‘Galaxy’ housing to include arts alley
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
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The Montgomery County Planning Board approved plans Thursday evening for the Galaxy, to be constructed by Rockvillebased developer RST at the corner of Eastern Avenue and ¹3th Street at the Washington, D.C., border. Plans include the abandonment of an alleyway that RST will revamp, creating a passageway similar to the recently opened Arts Alley at Blair Mill Road.
The arts alley will run between ¹3th and King Streets, said Robert Kronenberg of the MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning’s Planning Development staff. It will be designed by the county’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs and constructed by RST. DHCA designed Blair Mill Road’s arts alley, which has colorful tiles and a brick walkway, as well as art that complements the industrial feel of the neighborhood.
‘‘The intent is to create a midblock connector between ¹3th and King streets to really make this an outdoor area that would be activated by the new development,” Kronenberg said.
The Galaxy will include three separate buildings that will total 328 units, Kronenberg said. Of those units, 4¹ will be moderately priced. The tallest building will be about ¹25 feet. The building closest to the D.C. line will be about 45 feet tall.
The buildings will be constructed on a 2.62acre site, Kronenberg said. The site will include public use space, including a small park with a fountain. The buildings will be over parking garages with enough parking for the Galaxy’s residents, and RST will also contribute ¹47 spaces for the general public.
The Galaxy’s D.C. neighbors approve of most of the project, said Jourdinia Brown, Shepherd Park’s ANC commissioner.
‘‘In spite of the number of projects being developed in that area and the density of development, I would like to commend [Scott Copeland, a principal at RST] for developing the derelict building...as well as the Williams and Wilste buildings.”
RST is revamping two other properties for a housing project called The Aurora. The company also developed the former Gramax office building, transforming it into residential units.
Brown said she likes the fact that RST is going to make some streetscape along Eastern Avenue. She also likes that the company is providing parking; however, she said, she doesn’t think it will meet the needs of the project.
However, said Pat Harris of law firm Holland & Knight, which is representing RST, there will be a onetoone parking ratio for the Galaxy’s residents.
Other Silver Spring residents, like Louisa Davis, who lives in Eastern Village Cohousing, said they hoped RST would keep in mind that the neighborhood would benefit from some retail in addition to housing. Many residents at Eastern Village have chosen to give up their cars, Davis said, and would enjoy neighborhood shops within walking distance. Retail would also bring more foot traffic to the area.
‘‘For all of the Galaxy’s good points, we want to work with [the Planning Board and Copeland]” to create a liveable, walkable community, Davis said. ‘‘...Consider making this project more than residential, but also mixed use.”
However, Knight said, RST has determined that right now, there aren’t viable retail opportunities in that specific area.
Other projects in south Silver Spring will include groundlevel retail, like a condominium being constructed by Goodman Properties at the corner of East West Highway and Blair Mill Road. There is also a retail component in the Silver Spring Gateway project, to be constructed on East West Highway between Blair Mill Road and Georgia Avenue.