ICYMI: Rhode Island Station is now Rhode Island Row

In case you missed it I have been meaning to post that Rhode Island Station has been re-branded as Rhode Island Row.  I preferred the old name, but I heard they thought it was confusing with the metro station.  The website has changed to www.rhodeislandrow.com and it is not as detailed as the previous website.  The website says that they are opening this summer and the default date on the residency inquiry is June 16th.  I don't think they will be done by then although the metro parking garage is looking very close to completion.

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.

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.

NCJC to Picket Bozzuto, Metro Project on RI Ave. in NE

NCJC to Picket Bozzuto, Metro Project on RI Ave. in NE

Washington, DC, October 26, 2010: The National Capital Jobs Coalition (NCJC) will launch a public job action against the Bozzuto Construction Company and the METRO development project on Rhode Island Ave. Metro Station in NE Washington, DC on Thursday morning, October 28th at 8:30 AM. Linwood Martinez-Bentley, a longtime DC activist and co-director of the group, said that, “… Bozzuto and others like them have ignored DC Law long enough. Mayor Fenty has failed to enforce this law. We urge Vincent Gray to make this a high priority.”

First Source Legislation requires outside businesses that come into this city and take city dollars must hire 51% of their workforce from citizens of The District. “In this economy, with record deficits, we cannot afford to let hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential revenue to our city simply drive out the beltway,” said Bentley. “We need our tax dollars to create jobs for our citizens. First Source is a partial remedy that must be enforced and reinforced.” Also, Bentley continued, “ …many companies are not paying the required wages. This is also against the law. The City is not enforcing this law and since these projects are being funded, in part by our tax dollars, we, the citizens of DC, want to know if these multi-million dollar job sites are in compliance.”

The presumptive new Mayor Vincent Gray commented during a recent Town Hall meeting that, if city funded projects do not hire the number of city residents required by First Source legislation that they, “… should be shut down.” NCJC agrees totally with those sentiments, as do key members of The City Council. We have had expressions of support from other Councilmen including the following sitting council members: CM Michael Brown and the presumptive Council Chairperson Kwame Brown. We also have support from At-Large Candidate David Schwartzman. Given such widespread encouragement, NCJC intends to strike the first blow in support of more aggressive and direct citizen involvement.

Jerome Peloquin, First Source Program Manager for NCJC commented that, “This is just the beginning. We plan to launch these job actions on a regular basis and to ratchet up the level of visibility. This will be a non-violent protest, but it will not be a quiet one. Our intention is to link with other community activist organizations including a number of drum circles that will participate on behalf of the people of DC who are suffering record unemployment. Carpetbagging companies from outside-of-DC need to take notice … the free lunch is over. It’s time to pay your fair share of the bill here in Washington, DC.”

For further information contact Jerry Peloquin on his cell at 410.227.0498 or by email at jpeloquin@microventuresupport.org

Bus Bays Temporarily Relocated at Rhode Island Station

For those of you that have been using the Rhode Island Metro station and bus bays please take note of the upcoming relocation during the ongoing construction. The good news that I gained from this message is that the parking garage is looking to be completed by June 2011 and the rest down by summer of 2012.

Bus bays at Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metrorail station temporarily relocated
For immediate release: October 21, 2010

Ongoing construction of new Metro parking garage, commercial project shifts bays
The bus bays at the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metrorail station will temporarily shift for five months starting on Monday, Oct. 25, as construction continues on a new parking garage, ground transportation service area, and a housing and retail joint-development project adjacent to the station.

Customers will have to board buses and use Kiss & Ride at their new, temporary locations across the parking lot that is near the station entrance. The Kiss & Ride area will continue to accommodate parking, car-sharing, taxis, and passenger pick-up and drop-off during the construction.

The construction, which began in April, is expected to be finished on the parking garage in June 2011 and by the summer of 2012 on the other projects.

News release issued at 11:36 am, October 21, 2010.

Take Action: Rhode Island Avenue Safety Improvements Needed

A few weeks ago I wrote about the need for improvements to the sidewalks along Rhode Island Avenue, as well as, the access to the Rhode Island Ave metro station. Greater Greater Washington followed up with a great article on the issue. Those of us that regularly ride the bus or metro out of that station know how dangerous it can be to get to get there. The sidewalks are narrow and close to the busy traffic and the staircase is steep and narrow with steps crumbling. With millions of dollars being invested in redeveloping the parking lot into new retail and apartments you would think that an upgrade to the outdated sidewalks and stairs would be a natural progression. However, it has not been included in the plans!!!

