NoMa Bicycle Network Workshop Hopes to Connect the City

At least 95 Theses were posted describing the
problems and potential of the NoMa corridor
Image: Author
  

The NoMa Bicycle Network Study workshop allowed the public to determine how the cyclists (and pedestrians) will cross the NoMa corridor, which includes several major intersections, a railway viaduct, and an interstate freeway. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) would like public input from now until May 31, 2017 on its interactive website.

As interest in the NoMa section of the District has increased over the last dozen or so years, as has bicycling to and through it. From the installation of the First Street to M Street to the Metropolitan Branch Trail cycle track to the new REI Flagship store, the area has drawn cyclists of all types and abilities.

In its first public workshop focusing exclusively on this corridor, DDOT planners, along with consultants, allowed the public to pitch ideas about what future of cycling should look like based on its pre-existing condition. DDOT presented initial concept board of the corridor showing the current bike infrastructure conditions and comparing it concepts and long-term plans discussed in the MoveDC Bicycle Element and other DDOT plans currently in design or under consideration. This included the long-planned New Jersey Avenue protected bike lanes, a potential New York Avenue trail that extend from the west of Sixth Street NE to infinity and beyond also known as the Arboretum, and an apparent bike / pedestrian bridge over the Center Leg Freeway at L Street.

That blue diagonal line is a “New York Avenue Trail”.
Image: Author

While the MoveDC initiative proposed expansive, it did appear to leave a gap in the bicycling network in NoMa. Part of the problem was that few people envisioned that the area would be a destination, a travel corridor and one of the District’s fastest growing neighborhoods. Containing New York Avenue, which sees an average of at least 80,000 vehicles per day, bicycling across this area isn’t great for young families, experienced bicyclists, plant life, or most carbon-based lifeforms.

According to the study website, DDOT’s objectives include developing recommendations for a bicycle network to connect NoMA to Downtown DC, Eckington, Truxton Circle, and the H Street Corridor, with an emphasis on separated facilities. Darren Buck, Bicycle Program Specialist and manager of this project hopes for a “low-stress and direct east-west cycling connection”. BikeSpecific made a nifty interactive map pointing out some of the current connections.

If stickies aren’t your thing, DDOT also has an interactive map that you may use to post your ideas.
Image: Author


DDOT has developed an online map that allows users to input preferred cycling routes through the study area. Site visitors can also help identify existing barriers or locations that limit safe and convenient bicycle mobility across the study area. The map is open to public input from May 1 through May 31, 2017. DDOT would like residents, cyclists, and employees of the NoMa area to participate. DDOT also has a Mobile Interactive Map for those who refuse to be tied to a desk.

DDOT will use this information to identify potential routes for bicycle travel in the NoMa study area. This information will also help identify which roads and intersections may need to be improved for bicyclist and pedestrian safety and how these changes could affect the overall bike network outside the study area.

DCBAC Sees Preliminary Design for the Georgetown Protected Bike Lane

Seersucker (38 of 214)
Image: Author

At the May 3 D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council meeting, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Bicycle Program Manager and the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) Transportation Director discussed the Georgetown K and Water Street Corridor Bicycle – Pedestrian Connectivity Enhancements plan and displayed the concept design to BAC members.

As part of the Georgetown 2028 Plan, which hopes to bring more people to Georgetown through improvements to the neighborhood’s infrastructure, the protected lane would create a connection between the Capital Crescent and Rock Creek Parkway trails along the K and Water Street corridor beneath the Whitehurst Freeway. As reported in April, DDOT and the BID met with the Georgetown ANC, which approved the draft concept.

The concept plan shown below and with permission from DDOT, is at 30 percent of full design. It illustrates the general outline of the lanes and contains basic measurements and location of certain structures. The plan identifies how the lanes could interact with vehicle travel lanes, vehicle parking, and pedestrian structures.  The plan also shows new bicycle lanes at the foot of Wisconsin Avenue. The lanes provide protection for cyclists climbing this hill and end at the Wisconsin Avenue bridge over the C&O Canal, one of the oldest bridges in the District.


Construction of the lanes could start as early as this year along much of the corridor after Pepco utility work in the area is completed. Temporary work would include the addition of bollards and lane striping. More permanent structures, which could include protective planters and sidewalk modifications, would happen over the next few years.

