Development Update

Just a glance around Edgewood and you can see all the ongoing construction with developments completing and new neighbors and businesses moving into the neighborhood. I feel like a broken record trying to get these developments to acknowledge that they are in Edgewood! So below are the updates of the developments ongoing in the Edgewood neighborhood for your reading pleasure.

Chancellor's Row (3015 4th Street NE) - 10-acre residential development on St. Paul's campus which began construction Fall 2010. They sold out last year and only ones on the market are being sold by owners. They added a ZipCar and a Capital Bikeshare Station to this location. The remodeling of the triangle park at 4th, Franklin and Lincoln NE has been completed from the community benefits of this project.

Monroe Street Market (7th Street and Michigan Ave NE) - mixed use development that includes approximately 720 housing units, 45 townhouses, and a public square with a college main street with 83,000 square feet of street-level retail, 15,000 square feet of artists' studio space and 850 below-grade parking spaces. They started demolition on the CUA buildings in 2010 and broke ground on November 9, 2011. Right now they are getting close to completion with their 3 buildings renting and the Arts Walk is full.  They have retail open- &Pizza, Potbelly, Brookland Pint, , Halsa, Barnes &Noble, Busboys and Poets and more is coming.  Filter Coffeehouse and The Bike Rack are scheduled to open soon. They will start construction of the townhome section of the project soon. They have a future phase that is still to be planned and developed and they will neither confirm nor deny that it could hold a Whole Foods in the future when it is developed.

Pizza Mart Development (4th Street and Adams Street NE) - last year the building that housed the Pizza Mart was demolished and they have started construction on a new building that will include 17 condominiums.

H Street Development Corporation (2321 4th Street NE) - this development broke ground on December 10, 2014 and will be affordable housing apartments with ground floor retail.  There will be 116 apartments and a little over 5000 SF of retail space with a completion date of May 2016.  The building will also include a fitness center, community room, and 32 off-street parking spaces.  The rental ranges from $1038 for a studio to $1638 for a 3 bedroom.  There will be some units at lower rates as subsidized by DCHA.

 

The pedestrian bridge from the Metropolitan Branch Trail to the Rhode Island Avenue metro station which opened for use on December 31, 2014. The bridge still has some finishing touches to be completed but already looks great and is a long-awaited addition to our neighborhood.

Trinity Washington University is adding a new Trinity Academic Center building and they broke ground in May 2014 and is expected to be completed by Summer 2016. 

Mess Hall (703 Edgewood Street NE) is a culinary incubator that opened in the Fall of 2014.

Holy Redeemer College (3112 7^th Street NE) has a plans for adding 41 townhouses to the property and this is currently in the planning stages.

Dew Drop Inn (2801 8^th Street NE) plans to open restaurant in Spring/Summer 2015.

Developments Surrounding Edgewood

Rhode Island Row (919 Rhode Island Ave NE) - This project is completed but still filling up the remaining empty retail slots. They have posted the rents and they range from $1740 for a 1 bed/bath to $3465 for a 3 bed/bath. The following retailers are open: CVS, Chipotle, Sprint, T-Mobile, DC Dept. of Motor Vehicles, Carolina Kitchen, TK Burger, D’Arte Nail Spa Salon, Jersey Mike's, Bergami's Pizza, Phenix Salon and Suites and Sala Thai. I am hoping that they will fill the last remaining spots soon!!

901 Monroe Street NE - This project was approved by the zoning commission across the street in Brookland and looks promising. The plans are after demolishing the current buildings to build 212 Apartments, 16 units at below market rents, and 13,000 sq. ft. of neighborhood-serving retail including a restaurant. Groundbreaking occurred the end of 2012, but there have not been many updates since then. It was supposed to be done by Fall of 2013, so seems to be a bit behind schedule.

Washington Gateway (Intersection of New York Ave and Florida Ave NE) - This project which has been recently revived and modified to include more residential instead of a hotel will connect NoMa with the Eckington neighborhood. The groundbreaking happened the end of 2013 for Phase One which is a building with 400 residential units and 5,200 sq. ft. of retail and is well on its way to being completed with a restaurant taking the retail space.  The next two phases of this project will be office buildings. This project will also connect to the Met Branch Trail which will be great.  There is currently a temporary connection to the trail and an unofficial dog park.

