Development

Given yesterday’s PoPtrekker focusing on Georgia Avenue, this is good timing for an update on the Great Streets initiative. Note #2 that says there will be an area for a future Farmer’s Market! Thanks a million to a reader for sending:

Please find below the status report on Georgia Avenue Great Streets.

1. Brightwood Segment (Piney Branch Avenue to Missiouri/Military)

This is the last segment anticipated for improvement as there is at least one major private development anticipated in the area and complicated intersection conflicts that pose significant challenges and require detailed study. Federal aid will be required to complete improvements in this segment as Great Streets funding is insufficient. Coordination with the community will begin with the initiation of analysis. Segment is schedule is quite a bit in the future. Alternatives analysis will begin in 2010 with design and construction to follow.

2. Middle Georgia Avenue Segment (a.k.a. Petworth segment – Webster Street to Otis Street)

Concept design was completed in 2007 through an intensive community involvement process which included the Upshur Street businesses. Design includes major streetscape improvements, improvements to small park areas along the corridor, operational and parking improvements, and accommodations for future farmer’s markets or other uses of the public space. There is broad public support for the improvements. Engineering design is nearing completion (at 65%) and construction is
anticipated later this year.

3. Lower Georgia Avenue and Howard Segment (Otis to Euclid and Euclid to Florida)

Transportation study and concept design completed in 2007. Study assessed the impacts of changes to Sherman Avenue on Georgia Avenue and vise verse in order to maintain system integrity. Concept design included streetscape improvements celebrating the African American heritage of the area such as public art and unique crosswalk patterns. New lighting has recently been installed in the area. Issues may be that improvement in this area is delayed and tied to the major private development (which will affect over 3 blocks of the 7 block area).

Design and construction are pending further determination of the major development in the area – the Howard Town Center – to ensure cooperation between area development and streetscape improvements and construction timing.

4. Howard Theatre (Florida to S Street NW)

Concept design is complete. Design implements the small area plan completed and adopted for the area and has been closely coordinated with DMPED rehabilitation and reuse of historic Howard Theatre. Design (at 65%) will be completed this summer with construction next year and includes major streetscape improvements and improvement of the T Street plaza. Project is on schedule with no anticipated issues.

Back in November we learned that the furniture store Room and Board had finalized the deal for this building. Some folks were a bit upset because the other alternative was the Tryst type spot, yoga space along with a comedy club. Now comes news from City Paper that they couldn’t finalize their financing.

By that point, Room & Board had offered, as a starting bid, $9.25 million to purchase the property. Then in December came devastating news from their bank, Milwaukee-based Associated Bank.

“Again we would have purchased it in December–the very end of the December–had we not been surprised by our bank,” he (Room & Board CFO Mark Miller) says.

But, realistically, all bets are off. His parting words to me:

“If you know of any properties for sale or for lease, let me know,” he says. “We need 25 or 30,000 square feet. We’d love an old building like 14th and T.”

The reader who sent me the link writes, “Let’s hope Constantine is calling his bank.” Constantine is the guy behind the initial Tryst type coffee house, yoga, and comedy spot idea.

What do you guys think – any chance the Tryst type option will reemerge? Or do you think this spot is likely to sit fallow for a while?