H Street CDC Groundbreaking at 2321 4th Street, NE

 

H STREET COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, E&G GROUP HOSTS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR RHODE ISLAND AVENUE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Community and business leaders will join to celebrate the Rhode Island NE five-story, mixed-use development

 

Washington, DC (December 10, 2014) – H Street Community Development Corporation, in partnership with E&G Group, will host a groundbreaking ceremony to announce the development of 2321 4^th Street, NE. The ceremony will be held at the development on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. and will celebrate the construction of much needed affordable housing in the District.

 

2321 4^th Street, NE will include a five-story, transit oriented, mixed-use development with 116 affordable rental apartments and 5,000 sf. of retail space.

 

“In the District there continues to be a growing demand for smart, attractive affordable housing for residents looking to raise their families in thriving neighborhoods,” said Kenneth Brewer, Sr. executive director, H Street Community Development Corporation. “We believe 2321 4^th Street, NE responds to this demand and will create a number of construction and retail jobs that will continue to help the District’s economy grow.

 

Construction began on the project in November 2014, and is slated for completion by May 2016. The apartment units are being built in walking distance to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station, and amenities include a fitness center, community room, ground floor retail, and off-street parking spaces. The development has been designed to meet the needs of the Rhode Island Avenue neighborhood’s moderate-income family and business owners in search of retail space in an economically revitalized community.

 

2321 4^th Street, NE is financed with the help of the DC Housing Finance Agency, the District Department of Housing and Community Development and Capital One. The project is designed by Bonstra I Haresign Architects, with construction by Harkins Builders, Inc.

 

About H Street Community Development Corporation

H Street Community Development Corporation is a private, nonprofit organization, established in 1984 by residents, business owners, financial institutions, and government, to restore the riot-torn H Street corridor and residential neighborhood by developing vacant land and attracting new business. As the development vehicle, the Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit corporation blending the energies of community activists with the financial resources of government and private lenders.

Rhode Island Avenue NE Streetscape Comments Due TOMORROW

Please make sure to submit your feedback and suggestions to DDOT for the use of the Streetscape grant money for chnages to the sidewalks, curbs and medians along Rhode Island Avene NE. This is especially important as there is limited funding and they are not going to be able to make improvements for all of Rhode Island Ave NE. We need to ensure our voice is heard and the section of between 4th Street NE and the metro is a priority area for improvement. They will be accepting comments thru tomorrow after that they will review and the feedback they have received to guide them on segment selection. The slide presentation from the meeting can be seen on this link: http://rianortheast.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/RIA-DDOT-Public-Meeting-1.pdf

For more information see this post from a neighbor who went to the meeting:

Hello neighbors, this is actually my first time posting on the site. I am writing to encourage you to email the Department of Transportation (DDOT) regarding the upcoming Streetscape improvements of Rhode Island Ave NE. I went to the public meeting last evening on DDOT's Streetscape program. For those who have not heard, DDOT has received approximately $3 million dollars to improved the streetscapes along Rhode Island Ave NE. I know some of you are in Bloomingdale, but your neighbors to the east could use your help and support right now! 
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is undertaking a study of Rhode Island Avenue, NE between 4th Street, NE to Eastern Avenue, NE. Corridor-wide proposals will concentrate on creating a pedestrian friendly environment with amenities such as enhanced paving, site furnishings, lighting improvements, low impact development or ‘green street’ features, medians, street trees and other “green” spaces. As part of this project, DDOT is asking the community to help them identify focus areas within this 28-block study area. Detailed plans will be developed for these focus areas. 

