LOTS OF GREEN DOWN THEM SILOS

You may have passed the old McMillan Reservoir site while driving on North Capitol street in DC. Neither a defunct Atlas missile site, nor a granary, the towers at the 25-acre site were once were the source of clean drinking water, i.e. H2O free of typhoid and other disease.

DC agreed to swap the reservoir site with the National Capital Revitalization Corp. in 2004 in exchange for land along the Anacostia waterfront, reported the WaBizJo. Only now has the reservoir portion of the deal been consumated. A tremendous mixed-use development is planned at the reservoir site and details should become available later this month. An unsolicited proposal to develop the land was submiitted to DC over the summer.



In addition to the concerns of the neighborhood about the scope of the project, NCRC likely will have to cope with historic preservation issues as it finally moves forward. The DC Preservation League has included the reservoir on its list of the most endangered places. The preservationists noted the site is "a legacy of the City Beautiful Movement" and "is an engineering wonder." Whatever. All DC Bubble knows is that the silos, and probably the network of catacombs underneath, are very cool.

A final word of caution to NCRC chief Tony Freeman, who certainly has a full plate these days. With the Grid USA project moving along in Columbia Heights and a court green lighting the Skyland Shopping Center in Anacostia, you have a lot to juggle. Certainly Tony and his crew are a sophisticated bunch, but more than just savvy, succeeding with these and other tasks will be a challenge. Go Tony go.

NEVER SAY DIE PARKING ISSUE. InShaw reports on the latest parking email/salvo. Logan Circle residents continue to fight/be inconvenienced by double parkers even with a new parking policy.

pix by jvonr