Since January, 2003
 

February 1, 2005

January 25, 2012
3rd at K, Looking East-Northeast (see more)

(h/t reader M.) Last week, the Congress for the New Urbanism named the winners of its 2009 Charter Awards, and one of them is the "House Office Buildings Facilities Plan and Preliminary South Capitol Area Plan." I won't go into too much detail, since the majority of the area that the plan looked at is north of the freeway, but it is worth noting that, while it's a very neat plan that looks forward to both 2025 and 2050 and takes into account the vision of the NCPC's Extending the Legacy (no more freeway!), the designers of the HOB facilities plan perhaps didn't do a lot of research as to the reality of the land ownership south of the freeway. If you look at the maps of their proposed 2025 and 2050 implementations, you see all sorts of new government buildings on the block now dominated by 70 and 100 I Street, as well as a big park at Second and H, which might come as a surprise to the William C. Smith Co., which owns the block and is planning a 1.1-million-square-foot mixed-use project on that square. And yet the Post Plant remains, 41 years in the future, which probably is not what city planners would consider an optimal solution. And the Capitol Power Plant is still there, too!
All this aside, if you live or work on the Hill, you might be interested in what the future could bring for the parking garages, House Office Buildings, and other structures that are part of the Capitol Complex. And, if I'm missing something about how this plan is approaching the privately owned land south of the freeway, I'd love clarification....
 

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Comments

MJM (Mike) says: (3/31/09 11:37 PM)
Something tells me after your post, you just might get some clarification or better yet you just put them on notice to pay attention to that area south of the freeway. :)

Rick says: (4/1/09 7:14 AM)
JD - do you know if the William C. Smith CO. project will eliminate Canal Street (the street that transects the block) to create one more massive block-sized building or respect it as one of the last remnants in SE of the canal? Oddly, discussion of this project and the transfer station mention "reconnecting" I Street as if the construction of the transfer station closed it off. Of all the historic maps I've looked at, none show I street existing at this location. If anything, it didn't exist (at least as a formal, paved street) because of the canal, rail yards, and undeveloped open space. Seems a shame to "reconnect" it when it didn't exist in exchange for eliminating Canal Street which exists and marks the location of the old canal.

Jim Malone says: (4/1/09 8:05 AM)
A few thoughts:

The Good: First, the fact that they are even doing this at all is laudable. I also applaud them for reinstating South Capitol as a primary boulevard and New Jersey & Delaware as secondary boulevards; decking over/diminishing the presence of the freeway; and significantly expanding the amount of public space. These are fairly common sense concepts however.

Jim Malone says: (4/1/09 8:08 AM)
The Bad: First, it's disappointing, to say the least, that the Power Plant wasn't utilized as a major focal point in the plan. What better arena than this type of 'vision plan' is there for the federal government to set an example for the Sustainable future that they continuously talk about? Second, the fact that a central aspect of this study was retaining and expanding on the insane amount of parking for these buildings is extremely discouraging. One would hope that in 40 years time we'll be much less reliant on the automobile and more so on public transit, and the federal government would set a crucial example there as well.

Perhaps another draft of the 2050 plan is in order that includes a redesign of the Power Plant as a civic element (a showcase of Sustainable Energy perhaps), reduces the amount of vehicular parking, and increases transit linkages. Also the Senate side of the Capitol, southeast of Union Station, is definitely in need of the same type of study.

JD says: (4/1/09 9:04 AM)
Rick--here's the bill passed in 2006 that sets it all out, and it includes the closing of Canal Street:

link

I'm interested that it doesn't say "designation" or "creation" of I Street, it says "opening."

Here's the committee report:

link

When you look at the 1791 L'Enfant plan, you see that I Street at the Canal is basically the waterfront. H Street, however, appears to have a crossing at the Canal:

link




BC says: (4/2/09 1:31 PM)
They should create/distroy streets where it bests serves the community ...no be chained to what worked 75 years ago or so. They should also have some kind of power plant in the area. Whether is runs on coal, nuclear, solar, wind, water, people peddling, etc. it still should be located nearby to minimize potential transmission line problems or attacks.

I am very happy that the government has a vision for this area, even if it does need to be modified here and there. We in this area have been so fortunate to get so much more federal money per person than anywhere else. Plans such as these make me believe that we will continue to be blessed with greater than our fair share of money in the following decades.

MJW says: (4/2/09 1:50 PM)
Great idea. Spend millions of dollars to providing free parking for Congressional staffers so that can drive to work from Maryland and Virginia.