McMillan Sand Filtration (North Capitol Street, Michigan Ave, 1 Street NW) - This huge 25 acre site has been the focus of many meetings and plans over the years and I'll put its timeline as I'll believe it when I see it. The site is now being used to storm excess storm water to help reduce flooding in the area. There are many sites and posts about this development as everyone seems to have an opinion as to what should happen with this piece of land. They have recently had meetings with the zoning board and historic preservation and there have been more meetings so I am sticking to my last update that I will believe it when I see it.  That said there have been a number of approvals by the council and different boards so it may be moving forward.

Phenix Salon Suites at Rhode Island Row

See the press release below about the new Phenix Salon Suites at Rhode Island Row.

MEDIA ALERT

Date: December 19, 2014

What: Rhode Island Row, a mixed-use development in Northeast DC, has announced Phenix Salon Suites is now open. Phenix brings a first-of-its-kind concept to Washington, DC, which features more than 35 independent business environments (salon suites), featuring hair stylists, professional makeup services, estheticians and more. Each suite is controlled by the salon professional, providing the local community with a diverse offering of dozens of services within one environment. 

Phenix is located between next to TKO Burger at Rhode Island Row, and is easily accessible via the red line at the Rhode Island Avenue metro station. 

Where:             Rhode Island Row, 2300 Washington Place NE, Washington, DC 20018

Hours:             Hours are determined by individual stylists.

Info:                 http://www.rhodeislandrow.com/retail/    

About Rhode Island Row:

Rhode Island Row is a mixed-use, transit-oriented development featuring 274 residential apartment units and 70,000 feet of ground-level retail space. Located at the Red Line’s Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metrorail station in northeast Washington, DC, Rhode Island Row is home to national retail tenants such as CVS, Chipotle and Jersey Mike’s as well as local merchants Bergami’s Pizza, Carolina Kitchen, and Sala Thai. The apartments at Rhode Island Row offer spacious one, two, and three bedroom floor plans with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and full-size washers and dryers. Community amenities include a fitness center, resort-style outdoor pool, garage parking, bicycle storage, and a 7,000 square-foot green roof deck. Rhode Island Row is proudly managed by Bozzuto Management Company. For more information, please visit www.rhodeislandrow.com

Development Update

Just a glance around Edgewood and you can see all the ongoing construction with developments completing and new neighbors and businesses moving into the neighborhood. I feel like a broken record trying to get these developments to acknowledge that they are in Edgewood! So below are the updates of the developments ongoing in the Edgewood neighborhood for your reading pleasure.

Chancellor's Row (3015 4th Street NE) - 10-acre residential development on St. Paul's campus which began construction Fall 2010 as promised and already has residents living there. They only have four houses left to sell and will definitely sell out this year if not this month. It is anticipated that all three phases will be completed ahead of schedule as sales are going so well and prices keep going up. They have already added a ZipCar and a Capital Bikeshare Station to this location. The remodeling of the triangle park at 4th, Franklin and Lincoln NE has been completed from the community benefits of this project.

Monroe Street Market (7th Street and Michigan Ave NE) - mixed use development will include approximately 720 housing units, 45 townhouses, and a public square with a college main street with 83,000 square feet of street-level retail, 15,000 square feet of artists' studio space and 850 below-grade parking spaces. They started demolition on the CUA buildings in 2010 and broke ground on November 9, 2011. Right now they are getting close to completion with their 3 buildings renting and the Arts Walk full.  They have retail open- &Pizza, Potbelly and more is coming.  Brookland Pint and Barnes & Noble are scheduled to open Summer 2014.  Filter Coffeehouse and The Bike Rack scheduled to open Fall 2014. Busboys and Poets is scheduled to open Winter 2014/2015.  They have a future phase that is still to be planned and developed and they will neither confirm nor deny that it could hold a Whole Foods in the future when it is developed.

