Development

Dear PoP – Any Plans for the Corner of 11th and V St, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

You had a number of posts recently about the V Street NW area, which kinda brought up my question – do you know what’s up with the old mechanic’s shop/property on the northeast corner of 11th and V Street? It was boarded up and gated for a while, then the city came in during the spring and tried to clean up after a shooting around here, dumping oil down V Street in the process in the middle of the afternoon. Now it remains ungated and nothing has happened since. Seems like a such a good place for someone to develop, but maybe the clean up is too much.”

Yeah, I’ve noticed the gate remains open as well. I’ve also noted a small tractor on the lot:

I think I once heard that a small condo project was slated to be built on this property but I don’t know if that’s the case anymore. Anyone else hear some scuttlebutt here?

Ed. Note: A number of folks have written in that the old church nearby at the corner of 10th and V St, NW now has dumpsters on the lot.

Movement at 14th and W St, NW and 14th and Belmont St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who’ve written in about the progress at 14th and W St, NW (pictured above). We’ve been eagerly awaiting movement since Oct. ’07. Perseus Realty just issued a press release this afternoon:

“14W Apartments

Perseus Realty, LLC (Perseus Realty) of Washington, D.C. and its joint venture partner Jefferson Apartment Group (JAG) of McLean Virginia will begin construction shortly on a new mixed-use development at 14th and W Streets, N.W. in Washington, D.C. The approximately 300,000 square foot project will have 231 rental apartments, an all-new 44,000 square foot YMCA facility, and over 10,000 square feet of ground-level retail space. With equity financing from Rockpoint Group, L.L.C. and a $53 million construction loan from Wells Fargo Bank, NA, the development team will begin demolition of the existing buildings in early December. The state-of-the-art YMCA and first apartments will deliver in summer of 2012, with the remaining apartments delivering by fall of 2012.”

And a bit further north it looks like construction may also soon start as they’ve put some new barriers down at the old Nehemiah site at 14th and Belmont St, NW.

Full Perseus press release after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoP – What’s the Construction at the Corner of Georgia and Quincy, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Do you have any info about the construction at Georgia Ave and Quincy St.?”

This is going to be a 49 unit condo project by Donatelli Development. Units will include 1 bedrooms, 1bed + den, and 2 bedrooms (with prices ranging from roughly $300s – $400s. It will be a six story building. There was a groundbreaking ceremony back in March ’10.

I’ll be updating with a “judging new buildings” post as construction progresses.

Dear PoP – Lane Closure on 9th and Mass?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I was just wondering if you know how long the two southbound lanes (far right) around 9th and Mass (NW) will be closed for construction of the new Convention Center hotel. I don’t think I am the only one that likes to take the 79 bus from CH to downtown that is frustrated with how long it is taking to go those three blocks every morning with those lanes closed. Do you have any information?”

Hmm, that’s a good question. I’m going to guess many many months. Does anyone know how long the lanes will be closed? The project is scheduled to continue through 2012 but it is not clear if the lane will be closed the whole time. For those who drive or take the bus through this area – has this created a major slowdown/traffic jam?

Dear PoP – Any O Street Market Update

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

You promised to give us periodic updates on the O St. Mkt and the Howard Theater. While it seems that the Howard renovation is moving along nicely, nothing has been touched at the O St. Market. What gives?”

Update on O Street Market – Ain’t shit happening.

Related update on Kelsey Gardens across the street – Ain’t shit happening.

Stay tuned for more updates when(ever) construction starts.

Convention Center Hotel Ground Breaking – Awesome Jacket in Sidewalk Saved!

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from twitter user MWTICE

At long last the convention center hotel is getting started! Thanks to twitter user MWTICE for sending the picture above letting me know that they’ve saved the the jacket in the ground which, I think we’ve said, comes from an old dry cleaners formerly on this spot. The ground breaking of the hotel is taking place today at 11am at 9th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW. More photos on the project as construction progresses.

Rendering for the Corner of 14th and Florida Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


Rendering courtesy of R2L:Architects

From a R2L:Architects press release:

“Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B approved the recommendation of its Design Review Committee on November 4, 2010 to support the design concept of a proposed new development at 2221 14th Street, NW. The six-story, 30-unit apartment house with ground floor retail and one level underground parking garage will be located on the southeast corner of 14th Street, NW and Florida Avenue, NW. The owner is Douglas Development, and the architect is R2L:Architects, both of the District.

The concept design features a contemporary palette of glass, metal, brick and terra cotta panels. Angular projecting bay windows will provide views from the apartments down both the 14th Street and Florida Avenue corridors. On the ground floor, large glass shop windows could accommodate a café, restaurant or other retail establishment. The project is located within the Greater U Street Historic District, and will seek concept approval from the Historic Preservation Review Board later this month.”

Here’s what the corner looks like now:

A couple more renderings after the jump. (more…)

DDOT Set to Start Reconstruction of Sherman Avenue

By Prince Of Petworth

From a DDOT press release on Friday:

Two Year Project Will Make Street Safer for Drivers, Cyclists and Pedestrians

(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced plans are in place to start the reconstruction of Sherman Avenue, NW. Major streetscape improvements, that will reshape Sherman Avenue as a residential street, are planned between Park Road and Florida Avenue. Construction on this two-year project will start next week with water-main utility work.

The department has worked very closely with the community on the design to ensure the construction will:

* Make Sherman Avenue feel more residential rather than a commuter route by reducing vehicular lanes to one in each direction.
* Improve pedestrian safety by widening the sidewalks to make them ADA compliant, and upgrading the wheelchair ramps and crosswalk markings.
* Make Sherman Avenue more attractive by planting trees and shrubs along the corridor, upgrading street lights and upgrading traffic signals.

“When we talk about livable streets in the coming years, we will be able to point to Sherman Avenue as a great example,” said Director Klein. “It won’t be a barren raceway prioritizing just cars anymore. It will be a beautiful, tree-lined residential street with wide sidewalks, shorter crosswalks and bike lanes in both directions. It will be safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.”

DDOT will also completely reconstruct the roadway, upgrade the DC Water pipes and improve the drainage system along Sherman Avenue. The construction is expected to be completed in late 2012.

The 5pm Post – McMillan Sand Filtration Site Meeting #2 Sat.

By Prince Of Petworth

“Meeting #2: What We Heard- Design Principles & Approach

Join us for a discussion of the elements that will go into the final design plan, based on the feedback the design team got in Meeting #1 and the Salon Sessions at Big Bear. This is Meeting #2 of a three meeting series and will give you a chance to meet and talk to the design team, get a schedule for future meetings, and learn how to share all of your ideas.

Saturday, November 6, 2010
9 AM to 12 NOON
St. Martin’s Church
1908 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(Enter on T Street)

Questions?
Call: Tania Jackson (202) 355-8998”

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