Development

Friday Question of the Day – What Should We Do with RFK Stadium?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user mosley.brian

ANC Commissioner Brian Flahaven reported:

“On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the DC Council’s Committee on Economic Development will hold a hearing on Bill 20-563, the District of Columbia Sports and Entertainment Complex Feasibility Study Act of 2013. If enacted, this bill would require the Mayor to conduct a study to determine the “economic feasibility, economic impact and costs” of developing a new 100,000 seat superdome, indoor waterpark, soundstage, PGA-level golf course and hotel zone at the RFK Stadium, DC Armory and Langston Golf Course sites. If enacted, the bill requires the study to be completed by Feb. 15, 2015.

As I’ve detailed in a previous post, this is a really bad bill. Instead of outlining a thoughtful, open planning process that involves the community in determining future uses for the RFK Stadium site, B20-563 begins with the conventional wisdom (a new stadium to replace the old one) and surrounds it with a random grab bag of pet projects that will do little for the neighborhood and city.”

What do you guys think should be done with the stadium and surrounding property in a perfect world? What do you think realistically can/will happen?


Update on Development Coming to 2100 Vermont Ave by Duffy’s and 9:30 Club

By Prince Of Petworth

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2100 Vermont Ave, NW

Update on this prime space from the invaluable Short Articles about Long Meetings (SALM):

“Richard Foster Architects has proposed a design for a six-story mixed-use building at 2100 Vermont Avenue NW. It would contain 19 rental units of between 430 and 716 square feet apiece. There will be no parking spaces. Residents will promise not to seek an on-street resident parking permit as a condition of their lease.

The ground floor would have room for 2,100 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, with doorways facing both V Street and Vermont Avenue.”

Though SALM also reports that ANC1B’s Design Review Committee did not like the initial design. Updates when/if they submit a redesign and/or they pass their Board of Zoning Adjustment.

Full details on the meeting here.

We’ve been watching this former Horse’s ass award nominee since 2011.

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Rite Aid Closing at 13th and U St, NW this July to Make Way For Planned 135-unit apartment project?

By Prince Of Petworth

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13th and U Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

Any word on when JBG is planning to break ground on the 1300 U St NW site?

The company completed an HPRB review just about a year ago for an 8-story residential building with ground-level retail to replace its existing one-story building taking up most of that block. And, other than Rite Aid, all of the stores in the building (Wydown, Pizza Hut, Al Crostino, etc.) have moved to JBG’s Louis on 14th or Georgia Ave. Seems like all of their ducks are in a row, but that they’re just selling window-based ad space for DCityStyle right now instead of starting construction.”

I spoke with a worker at Rite Aid who says he hears they’ll be closing July. Washington Business Journal has reported:

“The JBG Cos. is planning to develop a 135-unit apartment project at 13th and U streets across from the U Street Metro station. JBG applied to the District in the fall of 2012 to demolish a one-story Rite-Aid at the site to make way for its planned eight-story building, which will include 15,000 square feet of retail space.”

Though UrbanTurf reported:

“Louis, a currently under-construction apartment project at 14th and U Street NW, and another project around the corner at 13th and U Street, which is in the planning stages, have been put up for sale by the busy firm.”

It’s not clear if the proposed sale will delay the construction at 13th and U but based on what the Rite Aid employee said – I’d guess we’ll see construction start around July/August. More info when it becomes available.

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Zoning Reform/Pop Up Battle Heats Up in Lanier Heights – ‘Stop Pop Ups’ vs ‘Stop Nimby-ism’

By Prince Of Petworth

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Update on “Ugly Pop-Ups: Destroying Family Housing on Lanier Place.”.   Thanks to a reader for sending the photo above:

“A few days ago, I was walking on Lanier Place and saw these signs in front of that pop-up. This is just getting ridiculous and makes our friendly neighborhood seem not that friendly.”

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And I spotted this ‘Stop Nimby-ism’ sign outside the Adamo development coming to the former Adams Morgan Exxon Station:

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Update on New Condos Coming to former Ontario Theatre in Adams Morgan – Prices Starting from the High $200s

By Prince Of Petworth

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1700 Columbia Rd, NW looking east

Back in October 2013 we noted the old Ontario Theatre was completely demolished.  You can have a look at the rendering for future condos here. You can read an awesome history about the Ontario Theatre from Streets of Washington here. And check out a photo from 1994 here.

