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.

Update Meeting Announced

The notice below was received, and disseminated to the community by email, on the afternoon of May 7 (three business days prior to the meeting):

You are Invited to Attend:

Minnesota – Benning Intersection Project Community Update from the following Agencies:

Department of Real Estate Services

DC Department of Transportation

Deputy Mayor’s Office for Planning & Economic Development

When: Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Time: 6:30 – 8:00pm

Where: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Metropolitan Police Clubhouses Richard England Clubhouse #144103
Benning Road, NE Washington, DC 20019

Although this notice does not mention developers, Latisha Atkins, Ward 7 Outreach and Services Specialist in the Executive Office of the Mayor, reported earlier that Donatelli/Blue Skye will be present. Please see May’s East of the River newspaper.

The Executive Office of the Mayor can be reached at
(202) 442-8150 Main
(202) 340-8248 Mobile
(202) 727-5931 Fax
http://www.DC.Gov

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Minnesota-Benning Intersection Reconsidered

Will the Phase II project at Minnesota-Benning serve the new Downtown Ward 7 in the best way possible? This will depend on many factors. Among key factors is traffic management for this “gateway” intersection. This issue took center stage when the DC Council recently considered the Land Disposition Agreement for this land.

Benning Station Modified

Plans for Benning Station LLC have been modified recently, to allow for more retail space and fewer off-street parking spots. The project has applied for two special exceptions in zoning. Pending lease agreements with the District, the project is slated for groundbreaking this summer.

Deanwood Main Street

A new “Main Street” program was recently launched for Deanwood Heights, with a two-pronged “main street” encompassing both Sheriff Road and Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue. Learn more in December’s East of the River and visist the District’s Main Streets webpage.

Great Streets, “Phase 2”

The Great Streets Initiative, begun in the administration of Mayor Anthony Williams, links several DC agencies — including the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) — in improving “under-invested corridors.” Ward 7 corridors targeted for investment are Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road. In addition, the H Street NE initiative affects Ward 7.

Information about the Great Streets is available under “Key Initiatives” on the website of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.

In early 2008, the District solicited bids for developing 4.8 acres at the intersection of Minnesota and Benning, known as Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road, NE “Phase Two Solicitation.” Interested developers are asked to plan, finance, build and operate a mixed-use development on that site.

Two developers — City East and Donatelli — were front-runners. Each made presentations to the community on September 10, at a meeting hosted by the DMPED at the Boys and Girls Club. The Deputy Mayor’s office has included material from the developer’s presentations, as well as some additional information, on their website.

I have not yet figured out how to deal with the “asp” part of DMPED’s link — I’m new at some of this. Until I do, you can find materials from their this way:
Got to dcbiz.dc.gov (link),
locate “opportunities and financing” (on left)
click on “Development Opportunities,”
choose “Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road,
NE Site Phase Two Solicitation.”

An award decision from the Mayor and DMPED is due soon. Look for more in an upcoming edition of East of the River.