Curbed DC - Georgetown-Rosslyn gondola newsLove where you live2017-02-28T17:12:46-05:00http://dc.curbed.com/rss/stream/130945752017-02-28T17:12:46-05:002017-02-28T17:12:46-05:00Georgetown's ANC in favor of planned Georgetown-Rosslyn gondola
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<p>Arlington County Board continues to not support the transit project</p> <p id="Ww3KkU"><a href="https://www.google.com/amp/dc.curbed.com/platform/amp/2017/2/13/14597492/arlington-gondola-georgetown-rosslyn">Earlier this month</a>, the Arlington County Board wrote a letter, stating that they do not plan on helping fund the planned gondola system that will connect Rosslyn, Virginia with Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood. This lack of support doesn't seem to have spread to ANC 2E as they passed a resolution on Monday in favor of the project moving forward, though with a few reservations. </p>
<p id="pd7Qd2"><a href="https://georgetownmetropolitan.com/2017/02/28/anc-nods-in-favor-of-gondola-moving-forward/">The Georgetown Metropolitan</a> reported that the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) still needs to secure a landing site and initiate a multi-year environment impact analysis. </p>
<p id="H3h3M2">Landing sites that have been proposed so far include one next to the Exxon at the bottom of the Exorcist Steps and one at the top along Prospect Street NW.</p>
<p id="hMDIVD">According to <a href="https://georgetownmetropolitan.com/2017/02/28/anc-nods-in-favor-of-gondola-moving-forward/">The Georgetown Metropolitan</a>, "It's still a long shot that this can get built, but if it does, last night was a key step."</p>
<p id="HvWbOr">• <a href="https://georgetownmetropolitan.com/2017/02/28/anc-nods-in-favor-of-gondola-moving-forward/">ANC Nods in Favor of Gondola Moving Forward</a> [The Georgetown Metropolitan]</p>
<p id="q4rkld">• <a href="https://www.google.com/amp/dc.curbed.com/platform/amp/2017/2/13/14597492/arlington-gondola-georgetown-rosslyn">Arlington ‘not in favor’ of Georgetown-Rosslyn gondola funding</a> [Curbed DC]</p>
https://dc.curbed.com/2017/2/28/14765180/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-ancMichelle Goldchain2017-02-13T10:05:53-05:002017-02-13T10:05:53-05:00Arlington ‘not in favor’ of Georgetown-Rosslyn gondola funding
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<p>Despite this, President of the Georgetown BID says, “By no means is this a death knell”</p> <p id="zyi2Qr">Since <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/2013/8/29/10203196/gondolas-to-georgetown-inside-the-nabes-view-for-2028">2013</a>, there have been plans to create a gondola system, connecting Rosslyn, Virginia with Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood. After learning that the gondola system is <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/2016/11/3/13508238/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-study">feasible</a> from a study in November 2016, the Arlington County Board recently reconsidered whether or not they would partially fund the project. The answer: no, thanks.</p>
<p id="5KNXH8">A letter written by Jay Fisette, chairman of the Arlington County Board, reads:</p>
<blockquote><p id="RHUUHZ">“The Rosslyn-Georgetown gondola is not a project included in our recently approved Capital Improvement Plan. Given our identified and pressing transportation needs, along with some ongoing concerns about the long-term value of the gondola, the Board is not in favor of any further funding of the gondola project.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="5U06tk">Part of the reason why the Board denied support is because Arlington already has a number of transportation projects they are focusing on. These projects <a href="https://projects.arlingtonva.us/plans-studies/transportation/rosslyn-multimodal-transportation-study/">include</a> new bicycle facilities and pedestrian facilities for Rosslyn, Virginia.</p>
<p id="8ZNEXb">Despite the letter, Joe Sternlieb, President of the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID), told <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/arlington-says-no-thanks-to-georgetown-rosslyn-gondola/2017/02/11/cb7bc1ee-efda-11e6-b4ff-ac2cf509efe5_story.html?utm_term=.329e1f847e4f">The Washington Post</a>, “People on this side of the river will continue to have conversations for the next year or so, and if a coalition of regional leaders decide to go forward, we’ll try to re-engage Arlington at that point. By no means is this a death knell.”</p>
<p id="2NwOeR">The project is estimated to cost between $80 million and $90 million with annual operating costs hovering around $3.25 million. It would serve at least 6,500 passengers each day with around 24 cabins, each able to hold around 12 people. It would take approximately four minutes to cross the Potomac River using the proposed transit option. </p>
