Is DC Central Kitchen Headed to Buzzard Point?

• April 30th 2020

by Nena Perry-Brown

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The development team converting the Buzzard Point Coast Guard headquarters into a mixed-use residential project is now seeking to offer a home to DC Central Kitchen.

This week, the team of Akridge, Western Development and Orr Partners filed for a modification to the RiverPoint project at 2100 2nd Street SW (map) to convert 20,000 square feet slated for retail into a headquarters for nonprofit DC Central Kitchen (DCCK). The new application also seeks to construct an additional 15,000 square-foot mezzanine above the converted retail space for DCCK to occupy as office space. The exterior design wouldn't change, as the converted space was already designed with double-height ceilings.

Overall, the planned unit development (PUD) was approved for 481 apartments and 71,120 square feet of commercial space overlooking the Anacostia River, including a 12,000 square-foot restaurant from the owners of Tony and Joe's and a vegan restaurant and food hall by Spike Gjerde. Antunovich Associates and BCT Architects are the designers. 

The application notes DCCK's need to operate more efficiently and without disruption, particularly in light of the current public health emergency.

"In this time of the Covid 19 crisis, DCCK is operating to-go meal sites for 5 DC public schools and 9 mobile feeding stations, increasing meal deliveries to shelters and non-profit agencies, distributing fresh groceries at each of its mail sites, delivering fresh produce and healthy snacks to corner stores at discounted prices, and delivering meals to health care workers and first responders," the application explains. "DCCK’s move to RiverPoint will not only allow it to grow its operations, but it is critical that the move be authorized soon to avoid disruption to DCCK’s service to the community."

This isn't the only conversion-from-retail in the works in the Buzzard Point area, as a couple of blocks away, another application was recently approved to permit a charter school at a separate office-to-residential conversion.

The Zoning Commission is scheduled to consider the RiverPoint application on May 11th; ANC 6D submitted a letter of support earlier this month. The project could begin delivering this summer.

Correction: The Zoning Commission voted to approve the school conversion application this week.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/is-dc-central-kitchen-headed-to-buzzard-point/16779.