Michael says: (4/2/09 4:43 PM)
Federal money doesn't do much squat to take care of DC streets and DC power lines and DC schools

SG says: (4/2/09 5:52 PM)
So is the Yards residential project dead?

JD says: (4/2/09 6:04 PM)
SG, "dead" isn't the right word (it's not like Forest City has pulled out, never to return). The last I heard (a week or so ago) they are "actively in the credit markets," looking for the financing to continue the project. (For those not following along, they didn't get the expected financing to cover the affordable housing component, it was reported a few weeks back.) But, no timeframe on it. Don't have any updates on the Boilermakers Shop or the park, though at least the park has its funding in place via the public-private partnership with the city.


BC says: (4/2/09 6:20 PM)
We should not try to pull negativity out of something positive. DC residents get a lot more benefits with federal dollars than anyone else. Just because the fed don't pay for every last thing does not mean we should wallow in gloom and doom. While most of the rest of the nation is in economic and developmental decline, this area is one of the very few in the nation that is still moving forward. Also, complaining about parking lots in DCs future does not have much merit. This city used to be a city of parking lots just 8-10 years ago. Many of the buildings built in DC in a last few years were build on what used to be surface parking lots. The fact that there might still be a parking lot or two around in the following decades should certainly not bother those of us who remember when you could not throw a stone in DC without it hitting a surface parking lot.

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City Government Data for Near Southeast
Records added or updated recently displayed here; click the "archive" links to see additional detail and older records. All data from DC Government databases and RSS feeds. JDLand takes no responsibility for errors, omissions, etc. (read CapStat disclaimer). Data is retrieved daily.

Recent Crime Incidents Archive  
1100 B/O HALF ST SE   THEFT /  05/17/13
M ST SE AND 11TH ST SE   THEFT /  05/15/13
300 B/O VIRGINIA AVE SE   BURGLARY /  05/13/13
L ST SE AND 5TH ST SE   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  05/08/13
900 B/O 5TH ST SE   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  05/03/13
1000 B/O 3RD PLACE SE   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  05/01/13
1500 B/O SOUTH CAPITOL ST   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  05/01/13
1000 B/O 5TH ST SE   THEFT /  05/01/13
1500 B/O SOUTH CAPITOL ST   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  05/01/13
900 B/O 4TH ST SE   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  04/29/13
UNIT B/O M ST SE   THEFT /  04/27/13
700 B/O L ST SE   THEFT /  04/26/13

Active Public Space Permits Archive  
1011 1ST ST SE    COLIN CLARK 
Pending
excavation; new  
 03/03/14
to
05/01/14
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
202 M ST SE    canal park business assoc 
Issued
paving; new  
 04/29/13
to
05/31/13
401 M ST SE    cris FLACK 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/22/13
to
06/20/13
770 M ST SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Pending
excavation; new  
 12/10/12
to
05/31/13
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
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  
1263 1ST ST SE   
05/10/13 
CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC / CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC; WESTON SOLUTIONS INC.
SB1300204 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALL FIVE MONITORING WELLS ON ADJOINING PARCELS ON SQUARE 701 LOT 818 821 825 826 827 TO EVALUATE SOIL AND GROUNDWATER ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION PRIOR TO SITE DEVELOPMENT. SITE IS CURRENTLY VACANT AND USED FOR PARKING.
1013 4TH ST SE   
05/13/13 
EVA WALTER / RALPH E JACKSON
P1304928 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1212 4TH ST SE   
05/10/13 
FOREST CITY / FVI 2020
FD1300032 / CONSTRUCTION
REVISION TO FOUNDATION TO GRADE REF: PERMIT FD1109003
70 I ST SE   
05/08/13 
NA NA NA
EHOP1390413 / HOME OCCUPATION
80 M ST SE   
05/10/13 
WELLS REIT II 80 M STREET LLC / SCOTT BROADBENT; WELLS REIT II 80 M STREET LLC; SCOTT BROADBENT
E35382167 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/15/13 
WELLS RELT II 80 M STREET LLC WELLS RELT II 80 M STREET LLC / ASHLEY MANGAN; WELLS RELT II 8 WELLS RELT II 80 M STREET LLC; DAVID RAINE
FS87326044 / SUPPLEMENTAL
300 M ST SE   
05/15/13 
FEDERAL CENTER LP / MARK A. PELUSO
E1305320 / SUPPLEMENTAL
100 M ST SE   
05/17/13 
KEN MERZELLIO / THOMAS HUMMEL; KEN MERZELLIO; THOMAS HUMMEL
E61670509 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1201 M ST SE   
05/08/13 
CARLTON RAY / MICHAEL MANOSKI
AH1300561 / CONSTRUCTION
PERFORM TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES.
   
