No Access to National Harbor from Fort Washington

[fastgto]

I've always wondered why National Harbor was almost completely closed off to the surrounding neighborhoods. I had a recent conversation with a resident who had been around for a lot of the community planning meetings related to NH and was told that a lot of the older residents didn't want increased traffic so they opposed any vehicular entrances between NH and the Fort Washington Community.

This begs the question of why no pedestrian or bicycle entrances were suggested. As it stands NH is pretty much an enclosed community. While it is supposed to bring revenue to PG County it is interesting to note that ONLY Alexandria has direct pedestrian access to NH. A major inconvenience for local residents, at least the younger generation slowly moving into the area.

By at least providing pedestrian access NH would gain increased revenue from local residents and local residents wouldn't have to drive 2-4 miles to access NH when it is in a lot of cases in peoples back yards (due to the single entrance, which also seems to be more a part of VA than MD).

If you want to petition for pedestrian access here is the contact information.

Kent Digby

Vice President, National Harbor Operations

Peterson Management Company

165 Waterfront Street

National Harbor, MD 20745

Main - 301-203-4170

Fax - 301-749-7144

kdigby@petersoncos.com

 

[blazinlow89]

Help keep the riff raff out?

 

[fastgto]

Help keep the riff raff out?

If by riff raff you mean some of the most affluent residents of PG county then yes. You do realize that there are significant numbers of 500K plus homes directly south of NH right? Median value is around 340K.

Crime report statistics will also back up the affluence of the area. The area south and west of Indian Head HWY is very nice and compares well to Alexandria when it comes to crime. East of Indian Head and North of 495, not so much.

I'd also like to point out that mechanicsville has had more assualts in the last 30 days than has Fort Washington.

 

[blazinlow89]

If by riff raff you mean some of the most affluent residents of PG county then yes. You do realize that there are significant numbers of 500K plus homes directly south of NH right?

Crime report statistics will also back up the affluence of the area. The area south and west of Indian Head HWY is very nice and compares well to Alexandria when it comes to crime. East of Indian Head and North of 495, not so much.

There are also several million dollar plus homes in St. Mary's. I am sure there are some nice neighborhoods in the general area, but the problem with crime is that foot traffic can travel along the path both ways.

I also agree that the population of the general area should the ability to access the area easily, whether it be car, bike or foot. Increased traffic in the residential areas being the biggest concern I am sure, but it does help to look at other reasons why it may not have been done in the first place.


By the way thanks for pointing out that Mechanicsville is a #### hole compared to Fort Washington. It also reminds me that i need to change my location as I moved closer to work over 3 years ago. Just about anything can be considered assault these days, and crimereports.com did not support your statement. I would also like to point out that a friend I work with recently moved to that area. His auto insurance tripled, their reason was the high amount of comprehensive claims for vehicle break ins and higher chance of collision.

 

[fastgto]

There are also several million dollar plus homes in St. Mary's. I am sure there are some nice neighborhoods in the general area, but the problem with crime is that foot traffic can travel along the path both ways.

I also agree that the population of the general area should the ability to access the area easily, whether it be car, bike or foot. Increased traffic in the residential areas being the biggest concern I am sure, but it does help to look at other reasons why it may not have been done in the first place.

My understanding is that the sole reason was community push back on vehicle traffic. Peterson Co. that built NH had plans for more access roads. However, as I stated that shouldn't preclude pedestrian access.

 

[aps45819]

It is interesting to note that ONLY Alexandria has direct pedestrian access to NH.

Do a lot of folks walk across the river?

 

[fastgto]

Do a lot of folks walk across the river?

Yes, via the woodrow wilson foot path. They also run half marathons from mt. vernon to NH.

 

[aps45819]

local residents wouldn't have to drive 2-4 miles to access NH when it is in a lot of cases in peoples back yards.

If they can walk 4 miles from Alexandria why can't they walk 2?

 

[fastgto]

If they can walk 4 miles from Alexandria why can't they walk 2?

Because the caveat would be that it is mostly runners. Additionally, if you read the original post you would notice that I mentioned pedestrian access. Even if someone wanted to walk 10 miles they would have to do it on roads not sidewalks vice VA residents who have walkways from their location to NH. i.e. no dodging cars via the VA route. The final point would be that VA residents have to walk that distance because they are not physically any closer. Fort Washington residents, in many cases, are within a mile and can't gain access without a 2-4 mile detour. Example would be those living along the southern fence that must travel the 3-4 miles around. Significant qualitative difference.

But you missed that part.

Any other questions? I'm here to inform.

I regularly run 20 miles a week and have no issue walking with my family 2-4 miles, I did it in Germany all the time. What I don't do is take my family, with strollers, on high traffic roads with no sidewalks.

