It’s been a while since I’ve posted a nominee but as I passed this building I recognized the sheep art that someone had sent in months ago. And I realized this building has been boarded up for years. It looks like it has the structure to be a sweet building. I look forward to the day I can re-post this building under an ‘appreciating buildings’ category.
This building has a been a horse’s ass award nominee for years. Thanks to a reader for sending in the update that the building’s pop up is finally starting to get bricked up. I still have no idea what the building is going to become, do any readers who live nearby happen to know? It’s great to finally see some movement here. I’ll be sure to update as progress continues.
This property on the 600 block of D St, SE is gigantic. It is cool property in and of itself (taking up almost a full block) but then I spotted the historical connection – General George Washington stayed here:
Apparently “The Maples” was built in 1797 and later became “The Friendship House” under the United Way:
It seems the property sold in March 2010 for $2,600,000 (asking price was $5,500,000). That seems like good news. Anyone know what the plans are here?
“Dear PoP,
Do you know anything about the property on the corner of 12th and s nw? it doesn’t seem like there’s been any progress for months and it’s starting to get vandalized (broken window, graffiti).”
Sadly, we’ve looked at this property on many occasions, last in March 2009. I dare say it looked better then (see photo below). I have to agree with the reader here – this definitely deserves a horse’s ass award in my opinion. Do any readers who live nearby happen to know what’s going on? Is it a case of the developer/builder simply running out of money?
It’s a great location so I’d imagine if it ever got fixed up all the way it’d be rented/sold in a heartbeat. Well, in the meantime we’ll have to add it to the list…
Below the reader, Steven Conn, details the process he took to encourage the property owners improve or sell the blighted property.
“Dear PoP,
I am just happy that the building is being returned to being a productive member of society.
1. My community members and I urge DCRA to designate the property as blighted (composed evidence with pictures, etc)
2. DCRA agrees to blight the property after my neighbors and I convinced the Board of Unsanitary and Condemned Buildings at one of their hearings.
3. The building owner panicked, and went back to previous buyers that he previously declined offers from, and asked if they were still interested (so he could sell it before he had to pay the increased, blighted taxes)
4. Before buying the building, Ramin Bassam (principal of PERS Development) reached out to neighbors and I to see if we would support an effort to get DCRA to temporarily lift the “blighted status” so he could get financing to re-develop the building (apparently banks won’t give financing for re-development of blighted buildings).
5. Neighbors and I agreed that if Ramin Bassam would agree to 1) not seek public financing keep all financing private, and not seek public financing which would bring with it Section 8 housing, etc 2) begin construction by 30SEP10, and 3) keep the previous owner from being a going concern in retail planning etc, that we would support the appeal to DCRA to temporarily lift the blighted status of the building so he could secure his financing
6. Ramin agreed to our 3 criteria, and we went forward to lobby DCRA to temporarily lift the blighted status, which they did two weeks ago (tomorrow).
7. Ramin got his financing the next day, closed on the bldg the following day, and started re-hab (first he has to clear out the debris) the following Monday!
So, it turned into a success story (so far so good), that hopefully other communities may use to abate their streets of vacant buildings owned by negligent landlords!”
Here is the article from DCmud about the new developer. Ed. Note: The article incorrectly gives me credit for the power point presentation which was submitted by Steven Conn (who wrote the above note as well).
You can see the original Horse’s Ass Award nomination here.
It seems like nearly every time I nominate a building for a horse’s ass award – it either belongs to or someone references Douglas Development Corporation. Their Web site says:
Since its inception in 1985, Douglas Development has tallied redevelopment successes in the District of Columbia, as well as suburban Maryland and Virginia. Douglas Development has earned a reputation for creating value and a “sense of place” in underdeveloped yet emerging areas. Douglas Development continues to win praise from the press, community leaders, and neighbors for its pioneering work in enhancing communities.
Douglas Development has earned a reputation for trusted stewardship in the redevelopment of historic buildings. Douglas Development is passionate about restoring the pride and history of mixed-use buildings. All members of Douglas Development’s design and construction teams are handpicked by Douglas Jemal, President of Douglas Development, for their abilities to appreciate and preserve the legacy of each historic building. Development project teams include nationally recognized design architects, leading historical consultants, and proven construction managers.
