some thoughts on the proposed development of the Takoma Metro Site
[posted to the TDC listserve on February 24, 2006]
My perspective has changed a great deal in the years since the plan to
sell off the WMATA site was introduced. Coming from a background of
intense involvement in preservation issues I was initially appalled
that WMATA would renege on a hard-won agreement to preserve the open
space around Takoma Metro.
That agreement was a crucial part of Takoma's heritage, going back to
the battle against the plan to sever Takoma and decimate DC
neighborhoods with the North Central Freeway proposal. A grass roots,
interjurisdictional coalition that ultimately included Julius Hobson
and Sammy Abbott defeated the proposal. Their slogan was "White Men's
Road Through Black Men's Homes."
Out of the battle arose the concept of the Metro system. Some of the
veterans of that process—from both sides of MD-DC line—went on to
define the limits of the Takoma Metro Station, keeping it in scale
with the historic neighborhood by limiting parking and providing
buffers. Some of them—from both sides of MD-DC line—became the
founders of Historic Takoma, and still live among us.
Some of them—from both sides of MD-DC line—are my neighbors and
friends, too, have been for almost 25 years--so you can appreciate my
outrage at the smarmy manner in which WMATA hatched their plot,
introducing it to the Takoma Park City Council, but asking them to
swear to secrecy about it. But I won't dwell on this…
Nonetheless, maintaining an office within an Alfonso Soriano long
ball's distance to Takoma Metro—and living within a Patrick Ramsey
pass of the station—I have come to see the potential for developing a
portion of the site. Despite 100-odd additional dwelling units that
have come on line recently, despite the buses and snarling commuter
traffic, it's still incredibly convenient to zip around in a car.
Somehow the increase in density has been absorbed like a pebble thrown
in a pond.
But I think the EYA townhouse proposal is very weak, failing to
optimize the site, and totally failing to provide the commercial
amenities—such as the ones that Jemal has seemingly withdrawn (I
regard DJ as a chameleon, a chimera, who may put the grocery store
back in his plan next month if it suits him)—that would be of great
value to the residents as well as existing businesses in Takoma.
It's ironic that the concept of Smart Growth is based on reducing
sprawl—a townhouse development, with two car garages—on a tight little
site like this is—to me—sprawl in miniature. The site can sustain
higher density and more diverse use than the EYA proposal offers.
That's why I was particularly impressed with a design I saw recently,
one that places a higher density, multi-use building close to Carroll
Street, moderate density residential on Cedar, with a great deal of
green space on Eastern, and almost completely screening the bus bays.
It completes and reinforces the retail / commercial character of the
stretch that includes Laurel, Eastern, Carroll/Cedar, and runs down
4th Street to the Takoma Theatre. You can check it out here:
http://takotra.org/SmallEarthclotDesignSketch.jpg
(The design is by Charlotte Shoeneman)
So I heartily support the continuance of dialogue on the development
of the site.