WASHINGTON, DC | Development News

[202_Cyclist]

The Urban Turf blog has a post about JBG's proposed development for 7th Street and Florida Avenue. I don't like the covered walkway in the middle of the block in the top first image below. This area should be opened up to the street and pedestrian. Aside from that, this should help with the continued development of Shaw area. This, Progression Place, the redevelopment of the Wonder Bread property will all significantly enhance this area. Last decade all the focus was on U Street and 14th Street. It will be Shaw's turn the coming decade.

New Renderings for JBG’s Florida Ave. Project; Reatig Redesign


Image courtesy of DC Urban Turf.


Image courtesy of DC Urban Turf.

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blo..._redesign/5061

[Foley Santamaria]

Yeah Shaw (and many other parts of the city) is/are blowing up.

[Kingofthehill]

Great news for Shaw! Shaw has alot of potential, especially for the type of infill we like, as the neighborhood's retail corridors and boulevards are largely underused and lacking in activity/vibrancy (specially 7th and 9th, but also Rhode Island and 11th).

NoMa confuses me a bit, though. I pass through the area fairly frequently, as I am often in Bloomingdale, and everytime I am there - be it day or night - it is a giant deadzone. It seems no matter how many condos, hotels, offices, government buildings, etc, you throw at the nabe, it is forever going to be a deadzone. Obviously, it won't be this way forever, but I hope this changes sometime soon.

[202_Cyclist]

City economic development chief details project pipeline

Georgetown Current
2/1/2012

"The city’s deputy mayor for planning and economic development told DC Chamber of Commerce members recently that his office is working on $11 billion worth of development projects in the District.

Victor Hoskins also told members last week that his staff is trying to jump-start another $13 billion worth of projects, many of which had been stalled for years. Meanwhile, an estimated $1 billion worth of projects are in development without his office’s help.

Already under construction are 14 projects worth $2.14 billion and will produce about 6,000 permanent jobs, Hoskins said. They include the 500,000-square-foot CityCenterDC project and the 1-million-square foot O Street Market project, expected to be complete in 2014, which will include a 72,000-square foot Giant, additional retail, a hotel and apartments..."

http://currentnewspapers.com/archive...?n=2&year=2012

[202_Cyclist]

Urban Turf has a comprehensive list of all the new development planned for Rosslyn. Central Place and 1812 North Moore will certainly change and improve the Rosslyn skyline. Rosslyn might be one of the most underrated neighborhoods in DC. It has quick access to Georgetown, Clarendon, the Orange and Blue lines, I-66, the George Washington Parkway, and Reagan airport.

Too Many To Count: Residential Projects in the Works for the Rosslyn/Ballston Corridor

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blo..._corridor/5073

[202_Cyclist]

DC Mud and the Washington Business Journal both have updates and several renderings of the proposal for the second stage of the redevelopment of the Southwest waterfront. This area, combined with the already developing waterfront by the Nationals stadium, is going to be very impressive once completed. There are also comprehensive plans to redevelop and improve the area around L'Enfant Plaza.

The Wharf on D.C.'s Southwest Waterfront, in detail
http://www.bizjournals.com/washingto...southwest.html

Hoffman-Madison Details Second-Stage Plans for Southwest Waterfront
http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2012/02/ho...ond-stage.html




Images courtesy of DC Mud.

[Foley Santamaria]

King of the hill - just saw a post on POP about a cafe/night lounge opening in one of the new buildings. Plus there is tons right there on H. I hear what you are saying though.

202cyclist - you are holding it down in this thread.

[OhioGuy]

Old Post Office Pavilion to Become a Luxury Trump Hotel

The Old Post Office is located at the corner of 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in the Federal Triangle neighborhood. Recognizing that the building had outlived its usefulness as Federal office space, Congress directed GSA in 2008 to enter into a long term lease for the Old Post Office under Section 111 of the National Historic Preservation Act, thereby guaranteeing the restoration and retention of all of its historic features while allowing the private sector to determine how to develop it to its fullest potential.

“The Trump Organization plan will preserve the historic nature of the building and improve the vitality of Pennsylvania Avenue,” continued Peck. “This redevelopment represents good business sense on behalf of the American taxpayer, the Federal Government and the District of Columbia.”

[202_Cyclist]

Yep, I saw this the other day. I need to visit before combover man take possession of this building.

[J_M_Tungsten]

Man, Trump has his hand in every city.

[202_Cyclist]

I consider myself to be fairly liberal but I'm the #1 tea-partiers when it comes to selling off unused and underused government properties. These present a tremendous opportunity for infill development and an opportunity for the federal government to earn revenue. In Georgetown, the Central Heating building is going to sold and redeveloped, most likely into a hotel.

I would also like to see the Tenley post office sold and infill development at this location on Wisconsin Avenue, a major corridor close to the metro station and well-served by many bus routes: http://greatergreaterwashington.org/...-smart-growth/ .

Insight Acquires Silver Spring Post Office, 310-Unit Apartment Building Coming

February 10, 2012
DC Urban Turf


Rendering via DC Urban Turf.

"Apartment developer Insight Property Group and Nova-Habitat, Inc, have acquired the Silver Spring Post Office at 8616 Second Avenue (map), and will start construction on a 310-unit apartment project on the site in the 4th quarter of 2012. Insight went under contract on the property back in May 2011, and the new project will be its first outside of Virginia..."

