Metro seeks public feedback on proposed vent shaft modifications at Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail Station

Metro is proposing a modification to a vent shaft at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station (Proposed Project), which serves the Capital One Arena and Chinatown neighborhood. The vent shaft modification would allow for future construction activity over the existing vent sidewalk grate.

Metro invites customers to provide input by Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 9 a.m.by sharing feedback the following ways:

• Participate in a public hearing on Thursday, January 9, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
• To provide testimony in person at the hearing, participants are encouraged to pre-register by calling 202-962-2511 or by sending an email to speak@wmata.com by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8. Advance registration is not required to provide in-person testimony, and participants may sign up at the hearing.
• To provide oral testimony via phone, participants must call 206-899-2028 during the hearing and enter meeting code 529 975 140#. No pre-registration is required.
• To provide oral testimony via video, participants must pre-register via email with their name and organizational affiliation, if any, to speak@wmata.com by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
• Information on how to participate via video will be provided after preregistration is confirmed.
• Submit written comments online at wmata.com/plansandprojects
• Mail comments to:

Office of the Board Corporate Secretary

SECT 2E

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

P.O. Box 44390

Washington, DC 20026-4390

The proposed project is located within the construction perimeter of the Capital One Arena Modernization project that includes the Gallery Place Expansion. Metro’s Gallery Place – Chinatown Metrorail Station is within the vicinity of this project. The Metro vent shaft is proposed to be modified, however there will be no significant changes to the operational aspects of the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station vent shaft system.

The relief vent shaft for the Metro tunnel is to be extended towards the east, to allow for future construction activity over the existing vent sidewalk grate. Rather than the existing sidewalk grate to discharge the air from the vent shaft, there will be a sidewall louver at the face of the Gallery Place building near the Parking Garage at 700 6th St NW on Gallery Pl Way/G St Alley. The construction of the vent shaft extension will take place while the existing relief vent is active, and it is anticipated there will be no down time to train serviced in the system.

To learn more about the project, visit Metro’s website. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, disability or family status. ASL interpretation will be provided. To request other accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or other language interpretation services (free of charge), contact the Office of the Board Secretary at 202-962-2511 (TTY: 202-962-2033) or send a message to speak@wmata.com as soon as possible so that Metro can make the necessary arrangements before the public hearing date.