The DC Government has to make a decision by February regarding the vacant site at 5th and I streets NW -now currently a private parking lot.

This is a petition to support the proposal to build a Standard Hotel.

There are currently four proposals on the table (2 for residential units, 1 for another office building, and 1 to build the Standard Hotel and upgrade the parks nearby). You can find full coverage for all four proposals here: http://www.mvtriangleblog.com/?p=4398

There is a list of reasons to support the Standard Hotel proposal. A number of neighbors brought some good points why this proposal is a win-win for all of us living in MVT during a recent discussion at the Mount Vernon Triangle (MTV) blog. Some of their points are:

- The Standard Hotel proposal includes the highest number of affordable housing (100 units off-site) among all the proposals, making this option the most socially responsible.

- This proposal also comes with 2 million investment in the two parks in Massachusetts Avenue. The other proposals do nothing or just minimal fixing to these parks.

- The Standard Hotel will increase foot traffic at all times of day, as well as on weekends. Office buildings only operate 9-6 during weekdays, and residential buildings do not bring foot traffic during working days the same way a hotel does.

- This will bring more life and safety to the neighborhood, which is one of the most affected by crime in the DC area:http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Mount_Vernon_Square-Washington/1871/crime/

- There are already two huge commercial office buildings under construction, and many others already built along Mass Av.

- Furthermore, a private office or residential building will limit availability of public spa to those minimal areas specifically set aside for public usage (i.e. a small outdoor park, couple of commercial lease spaces or YMCA alternate facility).

- An upscale boutique hotel, however, would allow MTV residents access throughout the hotel property such as the hotel restaurant/coffee shop and rooftop cafe/bar, etc.

- The hotel customer base will help support current businesses and restaurants in the MTV area, particularly the emerging universe of restaurants around, which could place MTV on the map as a new hotspot.

- There are enough generic brick monstrosities lining MAss Ave in MVT and the proposed architecture for the Standard HOtel development would be a welcome departure from the norm while serving to accentuate 5th and i as the gateway to MVT.

- A residential tower with ground floor retail will create far fewer jobs than the Standard Hotel and associated retail.

- The site was already planned to host a hotel back in 2008. The previous construction firm failed to break ground because of the crisis, but this does not mean it was a bad zoning decision.

You can find the previous community discussion here: http://www.mvtriangleblog.com/?p=4470#comments

Please sign this petition and we will bring it to the commissioner for consideration. He has the last word on this decision, obviously, but you have a chance to make your voice heard.