Here is where last evening comes into play. Due to the limited funds they are planning on choosing 2 4 block areas of RI Ave NE to be completely redone. In the meeting they intimated that the areas of the corridor who they hear from the most will most likely be the areas picked for the work to be performed. They are accepting feedback from residents until next Thursday the 19th of December. 
Here is what I am asking everyone on this site to do. Please EMAIL the project and let them know you would like them to focus on the area from 4th St NE to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro. You can also provide details of things within this area you would like to see done when you send your email. Remember this is only about the streetscape, not economic development, buildings, etc. Examples of details could be more trashcans, improved lighting, new sidewalks, more trees, improved safety of the underpass to get to the RI Ave metro, etc. The more residents we get to do this, the more likely they are to pick our area of RI Ave as one of the areas that get a facelift! 
The website for this project iswww.RIAnortheast.com. Near the bottom of the page you will see the link: Contact Us:info@rianortheast.com. This is where you can email and request they focus on OUR area of RI ave NE! 
Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy email. I know it's a lot of information, but I also believe we have an unprecedented opportunity to drastically improve the Edgewood and Eckington part of RI Ave NE! Spread the word about the website and the email addressinfo@rianortheast.com. Don't forget all feedback must be received by next Thursday the 19th of December.
Let's work together and make sure our voices are heard and they choose the area of 4th St NE east to the metro to be one of the areas which are improved! 

P.S.- Here is an example of what I am going to email. Feel free to copy and past this if you like, making the necessary changes where needed, but I would encourage you to add your own ideas of what improvements you would like to see as well. 

Gabriela (or whomever else it may concern from DDOT), 
I am writing to strongly encourage you to consider the area of 4th St NE to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro as one of the focus areas for the upcoming Streetscape Project. This is a very heavily used pedestrian area of RI Ave NE for people getting to and from residential areas west of the metro as well as those who are walking to the amenities of the newly developed Rhode Island Row. Some specific examples of issues I would love to see corrected is improved sidewalks, improved lighting and increased safety of the underpass to get to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro. If some sort of barrier could be build between the narrow sidewalk and the road in the underpass that would really help with the safety of pedestrians along the busy avenue. I know all areas of Rhode Island Ave NE need improvements, but I feel this area in particular has the most density of usage and could benefit the most from this Streetscape improvement project. Thank you for your consideration of the area of 4th St NE to the Rhode Island Ave Metro as one of the focus areas. 

Sincerely, 
(your name here)

Mint Dental

I know we have all been wondering what will come to the retail slot in the Mint Condos on 4th and RIA NE - well a pair of dentists have acquired the entire 3000 SF and plan to open Mint Dental.  

While I know many of us were hoping for a restaurant the dentists seem like they will be great neighbors and are hard at work looking to open as soon as they can permits permitting. Maybe even this year!  This will add some more daytime foot traffic to that intersection and if they take your insurance will let you walk to the dental office twice a year for your cleanings instead of traveling across town like I currently do. Fingers crossed they take mine!

Exciting News for Edgewood and Ward 5

Today I stopped by Chez Hareg to grab some cookies and ran into Hareg herself.  She shared some very exciting news about her business.  She is acquiring a warehouse in Ward 5 off of Mt. Olivet Road NE not far from the intersection of Bladensburg Road because she will soon be selling her cookies in Costco!!!  I am so happy for her as her business keeps growing and anyone who stops by and tastes her pastries knows why!

What makes this even more exciting is she is planning on turning her current location on 4th Street NE into a coffee and sandwich spot!!!  Hareg also talked about her ultimate goal to open a place similar to Tryst!!

So go stop by Chez Hareg- congratulate her, encourage her interest in the coffee/sandwich/Tryst-like shop on 4th Street then treat yourself to some amazing cookies! 

Lots of exclamations points in the post but I think it is because I am just so happy for a local business that keeps growing and all that it means for Ward 5 and Edgewood!

Special ANC 5C Meeting Tonight

There is a special ANC 5C meeting tonight and it was brought to my attention there is an item that looks suspiciously like the 4th Street NE "Gateway" project on the agenda even though it is not specifically named or given identifying information.  This is beyond troubling to me as that project team has not attempted any community outreach beyond attending a couple of minimally attended community meetings.  With all of the press and attention that other development projects get in the area it is really important that we come together and demand the best project possible for our neighborhood.  That said if you can attend tonight please do so and let the ANC know your concerns with the project.

