155-Unit Affordable Development Planned for Rhode Island Avenue

• April 18, 2012

by Shilpi Paul

Rendering of 2321 4th Street NE. Courtesy of Bonstra/Haresign Architects.

The H Street Community Development Corporation stopped by the ANC 5C meeting last night to talk about their plans for 2321 4th Street NE (map), a parcel of land they have held for several years.

Building on what is currently a vacant lot a block from the Rhode Island Ave Metro, H Street Community Development Corporation, in partnership with E&G Group, is planning a 6-story project with 155 affordable residential units. The apartments would be reserved for residents making at or below 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), and the project will mainly have a combination of one- and two-bedrooms, with a handful of studios. The rents are projected be in the $400 to $900 a month range for studios, $400 to $1,100 for one-bedrooms, and $500 to $1,200 for two-bedrooms.

The development will have 40 parking spaces, and a small portion of the ground level will be sectioned off for retail or a professional service, like a doctor’s office.

The developers, who are working with Bonstra/Harsign Architects, were at the meeting to seek approval in advance of a BZA meeting in June. While some in attendance declared their support for development on the long-neglected stretch of Rhode Island Avenue, several commissioners and community members spoke out in opposition to the development as it is planned. Opponents want a much larger retail space and a mixed-income development with a smaller percentage of affordable units.

“Mint Condominiums are selling extremely quickly, and their units are market rate,” said a community member of the nearby condo development. “Our neighborhood is ready.”

Several others in attendance noted that Ward 5 already has a high percentage of affordable housing, and that while development is a good thing for Edgewood, the ANC shouldn’t be too quick to approve any plan that comes before them.

The ANC opted to push the decision forward to make time for further community meetings. They will revisit the issue in May.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/development_planned_for_rhode_island_avenue/5433