St. James Mutual Homes Designated Historic

St. James Mutual Homes is the latest multifamily residential community in Southwest to be designated a historic landmark, following Potomac Place Tower, Harbour Square, Tiber Island, and Capitol Park Tower. The community is a series of 16 garden-style multifamily buildings located east of Channel Square apartments on the 200 block of O Street, P Street and along James Creek Parkway, which was constructed by the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) and its off-shoot, the Washington Sanitary Housing Company (WSHC) in 1937 and 1939 as moderate-income housing. The complex was designed by Appleton Clark in the Colonial Revival style. 

The application for St. James cited eligibility for historic designation in six categories, including: 

1. Buildings associated with specific events that have made a contribution to the broad patterns of our history. 
2. Buildings that illustrate the initial development of the apartment movement as it relates to the need for housing, including the introduction of the building type and the specific form seen. 
3. Buildings that are parts of clusters, corridors, or districts that illustrate the patterns of development of the city. 
4. Buildings that reflect economic forces, both external and internal, that altered the development of the city. 
5. Buildings that reflect trends in the attitude toward the stratification or segregation and integration of religious, racial, economic, or other social groups through the building’s residential character, architectural form, and/or location. 
6. Buildings that are parts of corridors or zones that illustrate changes in zoning and planning trends and specific regulations.

Of the 107 shareholders at St. James, 100 voted in support of pursuing historic designation. The ANC unanimously supported the historic landmark application at their September meeting and the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) staff report recommended approval. The HPRB reviewed the case on Thursday.

Another Parking Lot for South Capitol Street

I'm starting to play catch up on items I missed while on vacation in Costa Rica. The Washington Business Journal reports that a permit has been issued for Warring Sons Inc. to create a 42-space parking lot at 1323 South Capitol Street.  The site is located to the north of Camden South Capitol and was most recently used as a staging area while the apartment building was under construction. On the other side of the lot are row homes. A for-sale sign has been posted on the lot for at least a couple of years.  Representatives from Camden Property Trust have indicated that they will not be building a second phase to Camden South Capitol on the site. Perhaps that site will one day be developed as something besides a parking lot.  In somewhat related news, a demolition permit was issued for the Grayton Plumbing building adjacent to Camden South Capitol on O Street. Camden purchased the building and will demolish it to provide a dog park and an additional point of egress for their residents. 

Grayton Plumbing building on O Street.

Sneak Peek Inside Camden South Capitol

I recently took a tour of Camden South Capitol, which is rapidly coming together on South Capitol & O streets. There will be a total of 276 rental apartment units (12 of the units are set aside as affordable dwelling units, or ADUs, for households earning up to 80% of Area Median Income). The grand opening is set for April 11 and prospective tenants of both the market-rate and ADUs can start submitting applications on Camden's website two weeks prior to the grand opening. The leasing staff says that they have a list of over 300 people who have already expressed interest in leasing in the building - several people who work around the Navy Yard as well as residents of Southwest. Units on the first through fourth floors will be available first, then the upper floors will be released in phases through May as the rest of the building is completed.

The front of the building will be illuminated at night with lights that can change colors.

All apartments will have the same features, including oversized energy efficient double-paned windows with solar shades, wood-style plank flooring in kitchen and living areas, Blanco Norte Silestone countertops with ceramic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, double sink vanities, Moen extra-wide kitchen sinks with spray faucet extensions, ARIA built-in surround sound speakers with docking station, USB-enabled wall outlets, and full-size washer & dryers. Ground level units have the option of installing security systems. Rents for market-rate units will range from $1,300 for studios up to $4,000 for 2BR units per month. Below are a couple photos of the typical kitchen and bathroom in a 1BR unit:

The units on the ground level have 10' ceilings while the other floors have 9' ceilings.

Bathroom.

Project amenities include 24-hour concierge service, underground parking, Verizon Fios (cable and Internet), rooftop pool deck with barbecue grills & fire pit, cyber café, fitness center with cardio & free weights, pet grooming room, online rent payment & service request, and a smoke-free environment. Below are photos of some of the public areas:

Some units on the ground level have terraces with views toward the courtyard.