We can change this by letting DDOT Director Gabe Klein and our Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr., know that we need these changes to happen now while the area is being redeveloped. I wrote CM Thomas and received a response that they would forward my concerns to the project team and I have not heard anything back since then. Everyone knows that there is power in numbers and the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I am asking everyone to spread the word about this issue.

The Coalition for Smarter Growth has begun a petition to DDOT Director Gabe Klein and Ward 5 Council member Harry Thomas, Jr., that states the need we residents have to get these items fixed. Please sign the petition now and forward the link on to get as many people as possible to send the message that this is not an issue that we will let fade away!

Rhode Island Metro Station Sidewalks and Staircase Improvements Needed

Recently it was brought to my attention that with the construction of the Rhode Island Station development there are no plans to improve the sidewalks and staircase to the metro station from Rhode Island Ave. I thought with such a large-scale construction project they would be improving the public space as well especially since they would be using them.

Below is my letter to Councilmember Thomas and I am encouraging everyone to write or call him in order to bring attention to this issue.

Here is his email address: hthomas@dccouncil.us
Here is his phone number: 202-439-5103

Dear Councilmember Thomas,

I wanted to write to you about a concern that I have regarding the current sidewalks and staircase that led to the Rhode Island Metro Station with relation to pedestrian safety. These sidewalks are very narrow and the staircase is narrow and in need of repair as well.

While I am excited about the construction that is going on for the Rhode Island Station development I feel that as part of this project we should be fixing the sidewalks and stairs. We are missing an opportunity to repair items for the betterment and safety of the whole community if we do not get this done as part of the current construction. The new development will increase the traffic to that metro station and site, so if the narrow sidewalk and stairs are not adequate and safe under current use it will even be worse with increased use.

I know that the new pedestrian bridge is scheduled to be built from the Metropolitan Branch Trail to the metro station and that will help pedestrians and I encourage you to help move that project as long as well. But that bridge will not help people coming from the other direction to the metro or the new retail/apartments.

Please consider using your influence and helping to correct the problems with the stairs and sidewalks as a part of the current scope of construction that is taking place.

Rhode Island Station - Moving Along

Well if they build the development as nice as their website we are going to be very happy when they finish. As you can see they have already started construction and are working away!

Here is their website:

http://www.rhodeislandstation.com/

Chancellor’s Row Grand Opening May 8th

The Chancellor’s Row development of new rowhouses in Edgewood is having their grand opening on May 8th and they have already updated their website with floor plans and prices. The above picture is the site plan taken from their website. This development is going to add over 200 new homes to our neighborhood and help increase the population and tax base to bring more retail and interest in our neighborhood. From the looks of the designs and layout they are trying to make the new houses blend in with the existing neighborhood. I am jealous of the optional garages and the outdoor decks and patios. The prices are listed from $469,000+.

Here is the website with the information on the project:

http://www.eya.com/Chancellors_Row_at_Brookland_Metro

This has been a busy weekend for Edgewood - groundbreaking of Artspace Lofts, construction starting at Rhode Island Station and the opening of the new section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail!!!! I hope that the changes keep coming!

Rhode Island Ave Development Walking Tour

I took the walking tour offered of the developments for Rhode Island Ave yesterday and did learn a few new things. The group for the Rhode Island Station development at the metro station have already started pre-construction as the parking lot closed on Saturday morning. The buses and the metro will stay open full service during the construction which is expected to take 27 months. So, we can expect the full project to be completed in July/August 2012 if my math is right. They are going to complete the metro parking garage first and I believe that will open back up when it is completed. They do not have any signed letters of intent for the retail but are in negotiations. They mentioned that they were trying to get at least two sit-down restaurants. Council member Thomas mentioned that they are attending the retail convention in Las Vegas at the end of this month and for all residents to let him know what kind of retail we would like to see here. If you want something email him (hthomas@dccouncil.us) - I know that I would love a Trader Joes in addition to as many sit-down restaurants as possible!

The second half of the tour walked down to the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) and showed off the location for the pedestrian bridge to the metro. The bridge will have a ramp and a staircase entrance. All of the final paperwork for the bridge is being worked on with a hope of starting construction in the fall. Anyone who lives in this area knows it cannot be completed soon enough. The MBT is now open all the way to Union Station with only a few small items to be completed.

I had hoped there would be more about new and future developments coming to our area, but it was only about these two items. I do have to say that most the people on the tour did not know about these projects.

Rhode Island Station Update

The day of closing the parking lot is quickly approaching and Metro is doing a great job handing out flyers (see above) and posting signs. The official groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for May 18th, but I was told that construction will begin much sooner.

Rhode Island Ave Development Walking Tour

A walking tour showcasing the development coming to the Rhode Island Metro Station is being offered by the Coalition for Smarter Growth on May 1st. You will need to go to their website to RSVP if you want to attend.

