Today, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) announced development teams for two of the District’s OurRFP projects – Eastern Branch Boys and Girls Club and Northwest One. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s OurRFP initiative incorporates community feedback early in the Request for Proposals (RFP) process to help ensure District residents have a voice on development in their neighborhoods.
The development team of Century Associates, Eco Housing Corporation, and Keystar Real Estate was selected to redevelop the site of the former Eastern Branch Boys and Girls Club. The project will produce affordable for-sale units for seniors.
At their November 14th meeting, Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B voted in favor of a motion supporting the proposal from Century Associates, saying senior co-housing was more compatible with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. The motion also requested that the Office of the DMPED work with the developers for more clarity on how community space will work and be managed. It also asked that DMPED put additional emphasis on affordable housing in the RFP and land disposition process, including senior affordable housing under the Century Associates proposal.
At the ANC meeting, Century Associates founder Joel Kelty presented plans for 29 units in a dedicated senior housing condominium. 30% of the units would be affordable housing, offered at 50% and 80% Area Mean Income (AMI). Each unit size ranges from one to three bedrooms. There would be about a dozen below-grade parking spaces accessed by a mechanical lift, and about 1850 square feet of community space, the end use of which would be determined by the community.
The affordable units are offered at 50% AMI and 80% AMI. A two-bedroom sells for $113,000 at 50% AMI, and a two-bedroom at 80% AMI for $213,000. Market price units average about $514,000.
In a press release issued shortly after the DMPED decision, Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6-D) said, “When I first took office in 2015, I heard loud and clear from the nearby neighbors they weren’t satisfied with the proposals to redevelop the Boys & Girls Club Eastern Branch. I asked the city to stop their process and start over – with a focus on delivering a better plan to serve the communities’ needs.Working with Mayor Bowser and the ANC, the city launched a new effort that led to today’s announcement – a better outcome for all.”
“This is a big win for Ward 6 and our neighbors,” he added. “I’m proud to have helped lead this process to deliver better results, and am very grateful for the hard work and thoughtful additions from the community, in particular ANC 6B-09 Commissioner Daniel Ridge.”
Century Associates has a relationship with Capitol Hill Village, a non-profit that provides support and resources Capitol Hill residents as they age in place. Members of Capitol Hill Village and supporters of the senior co-housing concept for the site attended the Nov 14th ANC meeting wearing buttons.
The development team of MRP Realty and CSG Urban was selected for the redevelopment of Northwest One, a part of the New Communities Initiative, which will produce over 500 affordable housing units with more than half serving residents earning below 30 percent Area Median Income (AMI).
“The active engagement of the community through the OurRFP process ensured that Eastern Branch Boys and Girls Club and Northwest One will be thoughtfully developed and deliver on these neighborhoods’ interests and needs,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian Kenner. “The selected proposals will expand our shared priorities as a District: affordable housing, community benefits and amenities for District residents.”
