^was it by a well known developer? Seems like today all we hear is "this is the best we can do while making it financially feasible" (I know I'm simplifying it) so a development with so much public space and affordable/market rate housing, which looks rather architecturally creative, (sadly) sounds fiscally "impossible," following today's developer's standards.
Well known DC developer, Eastbanc (although he does projects internationally,
particularly Lisbon, around Principe Real Square, both preservation and new construction.
^^^^ New
^^^ Preserved
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The developer built a modularized temporary station while the new station was being built.
Google streetview of temporary station:
https://goo.gl/maps/5mFsBTCRy8p
The public library was moved to leased space at the Watergate, while the new library was built.
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With respect to the new fire station, the doors are all glass, covered by a perforated metal screen. The screen holes are about the size of a silver dollar. The doors open and close, accordion-style, and quickly too.
The point about ambulances being housed at the station is that these units have higher response rates than do the fire engines, so siren noise will be more frequent.
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The squash courts exist because his daughter played varsity squash in college. Supposedly it came in way way over budget; so much so, IMO, the costs can never be recovered.
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