The George Washington University is hoping to have final approval by the end of February for its massive redevelopment and expansion plans, a slate of proposals that include a high-density mixed-use development, new dormitory and revised long range plan.
Despite the continued opposition of the Foggy Bottom Association and the local advisory neighborhood commission, the stars appear aligned in favor of GW’s expansion goals. One of its proposals, a 474-bed residence hall, was approved in November, while the university’s revised Campus Plan comes up for final adoption next week. And a massive mixed-use development on prime real estate across from the Foggy Bottom Metro station could be approved next month.
“It’s been a very collaborative event, and I think we have tremendous support for what we’re trying to do, which is to plan the future of the campus and improve the streetscape,” said Tracy Schario, GWspokeswoman.
The D.C. Zoning Commission last week held another public hearing on the proposed development at Square 54, the 2.66-acre former site of GW Hospital. Across the street from the Metro station on Pennsylvania Avenue, the vacant plot is the site of a proposed mixed-use development composed of 333 residential units, 454,000 square feet of office space and 84,000 square feet of retail.
Schario said the university expects the zoning commission to schedule a decision hearing for February. But opponents continue to fight, fearing the impact of 140-foot-tall buildings in the midst of Foggy Bottom. GW, they say, is swallowing their community.
“They’re adding essentially the Empire State Building in terms of density in our community, in an area that’s supposed to be a buffer between the Central Business District and the Foggy Bottom and Georgetown neighborhoods,” said Vincent Micone, chairman of ANC-2A, which opposes the project.
Also on the GW development front, the zoning commission has scheduled a Jan. 17 decision hearing for the university’s revised campus plan, a 20-year development guide for the 20,000-student school. The document calls for construction of more than 2 million square feet of academic, residential and commercial space on 18 sites within the urban campus boundaries.
The approved residence hall, on the back parking lot of School Without Walls, is expected to open in fall 2009.
