ZGF Architects Chosen to Conduct Georgetown Gondola Study

• April 28, 2016

by Nena Perry-Brown

A gondola connecting Rosslyn to Georgetown. Rendering created for UrbanTurf by Capital Pixel.

Eight firms competed for the right to study the feasibility of an aerial gondola connecting Georgetown and Rosslyn, but just one has been tasked with finding out if this form of transit across the Potomac will be possible.

UrbanTurf has learned that Zimmmer Gunsul Fransca (ZGF) Architects will handle the study. ZGF will be supported by the Livable City Group, which will manage the project and lead the team through the necessary federal and state regulatory processes; Fehr and Peers, which will assess transportation and performance; Partners for Economic Solutions, which will explore financing opportunities and assess the impact on real estate; and the Engineering Specialties Group, which will explore various ropeway designs.

ZGF has prior experience with similar projects, notably with the OHSU-Portland Aerial Tram in Oregon. The Engineering Specialties Group also has relevant experience with the Roosevelt Island Tramway, the Telluride Gondola Transit system, and the Steamboat Silver Bullet Gondola.

“We chose ZGF because they offered the most effective approach for providing a comprehensive evaluation of the economic development, financial, regulatory and community impacts of the project,” said Joe Sternlieb, CEO and President, Georgetown BID. “They also brought together the most experienced team of subject matter experts in engineering, transportation, and economics from across the country to serve as subcontractors and contribute to the study.”

The executive committee released a request for proposals (RFP) in February, seeking a team to evaluate all aspects of the potential construction, operation and maintenance of an aerial gondola system connecting Rosslyn to Georgetown.

The ZGF-led team plans to submit its findings, along with recommendations and renderings, in five months. There will also be periodic meetings with the public to allow for input and dialogue.

For more details about progress with the gondola project, click here.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/zgf_architects_chosen_to_conduct_georgetown-rosslyn_gondola_study/11158