<p id="3uz824">To conduct the feasibility study for the project, the Georgetown BID contributed $90,000 to the study. The Arlington County Board also contributed $35,000, despite <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/arlington-says-no-thanks-to-georgetown-rosslyn-gondola/2017/02/11/cb7bc1ee-efda-11e6-b4ff-ac2cf509efe5_story.html?utm_term=.329e1f847e4f">skepticism</a> from several board members.</p>
<p id="7KSM3g">To read the full letter from the Arlington County Board, see below.</p>
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<p id="XDkJRQ">• <a href="https://countyboard.arlingtonva.us/a-word-from-the-board/">Rosslyn-Georgetown Gondola Study</a> [Arlington County]</p>
<p id="GOTVFI">• <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/arlington-says-no-thanks-to-georgetown-rosslyn-gondola/2017/02/11/cb7bc1ee-efda-11e6-b4ff-ac2cf509efe5_story.html?utm_term=.329e1f847e4f">Arlington says ‘no thanks’ to Georgetown-Rosslyn gondola</a> [The Washington Post]</p>
<p id="3fl5oC">• <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/2016/11/3/13508238/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-study">Georgetown-Rosslyn gondola is feasible, says study</a> [Curbed DC]</p>
https://dc.curbed.com/2017/2/13/14597492/arlington-gondola-georgetown-rosslynMichelle Goldchain2016-12-02T12:06:45-05:002016-12-02T12:06:45-05:00Gondola arrives at the National Building Museum
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<figcaption>The gondolas actually used for the Georgetown-Rosslyn system may end up looking different. | Photo by Michelle Goldchain</figcaption>
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<p>For demonstrative purposes only, though</p> <p id="AB2JuN">This Thursday, the National Building Museum hosted a panel on the Georgetown-Rosslyn gondola system proposed with speakers that included Otto Condon of ZGF Architects and University of Maryland Professor Emeritus of Architecture Roger Lewis. </p>
<p id="TDgOh1">In order to further emphasize on the benefits of an aerial transportation system, additional panelists featured Richard Eisenhauer of the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Tram and Operations Manager in Portland, Oregon Brett Dodson, and former Secretary for Transport and Traffic in Medellin, Colombia Rafael Nanclares.</p>
<p id="N9c3kL">Until 8 p.m. that night, guests and the public were able to view a gondola car beside the museum. It’s worth knowing that the display was only for demonstrative purposes, and the gondolas that may end up crossing the Potomac River may end up looking different.</p>
<p id="ZyaDMF">During the meeting, Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) CEO and President Joe Sternlieb said that the biggest factors that have caused interest in building the new transportation system is that the Northwest neighborhood has limited street access, no Metro station, and a population expected to rise over the next few years.</p>
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<p id="qTV8UO">While acknowledging the uniqueness of a gondola system in the nation’s capital, Sternlieb said, “Not only is it not ridiculous, but it probably should be one of the alternatives to every single [Environmental Impact Statement] study we do.”</p>
<p id="tWWGXn">This past <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/2016/11/3/13508238/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-study">November</a>, ZGF Architects LLP completed a feasibility study with a conclusion that there were “no fatal flaws” found. Constructing the gondola system would cost between $80 million to $90 million with annual operating costs hovering around $3.25 million.</p>
<p id="xKNpIq">Once constructed, approximately 6,500 people are expected to ride the system on a daily basis, equating to the median-level for Metro stations, according to Sternlieb. The gondola line would have around 24 cabins and be able to pick up passengers every 20 seconds to a minute. Each gondola car would be able to pick up around 12 people. Crossing the Potomac River would take roughly four minutes.</p>
<p id="f7KKAj">Construction is expected to take around two years. Fare prices have yet to be released.</p>
<p id="OlAhao">For further renderings of the project, go to <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/2016/11/3/13508238/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-study">this Curbed DC article</a>.</p>
https://dc.curbed.com/2016/12/2/13818234/gondola-museum-building-georgetownMichelle Goldchain2016-11-04T12:42:40-04:002016-11-04T12:42:40-04:00Georgetown-Rosslyn gondola is feasible, but is it worth it?