While on this weekend’s walkabout I couldn’t help but notice tons of vacant buildings with the Douglas Development logo on the side – advertising for lease or office space available. There were tons in Chinatown/Penn Quarter (and pictured below the gigantic space near the NY Ave Metro station) not to mention the Wonderbread Factory in Shaw.
More background from the Douglas Development Web site says:
Mr. Jemal branched into real estate in the early 1980’s, purchasing his first parcel at 425 7th Street, NW, in 1981. Since then he has focused on purchasing and developing distinctive commercial properties in urban areas such as: Wonder Plaza (the former Wonder Bread bakery) near Howard University; Jemal’s Park & Shop (on Connecticut Ave, the oldest strip shopping center on the east coast); the historic block of 7th street between G and H streets in Chinatown; and the historic Woodward & Lothrop (Woodies) Building at Metro Center. Mr. Jemal believes in the hands-on approach to development and he is actively involved on a personal basis in the design, construction and leasing of all his properties.
Mr. Jemal is particularly noted for his unprecedented success in preserving historic architecture while transforming properties into viable and successful retail, office and residential sites. Mr. Jemal’s retail background provides him with valuable insight into the needs of the eventual tenant during the construction process, as well as with the proper mix and placement of tenants once leasing commences.
So I’ve heard folks call Douglas Development a savior and I’ve heard folks call them a lot worse. What do you guys think: Does the company preserve “historic architecture while transforming properties into viable and successful retail, office and residential sites” or do they sit on vacant properties for an unreasonable amount of time contributing to the blight of many city streets? Or is it far more complicated than that?
“Dear PoP,
I think it’s high time for the Webster School to get a Horse’s Ass award for the plywood walk through covering the sidewalk for years and years.
You had asked what the plans were for it back in Feb. Supposedly it’s claimed by eminent domain by the secret service next door. If it’s not going to be developed anytime soon I wish they would get rid of the stupid eyesore plywood!”
If you have a building in disrepair that you’d like to nominate for a horse’s ass award, send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com.
I’m not sure if we’ve spoken about this building before but located on the corner of 11th and K Streets, NW it pains me every time I pass it. Anyone know how long it’s been like this? Do you think this building deserves a horse’s ass award? Do you think the huge advertisement makes it better or worse?
If you have a nomination please send an email and photo to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com.
Great development from Council Member Jim Graham’s Web site:
I am pleased to announce that last week, the Mayor recommended, and Council approved, a loan of $4,137,000 from the Community Development Block Grant Program to acquire the old Deauville Apartments at 3145 Mount Pleasant Street.
Located at 3145 Mount Pleasant Street, the Deauville was a historic building that was destroyed by a five alarm fire in March 2008. As a result of the fire, the tenants were relocated . We had all been working hard for years up until that time in order to overcome the nefarious actions by the slumlord who owned the property. Those actions were obviously set back with this fire.
This loan approval is an essential step towards redeveloping and rehabilitating the property. We appreciate the hard work of the Mayor and his staff in making this possible. The Mayor has been with us on this since the first hours of that devastating fire. The strong interest and support from ANC1D has also made a huge difference. And, of course, the tenants and housing advocates have stood strong in their determination to become the owners of 3145.
This loan will be used to fund the acquisition of 67 units of affordable housing in Ward 1. Forty of these units will be occupied by the original displaced tenants.
I look forward to putting this horse’s ass award nominee behind us and I can’t wait to post photos when progress takes shape!
Remember if there is no progress at all by March 2011 that’s when we start the revolution…
The reader writes:
“This might be the best pop-up ever. It used to be 2 stories and has been a rental for the ten years I’ve been on the block. The house was gutted and now has 4 units. The pop-up looks totally natural and blends nicely into the block, which is home to differing styles of houses. Next door, by the way, is a house deserving of a horses ass award. 1342 (the address reads 1324) has been under construction for at least 10 years. It’s ugly but I suppose it could be worse – at least it’s occupied.”
So this is a two parter – thumbs up or down for the pop up above first and second do you think the house to the right deserves a horses ass award nomination?