140-unit condo building proposed at Meridian International Center

Rendering for 16th St NW & Crescent Pl NW please see full proposal below

“Dear PoPville,

I was hoping you could help get out the word that the Meridian International Center is proposing to add a 140-unit, 9-story condo building. They had proposed something similar last year, then told the ANC that they were tabling it. Well, it’s back before the ANC zoning committee (meeting this Wednesday 2/18 at Mary’s Center at 7:00), and then it will go before the Historic Preservation Review Board on March 26th.

I am really concerned about how this will impact a DC historic site, especially as it will eliminate the connection between the historic mansion and the park. I’m also terrified of what this is going to mean for neighbors of the site (myself included). Turning onto Belmont from 16th St. is the only way by car to access Beekman Place, Belmont, Crescent Place, and the 2300 block of 17th St., including the parking garage for a large condo building on 17th & Kalorama. It is is one-way and one-lane everywhere except for the first 200 feet or so. Now they want to add 90 cars going in and out of that building from Belmont. I also don’t know if the residents without parking spaces will get residential parking permits. The demand for parking spaces in the neighborhood already far exceeds supply. The addition of massive construction trucks and equipment for a year or more certainly isn’t going to help.

Considering all the new condos and apartments in the area (above Harris Teeter, Dorechester West, more coming on 2400 block of 17th, new ones at 17th & Euclid, the Ontario, plus the ones going in at the former Planet Pet/parking garage just southwest of us), I’m just not sure why we need another 140 units on a historic site.

Meridian proposal (PDF)“