Pizza Mart Development (4th Street and Adams Street NE) - recently the building that houses the Pizza Mart has sold and it will be demolished.  It has already been closed and emptied.  They have applied for permits and the realtor stated that it will be condos with ground floor retail.

H Street Development Corporation (2313-2331 4th Street NE) - this development has been long stalled but is supposed to be affordable housing apartments with ground floor retail.  They have done the soil testing but it has been otherwise quiet.  It has been noted that the liquor store next door to it has closed and its space may now be included in this project.

Chez Hareg Catering (2314 4th Street NE) - the pastry shop is getting ready to reopen as a cafe serving breakfast and lunch.  They have a menu posted on their window that looks delicious and affordable.

Developments Surrounding Edgewood

Rhode Island Row (919 Rhode Island Ave NE) - This project is well underway and already has residents moving in as the apartments are completed. They have posted the rents and they range from $1740 for a 1 bed/bath to $3465 for a 3 bed/bath. This place has already rented out over 95% of their apartments. The reatil is starting to fill in and as of now the following are open: CVS, Chipotle, Sprint, T-Mobile, DC Dept. of Motor Vehicles, Carolina Kitchen, TK Burger, D’Arte Nail & Spa Salon, Jersey Mike's, Bergami's Pizza, and Sala Thai. Phenix Hair Salon Suites is set to open this fall.  They still have open spaces left and I am hoping that they will fill them soon!!

Mint Condos (329 Rhode Island Ave NE) - This project is completed and is across the street from Edgewood in Eckington. The burnt out shell of a building was converted into 21 luxury condos priced between mid $250,000 and mid $300,000s and  sold out. The building also has 3000 square feet of retail space which is now Mint Dental- a great neighborhood amenity to walk to a dental office.

901 Monroe Street NE - This project was approved by the zoning commission across the street in Brookland and looks promising. The plans are after demolishing the current buildings to build 212 Apartments, 16 units at below market rents, and 13,000 sq. ft. of neighborhood-serving retail including a restaurant. Groundbreaking occurred the end of 2012, but there have not been many updates since then. It was supposed to be done by Fall of 2013, so seems to be a bit behind schedule.

Washington Gateway (Intersection of New York Ave and Florida Ave NE) - This project which has been recently revived and modified to include more residential instead of a hotel will connect NoMa with the Eckington neighborhood. The groundbreaking happened the end of last year for Phase One which is a building with 400 residential units and 5,200 sq. ft. of retail and is well on its way to being completed with a restaurant taking the retail space.  The next two phases of this project will be office buildings. This project will also connect to the Met Branch Trail which will be great.

McMillan Sand Filtration (North Capitol Street, Michigan Ave, 1 Street NW) - This huge 25 acre site has been the focus of many meetings and plans over the years and I'll put its timeline as I'll believe it when I see it. The site is now being used to storm excess storm water to help reduce flooding in the area. There are many sites and posts about this development as everyone seems to have an opinion as to what should happen with this piece of land. They have recently had meetings with the zoning board and historic preservation and there have been more meetings so I am sticking to my last update that I will believe it when I see it. 

RIA Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Grants

Here's the latest information on the Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Funding program:

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development (DMPED) has released the first round of grant applications for the Small Business Capital Improvement grants, with funding up to $85,000 to use for starting or improving small businesses. The funds can be used for such projects as facade improvement, renovations, and some equipment purchases.

There will be a series of information sessions for small businesses, including one for Rhode Island Avenue at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 22nd, at the Woodridge Library (1801 Hamlin).

If you are a small business on Rhode Island Avenue NE, and are interested in pursuing this fantastic grant opportunity, please plan on attending the the information session on Monday. Additionally, FoRIA is available to help you with the application process, along with our partners at Washington Area Community Investment Fund and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, visitwww.greatstreets.dc.gov orwww.friendsofria.org

They will build it, do you care?

