Buzzard Point Nominated as Opportunity Zone

Last week, the District government nominated 25 Census tracts to be Opportunity Zones and one of those was Census tract 6400, covering a portion of Southwest including all of Buzzard Point. Census tract 6400 is bordered by Delaware Avenue and Fort McNair to the west, South Capitol Street to the east, M Street to the north, and the Anacostia River to the south. The nomination was the result of tax cut legislation passed last year by Congress, which created a federal program to facilitate investment and job creation in low-income urban and rural areas. In the District, a majority of the nominated Census tracts are located in Wards 7 and 8 – the only nomination in Ward 6 is the Buzzard Point area. According to a press release by DMPED: 

The tracts were selected with a focus on bringing new investment to communities most in need of jobs, commercial activity and amenities by leveraging actionable investment opportunities. As certain benefits end in 2026, census tracts with projects ready for investment were given greater consideration as the sooner funds can be deployed, the greater the value. 

Census tract 6400 falls into this category – billions of dollars’ worth of development is planned, but the area is currently lacking in jobs and opportunities for residents. According to Census data, the unemployment rate is over 15% and 2016 median household income is $23,485. This compares to the 20024 ZIP code median household income of $75,703.  While Audi Field is seen as a driver of recent activity in Buzzard Point, the Opportunity Zone designation could potentially put development in this area of Southwest into overdrive.  Whether this new designation ultimately helps current residents get jobs and climb out of poverty remains to be seen...

Historic Designation Sought for Rowhomes

In response to the pending demolition of the rowhomes along the 1300 block of South Capitol Street and the unit block of N street to build a 200-unit apartment building, the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) filed an application to designate the structures as historic with the District’s Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB). According to the application, the six “Coleman & Richards Row” homes on South Capitol Street were built in 1892 and the seven “Banes Row” homes were constructed in 1916. The Coleman & Richards Row homes represent the oldest working-class single-family rowhomes left standing in Southwest. Most of the “obsolete dwellings” in Southwest were demolished during urban renewal, but the area east of Canal Street, south of M Street, and west of South Capitol Street was spared since at the time, most of the buildings were fairly new and in good repair.

This is not the first time in the neighborhood that historic designation was used to halt or slow development. SWNA used the tactic in 2014 when the Southeastern University campus building at 6th and I streets was being demolished in preparation for development into “The Bard,” a mixed-use project with administrative and rehearsal space for the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) and multifamily rental housing. In that case, the neighborhood organization was able to get some concessions from the developer in exchange for withdrawing the historic application. Subsequently, the building was demolished and the site sold to STC. A Planned Unit Development was filed for the site in 2016, but it was withdrawn last summer after a backlash from neighbors over the proposed height and density of the project.

It was used again when UIP and Perseus Realty had plans to build on top of a parking garage at Capitol Park Tower, located at 4th and G streets. In 2012, SWNA filed an application to place Capitol Park Tower on the DC Preservation League’s endangered list. At the same time, an application was filed to designate the building and landscape as historic. After the building and landscaping received historic preservation protection, the developers needed HPRB approval before proceeding with their plans for an addition. Final approval was given in 2016, but construction has yet to begin on the project. 

Altus Realty Partners was expected to start construction on the South Capitol Street apartment project later this year with completion in 2019. Since a historic designation application was filed, demolition of the rowhomes and development of the apartment building will not be able to move forward until the HRPB makes a decision or SWNA withdraws their application.

A Few Quick Items: Fatal Shooting, Cyclist Struck, SW Lecture Series Reminder

- There was a fatal shooting on Sunday evening according to The Washington Post.  From the article:

The man, identified as Tyrone Joyner, 22, of Southwest, was shot about 6:30 p.m., according to police. The shooting occurred in the 1400 block of Canal St. SW, in a neighborhood west of [Nationals Park]. The circumstances of the shooting were not immediately divulged.

- On Monday morning, a cyclist was struck on the 600 block of Maryland Avenue. From The Washington Post:

Police said the motorist stayed at the scene, though investigators said it was too early to determine who was at fault. Police said the victim appeared to be in his 30s. Police said the victim was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

- Here's a reminder that tonight is the first part of the Shaping Southwest: Understanding the Past and Envisioning the Future lecture series hosted The Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, in partnership with the DC Preservation League. The lecture will be held at Jefferson Middle School from 6pm - 8pm. The cost is $15 for DCPL Members and Southwest residents and $25 for Non-Members and non-Southwest residents. Register here.

A New Southwest Resident Goes Missing

Sometime between late Sunday evening and early Monday morning, a vehicle was stolen from Delaware Avenue near the intersection with Canal Street. The vehicle was a white full-size 2003 Ford F250 Superduty pickup truck, DC tags DX2947, and it belongs to a resident of the River Park Cooperative. According to the owner of the vehicle, he had purchased the truck recently - just four months ago.  The case is being handled by MPD's 1st District Autotheft Division. The owner of the truck made a point of thanking Officers Welsh and Johnson from the 1st District Autotheft Division for their immediate response and for their great efforts put forth this far to recover the vehicle. Based on information from the Autotheft Division, another full-size pickup similar to this one was stolen recently from a residential parking lot further south down Canal Street.  That truck was abandoned and soon after recover in the Anacostia area.  On a positive note, the responding officer, B. Tabron, claimed that cars are recovered in Southwest more often than they are stolen from this area. 

This truck was stolen on Super Bowl Sunday.

The owner of the truck is asking anyone with information about the stolen truck to contact the 1st District Autotheft Division at (202) 729-3404. Also, he asks that the person who has the truck to please leave it in a place it can be found and/or call it in.  If you used the truck for a ride home after the Super Bowl all is forgiven, please just send it on its way home...

Photo courtesy of the owner

Update: Well that was fast...the vehicle was recovered late Tuesday night!

DDOT to Install Speed Bumps Near Greenleaf Rec Center

At 9am this morning, according to an email from the Office of Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells, the Council member will be in attendance to oversee the installation of speed bumps along Canal Street in front of Greenleaf Recreation Center. DDOT will also be installing four-way stop signs at Delaware Avenue & Canal Street.