 

[mitzi]

If by riff raff you mean some of the most affluent residents of PG county then yes. You do realize that there are significant numbers of 500K plus homes directly south of NH right? Median value is around 340K.

Crime report statistics will also back up the affluence of the area. The area south and west of Indian Head HWY is very nice and compares well to Alexandria when it comes to crime. East of Indian Head and North of 495, not so much.

I'd also like to point out that mechanicsville has had more assualts in the last 30 days than has Fort Washington.

And Oxon Hill is a stones throw away.

 

[huntr1]

I've always wondered why National Harbor was almost completely closed off to the surrounding neighborhoods. I had a recent conversation with a resident who had been around for a lot of the community planning meetings related to NH and was told that a lot of the older residents didn't want increased traffic so they opposed any vehicular entrances between NH and the Fort Washington Community.

This begs the question of why no pedestrian or bicycle entrances were suggested. As it stands NH is pretty much an enclosed community. While it is supposed to bring revenue to PG County it is interesting to note that ONLY Alexandria has direct pedestrian access to NH. A major inconvenience for local residents, at least the younger generation slowly moving into the area.

By at least providing pedestrian access NH would gain increased revenue from local residents and local residents wouldn't have to drive 2-4 miles to access NH when it is in a lot of cases in peoples back yards (due to the single entrance, which also seems to be more a part of VA than MD).

If you want to petition for pedestrian access here is the contact information.

Because that is what the community wanted. They had a VERY loud voice in the planning of the property. They did not want easy vehicular access from the neighborhood to NH. They got what they wanted. They did not want easy pedestrian access from the neighborhood to NH. They got what they wanted.

 

[bcp]

If by riff raff you mean some of the most affluent residents of PG county then yes. You do realize that there are significant numbers of 500K plus homes directly south of NH right? Median value is around 340K.

Crime report statistics will also back up the affluence of the area. The area south and west of Indian Head HWY is very nice and compares well to Alexandria when it comes to crime. East of Indian Head and North of 495, not so much.

I'd also like to point out that mechanicsville has had more assualts in the last 30 days than has Fort Washington.

You have not been through Mitchellville or certain parts of Bowie lately have you.
500k for a home would be ghetto in some of the newer neighborhoods.

 

[Baja28]

If by riff raff you mean some of the most affluent residents of PG county then yes. You do realize that there are significant numbers of 500K plus homes directly south of NH right? Median value is around 340K.

Crime report statistics will also back up the affluence of the area. The area south and west of Indian Head HWY is very nice and compares well to Alexandria when it comes to crime. East of Indian Head and North of 495, not so much.

$340K buys you an average house these days. Just because house prices have tripled doesn't make that an affluent area. The few waterfront homes are the only affluence over there.

And you're saying that driving 2-4 friggin miles is an inconvenience?

I'd also like to point out that mechanicsville has had more assualts in the last 30 days than has Fort Washington.

I call Got any proof to back that up?? I didn't think so because it's a false statement.

Like has already been stated, the community got what it asked for. :shrug:

 

[fastgto]

^Look up crime reports. It is their for you to see.

And yes, driving 2-4 miles when you live within a hop and a skip from something is inconvenient. The fact that you all are scared of PG County doesn't change any of the facts I've posted.

There is a clear difference between the Ft. Washington area south of NH and west of 210 and the rest of the area.

 

[Baja28]

^Look up crime reports. It is their for you to see.

Ummmm...NO! You're the one posting bull$hit, either back it up or STFU.

And it's THERE not their.

 

[thurley42]

Ummmm...NO! You're the one posting bull$hit, either back it up or STFU.

And it's THERE not their.

Boom!

 

[fastgto]

I'm not going to assist in your laziness. The data is available on crime reports.

 

[Baja28]

I'm not going to assist in your laziness. The data is available on crime reports.

Here ya go hot shot. Now you run along and play somewhere else and take your bull$hit with you. Chop chop son! Get moving.

Prince George's County, MD Crime Map - Showing Crimes in Prince George's County - Crime Statistics, Alerts and Reports - Crime Stops Here

 

[GWguy]

I find this odd. NH has been there for years, but only now there is a call for pedestrian access? I can't say I remember hearing any complaints up until now.


And if people don't want to walk to NH, there are water taxis in and out all day long from various places, like Old Town.

 

[thurley42]

I find this odd. NH has been there for years, but only now there is a call for pedestrian access? I can't say I remember hearing any complaints up until now.


And if people don't want to walk to NH, there are water taxis in and out all day long from various places, like Old Town.

Riff Raff who want to rob and cause crime don't have money or time for that@!