Over the last few years many new projects have taken off and are close to being completed in and around Edgewood. In each of those cases a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) was negotiated years ago and let's face it many of them do not truly benefit the community despite their name. Now as I have mentioned H Street Community Development Corporation (HSCDC) is now ready to move some dirt on the empty lot they have been sitting on for quite a long time. They have owned the property for at least 8 years according to the DC Property Tax Database and it does not say how much if anything they paid for it while it is currently valued over 2 million dollars. The amount of taxes that they have paid over the years had varied greatly from thousands to hundreds of thousands and I am not sure why it changed so much. They currently owe $42,483.92 in taxes. I pulled their payment history and pasted it below.

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Source ID**	Transaction ID**	Tax Year	Deposit Date	Tax Collected	Interest Collected	Penalty Collected	Total
2110977135014	2110977135014	2011	04/06/2011	$19,399.05	$.00	$.00	$19,399.05
2103087141001	2103087141001	2010	09/15/2010	$19,399.05	$.00	$.00	$19,399.05
2100917105016	2100917105016	2010	04/01/2010	$19,399.05	$.00	$.00	$19,399.05
2092647131024	2092647131024	2009	09/17/2009	$117,570.00	$.00	$.00	$117,570.00
2091177105019	2091177105019	2009	03/31/2009	$117,570.00	$.00	$.00	$117,570.00
2082837117057	2082837117057	2008	09/15/2008	$48,987.50	$.00	$.00	$48,987.50
2080927146036	2080927146036	2008	04/01/2008	$48,987.50	$.00	$.00	$48,987.50
2070897031008	9100023910267	2007	03/30/2007	$41,717.75	$.00	$.00	$41,717.75
2070897031008	9100023910265	2006	03/30/2007	$.39	$.03	$.00	$.42
2062757011079	9100020718934	2006	09/29/2006	$25.70	$2.31	$2.57	$30.58
2062757011079	9100020718935	2006	09/29/2006	$32,096.50	$.00	$.00	$32,096.50
2060977038054	9100017007769	2006	03/31/2006	$32,070.80	$.00	$.00	$32,070.80
2060977038054	2060977038054	2004	03/31/2006	$.00	$25.70	$.00	$25.70
2052637055007	2052637055007	2005	09/19/2005	$14,491.70	$.00	$.00	$14,491.70
2050977032112	2050977032112	2004	04/05/2005	$1,448.23	$154.38	$.00	$1,602.61
2050977032112	9100011127180	2005	04/05/2005	$12,825.15	$217.38	$1,449.17	$14,491.70

They have gone as far to schedule a hearing before the Zoning Board for zoning exceptions that they would like to have made for their project. That said they have only come to one community meeting and I was there and not impressed.

They are proposing a a six story building with 40 off-street parking spaces. The building will have 155 affordable residential units available for rent to tenants that make between $40,000 and $60,000 a year and the rents will be from the $400s to the $1200s (Units are studios (5) One Bedroom (85) and Two Bedrooms (65)). They are only proposing 3,000 square feet of retail space and over 30,000 square feet of underground parking space. They do not have financing at this time and no timeline for the project. They do have a zoning hearing scheduled for Tuesday, June 26th at 441 4th Street NW, Suite 220-South from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. I asked them and the DC representative from the Office of Planning/Real Estate why there is so little retail in the plan and so much more space given to parking. I was told "we're just happy that something is getting built." I am sorry, but that is not an acceptable answer. We should make sure that whatever is built in our neighborhood is the best possible project for the best possible addition to Edgewood. We do not just have to be happy that a vacant lot is being developed. That is demeaning and destructive to the community that is already here.

This building is being built in the shadow of the Edgewood Terrace complex that encompasses almost 800 affordable housing units which range from Section 8 to to people earning 80%-115% of the area median income. This is a very high density of affordable housing in the Edgewood neighborhood and the trend now seems to be to build mixed-income housing instead of 100% affordable housing projects like Edgewood Terrace was built in the past. My question is why is this project bucking that trend.

