I neglected to publish a recap of the Zoning Commission hearing for Art Place at Fort Totten Block B (it’s sitting in my draft box), but now is a good time to give an update since the developer has submitted its post-hearing statement. The public hearing was held on April 4. The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association was granted party status in support of the project and raised a number of issues for the developer to address. (Disclosure: I currently serve as president of LRCA). You can read LRCA’s testimony here. Two residents presented testimony, primarily concerning traffic and transportation issues (read those here and here), and Casey Trees testified, requesting that the developer keep a number of trees that are slated to be removed for construction. The Zoning commissioners also raised a number of issues, which you can read below and in the developer’s post-hearing statement.

1. Design adjustments to the planned pedestrian bridge.
2. Consider addition of balconies in residential buildings.
3. Provide samples of all building materials.
4. Either incorporate solar panels in the design or show why solar panels cannot be accommodated on the green roofs.
5. Consider whether some design elements are too busy. In particular, the commission recommended facade guidelines for retailers so that they can still be customized but also look like they are part of the same project.
6. Investigate using darker colors for the exterior of the residential buildings because lighter colors tend not to age well over time without extensive maintenance to keep the colors clean and fresh.
7. Make sure consideration is given to how seniors can benefit from the project.
8. Commit to relocating the dog run in the project site as future phases are constructed and Kennedy Street is realigned.
9. Work with community on a retail plan.
10. Consider deeper affordability (both in number of units and income limits) in future phases if total number of housing units exceed the number approved in the original PUD order (around 929).
11. Resolve various issues with DDOT related to the new light signal, and whether the developer can in fact make crosswalk, right of way, and sidewalk improvements near the project site, in particular on 3rd Street, and where Hamilton, Ingraham, and the public alley meet.

Proffered benefits by the developer:

• Seeking LEED Neighborhood Development status
• 15% discounted admission fee for DC residents for Meow Wolf
• 25% discounted admission fee on quarterly basis for Ward 4 & 5 residents to Explore! Children’s Museum
• Commitment to relocate dog run in future phase of project after Kennedy Street realignment 
• For artist/maker spaces, will lease at subsidized rate no more than 50% per square foot what other retail tenants will be charged
• Commitment to having 3 employment open houses for Aldi grocery store in the 4 months prior to opening
• Providing deeper affordability for artist housing to 60% of median family income
• Will pay for installation of bikeshare near site

The circular hub that is the prominent feature of the FEZ design will no longer feature the much discussed “kinetic” facade. Ever since the developer revealed its plans, there has been discussion about what exactly is going on, what materials will be used, whether it would be lit, whether it would disturb nearby residences. So in response the developer has gotten rid of the kinetic elements. Below are updated and more detailed renderings. The Zoning Commission will review the project on May 20.