June 10, 2019, PYMIG Meeting Summary
The PYMIG held a meeting at the Charles Houston Rec Center on June 10, 2019, at 7pm. The purpose of the meeting was to review the status of environmental permits, update the construction schedule for the June-October 2019 timeframe, and assess the impact of pricing on the previously discussed design options for access to the Station from the southwest. The agenda, presentation materials and video of the meeting are available at https://www.alexandriava.gov/PotomacMetroWorkGroup along with a Memorandum from the City Manager listing prices for the various access options as well as their impact on the construction timeline. (Note: The presentation material slides will significantly aid in understanding the synopsis of the different change options.)
Joint Permit Application (JPA). The City submitted the JPA, which discusses environmental issues, to the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ). The Corps’ comment period closed out on May 6, 2019, and the City is awaiting approval.
The VDEQ announced the public comment period on June 13, 2019 in the Washington Post, City website and City eNews. The announcement includes instructions to the public on how to submit comments to the VDEQ and can be found at https://www.alexandriava.gov/news_display.aspx?id=110115 The comment period will run June 14-July 31, 2019. The VDEQ will also hold a Public Hearing on July 16, 2019, at 7 pm at the Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St. The VDEQ will present its recommendation on the JPA to the State Water Control Board during its meeting in Richmond in September 2019; date is TBD.
Construction Update. The builders provided an updated construction schedule for the period June-October 2019 (slide 5). The same slide notes that our traffic circle will be removed in August 2019. They also provided visual depictions of the access routes to be used by vehicles/equipment for construction of the generator building on the land between the WMATA and CSX railroad tracks (slides 7-9). The vehicles/equipment involved with constructing the generator building will exit Potomac Greens Dr. at the OTG tennis courts and will not be entering our neighborhood.
Southwest Access Options. On November 16, 2018, the PYMIG recommended the City Council amend the Development Special Use Permit (which is the “blueprint” for the Station) by adding a 720-foot ramp leading to the south on the Potomac Yard side of the Metro Station. The intention was to improve station access for the residents of Potomac Yard. Almost simultaneously, Amazon announced its intention to establish a headquarters in North Potomac Yard. As a result, it became possible that we might be able to immediately add $50M to the construction budget. We were tasked to identify ideas to further improve access to the Station.
Southwest Entrance Design Ideas. As previously reported, the PYMIG discussed three design ideas to further improve access from the West (Potomac Yard) side of the Station. Design idea #1 envisioned adding a Southern Entrance Pavilion at Glebe Road and a bridge that connected to the North Pedestrian Bridge over the CSX tracks (slide #12). Design idea #2 envisioned keeping the currently approved extended ramp structure but added moving walkways on the ramp (slide #13). Design idea #3 envisioned adding a Southern Pavilion at Glebe Road, a second bridge over the CSX tracks and a downsized Southern Mezzanine (slide #14). Design idea #3 was further modified at the April 22, 2019, PYMIG meeting to include providing access to the southern mezzanine from the East (Potomac Greens) side of the Station. The builders were tasked to develop prices for all three Design ideas and present them to the PYMIG. The builders have now provided those price estimates.
Pricing/Construction Timeline. The previously mentioned City Manager’s Memo to the PYMIG dated May 31, 2019, contains a detailed explanation of how much the Design ideas would cost and how they would affect construction timelines.
The price quotes for the three design ideas are significantly higher than expected. The upfront costs for Design ideas #1, #2 and #3 are $75M, $90M and $100M respectively. While those prices would be partially offset by the $50M in State grant money, the City would have to borrow the shortages of $25M, $40M and $50M. Those amounts would further increase because of interest paid over the 30-year life of the bonds that would be issued.
The City’s contract with PYC to build the Metro Station includes a 42-month construction timeline. It would have to be extended for the added work. Design ideas #1 and #2 would add 0-6 months to the construction timeline. Design idea #3 would add 8-12 months to the construction timeline.
PYMIG Recommendations. The PYMIG tasked City Staff and the builders to explore the possibility of either improving the already DSUP-approved ramp structure or slightly downsizing Design idea #1 so that it remains within budget. Removing the pavilion escalators might sufficiently reduce the cost. Because of cost considerations, we had to shelve Design ideas #2 and #3.
The date, time, and location of next meeting of the PYMIG are TBD.