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

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.

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.

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.