A previously stalled residential project in Ward 8's Barry Farm community is one step closer to realization. The 99-unit Matthews Memorial Terrace was scheduled to begin construction earlier this year, but economic constraints delayed the promised affordable housing. Now, however, the developers are seeking general contractors and hope to begin construction in the new year. The planned development would bring four stories 
of affordable rental units to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. next to the Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, which owns the property (and runs a surprisingly hip website). Developer Community Builders (TCB) along with the Church received final zoning approval for the PGN Architects-designed project in May 2009. The construction would mean jobs and new housing for part of DC hardest hit by the current downturn.
The 79,000 s.f. of affordable housing will provide 32 units of senior housing (1 bedrooms, 1 bedrooms plus den and 2 bedrooms), 34 units of multi-family and individual public housing (most of which will likely go to residents displaced by the Barry Farm redevelopment), and 33 units of affordable housing for individuals and families earning less than 60% AMI. Of the four stories, one will be below grade. Donna Freeman from Matthews Memorial Baptist Church indicated the site currently contains a few structures which will be demolished prior to the new construction. Contractor bids for the residential project, valued at $8.5 million, are due December 14th.The residential project will sit next to a planned community building also developed by the Church,
which received approval in the same zoning process in May. The community building will include a space on the ground floor for public meetings, a second floor dining room and restaurant and non-profit uses on the third floor. The community building is not part of the current bidding process.Washington, D.C. real estate development news.
3 comments:
This will be the first step in revitalizing Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. The proposed addition of Busboys and Poets Restaurant at the storefront location of this development will be huge for SE. This coming at the same time as the Great Street Projects on MLK, Homeland Secruity to the St. Elizabeth West Campus and the street car project, tells me the only thing we need is for the economy to bounce back and Ward 8 is on the right path.
Busboys and Poets? Really? Is for the bookstore/cafe? Or the dining room (with limited hours)? ...care to share where the information is coming from?
The best thing for MLK Ave would be is for them to get rid of St Elizabeth.
The 1/2 mile that runs beside St. Elizabeth has nothing on it; that is the main reason nothing is going on over there, even the other streets in the area have people on them .
I say they should move St. Elizabeth further back and give the first few 1000 yards to whomever to build something doesnt matter what just to get people in the area.
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