Phase II Donatelli Update

On Wednesday, May 12, the office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development hosted an update meeting for the Great Streets project and other changes planned for the intersection of Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road.

Here is some of the updated information provided. (More will be posted as time permits; the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which parallels the Christian holiday of Pentecost, begins tonight at sundown.)

Retail Reduced; Community Space, Incubator Gone

In 2008 materials, the Donatelli/Blue Skye project included 40,000 square feet of retail space, which included a 5,000 square-foot business incubator and 2,500 square feet of “community space.”

The update shows only 23,000 square feet of retail space, and the business incubator and community space are no longer listed. Queried by Wanda Aikens of the Ward 7 Arts Collaborative at the meeting, developer Chris Donatelli said that community groups were welcome to pay market-rate for retail space.

Melvin Deal’s African Heritage Drummers and Dancers center, once prominent on Minnesota Avenue — see “meeting unmet needs”/4018 Minnesota photo here — was forced to move as part of a District land acquisition for an office project that was later abandoned. No provision for the return of this Ward 7 treasure has been part of this project; no other support of Ward 7 arts was part of the May 2010 presentation.

Development Vision

Donatelli shared renderings similar to those presented in 2008. I personally cannot find any recognizable elements of the existing Ward 7 or even orient this picture — which I’m told represents a view from Minnesota Avenue — to a future vision of the intersection of Minnesota and Benning.

Donatelli 2010 Vision

If anyone else sees how this building fits into the surrounding landscape, please use the comment function on this blog to orient me and others. THANKS!!

Townhouses Line Benning Bridge

Here is one of the floor plans for the project, showing how the 48 for-sale townhomes — reduced from 60 for-sale units in 2008 — are oriented.

FloorPlan