Personally, I would like more retail and to ensure that the building is as green as possible.  At the last meeting I saw the project team had added a little more retail so it went from roughly 3,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet.  I think it could get even better.  Other neighbors have expressed concerns with parking that I do not think have been addressed.  The building design is still not the most attractive or open for adding to the streetscape.  I also think that they should buy the neighboring liquor store out and include that lot in the development.  I think it is really important that they get more feedback from the neighbors who live in the area.

There is also the issue of the project being 100% affordable housing.  Many neighbors are not supportive of this idea.  It was requested of the project team if it must be 100% affordable housing then they make it condos instead of apartments.  While I am not opposed to affordable housing it is very apparent the quality of the building that you get is inferior when it is 100% affordable housing versus a market rate building with a smaller percent affordable.  I would like this project to be the beginning of a transformation of the commercial corridor of 4th Street and Rhode Island Ave NE and feel that we need the best possible project we can get for our neighborhood.

More Development Coming to Edgewood?

As projects around the neighborhood are getting completed it looks like H Street Development Corporation is finally trying to move forward on the development of the big, ugly, empty lot on 4th Street NE near Rhode Island Avenue NE.  I talked to them and they said that they have no groundbreaking dates or details as they are currently "in discussions" with lawyers and financiers.  The project has been added to their website again with no extra details.  It originally was planned to have underground parking, street level retail and housing on the upper floors which looks like at least 8 floors from the drawing on the website.  That height would make it the tallest building in that area and I wonder how that would play out in the community.  I like the concept and hope they keep it although I would love to hear more details!

Capital Bikeshare Crowdsourcing Map

To follow in all my fellow bloggers footsteps I would like to ask everyone to get on the Capital Bikeshare Crowdsourcing map and suggest stations that you would like in Edgewood and beyond.  Remember you can like stations that others have already suggested and make comments on them.  I am pretty sure that EYA is adding a station to the Chancellor's Row development and that Rhode Island Row is adding one as well. 

Here is the link to add your choices.

Capital Bikeshare Crowdsourcing Map

Here is what our area looks like on the map right now:

Youth Bicycle Repair Day on the Metropolitan Branch Trail

Hello all, please let your neighbors know about this and stop by to say hello.


Youth Bicycle Repair Day on the Metropolitan Branch Trail

Bring your old or new youth bicycles which have flat tires, brakes that don’t work, gears that don’t shift or any strange squeaks, creaks, clicks, ticks or groans, and we will fix them for you for FREE! Yep, you heard that right. FREE. We’ll treat you to a cold drink while you wait and we are even putting on new parts if you need them!

A Joint Effort By:
BicycleSPACE and the Ra
ils to Trails Conservancy

Where: The Metropolitan Branch Trail, on 4th & S Streets, NE

“The Pocket Park”

When: Saturday, July 30 from 11.00am to 2.00pm

So dig out those broken bikes, drag them down to the trail, and our mechanics will give them a new life!

Erik Kugler, CPA

erik.kugler.cpa@gmail.com
Principal, Cycletopia WDC LLC dba BicycleSPACE
459 I Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202 962 0123
Principal, BicyclePASS LLC
Principal, Cadence Retail Group, LLC

PSA 501 Drug Free Zone

I just wanted to make the Eckington/Edgewood communities aware that the Chief of Police declared a Drug Free Zone in our neighborhood today, July 21st. It encompasses the area bounded by Adams Street, 4th Street, Rhode Island Avenue, 5th Street, V Street, and 3rd Street, Northeast and will run through June 25th.


Drug Free Zones are temporarily established to allow the enforcement of anti-loitering laws against groups believed to be involved in illicit drug activity. Also, this weekend MPD is working All Hands On Deck, which means there will be a lot of additional manpower and resources in our district.

