ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 3E
TENLEYTOWN AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARK FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS
c/o Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home 5425 Western Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20015
www.anc3e.org
Resolution Regarding American University Historic Preservation Review Board Application Relating to the Tenley Campus
Whereas, ANC 3E and American University have worked closely on the planning for the Tenley Campus for three years; and
Whereas, ANC 3E supported the proposals for the Tenley Campus before the Zoning Commission based on both the University’s commitments made in the Memorandum of Understanding between the University and the Tenley Campus Neighbors Association (“TCNA”) and the University’s assurance of ongoing cooperation with ANC 3E relating to the planning for this and other projects in the ANC 3E boundaries; and
Whereas, ANC 3E has continually urged the University to endeavor in its planning to more fully integrate its evolving new project into the Wisconsin Avenue corridor as fully as possible, taking advantage of the connection of the site both to the Metro station one block to the north and the Tenley Circle at its doorstep and to create a site that can benefit the Wisconsin Avenue Corridor generally and not only the Law School students; and
Whereas, ANC 3E believes that planning for the site to date has if anything been too deferential to historic preservation concerns.
Whereas, ANC 3E believes the connectivity of the lawn to Wisconsin Avenue could be improved by a wider/broader grand stairs providing access to the lawn and greater visibility of the lawn; and
Whereas, ANC 3E believes the front lawn should include some kind of sculpture or water feature or both that would act as a natural gathering area, cooling feature and community amenity; and
Whereas, ANC 3E believes the entire perimeter wall should be flat topped and more inviting for sitting and gathering and thereby being more naturally pedestrian friendly; and
Whereas, ANC 3E believes that the front lawn should be tastefully lit in a manner that would provide additional hours of safe usage without detrimentally impacting neighbors; and
Whereas, some elements of change off of existing conditions have been endorsed by SHPO and the lawn has seen various uses during its history while others have been rejected without a clear link to a historic preservation rationale.
Now therefore be it resolved, ANC 3E believes the proposed Concept Plan for the Tenley Campus elevates subjective concerns purportedly linked to historic preservation concerns over creating the kind of connection to the Corridor sought and, therefore, opposes the Concept Plan. ANC 3E calls on both the University and the State Historic Preservation Office (“SHPO”) to work closely with it and other community stakeholders in revising the proposed Concept Plan to maximize the benefits from the project to the Corridor and community generally.
ANC 3E approved this resolution at its meeting on September 13, 2012, which was properly noticed and at which a quorum was present. The resolution was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Commissioners Jonathan Bender, Matthew Frumin, Tom Quinn and Sam Serebin were present.
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ANC 3E
By Matthew Frumin, Chairperson