District officials Tuesday broke ground on the $20 million renovation of the Navy Yard Metrorail station, a project that has the full backing of the new D.C. administration despite uncertainty about who ultimately willpay for it.
The Green Line station will be the transit hub for the new Washington Nationals’ ballpark, the Southeast Federal Center, the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters and new residential and commercial development — all going up simultaneously near South Capitol Street Southeast. It will be retrofitted to hold 15,000 passengers, 10,000 more than its current capacity.
“On Opening Day, we would rather have people talking about the score rather than the traffic,” said District Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, who was among the dignitaries participating in the groundbreaking ceremony. “If that’s going to happen, we have to do something about this station.”
The kiosk, fare gates and fare vendors will be relocated from the mezzanine to the surface; the number of fare gates will be increased; and a new staircase will be added between the mezzanine and platform. Over the station’s west entrance, Monument Realty is constructing a nine-story office building.
The District, through Metro’s budget, will finance the project with the expectation of federal reimbursement. But the repayment was thrown into doubt late last year when Congress adjourned without approving the federal budget.
“I think there’s every reason to feel good about it,” said City Administrator Dan Tangherlini. “It’s a calculated risk, but I think it’s the kind of risk that is necessary to make sure the project goes forward and is delivered on time.”
Mayor Adrian Fenty, who opposed the stadium as a member of the D.C. Council, said the Metro project “has got to go forward on time, on budget and be world-class.” The redeveloped station plays into the larger vision “of building a whole new part of town, a whole new district,” said Stan Kasten, the Nationals’ president. The vision for the stadium neighborhood features a densely developed N Street, to include plazas, outdoor dining, condominiums and offices.
“It’sa new Georgetown,” said Mary Williams, a stadium-area resident and activist. “At least that’s what it seems like. That’s what they’re going for.”
