A key federal planning panel Thursday offered its approval of the Washington Nationals stadium design, but members reacted skeptically to the shortage of planned retail and the possible impact of parking garages on U.S. Capitol views.
The National Capital Planning Commission’s unanimous support was only advisory, because the Southeast stadium is a D.C. project outside of downtown. But members expect their opinions to be taken seriously as the project moves forward.
“We do have a wonderful project in the baseball stadium, and we need to be supportive of that,” said John Cogbill III, the commission’s chairman.
That said, commissioners expressed concern about proposals that could affect their vision for a revitalized South Capitol Street, as well as precious views of the U.S. Capitol.
Though merely a concept, even the idea of two massive aboveground parking garages sitting just outside the north end of the ballpark left much of the commission with a bad impression. In its recommendation, the panel called for no aboveground parking within the stadium footprint.
Michael McGill, the General Services Administration’s appointee on the commission, went so far as to urge building height restrictions north of M Street, though he eventually withdrew the amendment.
“I think it’s very unattractive at the least that you’ll be looking out and seeing a parking garage,” said Herbert Ames, a presidential appointee.
The mere mention of building height restrictions would be “highly, highly resisted by the development community,” said Jennifer Steingasser, a District representative. Steingasser noted that Ted Lerner, who owns the Nationals, is constructing a massive office building on M Street that could affect Capitol views.
Furthermore, the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission’s base plan for retail along the ballpark’s perimeter is insufficient and will “not promote pedestrian activity,” commission staff said. Two alternatives would at least double the square footage of such “preferred” uses on First Street, and the commission recommended building more retail on South Capitol “in order to activate and support street life during nongame days.”
