Since January, 2003
 

October 29, 2008

September 7, 2010
3rd at River St., Looking Northwest (see more)

On Monday night, the Zoning Commission voted 4-0-1 to approve DCHA's request for a second two-year time extension on the PUD deadlines to build the Capper Community Center on the now-empty lot on 5th Street SE between K and L. With this vote, building permits would need to be filed by July 1, 2014, with construction needing to be underway by July 1, 2015, provided another extension isn't someday requested and granted.
The extension received votes of support from both ANC 6B and ANC 6D, and a letter from a steering committee of Capper public housing residents also expressed support. Commissioner Peter May, referencing the "contentious" discussions in the past regarding this project and his own unhappiness about seeing it delayed, said it was "reassuring to know that key members of the community are supportive," otherwise he would be "similiarly unhappy." But he did vote in favor of the extension, as did Chairman Anthony Hood and commissioners Marcie Cohen and Michael Turnbull. (The commission's fifth seat is currently empty, with vice chair Konrad Schlater's recent decampment for a new job in Chicago.)
Included the paperwork provided to the Zoning Commission is a letter from DC Housing Authority executive director Adrianne Todman detailing the various high-finance moves over the past few years that have helped the overall Capper redevelopment move forward but that haven't trickled down to fund the community center. The letter says that the Housing Authority anticipates a $55 million bond issuance within the next year that will pay off the previous $29 million Bond Anticipation Notes and provide enough proceeds to continue the infrastructure work around Capper "and to construct the community center, which we estimate will cost $7.6 million." These moves require legislation, so we'll be able to cast an eye toward the DC council this fall to see if things are progressing as anticipated.
Also in that letter is this tidbit: "Lastly, DCHA is working with and soliciting a potential anchor tenant that will operate the community center and also contribute funding for the construction of the community center." Very interesting....
If you want to know still more about the history of plans for a new community center on this site (the old one was demolished in 2007), I point you to this pile of posts.
Comments (10)
 

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Comments

MJM says: (7/12/12 12:25 PM)
More excuses but they sure can kick the can down the road

Sophia Monster says: (7/12/12 5:12 PM)
Happy to have them kick the can... just curious what type of anchor tenant is an appropriate fit for this location. A crossfit gym? A McDonalds? A dry cleaner? I can't picture it.

Carey says: (7/12/12 5:14 PM)
Could they be thinking Marines?

Eric says: (7/12/12 9:15 PM)
Why are you happy to have them kick the can? What's the significance of this place?

conngs0 says: (7/13/12 11:21 AM)
I suppose one good reason for the delay is that by allowing the neighborhood to grow up a bit more before beginning work on the Community Center, the planners will have a better idea of how to orient the building to best suit the needs of the neighborhood with less redundancy.

For instance, if a gym is constructed in the Twelve12 building, then perhaps there will be less of a need for one in the Community Center (or at least not as big of a gym). In that case, perhaps the Community Center could be equipped with a basketball court and other athletic facilities.

I'm also a little confused about what type of "anchor tenant" that would be approached to run the Community Center. Part of my confusion stems from a lack of understanding regarding the operation of community centers in general, but it doesn't seem conducive to a purely commercial enterprise.

Sophia Monster says: (7/13/12 12:47 PM)
I guess I don't think it's that bad to have the lot remain empty while appropriate plans are scoped out along the lines of conngs0's comment above. The programming of the community center will determine its space needs. I also really think it makes sense for that programming to serve what will happen at Van Ness... which as of now is a bit of a mystery.

JD says: (7/13/12 1:20 PM)
One thing to remember on the Community Center (and why for years it caused a lot of very contentious discussions) is that originally it was envisioned as a big amenity for the public housing residents, ensuring that they didn't lose access to a community center they had before Hope VI and also giving them something newer with better offerings in return for dealing with the dislocation of the closing of the Cappers.

In other words, a gym at Twelve12 is probably not going to help the public housing residents much at Capitol Quarter. There are needs designed into the CC for the subsidized members of the community that other people now moving into the neighborhood can get on their own. (Computer access, for one.) And a place for kids to hang out, instead of, as the cliche goes, "on the street."

But it's also now a very different "community" communicating its wants and desires to the Zoning Commission than during the CC's previous appearances. Might be good to make sure that the people for whom the center was originally envisioned don't lose their voice.



