CSX Press Conference

[Rob Lee]

Stephen,

First of all, thanks for including us.  It was informative.

The hardest part of me writing this up right now is that I still see an overwhelming issue that you have with neighborhood support.  How do you plan to get additional neighborhood support? 

New information

• The only new information you brought is the results of a traffic study and the fact you did not recieve TIGER grant funding.  You will also be applying for NEPA as well.
• You have no additional design except you stated that 20 feet for the new trench and 45 feet for the new ditch inside of the 100 feet you describe as being a right of way placed in agreement since 1901 with the city (documentation?
  
• Even with the traffic study the traffic backed up on 3rd street past K and even L street during rush hour will be amazing.
• The right of way means that you can do what you would like even without approvals from the city.  However, you are "not going to do that"
• It is appreciated you have reached out to the community, but without how the area is truly going to be impacted, it is hard to make an assessment on support.  Continually stating "I don't know" does not win support.
  

The major challenges I see right now that came up during today's meeting:

• Business stagnation to the new waterfront area as a result of the main conduit into the city being cut off. 
• More difficult for city to get to Nationals Ballpark with proposed traffic patterns.
• The city is extremely excited about this new area and it will be even more excited as the summer rolls by and parks begin to open. 
• I do not feel that CSX adequately was able to answer the question about emergency vehicles and hydrant access for residents living off of VA Avenue.  You said you would take care of it, but Im not sure how.  Since there are no hydrants in the alley, firetrucks will not go there.  Where will they go for the homes immediately on 4th street?
  
• While you have a 100 foot right of way (not verified) how does this impact the foundation of the homes immediately next to the train ditch?  For a foundation to be sound it must go down at a 45 degree angle from the base of the home.  If you cut too close you impact the home itself and the ENTIRE block as the structure is tied together.  If the train tunnel excavation impacts the foundation of the homes, wouldn't that put the community and the entire property in jeopardy of everything on 4th street.
• It is 50ft to the sidewalk from SE/SW freeway and VA Avenue all the way down between 3rd and 4th street.  Meaning that even at a minimum the ditch would only be a 10 feet away from the edge of the closest homes.  Again, foundational issues will clearly be an issue.
  

Thank you.  Ill inform via tweets,the google group, and the web the outcome of today's meeting.

Best,
Rob