Development

Update on New Condos Coming to former Ontario Theatre in Adams Morgan

By Prince Of Petworth

PR Ontario Condominium Project Rendering[1]
Rendering courtesy of Peterson Companies

Back in Feb. we noted demo had started at the old Ontario Theatre on the corner of 17th and Columbia Rd, NW. A lot of readers have written in asking if the project has stalled. Yesterday I was told by their PR team:

“Vertical construction is set to begin in the fall, with expected completion in spring 2015.”

They also provided the rendering above which is slightly different than the one we looked at in January. Their full press release says:

The project will include 80 residential homes and 9,000 SF of retail. This is the first residential development for the Peterson Companies in the District of Columbia. “We believe in the economic vitality of the District of Columbia and are excited about investing our resources to create a beautifully designed residential and retail community in the Adams Morgan neighborhood,” said Stuart Prince, Senior Vice President – Residential at Peterson Companies.

The $30 million mixed-use project will commence vertical construction in the fall of 2013 with completion scheduled for spring 2015. Condominium homes will be available in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans, and will include gourmet kitchens, private balconies, hardwood floors, underground parking, and walk-in closets. Residents will enjoy access to a common rooftop terrace with stunning views of downtown Washington and the National Mall.

The building is being designed by The Eisen Group of Washington, DC, and draws inspiration from Adams Morgan’s rich architectural history of art deco residential blocks, while distinguishing itself with contemporary features that speak to newer, industrial-styled buildings. The proposed design will also incorporate certain art deco elements from the old Ontario Theatre, including a corner canopy, poster cases, and the “coming attractions” marquee signs.

McWilliams Ballard will manage residential sales with homes available for purchase in early 2014. Peterson Companies will handle the retail leasing and management.

Monday Meetings – Height Act and 965 Florida Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

viewer

From emails:

Height Master Plan Phase 1 Public Meetings

The first round of public meetings will help inform development of a Height Master Plan for Washington, DC. The study is jointly conducted by the National Capital Planning Commission and the District of Columbia Office of Planning. The project will explore the impact of strategic changes to the federal Height of Buildings Act of 1910.

Monday, May 13
Petworth Library
6:30 – 8:30 PM
4200 Kansas Ave, NW
Metro: Georgia Ave-Petworth

harris_teeter-DC
965 Florida Ave, NW

Corey Lee, project manager for the DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Office, will explain the community review process for disposition of the public parcel at 965 Florida Avenue NW.

He will speak at the Georgia Avenue Community Development Task Force meeting on Monday, May 13, at 7 PM, at 2632 Georgia Avenue NW (corner of Georgia Avenue and Fairmont Street).

Two development teams – JBG/Gragg and Ellis Development – have placed sealed bids for the 1.45 acre parcel.

Major Construction to Begin on First Street, NE in Noma next Week. Street Will Become One-Way, Construction Expected to Last One Year

By Prince Of Petworth

noma_construction_first_street
Photo by PoPville flickr user Vileinist

From a press release:

Reconstruction of First Street, NE, could start as soon as next week, and the project will dramatically impact transportation throughout the NoMa neighborhood. Traffic on First Street, NoMa’s main street, is expected to be one lane, one-way southbound for nearly a year – the entirety of the construction period. The District Department of Transportation and the NoMa BID recommend that NoMa residents, employees and visitors take other forms of transportation such as Metro, Bikeshare or buses.

DDOT contractors will begin moving equipment into the area this week and next. DDOT is working with several firms, including engineering firm Amann-Whitney and the construction firm Lane Construction. The contractors and DDOT will have on-site offices located near the intersection of First and O Streets, NE.

“First Street will be fabulous when the project is completed, and we are excited about the great new green spaces and cycling amenities that are included,” said NoMa BID President Robin-Eve Jasper. “However, we know that getting around the neighborhood will be a challenge during the construction period and we are asking everyone to be their most patient selves for a little while.”

DDOT will soon offer a website that provides updates and a subscription to a listserv for daily notices. NoMa BID staff will promote this web site when it is available, and will also give regular project updates on our bimonthly newsletter (sign up at www.nomabid.org) and on Facebook and Twitter.

Project Scope: The project will rebuild the entirety of First Street, NE and its sidewalks from Columbus Circle to New York Avenue, including significant improvements to the side streets of K, L, Pierce, M, Patterson, and N Streets, NE. First Street between K Street and New York Avenue will be one-way southbound only during the entire period of construction. All northbound traffic will be detoured to North Capitol Street. After construction is finished, First Street will be returned to two-way traffic with an added two-way cycle track along the east side of the street and on-street parking along the west side.

The reconstruction will upgrade underground infrastructure, add stormwater catch basins, install bio-retention stormwater swales, realign sidewalks, enlarge tree boxes, add new crosswalks, install new traffic lights and street lamps, and landscape the public space adjacent to unfinished parcels. Construction is anticipated to last nearly one year.

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Map via Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

Former Capital Area Food Bank Space to Become Self-Storage Facility

By Prince Of Petworth


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From a press release:

Joint venture partners Federal Capital Partners® (FCP) and Self Storage Zone have announced the groundbreaking for the redevelopment of 645 Taylor Street, NE (formerly the Capital Area Food Bank) into a three story, 78,600 square foot, fully climate-controlled, self-storage facility. The redeveloped property will include 1,034 units ranging in size from 5’ x 5’ lockers to 10’ x 30’ units and is well-located in the Brookland submarket of Washington, DC, one block from Catholic University and six blocks from the Brookland/CUA Metro station. The facility is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2014.

Ed. Note: The Capitol Area Food Bank moved to 4900 Puerto Rico Ave., NE in July, 2012. “The new facility is over twice the size of the former warehouse on Taylor Street, NE.”

Friday Question of the Day – Should DC Buy the L Street Warehouse for a Market Concept?

By Prince Of Petworth

half_st_market
Photo via @GarberDC

On Thursday The House Subcommittee on Government Operations had a hearing to address the future of 49 L Street SE. The Half Street Market blog wrote:

The hearing is being called to discuss “the costs to the taxpayer of underperforming or vacant Federal assets and, in particular, the status of the vacant GSA Warehouse located on L Street in southeast Washington, D.C.” The committee has invited representatives from the GSA, GAO, and Ward 6 Council to testify on possible uses of the warehouse. Councilmember Tommy Wells (Ward 6) and Ed Kaminski (ANC 6D02) have been invited to testify.


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ANC Rep and Half Street Market Supporter @GarberDC tweeted:

“@HalfStMarket hearing went really well. Congress & GSA very aware of community interest. …What a great building”

However Washington Post reporter @TimCraigPost wondered:

“Has anyone considered some won’t want to spend $19 million to build another Union Market, which many in DC can’t afford?”

Post reporter @OConnellPostbiz also wondered:

“We already have @EasternMarketDC and @UnionMarketDC — hard to see a third this close being best economic use.”

So what do you guys think – should DC buy the vacant L St, SE warehouse for $19 million and convert it into a new Market? If not, what do you think should become of the old warehouse?

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