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And their website is now live:

“Introducing Ontario 17, a new community located in one of the District’s most dynamic neighborhoods: Adams Morgan.

Ontario 17 features 80 luxury condominiums and 9,000 square feet of ground floor retail space along Columbia Road. Just minutes from the Woodley Park -Zoo/Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights Metro Stations.”

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17th and Columbia Rd, NW looking west on Columbia

Another Massive Transformation Coming to the Corner of 14th and W St, NW – Check Out the Future LUMEN Condos, Coming Summer 2015

By Prince Of Petworth

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Rendering via LUMEN Condominiums

An update on the massive transformation coming to 14th and W St, NW. Ed. Note: The northeast corner of 14th and W St, NW saw a massive transformation back in 2012. The Lumen Website says:

“18 Exclusive Fourteenth Street
Condos | Arriving Summer 2015”

14th and W Street, NW Today:

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2200 14th Street, NW

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Your Weekly Trader Joe’s Fix – Proper Signage Spotted – Transformation of 1900 Block of 14th Street Nearly Complete

By Prince Of Petworth

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1916 14th Street, NW

When I took this photo I guy running by stopped to do a double take and literally started applauding. The whole building is really starting to come together now:

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Trader Joe’s will open in about a month. A quick reminder of what the space once looked like:

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1916 14th Street, NW in 2008

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1916 14th Street, NW in 2010

And in 2010 next door neighbors formerly home to Taco Bell, Foot Locker, Dominos and the United Supreme Council National Headquarters and Archives.

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Big Brick Garage to Become “Luxury Apartments” in Adams Morgan

By Prince Of Petworth

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1711 Florida Ave, NW

More big development news for Adams Morgan – yesterday the Post’s @OConnellPostbiz tweeted:

“Kettler buys 1711 Florida Avenue N.W in Adams Morgan (brick garage behind Marie Reed elem). To become…luxury apartments”

In addition to a garage 1711 Florida Ave is also currently home to Planet Pet.

From a press release:

Kettler, one of greater Washington, D.C.’s leading real estate development and property management companies, announced today that it has purchased 1711 Florida Avenue N.W. in Washington D.C. for an undisclosed amount.

“We view the purchase of this property as an exceptional opportunity to further Kettler’s commitment to multifamily development in core locations throughout the metropolitan Washington area. Adams Morgan is a unique neighborhood and we look forward to working with the District of Columbia and the surrounding community to deliver an attractive development that meets the needs of the market,” said Asheel Shah, senior vice president of Real Estate Investments for Kettler.

In addition to the Florida Avenue site, Kettler will expand its presence in the city this summer, by unveiling its new brand of apartments with the opening of m.flats Mount Vernon Triangle, located at 450 K Street N.W. Washington D.C.

m.flats is a milestone project for Kettler as the company aims to attract apartment dwellers who want to live in transit-oriented communities that are amenity-rich, efficiently designed yet offer high-end units. The m.flats brand will offer studios, one and two-bedroom units, as well as common areas that encourage residents to gather.

Checking in on the Colossal Elevation Building Opening in NoMa this Summer

By Prince Of Petworth

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100 Florida Ave, NE looking east toward Union Market

Lots of progress since we we took a quick peek back in August. The building is located where Florida Ave and New York Ave intersect near the NoMa metro. Pretty dramatic changes from less than a year ago.

Their website says these rentals will have:

“Dramatic views of DC
Modern kitchen design with quartz countertops and European-style cabinetry
ENERGY STAR® stainless steel appliance package
Wood flooring throughout kitchen and living areas
9-foot ceilings
Floor-to-ceiling windows*
Full-size washer and dryer
Balconies and patios*

*Available in many units”

and the amenities are listed as:

“Grand lobby with lounging areas, grand staircase and mixed media art wall
Urban plaza featuring a central fountain
Rooftop lounge with private pool and sundeck, stunning Capitol views, cabana-style trellis and grilling stations
Expansive, 24-hour fitness center with cardio, strength training and yoga/multi-purpose studio
2nd floor terrace with additional grilling stations
Multimedia club room with billiards, shuffleboard and more
One block to the Metro
Direct access to Metropolitan Branch Bike Trail
Zipcar® in building”

You can see the floor plans here.

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