The current Safeway opened in 1981 and, at 35,000 s.f., is too small to provide the range of products and services the modern consumer expects.
The store is located on the property with its rear wall along 42nd Street. Because it essentially "turns its back" to 42nd Street and Wisconsin Avenue, it has been nicknamed "the Secret Safeway."
To bring a modern store to the community, Safeway seeks to replace its current store with a 58,000 s.f. Lifestyle model, and plans to re-position the new store on the site to create an inviting city streetscape. The building would be located on the property line along 42nd Street near the intersection of Ellicott Street and Wisconsin Avenue, Safeway's new store proposal would put its primary entrance on 42nd Street (rather than being "hidden" with a blank wall facing the street) visible to Wisconsin Avenue and make an active community supermarket part of the Wisconsin Avenue street life.
An outside café seating area located along 42nd Street will enliven the streetscape.
On Ellicott Street, there will be a pedestrian-friendly entrance adjacent to a new community park.
Starbucks Coffee Bar Service meat and seafood Expanded organic produce Gourmet cheese department Pizza oven In-store café seating Hearth oven for baking bread Prepared Food
Safeway expects to operate the store on a 24 hours a day basis for the convenience of the community.
There will be 177 parking spaces, 8 spaces fewer than required under the zoning regulations. The entrances to the parking level will be from Davenport Street and Ellicott Street in approximately the same locations as they exist today. There will be two vestibules in the parking level with elevators, stairs and an escalator at the 42nd Street vestibule to carry customers from the parking level to the store level. Because of the drop in grade, there will be natural light and ventilation in the parking level.
The loading dock and service area will be at grade and located at the south side of the property away from the adjacent residential properties. The trucks will enter and leave the service area from the Davenport Street entrance and all maneuvering will be done on Safeway's property. A wall surrounding the service area will screen it from view.
The building will be enhanced by extensive landscaping which will provide year-round seasonal interest through blooming times and colors, fall leaf colors, green leaves during winter, along with attractive bark colors. To create a sense of place, Safeway proposes to "adopt" the triangle park in front of the new store along Wisconsin Avenue (where the bus stop is currently located) and rejuvenate the landscaping of the WMATA parcel with harmonious plantings. Safeway will also landscape the vacant lot located on Ellicott Street as a community park. To provide a buffer for the adjacent residences, mature evergreens will be located in a 15-foot setback area on the west side of the property.
Safeway is asking the Zoning Commission to re-zone the R-2 and R-3 portion of the site to C-1, the lowest density commercial zone available. Other zoning relief will be requested is a reduction in the number of required parking spaces from 185 to 177, a slightly decreased penthouse, courtyard, and side yard measurements.
View the application for the Planned Unit Development, August 2009.
View the Supplemental Filing October 23, 2009.
View the Summary of Project Drawings.
View the Updated Project Drawings October 19, 2009.
Click here with questions or comments regarding the application.