PAST SPEAKERS/TOPICS

A Sampling of Past Meeting Speakers and Topics

STATE OF THE MULTIFAMILY MARKET
Greg Leisch
Mr. Leisch's presentation gave an overview of the national and regional economy as of 3rd quarter 2004, featuring insights into the multifamily industry in the Mid-Atlantic region. Special emphasis is given to pivotal forces, issues, and trends affecting the apartment markets of the greater Washington metropolitan area.

PRICING TRAFFIC, PACING GROWTH AND MANAGING CONGESTION
Robert Dunphy
For decades, urban economists have cited congestion-based toll pricing as the economic solution to traffic congestion. By adjusting tolls upward as congestion increases, motorists would seek to travel during less congested periods of time. The technology has developed to make this fully feasible and urban areas throughout the world are implementing a variety of applications. In addition to managing congestion, pricing creates revenues and opportunities for privatization. Lambda Alpha member, Bob Dunphy explained these trends and urban area efforts to manage congestion and growth through a variety of means.

THE NATIONAL MALL THIRD CENTURY INITIATIVE
Judy Feldman, PhD
Dr. Feldman spoke about the work of the National Coalition to Save Our Mall and their vision for the future. "The National Mall Third Century Initiative, a program of the National Coalition to Save Our Mall, a nonprofit advocacy group, says the Mall could grow again for the 21st century -- this time by reengineering not the riverbank but our concept of the Mall. Let it swing around through East Potomac Park, across a new bridge or two over the Washington Channel and east to South Capitol Street, taking advantage of redevelopment planned for that gateway avenue and around the new baseball stadium."

THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Stephen Fuller. PhD
What could be more timely than a thoughtful overview of the economic outlook given the current uncertainties? Certainly no stranger to Lambda Alpha, Steve Fuller, regularly tracks the economic performance of the Washington Metropolitan area, and most important, looks ahead to what seems likely to be in store for our regional economy. For many years, Steve's research and insights have earned him a position of respect as one of the region's foremost urban economists.

THE DDOT ANACOSTIA WATERFRONT STREETSCAPE STANDARDS
Howard Decker, FAIA.
The District Department of Transportation, DDOT, has recently completed the final draft of new Transportation Architecture Design Standards. Building on and related to the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative Framework Plan created by the D.C. Office of Planning, these standards will be used to define the character of the public realm in a substantial portion of our city. They are in particular aimed at increasing waterfront access, enhancing mobility, and helping to reinforce and revitalize neighborhood character.

MASTER PLAN FOR NEW DOWNTOWN DISTRICT ON THE FORMER CONVENTION CENTER SITE
Bill Alsup
LAI Member Bill Alsup gave an update on the most exciting new projects in downtown. Hines and its partner Archstone-Smith are engaged with a team of planners to develop a master plan for the 9.75 acre former Convention Center site. This ongoing collaborative effort with the city will define the principals of design and retail development, possible locations for a new library, and public open space. The team includes the distinguished firms of Shalom Baranes Associates Architects, Norman Foster Architects, and Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd. Landscape Architects.

THE FALL AND RISE OF NATIONAL PARK SEMINARY AT FOREST GLEN
Matt Birenbaum
From Common Ground preservation magazine: "It began as a country retreat in 1887, was a women's school in various guises for much of its existence, and finally was converted into an Army medical facility. More recently, it has been a cause celebre for local preservationists. The years saw unbridled architectural experimentation, which left what one historian calls a 'sense of motley abundance.' A Japanese pagoda, a castle in miniature, a Greek temple, an Italianate villa, a grotto and statuary - the effect goes from brooding to playful. "Now comes another incarnation. In 2006 it will be restored as the centerpiece of a new development designed by a pair of firms thatspecialize in integrating historic properties into the modern fabric."