This was taken from their website:


Dear Smart Growth Supporters,

It's time to kick off a new season of smart growth events, starting with a walking tour next weekend. If you haven't checked out the area around the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station lately, you'll want to join us to discover all the great developments being made there.

Check Out Rhode Island Avenue With The Experts! Learn about the plans to turn the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station parking lot into a vibrant, walkable community. Representatives from DDOT and Urban Atlantic will be there to answer all your questions.

Walking Tour: Transformation of the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station Area
Saturday, May 1, 2010 12 noon - 2:00 pm RSVP Required
$10 suggested donation* Meet at the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station entrance

About Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station

In 1976, Rhode Island Avenue Metro station was at the end of the Red Line. A lot has changed since then, but much of the land use around the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station is still a hodge-podge of industrial and automobile-oriented uses crisscrossed by busy railroad tracks, a commuter arterial road and hilly topography.

This tour will look at plans to transform Rhode Island Avenue Metro station parking lot into a pedestrian-friendly place of shops and housing. We'll also hear from the D.C. Department of Transportation about how they are building a pedestrian bridge to overcome barriers to reaching the transit station from the west side and create a direct connection to the Metropolitan Branch Trail. From the Metro station, we'll cross over Rhode Island Avenue to walk the brand new Metropolitan Branch Trail (which should be open by May 1), and discuss other efforts to improve walking along the corridor.

Hosting us on our walk will be the site developer, Urban Atlantic's Caroline Kenney, and D.C. Department of Transportation planner Heather Deutsch.

Learn more about the trail and new pedestrian connection to the Metro station here.

*$10 Suggested Donation
Please consider making a $10 donation to help us cover the costs of this tour. Your donation will also help us continue to provide walking tours like this one. We'll accept cash or check donations at the event, or you can donate online.

We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Laura DeSantis
action@smartergrowth.net
Coalition for Smarter Growth

Just waiting for Groundbreaking!!

Rhode Island Station - Metro Parking Lot Closing on May 1st

Looks like a May groundbreaking may actually happen!!!!

Surface Parking Lot at the Rhode Island Avenue Metrorail Station Closing For 18 Months

See this announcement passed along by ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti:

Dear Commissioner:

The purpose of this letter is notify you that the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metrorail surface parking lot will close permanently at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2010 for approximately 18 months to make way for a joint development project with Urban Atlantic Development and the construction of a new Metro parking garage. As a result of this temporary closure of the surface parking lot, daily parking will not be available at the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood station for approximately 18 months. Due to the unique characteristics of the station site and the urban character of the surrounding neighborhood, it is not possible to maintain or temporarily relocate daily parking at the station during the construction of this project and the new Metro parking garage.Metro and Urban Atlantic Development have entered into a joint development agreement, which calls for the construction of 274 residential units, 65,000 square feet of retail parking on the existing surface parking lot at the station. A new Metro parking garage will be constructed to replace the daily surface parking lot for transit riders. Metro customers will also have the opportunity to share parking spaces in the residential and retail parking garages.Metro apologizes for the inconvenience and the potential impacts it may have on customers. This project will improve the Rhode Island Avenue corridor and generate revenue for the improvement of public transit in the Metropolitan region. Thank you for your patience. If you have questions, please call me at 202- 962-1050 or alawson @ wmata.com.


Sincerely,Art Lawson

District of Columbia Government Relations Officer

Rhode Island Station Update - Part II

There are a flurry of updates on the Rhode Island Station development floating around on the Internet. I am going to post the links here for you to enjoy. It looks like all the financing is official and in place, the agreement with WMATA has been signed and a groundbreaking could be happening in May. Other items to note - some posts mention that in addition to apartments, parking garages and retail we may be getting a MVA satellite office!

CoStar Group Update

DC Mud Blog Update

http://www.pitchengine.com/lhbcommunicationsinc/urban-atlantic-and-ar-development-corp-close-on-107-million--transit-oriented-development-in-washington-dc-/53273/

DC Gov News Release

Rhode Island Station Update

Exciting news spread through the Washington Business Journal (thanks Edgewood Listerve!) - the Rhode Island Station project of apartments, parking garages and RETAIL now has the go ahead and funding. They are going to be announcing a ground breaking in a month and plan to be finished in 2012. I cannot wait for this to be finished!

Here is the article:

http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2010/03/15/daily33.html?surround=etf&ana=e_article

Here is a link to the plan with some nice pictures:

http://www.lessardgroup.com/web/module/portfolio/pid/109/portfolio.html

Here is another link with some more details:

http://www.wdcep.com/dev_record.php?devId=62#