45-Unit Residential Project Planned For Capitol Hill Auto Shop Moves Forward

• June 4th 2015

by UrbanTurf Staff

The developer behind the plan to redevelop industrial buildings near Watkins Elementary School on Capitol Hill into a 45-unit residential project filed its planned unit development (PUD) with the Zoning Commission on Thursday. The proposed buildings at and around 1311 E Street SE (map) would include roughly 30,000 square feet to be constructed on what’s now an auto repair shop and a warehouse.

Sean Ruppert, the principal of developer OPaL LLC, gave the local ANC an informational presentation on the project in January. Gregory Sparhawk of gps designs is the project architect.

The project, called Watkins Alley, would consist of 30 three-bedroom townhomes, eight flats and six lofts, with much of the homes’ activity centered around an alley. In January, Ruppert said he is targeting empty nesters and families in the homes, the most expensive of which would sell for around $1.3 million.

Per the PUD, the project will have “one level of underground parking with 45 spaces below the south block of townhouses.” There will also be parking for 48 bicycles.

The development team is looking for a rezoning of the property from industrial to residential use, an increase in the allowed lot occupancy (given the size of the planned homes), and the ability to change the location of the parking area, among other changes.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/45-unit_residential_project_planned_for_capitol_hill_auto_shop_moves_forwar/9969.