Tomorrow is your last chance to weigh in on how WMATA should redevelop the two-acre site around the Brookland-CUA station. The goal is to increase ridership by adding more housing and retail to the area. Tristan Navera from Washington Business Journal told us what to expect (🎧).
Catch Up Quick:
The redevelopment is part of a 10-year strategic plan passed earlier this year that emphasizes more development in underused areas around stations. Metro says the Brookland station renovation could support almost 500,000 square feet of new construction, generating 320,000 more trips per year.
Out With the Old:
Right now, a parking lot and bus turnaround surround the station. While it sees a fair amount of traffic, the land could be more efficiently used in a fairly congested urban area.
[WMATA wants to generate more revenue through some of the land that they own. So they're really taking a look at Brookland as the next place to get involved in development.
Tristan Navera
What Will be There Instead?
WMATA is considering adding around 400 apartments with possible retail on the first floor. But it’s still up for debate. At the public hearing last week, people said they want grocery stores, bike lanes, affordable housing, and more.
“I think the best outcome will be if everybody compromises a little, and this site changes into something respectful of the neighborhood. But it’s gonna be a struggle,” said Navera. Get your voice in the mix and submit a comment.
