Search WWW Search swdc.org

The Waterside Mall/Waterfront Task Force:
Work In Progress

Within a six week period, the Task Force, with the "impossible" mission has undertaken these key activities:

The WM/WF group initiated the formation of the Jack Evans Southwest-wide Task Force which also provides leadership and coordination for this broad-based community-wide effort. WM/WF co-chair Mercedes Sandoval-Beene is the facilitator for each Task Force meeting and coordinates the agenda and meeting logistics with Evans' office of Constituent Services. Meetings were held on February 11, March 18 and May 19.

More than 40 community leaders, stakeholders, business owners, and city officials attend each meeting. Special thanks to Southeastern University for the use of their meeting room facilities. The meetings are open to the public, and all attendees are expected to join an Action Group. WM/WF members Davey Renshaw, Dick Westbrook, and Andrew Kreider each chair an Action Group.

The Arts & Culture Action Group, led by Ms. Renshaw, with the help of WM/WF co-chair Judith Neiman, initiated a letter-writing campaign and petition to keep Arena Stage in Southwest. The Arena Board has postponed making a decision until August, pending the outcome of a feasibility study. The Action Group will soon be coordinating meetings with City officials and Arena Stage to explore tax credit incentives and zoning changes.

The Department of Public Works Action Group, led by Mr. Westbrook, organized the area's first-ever walk-through with City DPW officials to address problems in street maintenance and solid waste management. DPW immediately fixed sidewalks at 7th and I Streets, removed traffic barriers at 4th and G Streets, and removed debris from several locations as a result of the walk-through on May 12, 1999.

The Retail Action Group, led by Mr. Andrews Kreider, organized a meeting with Bresler & Reiner and Colonial Parking to address and make recommendations for parking and pedestrian access at Waterside Mall. Colonial Parking will be completing a Traffic Management study by the end of June, at which time the Retail Group's recommendations will be considered. Additionally, the group presented to Bresler & Reiner a timetable to implement no-smoking policies, upgrading of the mall entry doors and other improvements.

A liaison to the Washington Waterfront Association has been established, co-chair Mercedes S. Beene, reports monthly to this Group of Waterfront businesses on WM/WF activities and Jack Evans Task Force efforts. Plans are underway to develop jointly-sponsored public events on the Waterfront.

Waterside/Waterfront Co-Chairs
Naomi Monk  nmonk10501@aol.com 

• Southwester Newspaper, August 2003 - L'Enfant Plaza Link to Water Street; Wednesday, July 30th Hearing. Federal Highway Administration is preparing environmental assessment on rehabilitation of 10th Street between Independence Ave. and Water St., SW as it passes L'Enfant Plaza.
• Southwester Newspaper, July 2003 - New Bridge and Tunnel for South Capitol Street. South Capitol Street bridge across the Anacostia River would be replaced.