The District Report

a place to discuss all things DC. NIMBY skeptic, proponent of inclusive vibrant communities, not sterile suburbanized cities. use the District Report map to see: local development, news, and history submit topics for publication and contribute to the discussion for how we should design our city beta site Map | Submissions | About the DR

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Undecided 965 Florida Ave NW

"On Feb. 3, 2014, two developers struck a deal that seemed poised to resolve a longstanding conflict and bring U Street NW-area neighbors what they desired: a mixed-use development with a Harris Teeter supermarket on what's currently a vacant lot. Nearly a year later, all of that is still up in the air." - Washington City Paper

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Undecided Q St & Florida Ave NW

A proposed apartment building near Truxton Circle would add life to the streets of the Northwest Washington neighborhood without increasing the median rent.Several development firms are vying for the right to develop a sizable city-owned lot located at the southwestern corner of Florida Avenue and Q Street NW. The District’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) solicited proposals for the site in July.However, the city doesn’t want more luxury apartments going up in the increasingly high-end area: The request for proposals stipulated that all offers must provide ample “affordable” units, with more than 50 percent of them held for people making no more than 80 percent of the area median income (AMI).

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Dupont Circle Underground

A nonprofit arts group has signed a five-year lease with the District to remake a long- abandoned trolley station beneath Dupont Circle into an underground showcase for art exhibits, theater performances and other cultural events.The Arts Coalition for the Dupont Underground will pay the city $30,000 annually to use the 75,000 square feet space but must first bring the dank station — the last streetcar pulled out in 1962 — up to code with new lighting, a new ventilation system, running water, bathrooms and improved entrances and exits.

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Yards Condos 4th and Tingey SE

Forest City and PN Hoffman, the developers behind the 42-acre mixed-use complex The Yards, is working on plans for the site’s first condo project, Yards Condos. Under Construction: Yards Condos would occupy the current site housing the Trapeze School, at 4th and Tingey streets SE, and will rise 10 stories. The 130 condos would range from studios to two-bedrooms. The building, which sits close to the Anacostia River, will have a rooftop lounge, outdoor kitchen and other amenities to maximize the view. The team said it will submit plans to the Area Neighborhood Commission 6D within the next few months. If all approvals are secured, they said they would break ground in the final quarter of 2015, with delivery aimed for 2017.

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The Wonderbread Factory

Located on S and Wiltberger Street NW, the Wonderbread Factory:

The oldest section of the building was built in 1913, expanding on Dorsch’s White Cross Bakery. Dorsch and his brothers worked at bakeries throughout the city before opening their own bakery in Shaw. Born in DC, Dorsch was the son of a Bavarian immigrant who had come to Washington in the 1870′s and sold imported German foods. As the Dorsch’s White Cross Bakery prospered, they acquired nearby real estate until the factory grew to a huge complex that encompassed retail space, a baking plant, stables and garages for delivery wagons… The white crosses seen throughout the building’s facade, similar to the American Red Cross’s logo, were meant to relieve fears that their bread might not be safe to eat after Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle struck fear into people that factory food was unsanitary. Wonder Bread, which had already bought a neighboring bakery, bought Dorsch’s White Cross Bakery in 1936. It seem likely that by the 1940′s, the company made Wonder Bread primarily at the bakery next door and Hostess Cake products at Dorsch’s former bakery. The two bakeries closed in the 1980′s, when Wonder Bread moved their operations elsewhere. Douglas Development Corporation acquired the property in 1997. Since Douglas Development’s acquisition of the Wonder Bread Factory in 1997 it has gone through many different plans for potential development. Initial plans sketched out a boutique hotel in the building. Then in 2010, a plan for residential use with up to 80 rental apartment units was floated for the historic building. Finally, the plan that was developed for the property featured ground and lower level retail uses with upper level loft offices. After sitting vacant for over 20 years, the building was in extremely poor condition. Parts of the roof had collapsed and major water damage was done to the wood floors and the basement of the building. Rebecca Miller, DC Preservation League’s Executive Director, described the building saying, “The floor boards were up six feet tall off the ground just because they’d buckled up due to a lot of rotted wood,” Miller says. “There were several feet of water in the basement, so a lot of this had to be rectified before anybody could really access it.” Douglas Development’s Paul Milstein admits even he was surprised at how rundown the inside of the building had become. “Major sections of the roof were gone, which had caused this growth on the inside of the wood; plants can grow on a wood floor, it’s amazing so it was in pretty bad shape” he says.

- Douglas Development Corporation

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The Hatton 8th & Florida Ave NW

The Hatton is a condominium under construction by McWilliams | Ballard Condominium

91 Residences

1BR, 2BR, Studio

Prices from the high $300s

Spring 2015

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The Shay 8th & Florida Ave NW

The Shay by the JBG Companies is a new mixed-used building under construction that will house 245 residences and 28,000 square feet of retail space. Building Amenities:

Swimming pool with expansive sundeck

Outdoor living rooms with grilling station and outdoor kitchen

Landscaped roof decks

Resident lounge

Communal dining and conference areas

Dog washing station

Bike storage

Below-grade parking

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Atlantic Plumbing 8th & V NW

Atlantic Plumbing is the new building by the JBG Companies at the intersection of 8th and V NW in Shaw. The new building contains:

10 stories

310 luxury apartment units

19,100 square feet of retail and artist studio space

10,000 square foot Landmark Theater

165 below-grade parking spaces

Amenities

rooftop terrace

resort-style pool

indoor/outdoor bar

catering kitchen

lounge area

yoga/Pilates and spin studio

fitness center

outdoor kitchens

private gardening plots

covered, movie screening area

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9th & V Telephone Pole Wires Hanging

Wires hanging from a telephone pole across the street from the Satellite. Blocking the sidewalk. Who should we call to fix this?

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10th & V NW Empty Lot

What should go here?

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The District Report Map

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About the District Report

The District Report hopes to serve as a place to discuss all things DC. The District Report is NIMBY skeptic, it is a proponent of inclusive vibrant communities, as opposed to sterile suburbanized cities. The District Report Map is an attempt to build community through online mapping of development, news, events, history, and topics of interest in the community. Each map location will have a corresponding post for further information and discussion. This tool can be used for a variety of purposes including but not limited to:

locate and create events in your neighborhood

view or contribute to the history of your neighborhood

discover and discuss neighborhood issues and locations

report and check up on the latest information about faulty public services, street lights, pole wires, pot holes, etc.

collaborate on ideas for empty lots and new developments