Support the O Street Market Project

Okay, folks, this is important!

As many of you know, the DC Zoning Commission threw a monkey wrench in the works for getting the plans for the new O Street Market project approved last month. (See recent discussion here.) The key issue was the height of the high rise structures, which would be 110 feet above street level. As the developers pointed out, this is only 2 feet higher than the two neighboring hi-rise apartments across the street, though because of a technicality, it's considered 20 feet higher because the O Street plan would use the top story for a penthouse apartment, whereas the top 18 feet of the other buildings is used for housing mechanicals. Moreover, the O Street plan, unlike the other two buildings, would set back the hi-rise towers so that the top of the buildings would not be visible from the street.

The objections, therefore, appear non-sensical, and the plan seems to be highly desirable for the neighborhood as a whole. It has cleared the historical review board, and there has been little, if any, objection raised by members of the community to the plan. (Aside, of course, for concern about not having a Giant grocery store there for an extended period during the construction.)

We need to show the Zoning Commission that the neighborhood is behind the plan.

At this point, the only way to do that is to show up at the Zoning Commission hearing on Monday, December 10, 6:30 pm, at Judiciary Square, 441 4^th Street, N.W., Room 220 South. It's after normal working hours so a lot of people should be able to make it. Apparently, the commission does not accept public testimony at this stage, but a strong turnout of supporters would make a statement. There was some talk of having supporters wear stickers that would say "SUPPORT IT". I don't know if anyone has organized that yet, however, so you may have to make your own.

Hope to see you there!