The redevelopment of Capitol Hill’s Hine Junior High School has been one of the most hotly contested projects in the city over the last few years. And the redevelopment remains in limbo, as the Zoning Commission’s ruling in favor of developer Stanton-Eastbanc’s Planned Unit Development (PUD) stands against a neighbor-led lawsuit. Here is a quick refresher on the redevelopment. The PUD outlines a mixed-use project at 7th Street SE and Pennsylvania Avenue SE, adjacent to Eastern Market. The planned redevelopment would include 158 residences, 61,000 square feet of retail space, office space, a plaza, underground parking, and an area for the flea market section of Eastern Market, though smaller than what currently exists. When Stanton-Eastbanc received approval from the Zoning Commission on the PUD last year, many thought that the long process of negotiations was over, and that the developers were on track to close on the property in July 2013 and break ground soon after. Stanton-Eastbanc won the right to develop the vacant, 132,000-square-foot school building and associated 137,614 square feet of land in 2009, and spent three years revising their plans over the course of intense community discussions. However, a group of neighbors submitted a lawsuit to the DC Court of Appeals against the Zoning Commission’s ruling this past summer, stalling the process. The court heard the case in September, and it may be several more months before they issue their decision. Until the decision, the site will not be transferred to Stanton-Eastbanc. Among other things, the opposing residents are concerned with the size, height and density of the multi-building project, as well as what they see as a lack of transparency regarding the deal between the city and the developers. On the latter point, the neighbors notched a victory recently. The blog Capitol Hill Corner, which has been diligently documenting the specifics of the redevelopment, reported Thursday that the DC Office of General Council reversed the decision by the Office of Deputy Mayor for Economic Development “to shield project documentation from an FOIA request” filed by the neighbors’ attorney. If and when the developers receive a favorable decision from the Court of Appeals, they can begin the process of environmental remediation, demolition and construction. However, that decision may not come for several months. #capitolhill #algrantrealtygroup
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 12:33:21 +0000
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