Sophia Monster says: (7/13/12 1:32 PM)
Interesting context, JD. And presumably some of the children "on the street" might also be Van Ness students.

Sophia Monster says: (7/13/12 1:32 PM)
(some day)

JD says: (7/17/12 10:48 PM)
Sorry for the silence all of a sudden--no big news to report (it is summer, after all), but I'm also having a bit of a post-surgery setback. Nothing serious, but have been resting instead of fulfilling my fiduciary duty here. Might be a few more days of that.


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Recent Crime Incidents Archive  
UNIT B/O N ST SE   THEFT /  06/04/13
1500 B/O SOUTH CAPITOL ST   THEFT /  06/04/13
70 B/O I ST SE   THEFT F/AUTO /  06/03/13
2ND ST SE AND K ST SE   ROBBERY / GUN  06/02/13
700 B/O M ST SE   THEFT /  05/31/13
70 B/O I ST SE   THEFT /  05/31/13
1100 B/O 1ST ST SE   THEFT /  05/31/13
54 B/O M ST SE   ROBBERY /  05/30/13
1100 B/O NEW JERSEY AVE SE   THEFT /  05/30/13
4TH ST SE AND M ST SE   THEFT F/AUTO /  05/28/13
1300 B/O M ST SE   THEFT /  05/28/13
900 B/O 5TH ST SE   THEFT /  05/27/13
300 B/O WATER ST SE   THEFT /  05/25/13
1100 B/O 4TH ST SE   THEFT F/AUTO /  05/24/13
UNIT B/O L ST SE   THEFT F/AUTO /  05/21/13

Active Public Space Permits Archive  
1011 1ST ST SE    COLIN CLARK 
Pending
excavation; new  
 03/03/14
to
05/01/14
    COLIN CLARK 
Approved (Pending Payment)
paving; landscaping; new  
 04/23/14
to
06/27/14
815 4TH ST SE    Comcast Cable 
Assigned
excavation  
 05/06/13
to
07/05/13
1101 4TH ST SE    Comcast Cable 
Assigned
excavation  
 05/06/13
to
07/05/13
1200 - 1299 BLOCK HALF ST SE    Washington Nationals 
Issued
streetfixture; new  
 08/24/12
to
08/15/13
200 - 299 BLOCK TINGEY ST SE    Northeast Remsco Construction Incorporated 
Pending
paving; excavation; new  
 01/01/13
to
12/31/13
200 - 299 BLOCK VIRGINIA AVE SE    Phil Sheridan 
Issued
excavation; new  
 05/20/13
to
07/18/13
909 HALF ST SE    Ruben Companies Ruben Companies 
Pending Document
excavation  
 03/01/13
to
09/01/13
23 I ST SE    23 I LLC c/o Ruben Companies 
Pending
paving; new  
 11/30/12
to
11/29/13
200 I ST SE    Todd Stone 
Pending
streetfixture; new  
 11/21/12
to
11/22/13
17 M ST SE    1015 HALF STREET SE LLC 
Pending
excavation; new  
 07/23/12
to
07/22/13
100 M ST SE    Gordon Biersch Restaurant And Brewery 
Pending
new  
 01/07/13
to
06/30/13
    WASHINGTON GAS 
Issued
excavation; new  
 05/06/13
to
07/04/13
    WASHINGTON GAS 
Assigned
excavation  
 04/23/13
to
04/22/14
401 M ST SE    cris FLACK 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/22/13
to
06/20/13
900 M ST SE    Corman Construction 
Issued
excavation; new  
 09/11/12
to
09/10/13
922 M ST SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/30/13
to
06/28/13
1201 M ST SE    Michael Manoski 
Pending Document
excavation  
 05/06/13
to
05/05/14
1333 M ST SE    WASHINGTON GAS 
Assigned
excavation  
 05/01/13
to
04/30/14
1500 M ST SE    DC Water 
Pending
excavation; new  
 02/15/13
to
07/30/13
1111 NEW JERSEY AVE SE    NJA Associates LLC 
Assigned
paving; streetfixture; landscaping; excavation; new  
 06/03/13
to
06/02/14
125 O ST SE    TRAYLOR/SLANSKA/JAY DEE JOINT VENTURE(DAMIAN RUPPERT) 
Issued
paving; streetfixture; new  
 12/24/12
to
12/23/13
300 TINGEY ST SE    Northeast Remsco Construction Incorporated 
Pending
paving; excavation; new  
 12/14/12
to
12/13/13
301 TINGEY ST SE    Potbelly Sandwich Works LLC 
Issued
new  
 03/21/12
to
11/27/14
401 TINGEY ST SE    Northeast Remsco Construction Incorporated 
Pending
new  
 02/18/13
to
08/31/13
601 VIRGINIA AVE SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/30/13
to
06/28/13
301 WATER ST SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Assigned
excavation  
 04/19/13
to
11/30/13

