Sept. 25, 2001
GW, West End Reach Agreement On E Street Project
University, Neighbors Join Together to Provide Amenities
By Jane
Lingo
An agreement between the University and the West End Citizens Association
has resulted in a joint appeal to the DC Zoning Commission to alter
the Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the property located at 1757
E St., thus potentially clearing the way for the completion of the 331,000-square-foot
Elliott School of International Affairs project. The request was considered
at an Aug. 21 meeting before Board Chair Carol Mitten and fellow board
members James Hanahan, Anthony Hood, and Peter May. The request seeks
to modify the PUD that conveyed with the purchase of the property, to
clarify the acceptability of certain design changes and academic uses
of the building, as well as to address community issues raised by the
West End Citizens Association.
The joint effort was the result of an agreement negotiated by GW Senior
Counsel Charles Barber, together with West End Association representatives
Barbara Kahlow and Sara Maddux, and West End President Jack Batham.
In exchange for the associations support, GW would include approximately
3,300 square feet of retail space in the residence hall and academic
complex.
The terms of the agreement further provide that GW would: make available
another 1,700 square feet of retail space in Mitchell Hall at 514 19th
St.; contribute $500,000 to a nonprofit foundation for free or reduced-charge
meals for the elderly poor or homeless at Sholls Cafeteria at
1990 K St.; restrict occupancy in the new dormitory to juniors, seniors,
graduate, and honors program students; hold construction hours to 7
am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday; and restrict the times of truck
deliveries at the E Street buildings loading dock.
Additionally, in an Aug. 17 letter to Batham, the University promised
to establish a policy that freshmen and sophomores living in the Foggy
Bottom-West End area are not to bring cars to school. The letter acknowledged,
however, that neither GW nor the West End Association has full enforcement
authority of such a policy.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (2A) representatives, who declined
to participate in negotiations on the project, oppose the efforts of
the West End Association and the agreement reached with the University,
noting the agreement is not entitled to the great weight,
that is afforded by law to ANC recommendations.
It is expected the public hearing will be in late October. It has been
possible for the contractor to keep on working because the Board of
Zoning Adjustment stayed the effect of its July order, which had granted
an appeal of the building permit issued last December.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu