New Projects Spur Georgia Ave. Makeover

WASHINGTON, DC-Redeveloping Georgia Avenue, a major, albeit run down corridor in the District, has been a key goal of both the Fenty Administration as well as local developers. That goal is moving steadily to realization as there are several projects underway that will deliver new housing, including affordable units and retail space. The most recent is Donatelli Development and Mosaic Urban Partners’ mandate to develop three abandoned properties near Petworth into a housing-retail mixed-use development.

“This area is definitely undergoing a renaissance,” Nia Francis, principal with Mosaic Urban Partners, tells GlobeSt.com. “There are five projects, either in the planning stages or underway, that should add considerably to the neighborhood.” One embryonic project is unfolding across the street from where Mosaic and Donatelli plan to develop, she says. There, Safeway is making plans to redevelop its store into a mixed-use residential project in which the new Safeway store would be located. For the moment, Safeway intends to guide the project through the entitlement process, Francis says. “I anticipate they will be partnering with a developer to execute the project.” A call to Safeway by GlobeSt.com was not returned in time for publication.

Other projects along Georgia are at various points of completion. Donatelli has a huge stake in the area, namely its $70 million, 156-unit housing and retail development atop the Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metrorail Station, which is expected to open this coming spring. Also, the Neighborhood Development Co. is building a $28 million, 72-unit apartment building at 4100 Georgia Ave., which will contain 72 affordable rental units. At 3910 Georgia Ave., Jair Lynch is building a $38 million, 125,000-sf residential building.

Then there are the three properties along the 3800 block of Georgia Avenue, which the Fenty Administration just awarded to Donatelli and Mosaic to redevelop after its solicitation in late April. The $5-million mixed-use project will include a dozen condominiums and local retail and restaurants. The sites, 3813, 3815 and 3825-29 Georgia Ave., are located less than a block away from Donatelli’s Park Place project. The project will also have a 5,000-sf retail incubator space and 5,000-sf of space for sit-down restaurants. At least 30% of the units will be sold as affordable housing. Construction is expected to begin within a year, with delivery slated for fall 2010.