Since January, 2003
 

April 28, 2007

May 31, 2010
Cushing at L, Looking Northeast (see more)

Here's a news item that people have been waiting on for a good long while--the official Canal Park groundbreaking ceremony has been scheduled for Monday, August 30 Tuesday, August 31, at 10:45 am, with the mayor expected to be in attendance. Construction on the three-block publicly funded park is expected to take 12 to 14 months, so look for it to be finished in probably late 2011--just in time to get a lot of use out of the ice skating rink.
[Here's a slightly edited version of a description I wrote a few months ago] For those who haven't been following along, Canal Park will stretch from I to M streets SE along the two parts of Second Street--some people may know this location as the open field across from Subway and Five Guys, about three blocks northeast of Nationals Park. The southern block, across from the US Department of Transportation headquarters, will have a large plaza, a "significant water feature" that will transform into an ice skating rink in winter, and a large two-level pavilion that will be home to a cafe and observation area. The middle block has a rain garden, a children's play area, a small performance stage, and an open lawn. The northern block, the "most pastoral of the three," will have a large open lawn, and the slight grade of the block as it slopes upward toward I Street has allowed the designers to envision this as an informal amphitheater, for events like summer movie nights and whatnot. There is also a "linear rain garden" that runs along the eastern edge of the park's three blocks. (Note that K and L streets will still be open to traffic, though there will be well-marked crosswalks.)
If you want to know more, visit the park's official web site. Or my page, if you want to see lots of photos of schoolbuses from the old days. And this report from the National Capital Planning Commission goes deep into the design, if you want to know *still* more. And you can read all my old Canal Park blog posts, back to the beginning, to relive the long road to this groundbreaking.
This groundbreaking will be just a week before the opening of the neighborhood's other new signature open space, the Yards Park, just a few blocks to the south, along the Anacostia River.
UPDATED: The groundbreaking has shifted by one day, to Tuesday, August 31.
Comments (0)
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Comments

R says: (8/23/10 3:02 PM)
Is it me or does there seem to be a lot more projects gaining new life again? This is positive news for SE DC! Wonderful.

JD says: (8/23/10 3:09 PM)
It does seem that way, though I'd caution that the all of the projects with "life" right now--Capitol Quarter Phase II, Yards Park, Foundry Lofts, and Canal Park--each are either completely or partially funded with public $$$.

When a development gets started that has no public funds attached to it, that will be a bit more telling as to the state of the commercial real estate market (and the banking industry).


F says: (8/23/10 4:17 PM)
Lets not forget 1015 Half St. Yes, it was partially finished before it was taken over after bankruptcy, but I believe its 100% privately funded.

I think we need to get some JDLand bloggers to write to Panera, Clydes, Mortons, Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods, Legal Seafood, Tasca, etc and let them know that we're waiting for them to come!

JD says: (8/23/10 4:22 PM)
F, one small correction: There's only one JDLand *blogger*. The legions you are referring to are commenters. :-)



c says: (8/23/10 5:28 PM)
but you said there wasn't going to be another groundbreaking because they already did one, oh never mind

best news ever, thanks to the minions for pushing on this and to everyone at the Canal Park Development Association for setting a time line and sticking to it

JD says: (8/23/10 5:36 PM)
Curt--When did I ever say such a thing? The ceremony years ago wasn't a groundbreaking, it was the presentation of the check from the USDOT pilot fund. I've known for months there was going to be a groundbreaking at the end of the summer.

But, clearly it makes you feel better to take shots at me (since you do it in so many of your comments, no matter which username you post under), so today's missive from you is right in line with that. I'm glad your day is complete now!


AKR says: (8/23/10 5:36 PM)
Thanks again for all the detail. I'm a little disappointed that there's not more green space. It looks a least half of the land will no longer be green space - but rather a stone plaza. Is the cafe supposed to be publically run?

JD says: (8/23/10 5:39 PM)
AKR--That plaza is only on the southern block--as the park moves northward across the other two blocks, there's much more green space. The southern plaza is meant to be very "active," since it's so close to M Street and big office buildings.

I don't know any details about the cafe at this point.


MJM says: (8/23/10 6:22 PM)
Those sections are pretty big if you look at an overhead shot - I think in the end people will be surprised with the amount of green space that will be there. With that park and 5.5 acres along the river and the eventual river trail we are gonna have a lot more green space than some parts of the city. Plus I'm looking forward to the ice skating portion!

Mark says: (8/24/10 10:45 AM)
Great news! Thanks for passing it along JD.

Misplaced says: (8/24/10 3:52 PM)
Ditto on the ice skating portion MJM. I can't think of another outdoor ice skating rink (however big or small) in DC proper, can anyone else? I imagine that should garner a little bit of foot traffic during the offseason no?


David Garber says: (8/24/10 4:12 PM)
@Misplaced,

There's the ice rink at the sculpture garden on the mall, and in Pershing Park also across from the Willard on Penn Ave... but this will certainly be the most "neighborhood"-y rink in DC.

Misplaced says: (8/24/10 5:35 PM)
I don't know how I forgot about the Gallery's rink. My girlfriend and I go there often during the winter!

Either way, judging by the designs it'll be more than just an oval shape rink, which should make it plenty different from the other offerings!

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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  
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
250 B/O I ST SE   THEFT /  04/22/13
1000 B/O 7TH ST SE   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  04/22/13

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
125 CANAL ST SE    VERIZON 
Pending
 
 02/27/13
to
05/22/13
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
1100 NEW JERSEY AVE SE    VERIZON 
Pending
new  
 02/27/13
to
05/22/13
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.
1212 4TH ST SE   
05/10/13 
FOREST CITY / FVI 2020
FD1300032 / CONSTRUCTION
REVISION TO FOUNDATION TO GRADE REF: PERMIT FD1109003
1201 HALF ST SE   
05/03/13 
LIVING SOCIAL'S BEER FEST / LIVING SOCIAL'S BEER FEST; RYLAND GREENHOUSE
TN1300188 / CONSTRUCTION
SPECIAL EVENT LIVING SOCIAL'S BEER FEST 60 10X10 TENTS 1 30X50 TENT
70 I ST SE   
05/08/13 
NA NA NA
EHOP1390413 / HOME OCCUPATION
55 M ST SE   
04/30/13 
MR BP OFFICE #1 LLC / JIN JOON HUH
E1304922 / SUPPLEMENTAL
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
100 M ST SE   
05/03/13 
KEN MERZELLIO / THOMAS HUMMEL; KEN MERZELLIO; THOMAS HUMMEL
E61670509 / SUPPLEMENTAL
300 M ST SE   
04/30/13 
FEDERAL CENTER LP 300 M ST SE / PAUL THIEBERGER; FEDERAL CENTER 300 M ST SE; PAUL THIEBERGER
P73216669 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1201 M ST SE   
05/01/13 
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO / DAVID FONTANA / MCKEEVER SERVICES CORP.
B1305174 / CONSTRUCTION
ALTERTIONS TO 9000SF ON THE GROUND FLOOR. ASSOCIATED MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING WORK INCLUDED.
   
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
880 NEW JERSEY AVE SE   
05/01/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / WILLIAM C SMITH + CO
AH1300550 / CONSTRUCTION
WORK FROM 7PM TO 7AM
   
05/03/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / JOHN H THOMSON
E1305011 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/03/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / JOHN H THOMSON
E1305010 / 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   
05/10/13 
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
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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