That said I am not against it being affordable housing if it adds to our neighborhood. I do know that some neighbors I have talked to would prefer it to be mixed income and if that is your opinion you should let the people listed at the bottom of this email know. I think the small amount of retail space is ridiculous as retail is a missing commodity in Edgewood and that section of 4th Street should have street facing retail. I also think that while I am okay with subsidizing housing I am not okay with subsidizing parking. Their plan calls for over 30,000 SF of parking and only 3,000 SF of retail!!! The parking would be for the tenants in the building and would create more traffic on a road that already has more than its share of commuter traffic and accidents. If people need affordable housing to live in DC then why should they get affordable parking as a bonus? The building is directly in front of a bus stop, a short walk to the metro station and across the street from a bikeshare station. Many other buildings on the corners of Rhode Island Ave and 4th Street NE do not have any parking- Mint Condos for example- and they are market rate buildings. It makes no sense to me why we should be creating so much more parking space instead of retail space!!

The other item that is important to me is the addition of a green roof to the project. Anyone who lives in this area knows the dangers of flooding that we have in low-lying areas. Currently this lot allows for some of the storm water to be absorbed and that will change when the lot is fully developed. I think it is important that this is added to the design of the building to ensure the least possible impact to our current flooding problems.

In the Rhode Island Avenue Great Streets plan it was recommended to change this location on 4th and Rhode Island NE into C-2-C zoning from its current zoning of C-3-A.

Here are the definitions of those in DC:

C-2-C

Permits matter-of-right higher density development, including office, retail, housing, and mixed uses to a maximum lot occupancy of 80% for residential use and 100% for all other uses, a maximum FAR of 6.0 for residential and 2.0 FAR for other permitted uses, and a maximum height of ninety (90) feet. Rear yard requirements are fifteen (15) feet; one family detached dwellings one family semi-detached dwellings side yard requirements are eight (8) feet.

C-3-A

Permits matter-of-right medium density development, with a density incentive for residential development within a general pattern of mixed-use development to a maximum lot occupancy of 75% for residential use and 100% for all other uses, a maximum FAR of 4.0 for residential and 2.5 FAR for other permitted uses and a maximum height of sixty-five (65) feet. Rear yard requirements are twelve (12) feet; one family detached dwellings and one family semi-detached dwellings side yard requirements are eight (8) feet.

The plan also recommends minimal parking to encourage public transit use, mixed-income developments and mixed-use developments. I am not sure why we are not using this plan to help steer the development that is now starting on Rhode Island Avenue NE.

So, what can we do to make sure that we are getting the type of development that we want in our neighborhood? We need to speak up and write the following people to let them know what you want and why it is necessary for our community!!! We do not have to take whatever is given to us!

Here are all the people to copy on your emails:

Eric P. Jones, HSCDC - eric.jones@hstreetcdc.org

Vincent Gray - eom@dc.gov

Kwame Brown - kbrown@dccouncil.us

David Cantina - dcatania@dccouncil.us

Phil Mendelson - pmendelson@dccouncil.us

Michael A. Brown - mbrown@dccouncil.us

Vincent Orange - vorange@dccouncil.us

Recap of the Rhode Island Avenue Task Force Meeting

This morning I attended the Rhode Island Avenue Task Force meeting and I wanted to share what  I learned as it pertains to Edgewood.  Also,  I would like to encourage people to attend these meetings as they are open to the whole community and it is a great way to get your voice heard and be a part of the development of Rhode Island Avenue NE.  The next meeting is being scheduled for the end of February.

The meeting started with an introduction of the different groups that were present.  There was quite a bit of blunt expression demonstrating the fractured relationship by the Premier CDC group towards the Friends of Rhode Island Ave group.  I have experience with the Premier CDC group in regards to them working towards starting an Edgewood Farmer's Market and I joined the Friends of Rhode Island Avenue group when they started last year.  So, that said I am not going to go into details of the discussion I am going to say I think both groups have a niche and there is so much to be done that the more the merrier.  I just hope people can work together and not duplicate efforts.  I think it would be best if each group could focus on specific initiatives and the Task Force meetings could be used to delegate and discusss what each group is doing.

There was a representative from CM Orange's office there and Jeff Miller, Director of Real Estate from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development was there as well.  They were both very informative about programs and initiatives and honest about the lack of money for government funding for many of these items.

