What's Hot: Apartments, Amphitheaters and Dave Chapelle: The Revised Proposals For DC's Reeves Center
Is Half Street Market Possible? Thursday Hearing Offers Faint Hope

A rendering of Half Street Market.
How likely is the community-generated plan to create a market in the vacant warehouse at 49 L Street SE? It’s possible, but will most likely require DC to dole out some money.
On Thursday morning, the House Subcommittee on Government Operations held a hearing at the government-owned property to discuss the state of federal-owned vacant buildings, with a special focus on the L Street SE property (map).
As we’ve reported, community members are agitating to take over the site and put in Half Street Market, a Union Market-type facility, albeit with more training and educational elements to create “culinary incubators.”
However, the building is owned by the GSA, who is first trying to determine if a federal agency may need the site (GSA’s Michael Gelber said that no federal agencies seem interested in the building that has been vacant since 2009). If not, they will explore the idea of selling it.
A sizable contingent (for a Thursday morning) came out to the meeting in support of the Half Street concept, and Councilmember Tommy Wells and ANC 6D Commissioner Ed Kaminski testified in support of the project. Kaminski brought up a potential revenue stream that could help fund the market and culinary incubators on the ground floor: a boutique hotel on the upper floors could send a stream of cash to the GSA. Generally, Kaminski felt that the air rights over the warehouse could be utilized in a profitable manner.
The representatives seemed supportive of the local officials, and were open to the prospect of putting in motion a process that would lead to selling the building to the city. However, the question remains: can DC afford it? The building is valued at $19 million.
Rep. Mica asked Councilmember Wells if he thought it was possible that the city would be interested in buying the site at that cost. “Absolutely,” said Wells. “I believe the District could reap quite a bit from an investment of $19 million.” Michael Gelber also mentioned the possibility of working out some kind of exchange with the city for the site.
So, while the future of the building and the proposed concept remain very much up in the air, the folks behind Half Street Market are left with perhaps a bit more hope than they had yesterday.
See other articles related to: half street market
This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/is_half_street_market_possible_todays_hearing_offers_faint_hope/6983.
Most Popular... This Week • Last 30 Days • Ever

Dupont Circle’s Swann House, a former 15-bedroom bed and breakfast, will be listed ... read »

There are two new proposals to redevelop the center at 14th and U Streets NW that are... read »

A recent build in Anacostia made history as the first code-compliant bamboo building ... read »

The recently-filed amendment would help move redevelopment of a police and fire stati... read »

Even as the residential development pipeline along 14th Street dwindles, there are st... read »
- One of Dupont Circle's Oldest Mansions to Hit the Market
- Apartments, Amphitheaters, and Dave Chapelle: The Revised Proposals For DC's Reeves Center
- The Week's Find: The Grass House in Anacostia
- Map Amendment Could Pave Way For Big U Street Redevelopment
- The 560 Units in Development Along 14th Street
DC Real Estate Guides
Short guides to navigating the DC-area real estate market
We've collected all our helpful guides for buying, selling and renting in and around Washington, DC in one place. Visit guides.urbanturf.com or start browsing below!
First-Timer Primers
Intro guides for first-time home buyers
Unique Spaces
Awesome and unusual real estate from across the DC Metro