05/08/13 
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO. WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO. / THOMAS NIEMANN; WASHINGTON GAS WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO.; JOE ISAAC
AR66926931 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/15/13 
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO / JEFFREY KNIGHT; WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO; JOHN WEEKS
E20855539 / SUPPLEMENTAL
880 NEW JERSEY AVE SE   
05/14/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / LEONARD J. MCNULTY
P1304963 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/14/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / ALBERT J. PEARCE
M1301714 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1500 SOUTH CAPITOL ST SE   
05/10/13 
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA / GUARDIAN FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES
B1306662 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALL ANSUL R-102 1.5-GALLON COMMERCIAL KITCHEN HOOD FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TO PROTECT NEW SMOKER OVEN IN CLUB LEVEL KITCHEN - WASHINGTON NATIONALS STADIUM
300 TINGEY ST SE   
05/16/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC /
P1305030 / SUPPLEMENTAL
101 TINGEY ST SE   
05/17/13 
HILL COUNTRY BBQ MARKET / ALEX CRAWFORD
TN1300200 / CONSTRUCTION
OUTDOOR VENUE WITH FENCE AND TENTS FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE SALES WITH LIVE MUSIC
300 TINGEY ST SE   
05/10/13 
FOREST CITY WASHINGTON / JOE SPINELLI RESTAURANT CONSULTANTS
B1303626 / CONSTRUCTION
INTERIOR ALTERATION OF AN EXISTING BUILDING OF A TOTAL GFA = 2750 SQ.FT. ON 1ST FLOOR TO BE A NEW T / L 84-SEAT & 94 OCCUPANCY LOAD RESTAURANT. WORK TO INCLUDE NEW WALLS CEILINGS FLOORS AND LIGHTING. NEW HVAC HOOD SYSTEM ELECTRICAL MECHANICAL PLUMBING.
   
05/10/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC /
P1304906 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/15/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC / DOMINIC E TOTARO
M1301731 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/15/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC / DOMINIC E TOTARO
P1305012 / SUPPLEMENTAL
301 TINGEY ST SE   
05/14/13 
SEFC 160 LLC / JEFFREY KNIGHT; SEFC 160 LLC; JOHN WEEKS
E83248440 / SUPPLEMENTAL
301 WATER ST SE   
05/07/13 
FC LUMBER SHED LLC / DENNIS R. WOODE
E1305113 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/07/13 
FOREST CITY / FVI 2020
B1304901 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTILLATION OF PREFAB MECHANICAL STORAGE PLATFORM OF APPROX 622 SQ FT AREA STRUCTURE OF STEEL FRAMING WITH COMPOSITE DECK WITH TUBE STEEL COLUMNS ON FOOTINGS
   
05/08/13 
TOUR DE FAT / PAUL GRUBER
TN1300155 / CONSTRUCTION
SPECIAL EVENT TOUR DE FAT 1 36X24 STAGE 2 20X20 TENTS 3 10X10 TENTS
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  
1263 1ST ST SE   03/14/13
$ 5,435,680
CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC
 
0084 N ST SE   03/14/13
$ 5,435,680
CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC
 
0086 N ST SE   03/14/13
$ 5,435,680
CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC
 
0086 N ST SE   03/14/13
$ 5,435,680
CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC
 
1265 1ST ST   03/14/13
$ 5,435,680
CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC
 
N ST SE   03/05/13
$ 7,525,000
MR BALLPARK 2 LLC LEHMAN BROS HOLDINGS INC FL 39
 
N ST SE   03/05/13
$ 7,525,000
MR BALLPARK 2 LLC LEHMAN BROS HOLDINGS INC FL 39
 
N ST SE   03/05/13
$ 7,525,000
MR BALLPARK 2 LLC LEHMAN BROS HOLDINGS INC FL 39
 
1244 SOUTH CAPITOL ST SE   03/05/13
$ 7,525,000
MR BALLPARK 2 LLC LEHMAN BROS HOLDINGS INC FL 39
 
1236 SOUTH CAPITOL ST SE   03/05/13
$ 7,525,000
MR BALLPARK 2 LLC LEHMAN BROS HOLDINGS INC FL 39
 
N ST SE   03/05/13
$ 7,525,000
MR BALLPARK 2 LLC LEHMAN BROS HOLDINGS INC FL 39
 
0050 M ST   03/05/13
$ 5,125,000
MR BALLPARK 6 LLC LEHMAN BROTHERS HOLDINGS INC
 


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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