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<p>Sound off in the comments</p> <p id="CqEcLH">The possibility for a gondola system connecting Georgetown with Rosslyn is no longer up in the air. This <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/2016/11/3/13508238/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-study">week</a>, a $190,000 study conducted by ZGF Architects LLP confirmed that the proposed transit system is both feasible and legal. </p>
<p id="dxeSby">With “no fatal flaws” found in the study, the service would serve at least 6,500 passengers each day with 24 cabins. Crossing the Potomac River would only take four minutes with cabin pickups every 20 seconds. The cost to construct the gondola system is estimated between $80 million to $90 million with fares still undetermined.</p>
<p id="xFCzIy">Making the gondola system a reality is still expected to take over six or seven years with a majority of that time dealing with an extensive, multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency approval process.</p>
<p id="qIgA6b">Rather than express any unasked for opinions, Curbed instead wants to see what the readers have to say about this new development. Is it too costly to be worth considering? Or is it actually relatively affordable in the grand scheme of things? Is the gondola system something that readers can anticipate using? Let Curbed know what you think in the comments below.</p>
https://dc.curbed.com/2016/11/4/13522540/georgetown-rosslyn-gondolaMichelle Goldchain2016-11-03T10:52:23-04:002016-11-03T10:52:23-04:00Georgetown-Rosslyn gondola is feasible, says study
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<p>The cost to build the project could be as much as $90 million</p> <p id="QSeM6G">For <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/2016/10/19/13330534/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola">years now</a>, there have been plans to create a gondola connection from Georgetown to Rosslyn, and, according to a newly released study, the transit system is both feasible and legal.</p>
<p id="8kPTEn">According to the study, the gondola would have “no fatal flaws” and would serve at least 6,500 passengers each day. Constructing the gondola system would cost between $80 million to $90 million with annual operating costs hovering around $3.25 million.</p>
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<p id="VLWGda">The gondola line would have around 24 cabins, each of which would be able to hold around 12 people. Every 20 seconds to a minute, gondola cabins would pick up passengers. It would take approximately four minutes to cross the Potomac River using the proposed transit option. There are no reports yet as to what the fares would be for the service.</p>
<p id="YKoMDN">This past April, two local governments, Georgetown University, and other entities paid ZGF Architects LLP <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/2016/4/28/11528714/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-study-firm-announced">approximately $190,000</a> to conduct the study. </p>
<p id="bFxllt">According to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/a-gondola-connecting-dc-and-virginia-its-feasible-and-legal-study-finds/2016/11/02/392db41a-a100-11e6-8d63-3e0a660f1f04_story.html">The Washington Post</a>, the Georgetown Business Improvement District contributed $90,000 to the study, while a committee of representatives from the District Department of Transportation, Arlington County, and other agencies oversaw it.</p>
<p id="etwVVU">The next steps for making a Georgetown-Rosslyn gondola include an extensive, multi-jurisdictional, and multi-agency approval process, which could take up to four years, as reported by <a href="http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/no_fatal_flaws_found_to_derail_georgetown-rosslyn_gondola/11851">UrbanTurf</a>. Construction could take around two years.</p>
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<p id="50NIba">If interested in reading the entire study, see the document below.</p>
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<p style=" margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"> <a title="View Georgetown-Rosslyn Gondola Feasibility Study on Scribd" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516509&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scribd.com%2Fdocument%2F329880176%2FGeorgetown-Rosslyn-Gondola-Feasibility-Study%23from_embed&referrer=archive.curbed.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fdc.curbed.com%2F2016%2F11%2F3%2F13508238%2Fgeorgetown-rosslyn-gondola-study" style="text-decoration: underline;" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Georgetown-Rosslyn Gondola Feasibility Study</a> by <a title="View Eater.com's profile on Scribd" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516509&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scribd.com%2Fuser%2F232631955%2FEater-com%23from_embed&referrer=archive.curbed.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fdc.curbed.com%2F2016%2F11%2F3%2F13508238%2Fgeorgetown-rosslyn-gondola-study" style="text-decoration: underline;" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Eater.com</a> on Scribd</p>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/329880176/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-4O4Lllgz2bgF6xWiH6pW&show_recommendations=true" data-auto-height="false" data-aspect-ratio="0.75" scrolling="no" id="doc_25620" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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<p id="NWpoIs">• <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/a-gondola-connecting-dc-and-virginia-its-feasible-and-legal-study-finds/2016/11/02/392db41a-a100-11e6-8d63-3e0a660f1f04_story.html">A gondola connecting D.C. and Virginia? It’s feasible and legal, study finds.</a> [The Washington Post]</p>
