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Q: Besides attending the meetings, how can I provide my opinions about the project?
A: Press the “CONTACT US” link at the bottom of the pages on this website, or you can address your comments directly to:
Sharon Robinson
Public Relations Consultant
Wisconsin Avenue Giant
3421 14th Street, NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20010
202-494-5338
Huesrose@aol.com
Q: During what hours of the day will trucks make deliveries?
A: Deliveries will be similar to existing patterns on the site and in the surrounding community. A truck management plan will be developed through discussions with the community to ensure that deliveries are done in a way that respects the residential community’s need for peace and quiet. This truck management plan will then likely be adopted by the Zoning Commission as a condition of its PUD approval.
Q: Why does Idaho have to be loaded with more traffic and noise? We will have trucks, two-way traffic, busses, police, etc. plus, a loading entrance?
A: Our traffic study indicates that the traffic generated by the project will have a negligible impact on Idaho Avenue. Features like a truck management plan and noise and visual buffering will further mitigate these impacts.
Q: Why must the whole complex be approved now? Can't we figure out the Giant first?
A: The renovation and expansion of the Giant in to a state-of-the-art grocery with fresh produce, fish, prepared meals, and so on is made possible by the development of the rest of the property. Moreover, the additional residential, retail and commercial features will enhance the shopping experience at the Giant itself.
Q: The big "Giant" red letters. . .please don't light these at night. People who live in nearby apts. can't sit on their balconies & keep curtains open. People will see the store without night lights.
A: Some members of the community have expressed an interest in preserving the neon “Giant” letters, which they consider to be a trademark feature that identifies the store. We will speak with management about managing the hours and intensity of the illumination.
Q: Can the bus route avoid Idaho Ave?
A: We met with WMATA to discuss the bus routes around the PUD site. WMATA indicates that they intend to continue to use Idaho Avenue for its bus routes.
Q: As a resident of 38th St., I am concerned about traffic mitigation. Where will the traffic lights be? Will there be a signal on Massachusetts & 38th Street, on Woodley & Massachusetts or on Macomb & Massachusetts?
A: We are currently working with DDOT to analyze existing traffic speeds and volume on 38th Street to determine what measures, if any, will be required. Concerns about traffic on 38th Street were raised and discussed at a meeting we attended at DDOT along with representatives of ANC 3C. No new traffic signals are proposed along Massachusetts Avenue.
Q: Integrate the expensive town house into the existing residential neighborhood, not as an island onto itself.
A: We revised the site plan to move the loading entrance off Idaho Avenue to the north, adjacent to the proposed townhouses and further away from the existing residential neighborhood. The townhouses will read as a part of the pattern of single-family residential development along Idaho Avenue. The loading entrance cannot be moved further to the north because of the changes in grade on the site.
Q: Before trucks start coming through for either construction or loading the stores, several of our narrower streets MUST be widened (38th, for example, is completely impossible in one direction when a moving van arrives).
A: Construction and delivery traffic will access the PUD site along the streets recommended by
DDOT, which are existing roadways that are wide enough to accommodate them. We will develop both a Construction Management Plan and a Truck Management Plan that will provide additional guidelines for both construction traffic and regular deliveries once the project is completed.
Q: I have concerns about the scale of the Giant store. This seems far bigger than a neighborhood store - bigger than Whole Foods. It seems that an urban supermarket should follow an urban (rather than a suburban) model.
A: The Giant will continue to serve the immediate neighborhood. The scale of the planned Giant supermarket is in keeping with the population density it is designed to serve and directly responds to the requests from many residents for an improved store with greater selection and enhanced features.
Q: Why don't you put a model of the development and some large pictures in the existing Giant along with a place to deposit comments. Put out the website for more info & comments. The silent majority needs to be heard from. If space is a limitation why not open a section of Murphy's on Saturday mornings (10-2) to gather input from the public.
A: Thank you for this suggestion. We will work to implement it.
