The June 11 Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) meeting’s primary focus was the requested Commission’s support of the Stage 2 Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the first phase of The Wharf waterfront development, the area from Seventh Street SW to the parking lot next to the Capital Yacht Club and Jenny’s Asian Fusion. A major project update included the announcement that the planned townhouses on Pier 4 had been removed from the project and the excursion boat pier is now planned to stay in its current location. More details of the Wharf Center performance and meeting center were also shared, and the developers emphasized the space would not be used as a nightclub. Construction is currently planned to start in the first quarter of 2013 with the razing of the former Zanzibar nightclub, with a final project complete date of mid-2016.
Noting that the Deputy Mayor’s Office for Economic Development had only allowed the project developers to release a proposed transition plan to the 94 residents of Gangplank Marina one business day before the meeting, the ANC voted to delay the vote to the Commission’s July 9 meeting to allow the developers and the slipholders time to negotiate an agreement.
The ANC granted its support to the District of Columbia Housing Authority’s request to delay the community center component of the Capper Community for another two years, noting that a lack of approval would delay the construction even further. The community center is now 10 years behind the original Hope VI plans.
The Commission also approved a resolution showing their support of Initiative 70, a grassroots campaign to eliminate corporate contributions to District political campaigns.
Travis Johnson was introduced as the ANC’s new Alcohol Beverages Committee representative, serving Single Member District 6D04, which with January 2013 redistricting will include The Wharf development.
–By Bob Craycraft