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blo...ding_comi/5114

[202_Cyclist]

Urban Turf has a post today about 9th Street, suggesting this will be the next area to see significant development. I've said it before but Shaw will become one of the hot neighborhoods this next decade, like 14th Street 5-10 years ago.

9th Street: DC’s Next “It” Boulevard?


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

February 13, 2012
by Shilpi Paul


"NoMa, H Street and 14th Street are regularly mentioned as the booming development corridors in DC. But another avenue will soon be on everyone’s radar: 9th Street NW.

From the 10-acre CityCenter project at H Street NW to multi-block developments like CityMarket at O and JBG’s planned project on Florida Avenue NW, the development in the works for the area is substantial..."

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blo...lowing_up/5112

[DistrictDirt]

I don't frequent the DC forum much anymore, but popped over to see what you guys thought about the Trump thing. Surprised there's not more of an uproar. One of the most beautiful buildings in the District in the hands of an egomaniac with questionable taste. What were they thinking?

[202_Cyclist]

DistrictDirt:

I don't frequent the DC forum much anymore, but popped over to see what you guys thought about the Trump thing. Surprised there's not more of an uproar. One of the most beautiful buildings in the District in the hands of an egomaniac with questionable taste. What were they thinking?

Agreed. I need to visit the building before he takes ownership of it.

[turigamot]

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

I don't frequent the DC forum much anymore, but popped over to see what you guys thought about the Trump thing. Surprised there's not more of an uproar. One of the most beautiful buildings in the District in the hands of an egomaniac with questionable taste. What were they thinking?

I'm not worried about it. The fed wants to make sure the Old Post Office will still be open to the public in some ways. The clock tower and the first floor will likely be required to be open to public use, before Trump will be allowed to do anything with it. And you can be damn sure he won't be allowed to touch its historic beauty.

[202_Cyclist]

What D.C. doesn’t need: a Trump Tower

By Steven Pearlstein
February 11, 2012
Washington Post

"They are two of Washington’s architectural and historical gems: The Old Post Office Pavilion on Pennsylvania Avenue and the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building on the Mall. The good news is that both are slated for renovation and what the bureaucrats like to call “re-purposing.” The bad news is that, in both cases, the process is headed in the wrong direction.

Let’s start today with the Old Post Office and the General Services Administration’s curious selection of Donald Trump and Colony Capital to develop it into a luxury hotel.

I say curious not because of any concerns about the hotel concept, or even out of concern for what might be called the “Trump aesthetic,” the over-the-top sensibility that tends toward the big, the fancy and the gaudy. My guess is that by the time the historic-preservation police are finished with their painstaking reviews and requirements, any traces of an architectural comb-over will have been thoroughly expunged from the plans, along with any profit from the five-year pro forma..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/what-d...P7Q_story.html

[202_Cyclist]

Update on the St. Matthews Redevelopment in Southwest Waterfront

February 14, 2012
by Shilpi Paul
Urban Turf


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

"At last night’s ANC 6D meeting, representatives behind the redevelopment of a new St. Matthew’s Church and an 11-story apartment complex at 22 M Street SW (map) received approval on their revised PUD application.

Developers Trammell Crow and CSG Urban Partners are working with architect Shalom Baranes on the redevelopment of the church site, which will include a 220-unit apartment project at the corner of M Street and Delaware Avenue SW. The apartments will be open to everyone, including non-church members, and the complex will also have facilities like a sanctuary space, classrooms, and a coffee shop called Sacred Grounds..."

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blo...aterfront/5128

[202_Cyclist]

$1 billion casino at National Harbor proposed by Prince George’s Executive Baker


Jeffrey MacMillan/For The Washington Post - Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker stands at the New Carrollton Metro Station, the site of another major development in Prince George's County, on April 14, 2011.

By John Wagner and Miranda S. Spivack
February 16, 2012
Washington Post

"Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III said Thursday that he wants to see a billion-dollar casino on the banks of the Potomac River, arguing that a “high-end” gaming destination at National Harbor would be a catalyst for economic development and generate much-needed tax revenue.

The announcement, which carries considerable political risk for Baker (D), is certain to shake up a debate in Annapolis over legislation to expand Maryland’s gambling program — and add fuel to one in Prince George’s about what kind of development the county should embrace.

The developer of National Harbor endorsed the plan Thursday, but the prospect of bringing a full-fledged casino to Prince George’s faces considerable hurdles, including mixed views among county lawmakers and staunch opposition from the owner of a planned casino in neighboring Anne Arundel County..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...OIR_story.html

[babybackribs2314]

If there is one thing PG doesn't need, it's gambling. That would create additional woes in the county that is becoming (if the center hasn't already shifted from SE DC) the center for regional poverty.

[202_Cyclist]

Courtesy of JD Land, there is some news this week from the Southeast waterfront/baseball stadium area. The Bullpen, the area on the land where Akridge's Half Street development will be built, will serve as a retail market this summer, built out of salvaged shipping containers (hopefully with no Somali pirates in them). This will also include a Bayou and Surfside restaurant, as well as music.


Half Street 'Fairgrounds': Shipping Container Market, Events Space
http://www.jdland.com/dc/index.cfm/3...Market-Events/

Also announced this week, Osteria Morini, an Italian restaurant, will be going into space at the Lumber Shed building (right next to the Yards park).

Lumber Shed Restaurant Announced: Osteria Morini
http://www.jdland.com/dc/index.cfm/3...steria-Morini/