Recent Issued Building Permits Archive  
926 3RD ST SE   
06/06/13 
WILLIAM SHIVELY / DAVID FONTANA MCKEEVER SERVICES CORP.
B1307524 / CONSTRUCTION
NON STRUCTURAL FRAMING MODIFICATIONS AND FOOR VENT MODIFICATION.
1015 3RD PL SE   
05/30/13 
CHEN / ASTRUM SOLAR
B1307196 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALLATION OF A GRID-TIED 12-PANEL SOLAR SYSTEM ON ROOF OF HOUSE.
   
05/30/13 
KEITH C CHEN / JOHN A. TETI
E1305656 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1112 3RD ST SE   
05/30/13 
RONALD HULEN
F1300388 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALL A WROUGHT IRON FENCE IDENTICAL TO THE NEIGHBORS FENCE WITH A GATE. THIS WORK HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD OF THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
770 M ST SE   
06/11/13 
MADISON 770 M STREET LLC / JOHN W. HYRE
E1305930 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/12/13 
MADISON 770 M STREET LLC / RALPH THREATT
E1305985 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1201 M ST SE   
05/30/13 
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO / CARLOS MONTES
P1305330 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/08/13 
JEFFREY KNIGHT / JEFFREY KNIGHT; JEFFREY KNIGHT; JOHN WEEKS
E52893303 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/12/13 
CARLTON RAY / MICHAEL MANOSKI
AH1300643 / CONSTRUCTION
PERFORM TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES
880 NEW JERSEY AVE SE   
06/07/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / WILLIAM C SMITH + CO
AH1300641 / CONSTRUCTION
WORK FROM 7PM TO 7AM TO INSTALL NEW SEWER UTILITY THIS PERMIT IS ONLY GOOD FOR THE DATES OF 6 / 11 / 2013 & 6 / 12 / 2012
   
06/13/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / JOHN H THOMSON
E1305998 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1100 NEW JERSEY AVE SE   
06/07/13 
SQUARE 742 LIC / JIM CALABRESE
AN1300156 / CONSTRUCTION
THIRD AND FINAL EXTENSION TO AN1100087 TO EXPIRE 9 / 03 / 2013.
300 TINGEY ST SE   
06/05/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC / FRANK V CANTWELL
E1305771 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/31/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC /
P1305350 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/06/13 
JOE SPINNELL / GEORGE HOCKADAY-BEY; JOE SPINNELL; GEORGE HOCKADAY-BEY
E29318180 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/10/13 
FOREST CITY / MG PERMITS GARY BRENT
B1307169 / CONSTRUCTION
NEW TENANT ALTERATION FOR GNC TO INCLUDE M.E.P.
   
06/10/13 
FOREST CITY WASHINGTON / FOREST CITY WASHINGTON; MG PERMITS GARY BRENT
SG1300305 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALL 3 WALL SIGNS
301 WATER ST SE   
06/05/13 
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA / AMANDA GANGINIS / WILL TEASS
B1306803 / CONSTRUCTION
INTERIOR ALTERATIONS OF EXISTING CORE AND SHELL SPACE INCLUDING NEW INTERIOR DOORS INTERIOR PARTITIONS EXTERIOR LOUVERS AND TOILET ROOMS. MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING WORK IS LIMITED TO COMMON AREAS AND TEMPORARY HEATING AND LIGHTING FOR TENANT SPACES. WORK IN TENANT SPACES SHALL BE PERFORMED UNDER A SEPARATE PERMIT. THIRD PARTY PLAN REVIEW: TPR13-0002-13-21
   
06/07/13 
FOREST CITY / FVI 2020
TL1300076 / CONSTRUCTION
RESTAURANT WITH 156 SEATS AND 196 OCCUPANTS ON THE FIRST FLOOR INTERIOR WORK ONLY
   
06/10/13 
FC LUMBER SHED LLC / DOMINIC E TOTARO
P1305531 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/13/13 
FC LUMBER SHED LLC / RICHARD V CAREY
P1305646 / SUPPLEMENTAL
AH = After Hours; B = Alteration & Repair; D = Demolition; E = Electrical; FB = Boiler; M = Mechanical; P = Plumbing and Gas; PC = Post Card; R = Raze; SG = Sign; TL = Tenant Layout; TN = Tent; RW = Retaining Wall;

Real Property Sales Archive  
No commercial transaction records added or modified in the past two weeks.


