Friday, November 06, 2009
Eckington's St. Martin's Still a Source of Tension
Labels: Bloomingdale, Eckington, Grimm + Parker, Hamel Builders
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
District Officials Decry Condos, Celebrate Affordable Housing in Columbia Heights
Labels: 14th Street, Affordable Housing, Columbia Heights, Hamel Builders, Jim Graham, Mayor Adrian Fenty, new apartments, renovation, Somerset Development
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Residences Delivering on Georgia Avenue
Labels: Affordable Housing, Georgia Avenue, Hamel Builders, Mayor Adrian Fenty, Neighborhood Development Company, new apartments, Petworth, Wiencek + Associates
Financed by $28 million from a laundry list of contributors, including the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency, the District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development, the Wachovia Affordable Housing Community Development Corporation and MMA Financial, NDC founder Adrian Washington says, “The Residences is a shining example of what can be accomplished when the private sector works hand in hand with the community and the District government to move neighborhoods forward.” The project was designed by local architects, Wiencek and Associates.
The project, which broke ground in September 2007, will also be home to the District’s second Yes! Organic Market in as many years (the first opened at PN Hoffman’s Union Row development in November). The new, 10,000 square foot Yes! - Petworth’s first boutique grocer – will open this coming summer following completion of its own independent, interior build-out.
In the meantime, the Residences at Georgia itself will become an official addition to the Georgia Avenue corridor after a ribbon-cutting ceremony – to be attended by Mayor Adrian Fenty and Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser - on March 31st at 10:30 AM.
Washington DC real estate development news
Thursday, July 17, 2008
District Picks Developer for Old Engine House 10
Labels: Capitol Hill, H Street Corridor, Hamel Builders, Neil Albert
Located in the northeast corner of Capitol Hill at 525 Ninth Street, NE and 1341 Maryland Avenue, NE, both buildings are just over 5,000 s.f., assessed at almost $1 million, and have stood vacant for years. The District issued a solicitation for developers in January, three teams responded.
Offers were evaluated based on experience, project feasibility, unit affordability, offer price, and Certified Business Enterprise participation. The developer, who has far exceeded the 30 percent affordable housing requirement, must also use green building design standards.
The Maryland Avenue building is 114 years old and was designated a historic landmark in January of this year. The Ninth Street property, built in 1932, was formerly a police station. Both were controlled by the former National Capital Revitalization Corporation until the agency was dissolved and it's properties transferred to the Deputy Mayor's Office.
Deputy Mayor Neil Albert said it is time for the buildings to become more aesthetically pleasing and put to better use. "These are great historic structures, but they've been neighborhood eye sores for far too long. Argos is a highly capable local developer that will put these properties back to productive use and make lasting improvements to these neighborhoods."
Argos' $3 million redevelopment project, within walking distance of the H Street corridor, will be designed by Architrave with construction by Hamel Builders.
Friday, March 07, 2008
More Southeast Development
Crawford Edgewood Managers Inc. (CEMI), together with New Market Investors LLC and the DC Housing Authority, is making headway on Highlands Addition, a revitalization effort that would turn more than 300,000 s.f. of vacant land in Washington Highlands into 138 mixed-income homes. The triumvirate has now selected Hamel Builders as the contractor after a lengthy bidding process, and now have to finalize the layout of alleys and thoroughfares that the project will create, which is still up for City Council approval. Once the chunk of land has been successfully gridded, all that's left is to buy those chichi golden shovels.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Mayfair Mansions Dig Starts Thursday
Labels: Gilford Corporation, Hamel Builders, Marshall Heights, Wiencek + Associates
The trinity of acronymic organizations will provide 410 affordable rental units and 160 affordable homeownership opportunities - okay, condos - in the Parkside neighborhood. The roots for these preservation and affordable housing objectives were planted back in 2005 when the Mayfair Mansions Tenants Association exercised their TOPA rights, which allows tenants of a rental unit first right of refusal to purchase before a landlord can legally sell his property. MMTA subsequently sought assistance, partnering with the two local development groups, which acquired the site in July 2006; CPDC to lead the rental preservation initiative and MHCDO to head the creation of affordable homeownership.
Under the partnership, CPDC and MHCDO have been investing in the 23-acre site for the past two years and now plan to bring the community's vision to fulfillment. The DC Department of Housing and Community Development has provided $27.5 million in long-term subsidies for both rental and ownership elements; a bundle of Low Income Housing Tax Credits was also provided in light of Mayfair's continued status as a low-income housing supplier - about 95% of the rental housing is restricted for applicants at or below 60% AMI.
The most interesting source of proceeds comes from the Federal government in the form of a Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, which is being provided due to Mayfair's historic status; the Mayfair Mansions were originally constructed in the 1940s specifically for the African-American community in a time when racially restrictive covenants had a stronghold on housing laws. Albert Cassell, a renowned African American architect who designed numerous milestone structures for the Howard University campus, served as the lead designer for the erstwhile Mayfair community. In 1990, Mayfair was put on the historic register due to its social significance.
Although minor construction efforts have been in effect since October 10th, the official groundbreaking on Thursday will commemorate the rebirth of the Mayfair community and its dedication to serve all income levels. Amidst the celebratory proceedings, Mayor Fenty will be on the business end of a shovel, at least long enough for a photo op, along with City Council Chairman Vincent Gray and a handful of other local politicos.
Design and construction for the 570-unit housing community will be a joint-venture of architectural and construction firms. Wiencek + Associates and McDonald Williams Banks Architects will serve as the design team while Gilford Corp. and Hamel Builders Inc. will share construction and renovation responsibilities for the array of housing units. Project completion is expected in the first quarter of 2010.