For fun, I've been reading through the Office of Planning's Upper Georgia Avenue Great Streets Redevelopment Plan, released in May of 2008. I'm paying particular attention to the section that deals with Square 2986, aka "the former Curtis Chevrolet Site" and "the site of the proposed Wal-Mart" (the section runs from pages 60 through 65).
Some choice selections that sadly highlight how far away the current proposal is from the Plan's recommendations:
The vision for the Missouri Avenue intersection is to create a walkable, multi-modal neighborhood center that offers superior retail and housing choices within a vibrant public realm.
.....
Improved Retail Offerings: suggestions for additional retail included a movie theater, bookstore, hardware store, child care facility, gym, and sit-down restaurants.
.....
The availability of land, combined with the calculated retail market demand, provides a redevelopment opportunity not found at other sites along the corridor.
.....
The recommended program for the Missouri Avenue area includes restaurant space, a grocery store, an anchor-type retail store, smaller neighborhood-serving retail, and up to 750 new residential units. Accommodating these uses would require a consolidated mixed-use program at the Curtis Chevrolet site or an ambitious scattered site redevelopment initiative.
.....
5900 Block East: The Curtis Chevrolet site, on the east side of the 5900 block of Georgia, has the greatest potential for new development, especially if adjacent parcels can be assembled or
if property owners pursue joint development. The character of the Missouri Avenue area in the future depends on how the site is redeveloped.
.....
Significant redevelopment at the Missouri Avenue opportunity sites will catalyze revitalization throughout the zone and perhaps throughout the corridor. There is a specific set of revitalization strategies that will complement new development and provide short term improvements to the area.
.....
Support Existing Business Organizations. The creation of a thriving neighborhood center can be supported by the work of existing business organizations that provide beautification and business assistance services. The recently established Brightwood Beacon Business Alliance has established a clean team and implemented façade improvement in this zone. It is strongly recommended that funding for façade improvements, business retention programs, clean and safe, and beautification projects be targeted to this zone. As described in the Gateway section, it is also critical to assist existing businesses, particularly west along the 5700 and 5800 blocks, adapt to changing markets and customer bases that often shift with new development. Additional assistance should also be provided to increase the capacity for existing business associations to address the multiple challenges along the corridor. Efforts to coordinate strategies amongst the various Georgia Avenue business associations should also be encouraged through the implementation of this plan.
.....
Stewardship of Historic Resources: The Missouri Avenue area has several structures that may qualify for historic designation; in conjunction with the Brightwood Heritage Trail, this area may become a historic center along the Georgia Avenue corridor. Residents have stressed the importance of balancing the need to preserve historic structures with the need to revitalize the area. This plan encourages the creative adaptive reuse of historic structures in ways that preserve the contributing elements to a structure’s historic character. Designation of
specific historic landmarks should be pursued with the support of the surrounding neighborhoods and elected officials.
No comments:
Post a Comment