonymous]

GDS kids smoke pot and cigarettes and shoplift? Really? I find that hard to believe.

[Anonymous]

Actually, this proposal is good for folks who oppose change. There won't be any retail or vibrancy on Wisconsin Avenue, so they will like the dustballs flowing on the streets, except around 8:30 and 3:30.

[Anonymous]

Seriously - we are not GDS parents - but could be (just did not like the vibe there). We have two kids ... and I have not heard of smoking cigarettes (perhaps a little pot but not much) and shoplifting in their crowds. They all have plenty of money and have not been raised to be thieves and know what they would risk by getting caught. So it just is not something that this demographic or any of their peers do ... If GDS kids are out shoplifting regularly at the Safeway, it means they have a different world view, mindset, or are trying to make some bizarre point by their behavior. Or are SO addled by their position in life that they think stealing is funny. That's what I am trying to understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have posted already in this thread, but given that there was a plan for a mixed-use store which would have brought new residents and news income tax and property tax to the city that will now be replaced by a voice on Wisconsin Avenue and a removal of very valuable property from the city coffers, I believe this is a negative.

A private school brings nothing of value to the residential community. The school promised in its last variance hearings to share their field with the community as part of an amenity package, yet they never followed through with it despite years of pressing on it. They have, at every turn sought to increase capacity at their schools despite promises not to do so, and they are a really bad neighbor where traffic and parking are concerned. Plus, many are really tired of their upper classmen smoking pot and cigarettes in the residential areas near people's back yards where little kids are playing.

I will be asking the ANC to take a very close look at the proposals when they surface.

Get a life!! And deal with it!! What we do not need is more NIMBY BS!

[Anonymous]

I don't know about GDS as a haven for shoplifting, but everyone smokes pot nowadays. Any kid with an allowance smokes. Maureen Dowd does edibles. I smoked pot half an hour ago.

Cheh's kids went here, so I assume GDS will get what they want. That said, I can't imagine a school would drop $40M on property acquisition without some plan to make it up. I bet the auto lot will be a big tall building and the Safeway will either be a field or a Middle School, and everyone will get their cake.

[Anonymous]

I don't buy that they'll consolidate the schools. St. Albans, Sidwell, and NCS all spent lots of money rebuilding and expanding their athletic capacity. This would leave GDS with roughly the same amount of field space, unless they eliminate 42nd street. And I can't imagine DC allowing them to do that.

[Anonymous]

This is going to be an effing traffic nightmare. Will Container Store and Best Buy survive?

[Anonymous]

Yeah, considering how few basic stores are in the neighborhood, losing a place to buy milk and carrots in walking distance is going to be a big loss. It's amazing how we have a dive shop and twenty frame stores but there's not enough money to keep a supermarket to stay. Or maybe everyone shops at Whole Foods. I thought that was just for kids without tuition payments but, apparently there are two within a mile.

I hope the city does something to make Wisconsin nicer. It's like Seven Corners but without good food.

[Anonymous]

I think this is great news for GDS, but I'm glad I don't live in Tenleytown. That has nothing to do with this purchase, actually.

[Anonymous]

That's one way to get a lunchroom.
They all eat in Safeway...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS kids smoke pot and cigarettes and shoplift? Really? I find that hard to believe.

The Urban Dictionary has your answer: http://bit.ly/1jaDGuE