<p id="1WoOdZ">• <a href="http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/no_fatal_flaws_found_to_derail_georgetown-rosslyn_gondola/11851">The Georgetown-Rosslyn Gondola is Deemed Feasible</a> [UrbanTurf]</p>
https://dc.curbed.com/2016/11/3/13508238/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-studyMichelle Goldchain2016-10-19T10:46:38-04:002016-10-19T10:46:38-04:00Georgetown-Rosslyn gondola feasibility study findings to be released on November 3
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<p>The location of the public meeting has not yet been released</p> <p id="MlltYo">Since <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/2016/4/28/11528714/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-study-firm-announced">April of this year</a>, ZGF Architects has conducted research on whether or not it’s possible for Washington, D.C. to construct a gondola system between Georgetown and Rosslyn.</p>
<p id="1nkDTo">Finally, the results of the feasibility study will be released, but not until November 3 at 6:30 p.m. The exact location of the public event has yet to be declared, but it is expected to be in Georgetown. [<strong>UPDATE: </strong>The location will be at the Georgetown Theater at 1351 Wisconsin Avenue NW. To register for the event, go to <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-public-information-meeting-2-tickets-28731838703">Eventbrite</a>.]</p>
<p id="qWTtqg">According to a press release, the presentation will feature an overview of the transportation/economic benefits for the region; estimated costs and ridership; potential timeline; and other key findings.</p>
<p id="xxlnGz">The cost of the study was approximately <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/2016/4/28/11528714/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-study-firm-announced">$190,000</a>. The idea was born out of the Georgetown Business Improvement District's <a href="http://bid.georgetowndc.com/georgetown-2028/">Georgetown 2028 15 Year Action Plan</a>.</p>
<p id="qDCZrQ"> </p>
https://dc.curbed.com/2016/10/19/13330466/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-studyMichelle Goldchain2016-04-28T12:56:37-04:002016-04-28T12:56:37-04:00Georgetown-Rosslyn Gondola Study Firm Announced
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<figcaption>Rendering via Georgetown Business Improvement District</figcaption>
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<p>ZGF Architects LLP will conduct the Feasibility Study</p> <p>Will gondolas ever float over the Potomac River, connecting Georgetown to Rosslyn? That's up to ZGF Architects LLP to find out. ZGF was recently chosen to conduct the Georgetown-Rosslyn Gondola Feasibility Study. There were a total of eight responses to the request for a proposal for a team to conduct the study.</p>
<p>According to a press release, ZGF has led similar feasibility studies, such as one for the OHSU-Portland Aerial Tram. The team will provide final assessments, recommendations, and conceptual renderings in a matter of five months. Livable City Group will assist the team with project management and navigating the federal and state regulatory processes. [<b>UPDATE: </b>The cost of the study is approximately $190,000.]</p>
<p>The Georgetown-Rosslyn Gondola Executive Committee, D.C. and Arlington County governments, Georgetown University, JBG, Penzance, and Gould Properties are all funding the study.</p>
<p>• <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/2015/3/9/9983264/the-future-of-georgetown-gondolas-looking-very-optimistic">The Future of Georgetown Gondolas Looking 'Very Optimistic'</a> [Curbed DC]</p>
https://dc.curbed.com/2016/4/28/11528714/georgetown-rosslyn-gondola-study-firm-announcedMichelle Goldchain2015-03-09T14:00:00-04:002015-03-09T14:00:00-04:00The Future of Georgetown Gondolas Looking 'Very Optimistic'
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<p>The Georgetown 2028 Action plan consists of 75 action items that will make Georgetown's economy much stronger and more sustainable, but there's one action item in particular that will truly take the neighborhood to new heights. Plans are in the works for gondolas to be constructed from the Rosslyn Metro Station to Georgetown. Before any real progress can be made, though, the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) will need to secure funding for the project. Last November, BID was able to raise <strong>65 percent of the funds</strong>, causing CEO of BID Joe Sternlieb to say that he is "very optimistic" that a gondola study will begin this year. Sternlieb told Urban Turf that current requests for modest funding from Arlington County and the D.C. government are pending.</p>
<p>Once the funding is secured, it will go towards a formal feasibility study that will be accompanied by a request for proposals from study consultants. Thereafter, BID will be able to solicit bids from companies that will conduct the study. The Federal Aviation Administration will need to give input on the project due to helicopter rides that occur over the Potomac River. Each gondola is planned to carry up to 20 passengers. The gondola lift will be able to carry more than <strong>4,000 passengers</strong> in each direction per hour. </p>
<p><br>· <a href="http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/study_on_georgetown_gondola_hopes_to_be_funded_by_end_of_year/9612">Georgetown Gondola Study Could Be Underway in 2015</a> [Urban Turf]<br>· <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/archives/2014/11/gondolas-from-georgetown-to-rosslyn-metro-yes-please.php">Gondolas from Georgetown to Rosslyn Metro? Yes, Please</a> [Curbed DC]<br>· <a href="http://dc.curbed.com/archives/2014/01/here-are-the-highlights-of-the-georgetown-2028-action-plan.php">Here Are the Highlights of the Georgetown 2028 Action Plan</a> [Curbed DC]</p>
https://dc.curbed.com/2015/3/9/9983264/the-future-of-georgetown-gondolas-looking-very-optimisticMichelle Goldchain