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. 

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 Avenue New Tenant

ICYMI Lydia DePillis reported this week that a Sav-A-Lot discount grocery store is coming to the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center.  She reports that it will be opening in Spring/Summer 2012 in a portion of the old Safeway spot.  I had been told awhile ago by Vanguard that they were looking at a discount grocery store/ discount store combination to fill the space.  This makes me wonder if Big Lots is still looking to fill the rest of this space or if they wanted too long of a lease.  The shopping center is looking to redevelop when the leases of its current tenants end in the next 8-10 years.

DDOT Announces Solicitation of Bids for Construction of Rhode Island Avenue Pedestrian Bridge

Please see the press release below about the pedestrian bridge from the Met Branch Trail to the Rhode Island Ave metro station!!!  It looks like we could have it built and maybe even finished next year!!!!

Government of the District of Columbia
Department of Transportation For Immediate Release
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Media Contact: John Lisle at 202-671-2004, john.lisle@dc.gov

DDOT Announces Solicitation of Bids for Construction of Rhode Island Avenue Pedestrian Bridge

Construction of Key Connection to Metropolitan Branch Trail to Begin Next Year(Washington, D.C.)

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today announced a solicitation of bids for the construction of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the CSX railroad tracks at the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station. The bridge links to the Metropolitan Branch Trail and will be a safe passageway for community members who currently use the Rhode Island Avenue underpass, which is narrow and dark, or who cross the active railroad tracks illegally. Combined with last year’s completion of the Metropolitan Branch Trail, from New York Avenue to Franklin Street, the bridge will also increase access to transit and recreation for thousands of residents.

The truss bridge is designed in the style of an old railroad bridge. The design is the result of unprecedented cooperation among numerous stakeholders including DDOT, WMATA, CSX, utility companies and the community. Following award of a construction contract, work could start sometime next year. Bids are due December 5, 2011. Bid documents are available at the OCP Bid Room on the 3rd floor of the Reeves Center at 2000 14th Street, NW.

For procurement information contact Bernetha Armwood at (202) 671-1563. For technical information contact Mr. Mohamed Dahir at (202) 671-4617.

The Metropolitan Branch Trail is a multi-use trail that runs from Union to Silver Spring, linking people to jobs, schools, stores and mass transit. Three miles of the planned trail have been completed to date.

Heather Deutsch
Bicycle Program Specialist/Trail Planner
Policy, Planning & Sustainability Administration
District Department of Transportation
We've moved to...55 M Street, SE, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20003
tel: 202.671.2638
fax: 202.671.0617
mailto:heather.deutsch@dc.gov
http://www.ddot.dc.gov/

Join Mayor Gray’s One City • One Hire - 10,000 Jobs Campaign
“Putting District Residents Back to Work – One Hire at a Time”
Learn more at http://onecityonehire.org/

Support the DC One Fund Campaign, Each One Give One.
Learn more at http://www.dconefund.org/ or http://www.onefund.dc.gov/. One City, Working Together!

CSX Holding up Pedestrian Bridge in Edgewood

CSX is holding up the building of the pedestrian bridge in Edgewood from the Met Branch Trail to the Rhode Island Avenue metro station.  Last year I wrote about the planned bridge to improve safety and access to the metro station from Edgewood.  Here is a link that shows the plans for the bridge and all the reasons that it is desperately needed!  I wrote about the number of people that would dangerously cross the railroad tracks and get stuck in the barbwire cutting themselves.  I have written multiple times about how the narrow sidewalks under the bridge and the decrepit staircase to the metro are dangerous for pedestrians. 

The major hurdles such as designing the bridge, WMATA easements and funding are already accomplished leaving CSX as the last hurdle before DDOT can move the project forward.  CSX must grant DC air rights to the space above their railroad tracks in order for the bridge to be built.  CSX was very quick to erect prison-style chainlink and barbwire fencing around the tracks after the completion of the Met Branch Trail in Edgewood.  Why now when there is a safer, more attractive alternative to crossing the tracks are they dragging their feet?

We must put pressure on them to move the project forward!!  I have been emailing Harry Thomas Jr. and his staff about this for years now and have decided to move on to Tommy Wells to try and get this accomplished.  Please email, tweet and call them both until something is done.  The more voices and reminders the better!

Here is the contact information that you will need:

Harry Thomas, Jr., Ward 5
Office: 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 107, NW Washington, DC 20004
Tel: (202) 724-8028
Fax: (202) 724-8076
Email: hthomas@dccouncil.us

Key Staff

Ayawna Chase
Chief of Staff
(202)724-8024
achase@dccouncil.us

James Pittman
Legislative Counsel
(202) 724-8114
jpittman@dccouncil.us

Victoria Leonard - Chambers
Director, Policy and Strategic Communication
(202) 727-8204
Vleonard@dccouncil.us

Neil Rodgers
Committee Clerk
(202) 724-8155
nrodgers@dccouncil.us

Marjorie Barnes
Administrative Assistant
(202) 724-8028
mbarnes@dccouncil.us

Monique Smith
Specialist/Scheduler
(202) 724-8918
msmith@dccouncil.us



Tommy Wells, Ward 6
Office: 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 408, NW Washington, DC 20004
Tel: (202) 724-8072
Fax: (202) 724-8054
Email: twells@dccouncil.us

Key Staff

Charles Allen
Chief of Staff
callen@dccouncil.us

Myisha Atchison
Administrative Assistant / Scheduler
matchison@dccouncil.us

Linda O’Brien
Deputy Chief of Staff
lobrien@dccouncil.us

Daniel Connor
Policy Specialist
dconnor@dccouncil.us

Bonnie Cain
Policy Advisor for Education
(202) 724-8072
bcain@dccouncil.us

Tawanna Shuford
Director of Constituent Services
(202) 724-8072
tshuford@dccouncil.us

Naomi Mitchell
Community Liaison
nmitchell@dccouncil.us

Pat Joseph
Constituent Services Specialist
pjoseph@dccouncil.us

Jonathon Kass
Committee Director
jkass@dccouncil.us

Brian Davidson
Intern, Policy and Legislation
bdavidson@dccouncil.us

Anne Phelps
Committee Counsel
aphelps@dccouncil.us

Vivian McCarter
Constituent Services Specialist
vmccarter@dccouncil.us

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. 

