Parking and vehicular circulation will be downplayed in favor of shared roadways, which in theory will slow drivers who will have to navigate around pedestrians and bicyclists on the same interior streets. The actual parking infrastructure, like parking ticket machines, will be relocated to the interior of the property, to get rid of the "gated entry" feel that today is the first thing that greets arriving customers. Finally, steps will be taken to better connect the Friendship Heights Metro station with the Collection.
Planners are recommending approval of the project, with some conditions.
This feels like putting lipstick on the pig, rather than fixing the problem. Here's what I would do:
ReplyDelete1. Replace the 2nd-rate Giant with a better anchor (like Whole foods or Trader Joe's.
2. Ditch the paid parking, which makes everyone avoid visiting the shopping center.
3. Abandon the luxury store orientation, replacing with higher traffic stores (like H&M or REI)
@816 why would Whole Foods go there? They have a flagship store literally across the street...
ReplyDeleteCam down, Whole Feeds was a figurative example. The point is a higher quality anchor than Giant. It always seemed odd to pair 5th Avenue-style retailers with a Giant. To make things worse, this particular Giant feels small and dated.
ReplyDeleteTrader Joe's is a better grocery store than Giant? Go on...
ReplyDeleteA Stew Leonard's would be awesome, but the space might not be big enough.
ReplyDeleteThey can't abandon paid parking next door to a Metro. Most of the businesses stamp the parking tickets. It is good to hear they are doing this.
ReplyDeleteI also agree it would be great to have an REI etc. instead of the Collection stores.