Nwe 08 10 2016

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The NorThwesT CurreNT

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Vol. XLIX, No. 32

Serving Chevy Chase, Colonial Village, Shepherd Park, Brightwood, Crestwood, Petworth & 16th Street Heights

Wardman project faces opposition

BUFFALO SOLDIERS

By CUNEYT DIL

Current Correspondent

Woodley Park’s neighborhood groups say there’s little enthusiasm for a redevelopment of Wardman Park that would bring 120 residential units in the near future — with four other residential buildings envisioned long term. Under the plan for the 16-acre complex, the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel would eventually be

demolished — it’s unclear when — to clear the way for four residential buildings. Before that, the first phase of the project is tentatively scheduled to begin construction in 2018, with an eight-story apartment building at 2660 Woodley Road NW. Developer JBG Cos. debuted its plans in March, and has argued that the large increase in density makes sense for the sprawling, transitoriented site. But many neighbors,

are mobilizing in opposition. JBG filed separate applications with the Zoning Commission in June laying out the two-part project that requires a patch of land to be rezoned for denser development. In response, last month Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3C took a hard stance: The application should not even be set down for a hearing at the Zoning Commission. ANC 3C (Cleveland Park, MassaSee Wardman/Page 13

New pedestrian traffic signals win praise By MARK LIEBERMAN Current Staff Writer

Brian Kapur/The Current

The 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association “Buffalo Soldiers” presented a living history program at the Rock Creek Nature Center on Saturday. Children could ride a horse, hear talks about history and view artifacts.

A recent D.C. Department of Transportation initiative to improve pedestrian safety at some of the city’s most dangerous intersections has been effective and well-received so far, neighborhood leaders say. The latest phase of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Vision Zero campaign to end transportation-related fatalities in the city by 2024 involves adding crosswalk signals and other related enhancements at 21 intersections, including 10 in Northwest. Some crosswalks required a new traffic signal, while others needed a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk signal, also known as a “HAWK,” or a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), according to the Transportation Department. At a HAWK signal, drivers get a red light after a pedestrian pushes a button; unlike at a conventional traffic signal, motorists soon see a flashing red that See Signals/Page 12

Brian Kapur/The Current

The intersection of Georgia Avenue and Sheridan Street NW, one of 21 sites citywide with recent safety upgrades, received new stoplights.

Program helps students expand global horizons

Preservation board critiques Walter Reed project concept

By MARK LIEBERMAN

■ Development: Members

Current Staff Writer

Abigail Koerner has been studying Chinese in school for more than seven years. During middle school, she took a trip to China and fell even more in love with the language. When the opportunity to return to the Asian country came earlier this summer, she couldn’t pass it up. The first time Koerner went, she spent money she’d earned from babysitting on a trip that took her to most of the “tourist-y” areas. This time, she wanted to go deeper. “Instead of just being 13 and put on a plane to China, I was 17 and really ready to see things in a more mature way, having a deeper understanding of the world we live in and taking a more global perspective,” said Koerner, a Woodley Park resident and

seek greater link to the past By MARK LIEBERMAN Photo courtesy of Melvin Saravia

School Without Walls student Melvin Saravia, seen here in France, took part in D.C. Public Schools’ study abroad program this summer.

rising senior at Wilson High School. “It’s a privilege to go on this trip.” Nearly 400 other students from across the city got to experience a similar privilege this summer through the D.C. Public Schools Global Education program, which let all students in eighth and 11th grades apply See Abroad/Page 5

Current Staff Writer

Plans to redevelop the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center faced some concern from the Historic Preservation Review Board Thursday, as board members worried that the project could obscure the site’s past. Developers including Urban Atlantic and Hines are working to convert 66 acres of the property at 6800 Georgia Ave. NW into “The

Parks at Walter Reed,” a vibrant community with residences, retail and office space, public buildings and parks. The project team has already received zoning approval for the plans, and construction is scheduled to begin later this year, Joaquin McPeek of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development said yesterday. But first, the team will continue to engage in an iterative process of presenting, critiquing, revising and refining its overall design approach to the complex project, which encompasses the Walter Reed Historic District and thereSee Walter Reed/Page 13

NEWS

SPORTS

SHERWOOD

INDEX

Hotel project

Steel Frog

Ugly exit

Calendar/16 Classifieds/22 District Digest/4 Exhibits/17 Getting Around/15 In Your Neighborhood/14

Developers of M Street Latham site reach accord over roof deck concerns / Page 2

Former Maret football star Sean Davis is now standing out at Pittsburgh’s camp / Page 9

Orange’s resignation capped off a troubled period for the veteran D.C. Council member/ Page 6

Opinion/6 Police Report/8 Real Estate/11 Service Directory/20 Sports/9 Week Ahead/3

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