Projects Underway
Boilermaker Shops
Twelve12/Yards
Lumber Shed
Park Chelsea 
  
Nationals Park
Visiting Nats Park
What's New Around the 'Hood
Food Options Map
Parking/Transportation
Ballpark Construction Photos
Stadium Event Photos
In the Pipeline
Akridge/Half Street
Virginia Ave. Tunnel
Square 701
Monument/Half Street
1111 New Jersey
Nat'l Comm. Church
Capper Apartments
Square 882
250 M Street
New SoCap Bridge
Florida Rock
23 I Street
Congressional Square
1000 South Capitol
SC1100
New Marine Barracks
Factory 202/Yards
Completed
Canal Park ('12)
Capitol Quarter ('12)
225 Virginia/200 I ('12)
Foundry Lofts/Yards ('12)
1015 Half Street ('10)
Yards Park ('10)
Velocity Condos ('09)
Teague Park ('09)
909 NJ Ave. ('09)
55 M ('09)
100 M ('08)
Onyx ('08)
Nationals Park ('08)
70/100 I ('08)
Seniors Bldg Dem. ('07)
400 M ('07)
SoCap Bridge Fix ('07)
US DOT HQ ('07)
20 M ('07)
Capper Seniors 1 ('06)
Capitol Hill Tower ('06)
Courtyard/Marriott ('06)
Overviews
Capper/Carrollsburg
Ballpark District
New Jersey Ave.
M Street
South Capitol St.
WASA
The Yards
Lower 8th Street
East M Street
Boathouse Row


Links of Interest

JDLand.com Wins 2008 Knight-Batten Citizen Media Award
As part of the Knight-Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism, JDLand was given the 2008 Citizen Media Award. Read all about it.

Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District
Covering Near Southeast & Buzzard Point.

Studies/Initiatives/Government Documents:
11th Street Bridges EIS
South Capitol St. Bridge EIS
South Capitol Gateway Corridor/Anacostia Access Study
Anacostia Riverwalk Trail
NCPC's New Vision for South Capitol Street (2005 Update)
Anacostia Waterfront Initiative (2005)
Near Southeast Draft Urban Design Framework (2003)
Urban Land Institute South Capitol Street Corridor Report (2003)
Neighborhood Strategic Action Plan (2002)
DC Streetcars (may run down M Street SE someday)

Capitol Gateway and Southeast Federal Center Zoning Overlays
Two documents that spell out in extreme detail exactly what the requirements are for developments along South Capitol, M, in the Ballpark District, and at "The Yards". Read also my short explanatory treatise on these two overlays.

Pre-Redevelopment Media Overviews:
A Transformed Neighborhood Awaits Stadium (WP, 8/15/05)
      includes huge map of development plans
The Morphing of a Forgotten Neighborhood (WP, 9/2/2004)
      A brilliant take on the neighborhood!
Betting Big on Near Southeast (WP, 7/15/04)
Hope for the Waterfront (WBJ, 01)
Seeking a Better View On the Waterfront (WP, 3/8/98)
 

DC Government
Mayor's Office
Planning/Economic Development
   Office of Planning
DC Consumer & Regulatory Agency
DC Office of Zoning
DC Municipal Regulations | Zoning
DC Dept. of Transportation

DC City Council
Tommy Wells

ANCs: 6D | 6B
David Garber (6D07)
Kirsten Oldenburg (6B04)
Police: MPD-1D | PSA 105

Other Organizations
National Capital Planning Commission
Earth Conservation Corps
Capitol Hill Restoration Society
Barracks Row Main Street
Marines Community Integrated Master Plan
 

 

News Publications
The Hill Rag
The Southwester

Other DC Neighborhood/City Blogs
SW DC - The Little Quadrant That Could
The Hill is Home
Congress Heights on the Rise
Greater Greater Washington
WashCycle
Penn Quarter Living
Frozen Tropics
The Triangle
14th and You
The 42
Beyond DC
Richard Layman
 




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