Q: While we applaud many aspects of the latest plan, as a resident of 38th St, I am concerned about the entrance on 38th Street because the density of the project may increase traffic on 38th Street and will adversely impact the residential character of the neighborhood. As you know, an earlier version of the project did not have a 38th Street entrance. As I recall, concerns were raised about the pedestrian entrance on 38th Street. However, the vehicle entrance is a serious problem for me and many of my 38th Street neighbors. Solution: (1) eliminate 38th Street entrance, or (2) move entrance to right of way next to 2 Amys (?), or (3) make 38th Street a one way entrance only while keeping Newark Street both an entrance and exit.
A: The proposed entrance and exit from 38th Street was added based on community input and we feel that it enhances the overall planning of the site. Also, concerns about the perceived impact of the PUD on 38th Street have been discussed with DDOT and ANC 3C, and we are working with DDOT to study and analyze the existing conditions and proposed impact of the 38th Street entrance. DDOT has indicated preliminary support for two-way access at this entrance, but has asked us to analyze the benefits and drawbacks of restricting this entrance to one-way traffic only. We are currently doing this analysis.
Q: Will there be a charge for parking in the garage? If so, how much?
A: There will be no charge for parking in the garage.
Q: How will you ensure that there is sufficient parking for shoppers when your flats are going to use some of them?
A: We took this in to consideration as we planned the number of parking spaces. The South Parcel contains 396 parking spaces and only 14 flats. Even if every resident has a car and parks it all day, the South Parcel will still have an ample 382 spaces available for shoppers.
Q: I'm concerned about the impact on Wisconsin Avenue traffic and trucks double parking to load on the North Parcel. You are planning only 2 loading berths in the North Parcel rather than the 3 berths and 2 service/delivery spaces required. Please explain.
A: There will be no need to double park to load on the North Parcel. The proposed loading berths will provide trucks with a convenient off-street location to load and unload. Much of the truck traffic serving the retail uses are the same trucks that will provide deliveries to the residential units proposed for the site (e.g. FedEx, UPS,
USPS). The additional truck trips attributable to the apartments will be primarily for move-in and move-out, which is a periodic occurrence, not a regular one, and can be coordinated by the apartment management.
Q: (1) I asked for roof top parking, which was dismissed. Whole Foods has done it successfully, why can't you make the green roof smaller? (2) Can we reduce the size of the planned Giant so we can keep our local retailers like the flower store?
A: (1) We have proposed the use of skylights on the roof over the sales floor to provide natural light as one of the numerous sustainable features of the project, which is in keeping with Stop & Shop/Giant’s commitment to sustainability. The slope of the site actually makes the construction of below-grade parking a more innovative and appropriate design solution. (2) A larger supermarket incorporates a wider variety of products for the convenience of its customers but can’t and won’t replace the character and quality of the small neighborhood retailers in the area, like the flower shop. We fully expect Giant shoppers to frequent other retailers on and near the site as a part of their shopping trip. This will result in a better Giant, which attracts more customers to the grocery and encourages more residents to use surrounding neighborhood retailers.
Q: Will Giant seek LEED certification for the retail and residential projects?
A: Stop & Shop/Giant has taken the lead among retailers in sustainability, and we will commit to reach a certain level of sustainability as a condition of PUD approval. We continue to refine the project’s design and will track the number of LEED points that we achieve and provide examples of some of the project’s innovative and beneficial low-impact features. Our sustainable commitment will likely not include certification itself, but rather a commitment to achieve a certain level of sustainability that will be verified by District approvals.
Q: Why do you need such a large store? The existing
store has no variety in its product offering - only one type of
each product.
A: We’ve heard loud and clear from the majority of the community that more variety and services are very important. The purpose of the redevelopment of the Giant is precisely to increase the variety in our product offerings and to provide additional services such as prepared foods.
Q: I support Stop & Shop's investment in our neighborhood & look forward to your rebuilding an excellent grocery store & whatever money-making retail/residential building you can put in place to make your investment work for you. Being able to walk to the grocery would benefit all of my neighbors, even those who are worried about traffic & driving in the neighborhood, while they drive and park in other neighborhoods and shop!
A: We agree! Thank you.
Q: How long is the project going to take to finish? What is your target date for completion? Won't our tax base increase? And foot traffic?