I asked many questions about the potential Farmer's Market in Edgewood.  Premier CDC group stated that they are still working on it hoping to start one this year.  They have been talking with Vanguard at the Rhode Island Shopping Center, but they still do not have anything signed.  Jeff Miller stated that his office has also been discussing it with Vanguard and also offered the option that the Rhode Island Row development would be happy to have the Farmer's Market there.  It seems that we may very well have one this year.

Jeff Miller also stated that over 50% of the Rhode Island Row development's retail has already been leased.  He did not share any new tenants past the ones we already know.  I am hoping that Rhode Island Row will start advertising who they are as their spaces are being completed.

The Rhode Island Shopping Center was discussed further as I asked a few more questions about it and was told that development may be closer than I was previously told.  Basically the leases being signed by the new discount grocer/retailer are going to be shorter term and redevelopment could happen in pieces.

I made a few connections at the meeting for an outdoor movie night that I am trying to plan and coordinate with multiple groups along Rhode Island Avenue.  If anyone is interested in being involved with planning let me know!

Rhode Island Row Update

First Phase of Rhode Island Row Ready For Occupancy in October


http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/first_phase_of_rhode_island_row_ready_for_occupancy_in_october/3795

First Phase of Rhode Island Row Ready For Occupancy in October
July 13, 2011
5 Comments
by Andrew Siddons

Rhode Island Row

If you've driven on Rhode Island Avenue over the last year or so, you may have noticed that sprawling parking lots near the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metro station have given way to construction sites, which are nearly looking like places where people might live and shop one day.

UrbanTurf recently spoke to Vicki Davis, president of Urban-Atlantic, who is developing the Rhode Island Row project, a large mixed-use project at 919 Rhode Island Avenue NE next to the Red Line station. Davis said that starting in October, the first of the project's 274 rental units will be ready for occupancy, and that potential tenants will be able to start looking at apartments in mid-August.

"We are planning on having our leasing staff start temporarily on site starting then," she said. "We'll be doing pre-marketing and hard-hat tours."

Split between two buildings (north and south), the apartments will be delivered in 30 to 40-unit phases, with subsequent deliveries scheduled for December, January, and March. (All of the units are expected to deliver by Summer 2013.) The first apartments will be in the north building located on Rhode Island Avenue, twenty percent of which will be offered at below market rates.

Rendering of completed Rhode Island Row.

The two buildings will also have 70,000 square feet of retail between them, although the first establishments won't open until next March. For now, Urban-Atlantic is staying mum about potential tenants, waiting to make an announcement about retail offerings until the end of the year. However, the developer has reached out to the neighborhood for retail suggestions through the Rhode Island Insider blog. If these recommendations are taken into account, there will be sit-down restaurants, a coffee shop, a grocery store, a dry cleaners, and a mix of retail other than clothing and shoe stores.

In between the project's two buildings will be a road with three lanes of street parking, a pedestrian median, and sidewalk fronting retail. This section will include 42 parallel parking spaces, that will add to the north building's 168 public parking spots. (A new 212-space Metro parking garage is also scheduled to open in August.) The north building's garage will also include a public electric-car charging station. Both residential buildings will offer green roofs, with planting boxes designed to absorb rainwater to prevent runoff and help with insulation. The north building will have a rooftop terrace with fire pits and seating areas, and the south building will include a pool and fitness center.

Developments Surrounding Edgewood

While I am on a roll with development updates I thought I would do a post on the ones that while not in Edgewood are close enough that they are of interest to the neighborhood. I just did one on the Rhode Island Station so I will not repeat that information.

Mint Condos (329 Rhode Island Ave NE) - This project is currently underway and is across the street from Edgewood in Eckington. The burnt out shell of a building is being converted into 20 luxury condos priced between $200,000 and $300,000. The building is also supposed to include five retail units and is scheduled for completion in Spring 2011.

901 Monroe Street NE - This project is just entering the planning stages across the street in Brookland, but looks promising. The plans are to demolish the current buildings and build 224 Apartments, 8 % at below market rents, and 13,000 sq. ft. of neighborhood-serving retail including a restaurant. Groundbreaking is scheduled for Spring 2012.

