Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) announced July 30 that as part of the Hill East Phase 2 development process the surplus process has been initiated for 8 parcels located on the Hill East site.
According to DC law, the District must ‘surplus‘ properties before to making them available for disposition and development. ‘Surplus’ means it is no longer required for public purposes.
“It will be developed in accordance with the Hill East Master Plan, which permits a wide range of commercial, recreational, institutional, residential, grocery, retail, and other citywide uses,” wrote Ketan Gada, DMPED Director of Hill East District Redevelopment in a letter announcing the process. “This Hill East Phase 2 development effort will further integrate the adjoining community through use of urban planning tools.”
Good morning. Sharing ltr ANC6B received re proposed development on #Reservation13. @ljjanezich @theHillisHome @PoPville @ekogorek @coreyholman @DC_Chander pic.twitter.com/tg7BrU0lEf
— Denise Rucker Krepp (@kdrkrepp) July 31, 2020
According to the letter, sent to Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B and shared by Commissioner Denise Krepp (6B10), DMPED has specifically identified Parcel A, Parcel B-1, Parcel B-2, Parcel C, Parcel E, Parcel F-2, Parcel G-2, and Parcel H on the Hill East campus (see map) for redevelopment in Phase 2. The actual mix of parcels offered for the Hill East Phase 2 development will be determined through the RFP process.
The historic former home of the Capital City Nursing School Anne Archbold Hall occupies a small part of Parcel H. Many of the parcels were or are the site of former DC General buildings. DC Department of General Services (DGS) began demolition of buildings 1-4, located on Parcels F-2, G-2 and E in May 2020 and DMPED said DGS expects to complete demolition as early as Winter 2020.
DC General starting to come down and new housing (Park Kennedy Apartments) getting ready to deliver at Hill East. #HomewardDC #DCHOPE pic.twitter.com/2EX9msFgB0
— John J. Falcicchio (@falcicchio) July 12, 2020
Residents of the area have been asking the city to proceed with plans to develop the area for years, citing a master plan approved by DC Council in 2002. While development has begun on the F1 and G1 parcels on the eastern boundary of the property, the site was also included in a 2017 proposal for Amazon HQ2.
The move to surplus the property comes amid a national period of economic downturn. According a report by the Washington Business Journal, as recently as February, DMPED Acting Director John Falcicchio told DC Council that funding was the major roadblock to development in the area.
DMPED is beginning the surplus process for the Hill East parcels immediately, the letter said. As part of a new equitable development focus, the office is intentionally providing a longer notice period to businesses interested in participating in these developments but who might need extra time to find, discuss and secure teaming partners and arrangements. DMPED is using this new process to help maximize teaming opportunities and participation, the letter noted.
DMPED will hold a virtual public surplus meeting via Webex from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. September 2. Join by following this link: https://dcnet.webex.com/dcnet/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec7dc905e7366bad3a801815e6e576d7a
All comments regarding the surplus process should be submitted in writing via email to Ketan Gada at ketan.gada@dc.gov by September 2, 2020.
