The Existing Context
Today, the 6.7 acre WMATA site is developed with a suburban style bus loop, approximately 145 short term kiss-n-ride spaces, and underutilized open space at the intersection of Carroll Street and Cedar Street. Surrounding the site, there are various retailers and mixed-use building along Carroll Street and transitions to condominiums and single family residences along Eastern Ave.
Urban Design Goals and Greenspace Network
The development strengthens the open space network by including a meaningful, publicly accessible park that serves as an amenity for the community and links to the surrounding green space network.
The development increases pedestrian accessibility by including a shared use path throughout the property that links Metro to the surrounding Takoma trail network.
The development aims to preserve a significant number of the existing trees onsite which informed a number of the design goals for the project.
Thriving Public Realm that Unities Takoma
The development creates a vibrant presence at an important node of Takoma and connects the retail corridor along Carroll Street.
The WMATA bus loop is located adjacent to Metro which localizes WMATA facilities and creates a separation from the residences along Eastern Avenue and Cedar Street.
The development incorporates a publicly accessible park adjacent to the residential building that creates a community amenity and visual layering between the development and residential uses along Eastern Avenue.
The project promotes pedestrian safety by bifurcating WMATA bus facilities from public open space which increases bicycle and accessible paths throughout the site.
The Public Realm
The Building Form
