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VMP Submits Revised Building Designs

In preparation for our upcoming hearing on September 29th and in response to questions raised at our last hearing, VMP provided additional information to the Zoning Commission on Monday. During the last hearing, the Commission requested additional information on, or restudy of, the height of the Healthcare Facility; the loading facilities for the multifamily/grocery store; proposed traffic mitigation measures; and additional information on the timing and scope of public benefits and amenities.

As detailed in the images below, revisions to the PUD include a reduction of the western wing building height of the Medical Office Building from 130 feet to 115 feet. To maintain the architectural aesthetic of the overall design, the clearance height of the projecting bay on the north and south facades of the east wing was raised, thereby reducing the size of the eastern building as well. To further sustain the design intent, the building peripheral was also adapted on all sides of the western and eastern wings, which is visible in the second image. The net effect of these changes is an overall reduction of 25,000 square feet of gross floor area.

Revision 2   Revision 1

With regards to the multifamily/grocery, the street level design of Evarts Street was further refined to ensure a safe and attractive experience for pedestrians. One curb cut along the street was eliminated, while combining the trash and service space for the residential and grocery store uses. The two relatively small changes resulted in significant enhancements to the street level elevation. First, new flexible space is now available at the eastern end of the building with new windows spanning approximately 55 feet of the ground floor to further activate the streetscape along Evarts Street. Second, the loading bay opening is now divided into two sections separated by a column, producing a more articulated rhythm to the ground floor façade. Both changes are illustrated in the renderings below.

13085_082014_view_H6e_screen   13085_082014_view_H9_screen

The full submittal is available for download.

A Message from Anne Corbett

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You’ve probably received a door knock, a phone call, an email, or seen a Facebook post or Tweet about the upcoming Zoning Commission Hearings that begin tonight. We’ve worked with our dedicated supporters to do all of this because these hearings are a MAKE OR BREAK moment for the project.  Tonight’s hearing is the first of four zoning hearings that will help determine whether the VMP plan for McMillan will move forward.

If you haven’t already, please click here to commit to attend at least one of our four Zoning Hearings, starting TONIGHT May 1st and also, May 5th, 8th, and 13th. The Commission will factor the community’s support and presence at the hearings when they make their decision.
Whether or not you can join us tonight or at any of the other hearings, it is also very important that you let the Zoning Commission know you support the VMP plan for McMillan.

Please click here to email the Commission and let them know that you support a plan for a beautiful 8-acre park, much needed grocery store for the community, state of the art community center with a pool and thousands of jobs.

Your work with us over the last 7 years has helped to make this project what it is today. Now we need your help to see it through.

Please join us tonight and on May 5th, 8th, and 13th and make it clear that the VMP plan for McMillan is the community plan for McMillan!

Sincerely,


Anne Corbett
Vision McMillan Partners
www.envisionmcmillan.com

Hearing dates and times:

May 1, 2014 (Thursday) 6:00 p.m. – Stage 1 Master Plan, Open Spaces and Parks, and Community Center (Parcels 6 and 7)

May 5, 2014 (Monday) 6:00 p.m. –   Multi-Family/Retail Building (Parcel 4) and Townhouses (Parcel 5)

May 8, 2014 (Thursday) 6:00 p.m. – Healthcare Facility (Parcel 1)

May 13, 2014 (Tuesday) 6:00 p.m. – Continuation hearing (if needed)

All PUD hearings will be at held at:
Jerrily R. Kress Memorial Hearing Room
441 4th Street, N.W., Suite 220-South
Washington, D.C. 20001

P.S. If you haven’t seen it, now is a good time to check out the Vision Video.

One week away…

South Service CourtNorth Service CourtCommunity Center PoolCommunity ParkThis is it.  The time to show up and state your support is now.

The Zoning Commission hearings for McMillan are only one week away. The first will be next Thursday, May 1st, with subsequent hearings May 5th, 8th and 13th.  Fenced off and closed to the public since the 1940’s, the approval of VMP’s master plan by the zoning commission is a pivotal step in transforming the 25-acre McMillan site into a neighborhood asset, sustainably integrated into the surrounding community

The final master plan for McMillan has been a long time in the making.  Through a collaborative engagement process starting in the fall of 2007, the plan has evolved significantly to become a master plan built on community consensus.  Buildings now cover only a third of the site.  Nearly half of the total site area is reserved for large public open spaces, including an 8-acre park, which will be one of the best-designed public spaces in the District.  A 17,000 SF public community center provide recreation and fitness opportunities for all, as well as a 25 meter indoor swimming pool.  All historic buildings on the site will be preserved, with some adapted for new uses – small business incubators, outdoor cafes, water features, art displays, hanging gardens and more.

The master plan will provide much needed neighborhood serving retail, including a 50,000 SF full-service grocery store.  The new McMillan provides housing opportunities for all, with at least 20% of total housing units affordable to families making up to 80% AMI.  In addition to the the built elements, redevelopment of McMillan will result in $1.2 billion in new tax revenue over the next 30 years, while generating 3,200 permanent jobs and 3,000 new construction jobs.

In order for all of these things to come to fruition, we need you to engage now.  It is critical to let the Zoning Commission know how you feel about the project both before and at the hearings.   Please submit a letter of support to the commission and then commit to attending a hearing in support of VMP’s master plan for McMillan.