A Revised Application Filed for AU Park Superfresh Site Will Include a DC Balducci's

• January 3rd 2018

by Nena Perry-Brown

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After over a year of often-contentious meetings and altered proposals, the team behind the redevelopment of the former Superfresh site in American University Park is moving forward with a revised zoning application for voluntary design review.

Valor Development is largely sticking to the plans presented late last summer, delivering a mixed-use development that would return a full-service grocer (recently announced as Balducci’s) to the long-dormant site.

The two-building development proposed for 4330 48th Street NW (map) would deliver a mixed-use building with 219 residential units atop a 13,629 square-foot Balducci’s grocer and a second 2,266 square-foot retailer, across from a smaller building with 20 residential units, bisected by a linear public park. Roughly ten percent of the units would be set aside for households earning up to 60 percent of area median income.

The distribution of parking spaces over three below-grade stories has shifted based on use, with the G1 level containing 85 dedicated parking spaces for residents, G2 containing 106 retail parking spaces, and G3 containing 179 spaces; 236 of the spaces on the lower two levels would be available to American University students.

While the Office of Planning recommends approval, the neighborhood remains quite divided on the development. Since Valor’s August request to postpone a zoning hearing following presentation of the most recent proposed iteration, roughly one-third of the letters from individual citizens and couples have been in support and the remainder have been in opposition. Local associations like the Spring Valley Neighborhood Association and Ward 3 Vision have filed letters of support, pitting them against groups like the Spring Valley-Wesley Heights Citizens Association and Citizens for Responsible Development, the latter of which has been particularly vocal throughout the process.

As of December 6th, ANC 3D filed a conditional letter of support for the project, citing preference of the proposal over what would be permissible by-right on the site. A by-right development would allow the developers to construct a single building with bulkier massing and fewer set-backs, likely with up to 250 residential units, and wouldn’t be able to support a grocery store. ANC 3D also expressed approval based on a plan to install a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) on Massachusetts Avenue.

ANC 3E is expected to vote on the development this evening. The Zoning Commission hearing is scheduled for January 11th.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/a_revised_application_filed_for_former_superfresh_site/13406.