So, we'll see you out there, keep cool,

Sergeant Jon Dorrough

Fifth District

PSA 501

Big Lots Coming to Edgewood

I have been told that the Safeway space at the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center will be filled by a Big Lots this October.  I tweeted this yesterday when I first found out and wondered if this meant we might have a chance at getting a Farmer's Market in Edgewood. 

Met Branch Trail Safety Response From MPD

Dear MBT Community,


First, I apologize for the delay in responding, I've been on vacation for the last week,

Next let me apologize on behalf of MPD for the comment that an officer reportedly made advising a victim to avoid using the trail. That is neither the Department's position, nor mine, and I have been on record here encouraging people to use the trail - as I myself do - and I will continue to do so. I'm also addressing this issue with all of my officers.

I will continue to advise the members of this group of any occurrences on the trail. In analyzing the recent crimes, it is correct that in the past most issues were north of Rhode Island Ave. in the Edgewood area; however, these events in the last few weeks have been south of Rhode Island Ave.

I am attaching several maps that show robberies and assaults occurring within 200 feet of the trail, 300 feet, and in the area as a whole in the last 60 days to give some perspective on these events (these maps were pulled on June 3rd).

As far as the "address" of the trail, our dispatchers should be able to recognize the MBT and dispatch to it. Their systems have been updated and I understand they are in the process of training all operators. I believe they need a cross street for an exact location – this is the same process they use for our interstate highways that don't have a "proper" address.

We do have signs showing those streets that intersect with the trail; however, there are some portions where the trail does not physically intersect and we are working on ideas to get those areas marked properly.

The location, description, and M.O. of the assailants leads us to believe that these crimes were perpetrated by single suspect / group of suspects. We have identified some persons of interest and are currently investigating. We will also continue enhanced patrol of the trail and are working on implementing an additional action plan.

Finally let me say that I am very encouraged by the dedication to the trail that this community has shown, and I hope you continue to work proactively to improve it. Please continue to reach out to me and MPD with any ideas, suggestions, concerns, or requests.

Sgt. J. Dorrough, MPD, 5th District, PSA 501
Jonathan.Dorrough@dc.gov

Big, Ugly Empty Lot on 4th Street NE

Last year I wrote about the development of the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center and its future. While writing that piece I was informed that the big, ugly fenced off empty lot on 4th Street is not part of the shopping center. I thought that was great news because the shopping center will not be redeveloped for 8-10 more years due to leases. Here is a large empty lot close to the metro station on 4th Street NE near Rhode Island Ave that is just waiting for a transformation.

From there I have spent many hours trying to figure out who owns the lot and what they are going to be doing with it. Finding out who owns it was easy with a few google searches and looking in the DC property database I had more than enough information. From the property database I learned that the address is 2321 4th Street NE and it is owned by the H Street Community Development Corporation. I thought that was weird since all their projects are in the H Street area and Edgewood is a bit out of their range. Also, when I first looked at their website the land was listed, but now it is not. Then if you look at the property record the sales price is not listed and the recordation date is 2/10/2004. The group has owned the land for almost seven years now and if you look at the amount of taxes paid each year it is an extremely different number from a couple thousand to a couple hundred thousand. I am not an expert on these matters so anyone who can help me make sense of it please do!

Now getting the property owners to talk to me was another issue. I was told that they would only talk to the ANC. So, I waited out the election and contacted the new ANC for that area, Jioni Palmer. He had to contact them multiple times before getting a response. He was told by the director that they are considering the site for ground floor retail and either offices or residences above them, but they have been having a hard time getting financing. He promised to send a formal letter to Jioni. Jioni stated that he will be setting up meeting about the property with the owner after he receives the letter. I am hoping with our new Edgewood ANC and the new attention the community gives to this empty lot we can fill it with something great for the community.