“Mayor Bowser Breaks Ground on Good Food Markets, Delivering Fresh Food Options to Ward 8”

via Mayor Muriel Bowser

From the Mayor’s Office:

“[Yesterday], Mayor Bowser broke ground on Good Food Markets, delivering job opportunities and fresh food options to the Bellevue community in Ward 8. Through the Neighborhood Prosperity Fund, an initiative launched by Mayor Bowser, South Capitol Improvement LLC received an $880,000 grant to support the buildout for a grocer tenant as part of the 225,000 square-foot development that includes 195 units of affordable housing and 5,500 square-feet of community commercial space.

“I’m excited that my second term as Mayor of Washington, DC is getting started the right way: by breaking ground on a much-needed new grocery store in Ward 8, increasing access to healthy food options east of the river and creating jobs for local residents.” said Mayor Bowser. “This project represents what we’re going to be focused on over these next four years – tackling the day-to-day challenges that residents face and, in doing so, improving the quality of life for more Washingtonians, while continuing to plan for our future and the growth of our city.”

Good Food Markets is a mission-driven grocery redefining what is possible in food deserts. Their experienced retail team creates a full-service grocery selection in a fraction of the space, while also paying a living wage and offering educational opportunities in the community.

The Neighborhood Prosperity Fund, administered by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), supports mixed-use, real estate, or retail development projects in targeted census tracts where unemployment is at 10 percent or higher. The grants provide necessary gap funding for the commercial component of development projects and will help create job opportunities and new food options in Wards 7 and 8.

“We remain thoughtful in our efforts to drive economic growth in our underserved communities by investing in development that will create jobs and affordable housing for DC residents,” said Deputy Mayor Brian Kenner. “The Neighborhood Prosperity Fund is another tool to help us ensure we continue to provide our residents with the amenities they deserve.”

South Capitol Improvements LLC is a joint venture between CityInterests and Michaels Development Company. The project is the final development in an overall master plan that also includes a primary care clinic, an office building leased to the DC Department of Human Services, and a 172-space parking garage. The Neighborhood Prosperity Fund grant will support the buildout for the grocer tenant, Good Food Markets, who will be partnering with a Ward 8 based community group to bring fresh food and job opportunities to the Bellevue community, making this a true community space operated by and for DC residents.”