The club room has several TVs set up for viewing and one available for gaming (ignore the ladder).

The gaming TV is located to the left of this photo on the black wall.

Hallway leading to the mail room and elevators.

 Panoramic views of the city are available from the rooftop, a sampling of which is below:

The Southwest skyline with Sky House apartments under construction and the Washington Monument in the distance.

The Capitol dome is also visible from the rooftop.

A view toward Fort McNair and Buzzard Point, which could one day have a new stadium for DC United.

Camden South Capitol Coming Soon

Pre-leasing and move-ins will begin next month on the first four floors at Camden South Capitol, the first new apartment building to open in Southwest in several decades, located across the street from Nationals Park at South Capitol and O streets.  I will be getting a hard hat tour later this month and will take some photos. In the meantime, take a look at their recently created Twitter account for some interior photos. Their website has been updated with floor plans and a more extensive list of in-unit features and project amenities. 

Entrance to parking garage on O Street.

The 276-unit building will have 12 units set aside as affordable housing for households up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). As a part of the approved PUD application, residents of the townhomes along the unit block of O Street will have the opportunity to lease a parking space in the apartment building at 50% of the market rate for a 20-year period. After the building has reached stabilization (defined as 94% occupied), the remaining parking spaces will be available for lease by the rest of the community at market rate.  In addition, residents of ANC 6D are supposed to be given preference when Camden reviews tenant applications. There is space carved out at the corner of South Capitol and O streets for ground floor retail - fencing has been installed to allow outdoor seating, perhaps for a restaurant; however, no lease has been signed yet.

Southwest For Sale!

According to an article in last week's Real Estate Bisnow, Channel Square Apartments is currently being marketed by commercial real estate brokerage firm CBRE. Channel Square is a collection of 75 garden-style apartments and townhouses and a 203-unit high-rise located along 4th Street between O & P Streets. This would be the fourth apartment building in the quadrant put up for sale over the past few months. The brokers are also working on Capitol Park Towers, while the Capitol Park Associates ownership group wants to sell the remaining 5% interest it holds at Capitol Park Twin Towers and Capitol Park Plaza.

Renovations were recently done on the complex, which was the scene of a bribery scandal with two DC government employees from the Department of the Environment.  The DC employees wanted $20k in bribes from the contractors who were doing renovations at the property claiming there were asbestos issues that would cost $280k - $300k in fines.

Construction Update Part II - Camden South Capitol

This week marks the point where Camden South Capitol will "top off", which means construction of the 276-unit apartment building has reached its full height a year after construction began. It took about six months to dig the foundation and reach ground level and another six months to reach its full height. In about a year, leasing will begin at Camden South Capitol, which is located across the street from Nationals Park.

Local architecture firm WDG has designed the apartment building, which will have a rooftop pool with BBQ grills and outdoor fire pit, cyber cafe, and a resident gaming lounge with kitchen. In-unit features will include: Energy Star stainless steel appliances, electric oven ranges with ceramic glass cook tops, solar shades, 42" upper cabinets, double vanities in select units, garden soaking tubs, and stand-up showers in select units.

Space for ground-floor retail will be located at the corner of South Capitol and O Streets.

 Rendering courtesy of WDG

New Bike Lanes

Bike lanes have been installed along 4th Street from School Street to I Street and also on I Street from 7th Street to 6th Street & 3rd Street to South Capitol Street and beyond. Above is a photo of the new bike lanes on the 800 block of 4th Street. Eventually, the 4th Street bike lanes will go north all the way to Pennsylvania Avenue and south to P Street. Bike lanes were installed on 4th between I Street and M Street when that road reopened in 2010 and the rest of the street was supposed to be completed the same year, but the installation was delayed. Renovations are ongoing at the Mary E. Switzer federal office building between C & D Streets, closing off part of 4th Street, so I imagine once that is complete, the bike lanes will be installed to connect residential Southwest to the National Mall.  Several bikers already use 4th Street as a commuter route and there are two Capital Bikeshare stations on the street - one at Waterfront Station (4th & M Streets) and the other next to Patriots Plaza (4th & E Streets).  The pre-existing I Street bike lanes were installed a couple of years ago from 6th Street to 3rd Street.   According to the DC Bicycle Master Plan, bike lanes will also be installed on 3rd Street between I and M Streets, portions of M Street, 1st Street, O Street, and Potomac Avenue.