A: Once the Zoning Commission approves the PUD, we anticipate it will take about 3 years to complete construction of the entire project. One of the benefits of new development is that it increases the value of the redeveloped site, adds to the tax base and therefore increases the tax dollars paid to the District from the site. We hope it will increase foot traffic. Generally, neighborhood-serving retail and the associated increase in pedestrian traffic enhance the desirability of a residential location, enliven the community, and act as a deterrent to crime.
Q: I applaud and support your company for this thoughtful and creative proposal and support it. I live on Macomb Street. I regret the citizen obstruction, which stopped the original Giant proposal and will do what I can to support its passage by the Zoning Commission. Good luck!
A: We appreciate your support. Thank you for participating in the process with us and please stay involved for now, you can let your elected ANC representatives know that you support the project.
Q: Traffic will double or more and that, on its face, is unacceptable.
A: Traffic will not double on area streets. The PUD will add 539 weekday PM peak hour trips, and 550 Saturday mid-day peak hour trips, compared to the existing Giant and other occupied and vacant retail stores. More than a third of these trips will be “pass-by” trips that already are on Wisconsin Avenue and other area streets. The additional new trips will be distributed among the multiple project driveways and the public street network. Traffic on Wisconsin Avenue, Macomb Street, Newark Street, and Porter Street would increase by only 2 to 15 percent during peak hours.
Q: Traffic calming should be proposed before the project is presented for
PUD.
A: DDOT has established policies and procedures for evaluating and implementing traffic calming measures that include
DDOT, the community, and the applicant (in this case Giant). Giant has discussed the concerns about traffic calming with DDOT and representatives of ANC 3C, and has agreed to conduct speed and volume studies in September 2008 to identify locations where traffic calming measures may be appropriate, and to commit funds to implement such measures if they should be necessary. DDOT concurs that specific measures should actually be implemented during or after construction of the PUD when the actual impact of the project can be evaluated.
Q: How much square footage is on the site today, what is being proposed and what was agreed to in the Letter Agreement a number of years ago?
A: On the South Parcel today is the existing Giant (which is only 18,500 square feet in size), the vacant G.C. Murphy store and space once occupied by a handful of small retailers. This totals 64,900 square feet. In addition, there are 233 parking spaces.
The Letter Agreement signed in May 2002 between Giant, the Cleveland Park Citizens Association and the Office of Planning, envisioned the site occupied by a Giant supermarket of 64,760 square feet, with an undetermined number of parking spaces.
Today, a user- and neighborhood-friendly supermarket is Giant’s goal. The size of the proposed supermarket has been reduced from that envisioned in the Letter Agreement to allow other uses that address the needs of the community. Specifically, the current proposal for the South Parcel envisions a
56,000 square foot Giant supermarket along with small retail shops and “flex” office space
that add an additional 42,000 square feet. The supermarket is served by a loading area beneath the store. In total, approximately 400 parking spaces will be provided on this parcel for all of the retail uses proposed on both the South and North parcels. In addition, 8 townhouses are proposed along Idaho Avenue. The townhouses each have individual garages accessed from the alley behind.
On the North Parcel today, there is approximately 50,000 square feet of commercial development, on two levels plus a basement. The current proposal includes street level retail totaling
approximately 34,000 square feet with 124 residential units anticipated on four upper floors. Parking for the retail will be provided on the South Parcel while parking for the residential units will be provided below the building on the North Parcel.
In total, the proposed project will contain approximately 136,500 square feet of retail space and 140-150 residential units.
Q: Does Stop & Shop own both sites?
A: Stop & Shop/Giant does own both sites and will be pursuing Site Plan Approval for a project that encompasses both.
Q: Will this be a Giant or a Stop & Shop?
A: This store will continue to be a Giant supermarket when it reopens. Stop & Shop Supermarkets operates two divisions. In this region, the stores are known under the banner of Giant Food Stores. The name Stop & Shop is used for the company’s stores throughout New England and the New York tri-state area.
Q: What kind of shops do you anticipate?
A: We anticipate that the small stores in the new project will be very much like those that are in the area today: neighborhood focused service and convenience uses and restaurants. In fact, a number of the existing tenants may remain, relocated into new space.
Q: What will happen to the second floor commercial space on the North Parcel?
A: Based on input from the public earlier in the process, we added second story commercial space on the South Parcel. This will allow the project to accommodate the kinds of tenants that are part of the community fabric but that don't need prime street level shops.
