a LID-LEED solution

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

• 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.

ABOVE GROUND

Low Impact Development

• 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.

BELOW GROUND

Low Impact Development

• 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.

BELOW GROUND

Economic Development

• Agriculture• Agro-processing• Bottling• Winery/brewery• Glass works• Wind energy• Heritage tourism• Recreational tourism• Entertainment• Retail

Based on Competitive Advantage and Site Specific Resources: Soil. Sand. Water. Vaulted caverns.

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 GrayCouncil Chair, vgray@dccouncil.us, (202) 724-8032

• Harry Thomas, Jr.

Council Member Ward 5; Chair Libraries, Parks & Recreationhthomas@dccouncil.us, (202) 724-8028

• Kwame BrownCouncil Member At-Large, Chair Economic Developmentkbrown@dccouncil.us, (202) 724-8174

• Mary CheCouncil Member Ward 3, Chair Government Operations and the Environmentmcheh@dccouncil.us, (202) 724-8062

Links

• Our McMillan

http://www.ourmcmillan.com/• Sustainable McMillan

http://ecolocity.ning.com/group/sustainablemcmillan• Friends of McMillan Park