Washington Gateway (Intersection of New York Ave and Florida Ave) - This project which has been recently revived and perhaps modified to include more residential instead of a hotel will connect NoMa with the Eckington neighborhood. A huge empty 3 acre lot will be transformed into office space and residential with a small retail component. There will be improvements made to the Met Branch Trail which will connect to this development. The groundbreaking is scheduled for June 2012.

McMillan Sand Filtration (North Capitol Street, Michigan Ave, 1 Street NW) - This huge 25 acre site has been the focus of many meetings and plans over the years and I'll put its timeline as I'll believe it when I see it. The current plans call for mixed-use development and park space which I think would be amazing! There are many sites and posts about this development as everyone seems to have an opinion as to what should happen with this piece of land.

Rhode Island Station Update

The timeline for completion for Rhode Island Station keeps getting moved up which I love to hear. I have stated in the comments that they decided to work all on the buildings and the parking garage at once instead of in phases. The parking garage is supposed to be completed by June 2011 and now they are stating the retail is supposed to be completed in November 2011 which is much earlier than the June 2012 date we were told in the beginning. Of course everyone wants to know what retail and restaurants are coming to those 19 spaces in the development, but they are not releasing any names. Announcements will be coming closer to the time when they are opening up. I suggested sit-down restaurants and bars, a bike shop, a pet store/groomer and that they talk to Taylor Gourmet with all the interest that is currently going on and their building of a bakery further down Rhode Island Ave.

Edgewood Development Update

I am closing in on my one year anniversary of this blog and wanted to do an update on the developments coming to the Edgewood neighborhood that I posted about back in March 2010.

Chancellor's Row (3015 4th Street NE) - 10-acre residential development on St. Paul's campus which began construction Fall 2010 as promised and is scheduled to have its first residents move in March 2011. A couple of weeks ago I was told that they have sold 34 houses so far and only have 10 left to sell for occupancy this year. They are building a total of 237 new townhouses in this development and the speed at which they build will depend on sales. At the current rate of sale I imagine they will be building pretty fast, especially since there is usually a jump in sales after the first houses are finished.

CUA South Campus Development (7th Street and Michigan Ave NE) - mixed use development will include approximately 765 housing units and a public square with a college main street with 83,000 square feet of street-level retail, 15,000 square feet of artists' studio space and 850 below-grade parking spaces. They started demolition on the CUA buildings last year and plan for a groundbreaking in Fall 2011.

Brookland Artspace Lofts (3225 Eighth Street NE) - 41 live/work rental units directly adjacent to Dance Place's HQ and studio space for qualified DC artists making 60% or less of the area median income construction began Spring 2010 and is expected to be completed in June 2011.

Last year was a good one for development in the Edgewood neighborhood as all projects in our boundaries broke ground as scheduled and are moving along. The only sad thing is that they are all mislabeled as being in the Brookland neighborhood. Brookland has so many cool things of its own that I hope we can start to get recognition for all the projects that are in Edgewood.

A.J. Wright in Brentwood Change Coming

The local A.J. Wright at the Rhode Island Place Shopping Center will be transformed into a T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods according to the article below from the Washington Business Journal. I am pulling for a HomeGoods!!!!

TJX closing 71 A.J. Wright stores, cutting 4,400 jobs
Washington Business Journal - by Barton Eckert

Off-price apparel retailer TJX Cos. says it plans to convert 91 A.J. Wright stores into T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods stores and close the remaining 71 stores.

Six of the chain`s stores are in the Washington area.

The store at Prince William Shopping Center on Smoketown Road in Woodbridge will be shut down. The others will be rebranded but TJX is not saying which brands will be where.

In total, the company estimates that approximately 4,400 positions will be eliminated, almost half of which are part-time positions.

All 162 A.J. Wright stores will close between late January and the middle of February. For the 91 stores that will be converting to other banners, the company estimates this conversion process will generally take approximately eight weeks, during which time the stores will remain closed.

The company (NYSE: TJX) believes the overall financial impact will be very positive with estimated non-recurring after-tax costs of approximately $150 million to $170 million to close the A.J. Wright business, $40 million to $50 million of which are cash costs.