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a LID-LEED solution. An irreplaceable resource. The McMillan Slow Sand Filtration Site is a unique combination of history, engineering, architecture and urban planning .
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An irreplaceable resource • The McMillan Slow Sand Filtration Site is a unique combination of history, engineering, architecture and urban planning. • The District government is poised to destroy this national treasure by treating it as if it were any other vacant lot to be developed. • The proposed plan is uninspired and squanders the inestimable value inherent in the site. • The specific nature, structure and history provide a one-in-a-million opportunity to create a world-class destination that can add immeasurably to the community’s life and to the District’s heritage tourism product.
Low Impact Development ABOVE GROUND • Restore Olmsted’s landscaping plan, substituting native species for specified invasives. • Reconstruct McMillan Memorial Fountain. • Reserve open space for agriculture: market gardens, vineyards, grazing animals, apiaries, butterfly and wildlife habitat • Restore and re-purpose regulator houses. • Repurpose silos for rainwater storage and wind turbine bases.
Low Impact Development BELOW GROUND • Reinforce concrete structures to current safety standards. • Deconstruct damaged cells to expose underground stream and build usable beach (Miriam Gusevich proposal). • Repurpose southern cells as retail space opening on to Channing Street. • Restore feasible number of cells to working order as the basis for an interpretation center.
Low Impact Development BELOW GROUND • Set up bottling plant for filtered water. • Establish artisanal glass works to produce bottles from the sand stockpile. • Convert remaining cells for agro-processing such as winery, brewery and creamery; ateliers and light manufacture. • Establish theme-related specialty stores and kiosk vending.
Economic Development Based on Competitive Advantage and Site Specific Resources: Soil. Sand. Water. Vaulted caverns. • Agriculture • Agro-processing • Bottling • Winery/brewery • Glass works • Wind energy • Heritage tourism • Recreational tourism • Entertainment • Retail
Preserving Physical Capital • 25 acres of open, green space – provides extensive permeable surface to absorb storm water runoff. • 20 acres of vaulted concrete caverns – demolishing these negates the embedded energy utilized in their construction. • Megatons of sand used in the filtration process can be recycled as beach fill and raw material for glass making. • Tiber Creek – managing this natural waterway by daylighting it, creating a beach basin/swimming hole will reduce the water volume downstream by retention and evaporation and prevent flooding. • Conservancy or land trust model with public-private partnership advocated.
Conserving Financial Capital • Estimated $50-60 million of public funds required for site demolition and preparation under the current plan. • LID/LEED low density development less capital-intensive allowing earlier start. • Reinforcement of vaulted concrete caverns and repurposing of existing structures will cost a great deal less. • Cost of sand removal is made unnecessary. • The modular structure allows for phased construction based on capital availability. • Agricultural leases can be negotiated from the inception providing cash flow.
Developing Social Capital • Restoration of original Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. plan already recognized by the National Association of Olmsted Parks and DC Historic Preservation Review Board. • Reintroducing agrarian skills to develop food security and local production. • Introducing new skills and competences in food preservation, processing and packaging. • Local jobs using local resources reduce carbon footprint and build local economy. • Co-operatives and small businesses favored over large corporations.
Contacts • Mayor Adrian Fenty Adrian.fenty@dc.gov, Mayor@dc.gov, (202) 727-2980 • Vincent Gray Council Chair, vgray@dccouncil.us, (202) 724-8032 • Harry Thomas, Jr. Council Member Ward 5; Chair Libraries, Parks & Recreation hthomas@dccouncil.us, (202) 724-8028 • Kwame Brown Council Member At-Large, Chair Economic Development kbrown@dccouncil.us, (202) 724-8174 • Mary Che Council Member Ward 3, Chair Government Operations and the Environment mcheh@dccouncil.us, (202) 724-8062
Links • Our McMillan http://www.ourmcmillan.com/ • Sustainable McMillan http://ecolocity.ning.com/group/sustainablemcmillan • Friends of McMillan Park