Map Amendment Could Pave Way for More Mixed-Use Along Rhode Island Avenue

• July 31st 2017

by Nena Perry-Brown

Over the past several years, the area surrounding the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station has garnered a lot of attention from developers. Now, a commercial strip across the street from the station might also be on the table for a large mixed-use development.

The owners of 802-810 Rhode Island Avenue NE (map) have applied for a zoning map amendment that would rezone the block from PDR (Production, Distribution and Repair) to MU-6, changing the matter-of-right usage from commercial and industrial to allow for medium-density commercial mixed with high-density residential.

The zoning application cites the Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map, which identify the site as ripe for mixed-use development and align with the objectives of the Rhode Island Avenue Small Area Plan. The Small Area Plan in particular recommends that the land wedged between the railroad tracks and Reed Street sitting north of Rhode Island Avenue be rezoned to allow for development of at least 300 mixed-income residential units, 135,000 square feet of office space and 16,000 square feet of retail along the Avenue.

It will be interesting to see what the scope of any proposed development will be if the zone amendment is approved — especially after the 1,550-unit mixed-use project behind the Metro station has stalled two years after proposal.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/more_mixed-use_coming_to_rhode_island_avenue_corridor/12856.