Since January, 2003
 

July 14, 2005

May 26, 2013
2nd (East) at K, Looking North-Northwest (see more)

The weather gods smiled on the Southeast Waterfront today, with an absolutely picture-perfect day for inviting scads of dignitaries down to the Yards Park to make some speeches and cut a ribbon. Here's my quick photo gallery of the event, with photos not only of politicians wielding scissors but also plenty of shots of the park itself. I will soon update my Yards Park page with real before-and-afters, but that will take some time.
The 5.5-acre park, a $42 million partnership between the city, the feds (who owned the land until this morning), and the BID (which will be responsible for the upkeep and programming), is very simply like nothing else anywhere in DC. It not only has the pedestrian bridge and the light tower and the water features to gawk at, but it has so many different spaces for strolling, sitting, hanging out, playing, or just staring at the river, with its views all the way down to the Potomac River and further to Alexandria. There were many references during the remarks to Chicago's Millenium Park, and all involved with the creation of the Yards Park clearly see its potential as a "destination" attraction. The BID will be working hard to provide a lot of activities to draw people in, and down the road (if the reality ends up matching the vision), when the Lumber Shed becomes a retail-and-restaurant spot with river views, and the Foundry Lofts and Boilermaker Shops just to the north of the park open and become attractions in their own right, this could be quite a jewel in the city's crown.
Add to that the eventual building of a floating boardwalk that will connect the Yards Park to Diamond Teague Park by the baseball stadium, making it an easy stroll along the river to go back and forth between the two venues, and you can start to imagine the fans streaming out of the ballpark on Friday nights to watch the post-game fireworks firing off above the Anacostia River from the Great Lawn or the boardwalk. (I'm told that the boardwalk is in the design stages, though there's no timeline for when it might be built.)
As for the area east of the park, I'm hearing that there is "progress" in working with the Navy Yard to open its boardwalk (that leads to the Display Ship Barry and 11th Street), but again, no timeline on that.
There was a lot of media present today (especially since both Mayor Fenty and Vince Gray were in attendance), so I'll update this post with whatever stories appear. UPDATE: Here's the press release from the mayor's office. Also there's ABC7's report, which also is about today's other Anacostia River event, where council members (but not Mayor Fenty) showed up to sign a pledge to work with the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up six designated toxic sites along the Anacostia, which include in Near Southeast the Navy Yard, the Yards/Southeast Federal Center, the Washington Gas site east of 11th (more on that from Fox 5, including that the Anacostia Riverkeeper and Anacostia Watershed Society groups are concerned that monies from the city's tax on plastic bags are so far not being directed toward cleaning up the river).
Also, it sounds like the fences at the park will be closed again for the next few days while they get some finishing touches done (the eastern end of the park is still being worked on), but it will then have its Grand Opening Weekend starting Friday at 3:30 pm. And then I can get some nighttime photos, because apparently the park's lighting is something to be seen.
(I've also gotten--and forwarded along--some e-mails from residents grousing about what they see as the less-than-adequate size of the dog park on the park's western edge; I've asked Forest City for more information about the current and future plans for the dog park, and will post about it when I hear back.)
 

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Comments

natalie says: (9/7/10 3:13 PM)
Anyone know what the lumber shed project is?

Alan says: (9/7/10 3:24 PM)
Stunning. Can't wait to see it myself.

Jen says: (9/7/10 3:25 PM)
How exciting! We were among the many neighborhood residents checking out the park on Sunday evening. It is such a fantastic space, and what a huge step forward for the area! Every aspect of it seems incredibly well done. It was great to see so many couples, strollers, dogs, and happy people enjoying the park--I am definitely looking forward to the official festivities this weekend!

JD but not that JD says: (9/7/10 3:28 PM)
Hey JD, any idea where the rumored dog park/run would be oriented in the park? Or is that no longer a part of the plan? Just curious. Thanks for these great pictures!!!

JD says: (9/7/10 3:36 PM)
Yes, the dog park (currently very small) is on the far western edge, along the fence with DC WASA. If you look at the rendering on my Yards Park page, you can see it at far left.


JD says: (9/7/10 3:38 PM)
Natalie, the Lumber Shed project will be the reuse of the currently de-skinned two-story building in the center of the park--it will be given glass walls and will become retail and restaurant space on the ground floor. Will probably happen in the next few years. See renderings on my Yards Park page: link


Jay says: (9/7/10 6:15 PM)
I'm going to try and make it Friday afternoon.

I wrote down 3 pm on my calender, but see 3:30 now.

What time shall the early bird arrive?

Looks beautiful, thanks JD! I know this has special meaning to you because you've talked about this spot before, a place that didn't exactly invite one in to.

Dan says: (9/7/10 6:39 PM)
I can't help but thinking after reading about how the new park will drive development that it's all a bit like SimCity. Plant a park down in a neighborhood and watch it all develop! Perhaps SimCity is providing the secret Master Plan for development in DC!

JD says: (9/7/10 7:06 PM)
Hi Jay--I'm going to write a bit about my feelings about the Yards Park after the grand opening. While I do generally try to not pick favorites amongst the projects in the neighborhood, I don't think people would have to look real hard to figure out that I've had a soft spot for this park from the beginning.

[I also used to say to myself that once the Yards Park was done, it might be the time for me to sign off from blogging. Hmmmm. :-) ]



JD but not that JD says: (9/8/10 10:10 AM)
JD, you can't stop blogging! You're a neighborhood institution at this point...your site is invaluable. And thanks for clearing up about the dog park, now that Canal Park is underway it will be nice to have a new place to run our Lab



Misplaced says: (9/8/10 10:30 AM)
I really hope that the BID does a good job in maintaining this park, especially if they decide to extend the size of the dog park. The amount of dog owners in this neighborhood that don't clean up after their dogs is quite disgusting and it would really sadden me to see the park turn into what other areas of the neighborhood look like.

This is coming from a former dog owner in my younger days and an innocent bystander who's had some unfortunate stepping in incidents here in the Near SE.

Jay says: (9/8/10 11:39 AM)
Please don't leave us JD!

I mean, one has to look no further than yesterday. No one covered the lid lifting on Yards Park better than you.

And there's lots of stuff still to come, MLB All-Star Game in 2015 or so!



JD says: (9/8/10 12:17 PM)
Jay--2015? Ow, my head hurts! :-)


Will says: (9/8/10 12:52 PM)
May I second Jay's comments? Not blogging is not an option. In short - we need you. And, as always, great write-up on the park.

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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  
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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