Big GDS news

[Anonymous]

Cathedral Commons is much taller, uniform and appears to encroach on the sidewalk. The former configuration was hardly charming but there was a lot more skylight available. GDS is not just a school any more, it's a real estate developer. That brings with it serious reputational burdens that threaten to overwhelm it's espoused narrative of an instituion rooted in social justice.

[Anonymous]

As noted before, this proposal is disgustingly excessive and greedy. It has indeed become the new GDS-- the Greedy Developer School.

[Anonymous]

If GDS develops the site densely and builds high, it may become economically feasible for some of the units to be affordable. Isn't thst furthering social justice?

[Anonymous]

High-rise elevator buildings are relatively expensive to build and have a lower inclusionary zoning requirement. If GDS's goal were to build affordable units, then a matter-of-right project with walk-up units above the retail would be the way to go.

But we all know this isn't a social justice project -- it's a revenue generation scheme. And shame on you 15:07 if you are in any way associated with GDS -- you're making a mockery of the school's values.

[Anonymous]

This made me LOL.

Anonymous wrote:High-rise elevator buildings are relatively expensive to build and have a lower inclusionary zoning requirement. If GDS's goal were to build affordable units, then a matter-of-right project with walk-up units above the retail would be the way to go.

But we all know this isn't a social justice project -- it's a revenue generation scheme. And shame on you 15:07 if you are in any way associated with GDS -- you're making a mockery of the school's values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:High-rise elevator buildings are relatively expensive to build and have a lower inclusionary zoning requirement. If GDS's goal were to build affordable units, then a matter-of-right project with walk-up units above the retail would be the way to go.

But we all know this isn't a social justice project -- it's a revenue generation scheme. And shame on you 15:07 if you are in any way associated with GDS -- you're making a mockery of the school's values.

I see no mockery and no contradiction of the school's historical values. I think what many in DC figure out is that it is possible to lead a good life and make a good living. Why can't the school both do good and do well? Again, a win-win, for GDS certainly, but also for DC. DC may get some affordable housing units, more tax revenue and a vibrant, upscale, dense streetscape where today it is a tired, blah area.

[Anonymous]

What's good for GDS is good for America.

[Anonymous]

I think Cathedral Commons is a massive improvement over what was there. Further, there are taller buildings across the street and to the north. To say that these new buildings are too tall or out of context with the surroundings is laughable.

If anything, the airspace over the grocery store should have had more density on it, rather than keeping it at 2 stories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

GDS' students don't just come from DC. Many come from Montgomery County and having the lower and middle schools near Wisconsin and River makes them much more convenient for MoCo families.

That is a selling point for the neighbors who get to breath their car exhaust fumes and deal with the additional street traffic.

Why not move the school out to he burbs if it's catering to The Potomac crowd. In my day GDS was filled with dc-based kids

Don't forget that the consolidated campus plan will put all divisions of the school within 2 blocks of a red line Metro station.

What if, as part of the project approval, they add "GDS" to the name of the Tenley Metro stop? That would be stromg ,green-friendly message to the school community to use public transportation and would also raise GDS' profile as a key institution in the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Cathedral Commons is a massive improvement over what was there. Further, there are taller buildings across the street and to the north. To say that these new buildings are too tall or out of context with the surroundings is laughable.

If anything, the airspace over the grocery store should have had more density on it, rather than keeping it at 2 stories.

I heard that most of the people who are going to live there are rich AU students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Cathedral Commons is a massive improvement over what was there. Further, there are taller buildings across the street and to the north. To say that these new buildings are too tall or out of context with the surroundings is laughable.

If anything, the airspace over the grocery store should have had more density on it, rather than keeping it at 2 stories.

That would have been a lot of density for a location that is a mile's walk to the nearest metro. You're not helping GDS' case by suggesting that nearby development on Wisconsin Ave. is too little!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

GDS' students don't just come from DC. Many come from Montgomery County and having the lower and middle schools near Wisconsin and River makes them much more convenient for MoCo families.

That is a selling point for the neighbors who get to breath their car exhaust fumes and deal with the additional street traffic.

Why not move the school out to he burbs if it's catering to The Potomac crowd. In my day GDS was filled with dc-based kids

Don't forget that the consolidated campus plan will put all divisions of the school within 2 blocks of a red line Metro station.

What if, as part of the project approval, they add "GDS" to the name of the Tenley Metro stop? That would be stromg ,green-friendly message to the school community to use public transportation and would also raise GDS' profile as a key institution in the neighborhood.

Isn't it the Janney, Wilson, Deal, and Sidwell stop as well?

[Anonymous]

I don't see the cadre of under 7th graders using the metro with, or without their parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Cathedral Commons is a massive improvement over what was there. Further, there are taller buildings across the street and to the north. To say that these new buildings are too tall or out of context with the surroundings is laughable.

If anything, the airspace over the grocery store should have had more density on it, rather than keeping it at 2 stories.

Agreed - a VAST improvement! Can we discuss the bizarre circular-shaped PNC bank which was built in the 70s and looked like a temporary structure at best... seriously what was that structure?? The other buildings (including the Sullivan's & Starbucks) were seedy and outdated and not interesting. As a neighbor we are thrilled to finally have a full-service Giant-- LONG overdue. (Can't wait for Roku!)

[Anonymous]

LOL! Cult of the new, I guess. The circular, heavily-branded Giant entrance is just as ugly as the PNC bank was. And the architecture of the rest of the retail strip is emphatically "not interesting."