Construction Reaches Street Level at Camden South Capitol

Construction activity at the Camden South Capitol apartment building has reached street level.  The last photo update from October showed a deep hole in the ground to make way for the foundation and parking garage. Camden Property Trust is developing the apartment building, which will have 276 units and is located at the northwest corner of South Capitol and O Streets at 1435 South Captiol Street. WDG is designing the project, with amenities including a rooftop pool and deck, as well as ground floor retail. Twelve of the units will be set aside as affordable housing for households up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). As a part of the approved PUD application, residents of the townhomes along the unit block of O Street will have the opportunity to lease a parking space in the apartment building at 50% of the market rate for a 20-year period. After the building has reached stabilization (defined as 94% occupied), the remaining parking spaces will be available for lease by the rest of the community at market rate.  In addition, residents of ANC 6D are supposed to be given preference when Camden reviews tenant applications. Leasing should begin around the middle of 2013. 

The back of 1345 South Capitol will have a series of courtyards to help step back the building towards the townhomes to the west.

Rendering courtesy of Camden Property Trust

A Few Quick Items: Camden South Capitol Project Website, ANC Supports Wharf PUD, MLK Drive Unveiled

- In the latest FRONT Page News e-newsletter from the Capitol Riverfront BID, the Camden South Capitol apartment project is featured - the first rental apartment building to start construction in SW in decades. The 276-unit apartment building is under construction at the northeast corner of South Capitol and O Street. Although the building is technically outside the borders of the BID, the Capitol Riverfront is keeping tabs on the project. A website has been set up for the project and includes information on in-unit features such as:Energy Star stainless steel appliances, electric oven ranges with ceramic glass cook tops, solar shades, 42" upper cabinets, double vanities in select units, garden soaking tubs, and stand-up showers in select units. Community features will include a rooftop pool with BBQ grills and outdoor fire pit, cyber cafe, and a resident gaming lounge with kitchen. Camden South Capitol is being developed by Camden Property Trust and designed by WDG Architecture. The building is scheduled to deliver in the summer of 2013.

Rendering of the rear of Camden South Capitol courtesy of WDG Architecture

- At Monday's special ANC 6D meeting on The Wharf PUD, the commissioners voted unanimously to support the Stage 1 PUD application after several amendments were approved.  Back in July, the ANC gave conditional support to the PUD but had 27 concerns that needed to be addressed by the Hoffman Madison Waterfront team before the commissioners could give their full support. Since that meeting, HMW has been in discussions with the ANC and most of the concerns have been addressed. Here is a link to the responses to the ANC's concerns by HMW.

Thanks to Jason Kopp for covering the meeting via Twitter!

- Mayor Gray and other dignitaries were on hand Thursday morning to help unveil MLK Drive at Maine Avenue and 14th Street, a symbolic renaming of sections of road in the District linking Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue east of the Anacostia to the new MLK Memorial along the Tidal Basin. The dedication ceremony for the memorial was scheduled for Sunday, but has been postponed until September or October due to Hurricane Irene.

A Few Quick Items: Digging at Camden South Capitol, Kastles in 1st Place, Redistricting Update

- Digging is underway at Camden South Capitol apartments at the northwest corner of South Capitol and O Street.  The ceremonial groundbreaking (with Nationals mascot Screech) occurred on June 1st, but actual digging of the foundation started later in the month. The hole is deeper now than when this photo was taken a couple weeks ago. The 276-unit project is located across the street from Nationals Park and is being developed by Camden Property Trust.  WDG designed the building. Its location should allow views into the stadium, the Anacostia River, and the Capitol for upper level residents. Some of the amenities planned for the $88 million apartment building include a rooftop pool and deck, below-grade parking for 250 vehicles, and ground-floor retail (perhaps a pub for baseball patrons?). Twelve of the units will be set aside as affordable housing. Leasing should begin around the middle of 2013.

