BaancBlog

The Convention Center Hotel (CCH) folks gave a briefing on the current state of the development for the Blagden Alley and Naylor Court Association, and others, the evening of June 19, 2008. Bob Neal, lead architect, of the architectural firm of Cooper Carry did the presentation.

It was good. Lots of facts, projections, and the occasional "we don't know, yet" since the planning isn't final. In particular, there is no traffic plan at this point, but it was pointed out that it will obviously have to be done in the near term.

• Within a year: Digging will have started.
• Completion: 2012, if all goes well.
• There will be a website soon. There is no website or handout yet as, quite frankly, things aren't far enough along to have them. But soon.
• 100K FT² meeting space. ("K" here means, 1,000, not 1,024.)
• Uses the existing convention center loading docks, underground. Mostly under Ninth Street between Massachusetts Avenus and L Street already.
• Most meeting space is underground.
• Cars load/unload off Massachusetts Avenue (3 lanes), Buses off L Street.
• Two parking levels, 100% valet.
• Second Floor: Guests. Some meeting rooms. Big atrium. Pools. Weight training.
• The Plumbers Union facade and some structure saved (and prominent in design). Roof used for guest parties/functions. Outdoor dining.
• Fitst level below main floor: Two 100K (?) ball rooms. First level down from that: 300K ball room.
• Will be able to go under Ninth Street to the Convention Center.
• Question from audience: Will the gym be open for public membership? No. Or at least not considered at this point.
• Will the Pepco building be integrated? Or camoflaged? Answer: There have been lots of meetings, but can't really address at the moment.
• Q: There have been rumors of a Ninth Street Metro stop. A: No plans.
• The North Side of L is only part of the PUD (Planned Unit Development), but not part of the briefing.
• Q: Will the buses park and idle on L Street? A: No. Somewhere else.
• Q: What about L Street motorists? A: Traffic plan not done yet, but the plan will be ready by the time of the PUD application.
• Q: The building at Ninth and L? A: Looking at.
• Q: (Si Kailian) Jobs and training? A: $2Mill will be authorized for the training plan. 50% of the jobs will be DC residents.
• Q; How high on the north (L Street) side? A:
• Q; The two/three smaller hotels on the north of L? A: Within about 6 months of the big one.
• There was one of those several block layouts that architects do to place their project in neighborhood context. It was obviously based on maps/photos which did not include the Whitman, the Quincies, and other recent structures. Several folks noticed and commented. The authorities said that would update it.
• Q: Retail? What kind? A: Food mostly. No concrete agreements yet. But stores like Starbucks and a sports bar and a high end restaurant.All accessible from the street. Don't want the hotel restaurant feel. Significant sidewalk presence.
• (Terri Payne) We have three coffee shops and a sports bar right now. Couldn't you add variety?
• Q; Will you work with the new (Hines) development downtown?A: We have talked.
• 400 parking spaces (underground).
• Simply can't address alley closings at this point.