Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Washington Gateway Application for PUD Modification

Midatlantic Realty Partners the developers of the Washington Gateway Development have requested a modification to the approved planned unit development (PUD) located at New York and Florida ave N.E. The original PUD was approved under zoning commission Order No. 06-14, which became effective on June 29, 2007. The commission granted a two year extension of the PUD from June 29, 2009, to June 29, 2011. The date to commence construction was also extended to June 29, 2012.

Per zoning commission Order No. 06-14, which was issued on February 12, 2007, the zoning commission approved a mixed used development consisting of 229,690 square feet of residential; 120,443 square feet of hotel; 601,896 square feet of office and 7,000 square feet of retail. All numbers are approximate.

Mid Atlantic Realty seeks to modify the PUD in order to have the option of constructing residential units in lieu of the hotel use originally approved for the project. The plan will replace 177 hotel rooms with up to 160 residential units for a combined total of 430 living units in the entire project. If the developer goes with this proposed plan 8% of the gross floor area will be set aside for people who make below 80% of the area median income. With the exception of this change the rest of the project remains the same.

Mid Atlantic Realty has given $100,000 in cash amenities in accordance with condition No. 9 of zoning commission order No. 06-14. Below is a list of recipients of the cash amenities.
  • Commission on the Arts and Humanities- $50,000.00 for Florida Avenue underpass project
  • City Year Washington DC- $25,000.00 for five year operating cost of city year young heroes program
  • Matthew G. Emery Elementary School- $10,000.00 for school activity fund
  • Harry Thomas Community Service Center $10,000.00 for purchase of scoreboard
  • North Capitol Main Street, Inc. $5,000.00 for development of retail database
I have asked the developer to present at the Eckington and Edgewood Civic Associations for community input prior to presenting to the ANC for a vote.

4 comments:

  1. This seems like a project worthy of our support. Currently, the plot is enjoying no use whatsoever. Further, adding a residential component adds stability.
    Regards,
    Aaron Knights
    ANC5C05 resident

    ReplyDelete
  2. I support the project, especially the housing component, since I believe it will bring stability and safety as a byproduct.

    I question the amenities package, though, especially in light of the fact the package doesn't seem to adddress needs in the community in which the project is based.

    Tim, could I speak to you personally regarding this? I'd also like to have an opportunity to present to the Eckington and Edgewood groups.

    I did post a comment earlier, Tim, and called you Mike. (I know your father) But I am not at all sure I submitted it correctly, since when I returned to this blog it doesn't appear to be here.

    Pat Mitchell, 202-547-7979 daytime, and 202-460-4864, evenings. thanks for keeping the community informed on this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aaron, I agree that the project is worth supporting and I will ask my fellow commissioners to vote in support of the PUD amendment as well. However as Pat pointed out the amenities package does not reflect the needs of the directly affected community. Since the payments have already been made to each party it’s not much the community can do to change it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm fully behind this project and the sooner it moves forward the better.

    ReplyDelete

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