CVS Moving to Rhode Island Station

According to staff at the CVS at Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center they are moving to Rhode Island Station.  Hat tip to our neighbor, Michael Henderson, for sharing the information.

I wonder what this means for the timeline for the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center.  I wrote about it awhile ago with the leasing agency stating that most leases still had 8-10 years left on them.  That meant that nothing would happen before then.  They did also state that they would be comfortable redeveloping the center in stages though.  There has not been any sign of the store coming to the Safeway spot that was promised in Spring.

I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.  The CVS move will likely take awhile as Rhode Island Station has to be completed and then the store has to build out its own space.  I sure hope that the bridge from the Met Branch Trail to the metro station is completed by then because the seniors will need better access to the pharmacy.

Edgewood Farmer's Market

This year Edgewood is getting a Farmer's Market at the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center in the parking lot between the CVS and the Met Branch Trail. While there has been discussion that this is not the most attractive location it is definitely an accessible one. It is located off of the trail, near the metro and there is plenty of parking. The plan is for market to be on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and to start the first weekend in April. There are still negotiations ongoing with the shopping center, so a firm date cannot be announced yet. I know that when I talked to the center about what would be replacing the Safeway they stated that it would impact if there could or could not be a farmer's market. I am wondering if this means that a discount grocer or a non-food store will soon be filling that space.

Here is the press release:

Premier Community Development Corporation


MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Contact: Hazel Bland Thomas
February 24, 2011 (202) 491-9245


Premier Community Development Corporation (PCDC) annouced today that PCDC members anticipate opening the PCDC Edgewood/Woodridge Farmer's Market at 4th & Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center starting inApril 2011. The Saturday market will seek to provide Edgewood residents and, especially senior citizens, with an option to buy fresh, local produce. The community unfortunately lost its Safeway last year at the very time that Georgetown had a champagne re-opening of its long-celebrated "Social Safeway."

PCDC has been working with community leaders, elected officials and the property management to establish aFarmers Market opposite the CVS in the shopping center - to at a minimum- provide residents with a source of fresh fruits, vegetables and bakery items.

For more information about the PCDC Edgewood/Woodridge Farmers Market, Premier CDC or to volunteer, please contact Hazel Thomas at (202) 491-9245 or Michael Byfield at (202) 679-2712.

The Future of the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center

The Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center at the edge of Edgewood is an homage to suburban shopping centers in the city and was built in the late 1980s. I met part of the Vanguard Realty Group at the DCBIA Met Branch Trail project volunteering and thanks to my favorite DDOT employee I was able to talk to him in length about the shopping center and the changes that are coming to it and the community. I was surprised to learn that while most of the attention has been about Safeway leaving and the center needing a new grocery store, especially from the seniors, the rest of the center is fully leased. Here is the listing for the empty Safeway space.

Here are the current tenants of the center:

Forman Mills
Key Kiosk
Judy's Beauty Supply
Rainbow
H&R Block
Cricket
Rent-A-Center
Susan Fashion
Subway
Popeyes
Ashley Stewart
Payless ShoeSource
CVS/Pharmacy
Neighborhood Legal Services Program
New Vision Photography Program, Inc.
Zipcar

The truth is that Safeway left our neighborhood with a year left on their lease. I would like people to take that in, as well as, the condition of the store and conclude that Safeway was not going to invest in the Edgewood community. When people were protesting Safeway leaving and wanting the City Council to intervene I was very confused. I shopped there occasionally because it was quick to walk to, but besides the location the only thing it had going for it was a few really great employees.

What's next for that space? The Vanguard Realty Group is actively trying to lease the space and was in talks with a discount grocery store and a discount retail store last time I checked. I have put in a call to see if there are any updates and will let you know as soon as I do. I was told that whatever moves in it will not happen until Spring 2011. They are looking for a store that will sign a 10 year lease and that is complicating matters. Most of the stores in that center have about 8-10 years left on their leases except for Forman Mills which has about 12 years.

You may be wondering why the length of the leases matters so much and that is because all of this is background to my questions about the future of the center. If you attended any of the Rhode Island Avenue Great Streets meetings you would know that the plan suggested extending roads into this shopping center and making it more urban and pedestrian friendly. Given the current lease terms it looks like the development of this shopping center will not happen for another 8-12 years. While I am sad to report this I will say I do feel more positive about the shopping center and their plan for growth. The owners of the shopping center and the leasing agent have been very active in the community. They have allowed for the creation of community murals, an entrance to the Met Branch Trail, volunteered with DCBIA community improvement day on the trail, been supportive of hosting an Edgewood Farmer's Market, and are excited about the pedestrian bridge from their center to the metro. They have also stated that they would be open to developing the center one half at a time if Forman Mills is the only one left with a lease.