The plans presented do not show a specific connection to the Capitol Crescent Trail. The National Park Service is currently rehabilitating the Key Bridge, which repairs will not be completed until 2018 or 2019. The BID and DDOT will workThe plans also do not show connections to the Rock Creek Parkway trail, the L or M Street protected bike lanes, or to the K Street ramp that leads to 27th Street as that area lies outside of the project scope. The presenters also discussed potential connections to the Rock Creek Trail that could include changes to the sidewalk or bridges, although they could be funded through some other means.

The Bike Estate – Proposed 100 Florida Avenue NE Project with “Bike Lobby” Makes Changes

Artist’s rendering of residences of 100 Florida Avenue NE
that open directly on the Metropolitan Branch Trail
Image: MRP Realty

A public meeting between Mid-Atlantic Realty Partners (MRP) and the Zoning Commission held April 24, 2017 provided an update to the proposed 100 Florida Avenue NE project, also known as Washington Gateway Phase Two, which abuts the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT).  In good news for MBT users, MRP will expand the hours of operation until midnight and provide additional trail maintenance.

The project would contain commercial and residential towers with 72 long-term bike storage spaces and an elevator that would allow the use of two bicycles at a time. The elevator would connect to a building lobby, which would be specially-designed as an entrance to the MBT.

The two-story lobby would allow the public and building tenants to access the trail. The lobby would also contain seating, a trail-themed kiosk, a drinking fountain, a repair station, and space of 24 bikes. Bike ramps and an elevator would allow users to access the trail from Florida Avenue and provide access lobby amenities. 

A rendering of the proposed two-story bike lobby
Image: MRP Realty
Detailed drawings and examples of the
proposed bike lobby
Image: MRP Realty

The initial plans for this project included a lobby; however, it would have closed for public use at 9 pm. In a letter dated May 1 from the firm Holland & Knight, MRP stated that as part of the Planned Unit Development process the hours of operations would be extended to midnight.

During non-operating hours, the lobby would be secured by conceal overhead doors but the trail would be accessible to building tenets. Also noted in the post hearing submission, the project will maintain the trail and improvements made to it along the frontage between the North and South towers along the MBT.

The Bike Estate – November 30, 2016

Artistic representation of 4620 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Image: Urban Investment Partners

The Bike Estate scours local blogs and government websites for information about bike facilities in new or recently opened residential or commercial buildings. The following are recently-filed development applications with the Zoning Commission.

National Bank of Washington

The long vacant National Bank of Washington at 14th and G Streets NW filed preliminary plans for the construction of office and retail space with the Board of Zoning Adjustment to construct an addition to the landmark National Bank of Washington.

The building was to become a museum dedicated to the Armenian genocide; however, a legal battle between the family that owned the building and developers caused years of delays. Eventually, the legal issuers were resolved in 2014.

Image: Lincoln Property

Plans call for a total of 58 bike parking spaces: 44 long-term bike parking spaces, with additional 9 spaces, shower and locker facilities located on the first basement floor. An additional 5 short-term spaces will be located on G Street NW. (Urban Turf)

4620-4626 Wisconsin Avenue NW

At 4620 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Tenlytown, Urban Investment Partners issued a Planned Unit Development application for a project that will contain 130 to 140 residential units and 12,000 square feet of retail. The project also contains 74 vehicular parking spaces and approximately 92 bicycle parking spaces.

Image: Urban Investment Partners

According to the project application, bicycle usage will will be integrated into the design and including 75 long term spaces and 7 short term spaces for residential use and 3 long term spaces and 7 short term spaces for retail use.

The diagram above shows the first level parking garage with 15 residential bike parking spaces at the rear of the building in the alley, 57 spaces along Wisconsin Avenue and 3 retail-only bike parking spaces. the residential spaces appear to have secure access. (Bisnow)

BikeSpecific Has a New Look

DSCN2198
Image: Author

Partly because it was time, partly because Google made us, the site look has been updated. It’s a little more interesting to look at, maybe a little better to work with, still kinda boring.

You may continue to see minor changes as the site is refined. Let me know what you think.