- The Washington Kastles are 7-0 halfway through the season and on top of the standings in the Eastern Conference. There are still four home matches this season left at Kastles Stadium at The Wharf (as well as some away games). As a reminder, Friday's match is Southwest Night where Southwesters get 10% off ticket prices when ordering on Ticketmaster. Chris Evert will play in an exhibition match during halftime and Billie Jean King will be in attendance.  Fox 5 News' Holly Morris did a video series last week about the new stadium and the team. One of the videos is below.

 - JDLand provides information on the Ward 6 ANC/SMD redistricting process. The ANC 6D community listening meeting will take place on Thursday, July 28th at 6:30pm (location to be announced). Then there will be meetings on the first draft of the new boundaries, which is scheduled to be sent to the ANCs on Tuesday, August 18th. The task force will then make the rounds of the September ANC business meetings, submitting a final draft to Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells by September 26th, which he then will submit to the council by the required September 30th deadline.

A Couple Quick Items: Reduced Bus Service, SW Dog Park Listserv Created

- WMATA has proposed to change the 70/71 Metrobus routes that currently terminate at Half & O Street in Buzzard Point to instead end at the National Archives at 7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, which would eliminate service in Southwest starting this fall. The 70/71 buses would be replaced with a new 74 bus that will run from 5am to 8pm Monday-Friday.  No service will be provided in the evening or on weekends. To supplement the lack of service during these times, the V8 bus will be rerouted to the affected area.  In addition, Metro is considering increasing headways between Metro rail trains on the weekends from 12 to 18 minutes on Saturdays and from 15 to 20 minutes on Sundays. WMATA will have a special hearing on Wednesday, June 8 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm at Arena Stage to discuss these proposed changes.  The hearing is sponsored by Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells and ANC 6D.  News of reduced Metrobus service comes on the heels of a transit development plan that recommends Circulator service on the Convention Center - SW Waterfront route to be discontinued while The Wharf gets developed due to low ridership.

- For all you dog people out there, a new listserv has been created just for you!  Email swdogpark@gmail.com to join the new SW Listserv dedicated to establishing a permanent dog park in Southwest. The new group will be sponsoring joint dog walks weekly for exercise and community building.

Investors Look to Cash-In on Stadium Proximity

On the front page of this week's Washington Business Journal (print subscribers only) and from jdland.com, an article describes how a pair of investors have amassed 23 properties just off South Capitol Street over a span of 18 years. However, since the opening of Nationals Park, the properties have been put up for sale for $12 million, but no takers so far. One reason could be that the properties are surrounded by James Creek and Syphax Gardens, two public housing projects owned by the DC Housing Authority. Over in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood, the Capper-Carrollsburg housing project was demolished and is in the process of being redeveloped into a mixed income community as a part of a federal government program called Hope VI. Funding from that HUD program is hard to come by, so it's highly unlikely something similar could happen at James Creek or Syphax Gardens. In addition, there are no immediate plans by the DC Government to expand their New Communities initiative to these two housing projects, as they are doing across the river at Barry Farms and near North Capitol Street at Northwest One. From the article: "'At this point, we don’t have the funding to redo our housing developments in Southwest,' said Dena Michaelson, a spokeswoman for the housing authority"..."In the last 18 months, the housing authority has spent $1.3 million on major upgrades to Syphax Gardens. It also is planning to improve landscaping and lighting at Syphax and other properties in Southwest." Development on the west side of South Capitol Street has been pretty quiet compared to the other side of the street, but some activity should get underway soon. Camden Property Trust has cleared a site at South Capitol & O Street where an apartment building is planned. However, activity has ceased at the site in the past few months, perhaps due to the amount of apartments already under construction near Nationals Park. I've heard that development activity is supposed to resume at the site before the end of the year. Also, the former Taco Bell & Pizza Hut site at 1101 South Capitol Street will become an office building developed by Ruben Companies. So, the investors of the 23 properties may need to wait a while longer for the construction boom to hit the west side of South Capitol Street before they can cash in on their 18 year investment.