Q: Is there a way you can keep rents affordable for some of the tenants?
A: As we move forward, we will explore opportunities for being able to offer lower rents to some tenants.
Q: Do you know what type of housing there will be and how many units?
A: Several sizes of housing units and price points will be offered, providing a variety of options for prospective residents. Eight townhouses and
14 residential units (above the retail on Newark Street) are proposed for the South Parcel. On the North Parcel, there are 124 dwelling units proposed on four levels above the street level retail. It has not been determined whether these will be for sale or for rent.
Q: How much parking will there be? Will the parking for the residential be reserved?
A: Approximately 400 parking spaces will be provided on the South Parcel to support the retail uses on both parcels and the
14 flats above the Newark Street retail. The 8 townhouses on the South Parcel have their own parking. On the North Parcel, parking is provided beneath the building to satisfy the parking needs of the residential units above.
Q: Will parking be free to the public?
A: The bulk of the parking on the South Parcel will be free and open to the public. Some of it will be set aside for exclusive use by residents of the proposed housing.
Q: How many vehicle entrances/exits will there be into/out of the parking area?
A: During our first meeting with members of the community in which a prior plan was discussed, we heard concern about the single entrance/exit from the parking garage that would serve customers and residents, and the trucks that service the stores. We thus modified the plan to incorporate a second vehicular access drive that aligns with 38th Street so the South Parcel will be served by two driveways in and out, one from Newark and one from 38th Street. The service/loading area has been separated entirely from customer access.
While all parking was located on the South Parcel in the original concept plan, residents on the North Parcel will park under their own building in the current plan.
Q: If you park in the garage and want to shop, where do you come out?
A: There are several ways to get from the garage to the shops and offices above. From the upper parking level, an inclinator provides access directly into the Giant supermarket. (An inclinator is like a moving sidewalk for people and carts, but it travels at an incline to make the connection to an upper level.) In addition, two elevators travel from both parking levels directly into the supermarket.
For patrons of the other shops, the “flex” office space and the housing, a vertical circulation core, which contains stairs and an elevator, connects both levels of parking to Newark Street. A second circulation core connects the lower level of parking to Wisconsin Avenue at the “flex” office space lobby.
Q: How can pedestrians access the Giant supermarket?
A: Pedestrian access to the store will occur from Newark Street, from Wisconsin Avenue, from 38th Street through the parking garage and from Idaho Avenue, via a sidewalk and stair that connect to the parking area beneath the store.
Q: What is the timeframe of this project?
A: The Site Plan Approval application was submitted to the District of Columbia Zoning Commission on May 16, 2008. The District’s review and approval process typically takes 6-9 months. Stop
& Shop/Giant plans to start construction in 2009. The total construction period is expected to last 24-36 months.
Q: Will the store continue to operate during construction?
A: Giant tries to keep stores open during expansion or rebuilding. It is unlikely, however, that it will be possible to keep the store open throughout the construction period in this case. If that proves to be true, Giant will make every effort to minimize the amount of time the store is not open and will work to provide access to other Giant stores in the area for those shoppers who rely on the easy access and proximity of this Wisconsin Avenue location.
Q: Will this be phased? What happens to the tenants on the North Parcel today?
A: While it is too early in the process to have prepared construction phasing plans, it is reasonable to assume that the South Parcel, which encompasses the new Giant, will be built out before construction of the North Parcel begins. This would potentially allow tenants of the North Parcel to be relocated – perhaps temporarily – to space on the South Parcel for the duration of construction.
Q: Will you incorporate the existing historic and character-making neon signage into the new project as previously committed by the developer?
A: We understand that the “Giant” sign represents continuity in the neighborhood and carries with it a sense of character that is viewed with affection. As we move forward, we will be exploring ways to possibly re-use the sign within the proposed project.
Q: Do you plan on incorporating quality streetscape materials such as brick pavers, pedestrian scale streetlights, benches, trash containers, bike racks, large-caliper, regularly spaced street trees around the site perimeter?
A: Absolutely! Street-Works is a firm believer in the power of quality streetscape to create a place that is appealing to the community. Our goal is to create a vibrant gathering place at the heart of the local neighborhood.
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