H Street Construction "Substantially Complete"

This morning Mayor Gray, Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells and local business leaders, Anwar Saleem of H Street Main Street and Julia Christian of CHAMPS joined forces to celebrate the substantial completion of the H Street Northeast  Streetscape reconstruction. Substantial completion refers to all street and sidewalk surfaces being complete; no traffic lanes being blocked and the restoration of all street parking. There are still some trees to be planted and some furniture to be added.

A press conference was held under the marquee of the Atlas Performing Arts Center with a crowd of local residents and business owners plus a few folks angry about an upcoming property tax sale. The only thing missing was the constant strum of construction equipment we has been out background music for lo these many years.  The Mayor thanked the acting (soon to be permanent) DDOT Chief Terry Bellamy for making the June 30th completion date such a priority.  Tommy Wells also acknowledged the patience of the local residents and business owners, some of which did not survive the grueling multi-year operation.   

Anwar Slaeem (H Street Main Street) Sam Sweet (Atlas Performing Arts Center), Mayor Vincent Gray and Julia Christian (CHAMPS)

No one mentioned yesterday’s disappointing news that the streetcar itself was going to be delayed until 2013 although the mayor mentioned something about trying to hurry it along.

Anwar Saleem of H Street Main Street and Julia Christian of CHAMPS were on hand to represent the businesses’ point of view and both acknowledged  that good communication was a key aspect to both survival during the streetscape and to the future of the corridor. Mr. Saleem pointed out that nearly 50 new businesses opened during the construction

The loudest cheers were for Margaret Gentry who served as the communications liaison for MACTEC , the construction company. Margaret kept the community informed with progress and plans as they were made and adjusted. She was also key in helping coordinate business needs with those of the project.

Often referred to as the streetcar project, the Streetscape reconstruction was actually a remaking of the entire street. H Street now boasts new sidewalks, lighting, trees and benches.  In a conversation after the festivities, local blogger Richard Layman mentioned that the streetcar tracks were added to the project at the urging of of former ANC6A chair Joe Fengler who knew that if the tracks were not laid during this time than the streetcar would likely be delayed even more.

Perhaps the only folks disappointed by the end of the construction are the toddlers. My neighbor’s two-year old son really enjoyed getting to see diggers and trucks and mixers on his daily walks. The rest of us are more than ready to enjoy our beautiful new street.

Jen DeMayo is Director of Community for the Atlas Performing Arts Center.