The NorThwesT CurreNT
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Panel adopts proposed D.C. constitution
Rock Creek slated for roadway, trail updates
RED, WHITE AND BLuE
■ Transportation: Cycling
advocates applaud proposal
By CuNEYT DIL
Current Correspondent
The D.C. Statehood Commission signed off on an amended constitution for the prospective state of New Columbia last week, but more changes can be expected when the document moves to the D.C. Council in the fall. The five-member statehood panel approved a constitution that creates a 21-member legislative body, an amendment Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced following popular demand after early drafts stuck to the D.C. Council’s current 13 seats. After much public discussion, the commission settled on the name New Columbia, as approved by voters in 1982. The document includes the U.S. Bill of Rights and largely retains most institutions from D.C.’s Home Rule Act. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, who serves on the Statehood Commission, said afterward that the council will treat the constitution as any other piece of legislation, with hearings planned See Statehood/Page 5
By MARK LIEBERMAN Current Staff Writer
Lovers of the outdoors have long called for major improvements to a four-mile stretch of the Rock Creek Trail that extends from Broad Branch Road NW near Chevy Chase to P Street NW in Georgetown. But the project, which also includes rebuilding a section of Beach Drive, has been delayed numerous times, due to the complex array of stakeholders who weighed in. But now the project is almost
ready to proceed, with National Park Service hoping to begin later this summer or soon after, spokesperson Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles told The Current Friday. The goal of the project is a “complete rehabilitation” of the trail and roadway, the latter of which was built in the late 1800s to promote access to Rock Creek Park, according to Anzelmo-Sarles. More than 12 million commuters utilize Beach Drive yearly, and the road hasn’t been reconstructed since the early 1990s, meaning its 20-year lifespan has long since expired, she said. The Park Service declined to comment further on project See Trail/Page 7
Oregon Avenue project set to kick off early next year
Brian Kapur/The Current
The Crestwood Citizens Association hosted its annual Fourth of July parade Monday morning. Children decorated their bikes and scooters for the event, and Ward 4 D.C. Council member Brandon Todd made an appearance.
■ Chevy Chase: Nearby
work to exacerbate impact By MARK LIEBERMAN Current Staff Writer
Tenley ANC praises two planned projects By MARK LIEBERMAN Current Staff Writer
Two major building projects in Tenleytown earned favorable comments from neighborhood leaders at a meeting last month, despite some community concerns about specific design and amenities plans. Urban Investment Partners purchased three properties from previous owner American University for $45 million in February. Residents offered feedback on plans for two of those sites — 4000 Brandywine St. NW and a combination 4620-4626 Wisconsin Ave. NW — at the June 9 meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3E (American University
Vol. XLIX, No. 27
Serving Chevy Chase, Colonial Village, Shepherd Park, Brightwood, Crestwood, Petworth & 16th Street Heights
Rendering courtesy of UIP
Located at 4620-4626 Wisconsin Ave. NW, the proposed building would include housing and retail.
Park, Friendship Heights, Tenleytown). The developer will present updated designs for the 4000 Brandywine project at the July 14 meeting of ANC 3E. On Wisconsin Avenue, the developer plans to consolidate
three existing buildings as part of one 90-foot-tall, mixed-use structure with 157 apartments and 13,000 square feet of retail space. The development team presented revisions to previously publicized designs last month, following some negative community feedback at an ANC 3E meeting in May. The most significant changes included a courtyard area between the southern edge of the building and the adjacent Tenley View at 4600 Wisconsin Ave. NW; an extra structure that fills in a gap on the side of the building on the seventh and eighth floors; and an altered design in the back of the building to increase its aesthetic appeal See Tenley/Page 2
The long-delayed reconstruction of Oregon Avenue NW in Chevy Chase is inching closer to its start date, but other projects in the same area could cause conflicts. The multi-year design process on the 1.8-mile project — which covers the full length of Oregon from Military Road to Western Avenue NW as well as one block of Western from 31st Street to Oregon — is supposed to be completed this summer, with two years of construction expected to begin early next year. Proposals for major upgrades to deteriorating pavements, uneven roadways, inadequate stormwater drainage and subpar visibility have received extensive review from numerous stakeholders including the National Park Service, Rock Creek Conservancy, the D.C. Historic Preservation
Brian Kapur/The Current
The Oregon Avenue NW project will smooth out the deteriorating roadway and improve drainage.
Office and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. But D.C. Department of Transportation program manager Paul Hoffman told residents last week that the effort is facing unexpected challenges from two nearby projects: a DC Water sewer replacement project and a Park Service reconstruction of Beach Drive NW. Plans for coordinating with those agencies haven’t been finalized, but Hoffman said the goal is to minimize inconvenience to residents and passersby. See Oregon/Page 5
NEWS
SPORTS
SHERWOOD
INDEX
Presidential Scholars
D.C. lacrosse shines
Imperfect Fourth
Calendar/16 Classifieds/22 District Digest/4 Exhibits/17 In Your Neighborhood/14 Northwest Passages/10
Pair of students at Wilson, GDS among this year’s recipients of national award / Page 3
Gonzaga, Visitation lacrosse stars make an impact at All-America games / Page 11
Independence Day reminds us of shameful lack of full rights for Washingtonians / Page 8
Opinion/8 Police Report/6 Real Estate/13 Service Directory/20 Sports/11 Week Ahead/3
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