Saturday, December 22, 2007

WBJ: J Street Takes Shot at Florida Market

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The Washington Business Journal reports on a new twist in the Florida Market saga.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Anyone knowledgeable enough about J Street development to comment on if this makes any more likely or less likely the wholesale uses will continue and the interesting buildings will be retained?

Anonymous said...

J Street just broke ground on the tiny triangular lot at 1st & K NE. They also own land on the other side of K (bus garage) and the Smithsonian warehouse at 1111 N. Cap. They used to own more land in NoMA, but have sold most of it to other investors.

They are far more serious and legit than the other developer at the market, and they have consistently claimed that they are more interested in working with the existing uses and buildings. There will still be a lot of change, though (as there should be).

Anonymous said...

The current Florida Avenue Market is a huge eyesore and needs a major redevelopment. The proximity of that property to the NY Ave/Fl Ave Metro station makes it perfect for residential (condo) development, as well as retail and office space. The low density, run-down flea market that's currently there doesn't help the community in its quest to improve its image or character.

Additionally, as a property that borders NY Ave, which is a heavily traveled gateway into downtown DC, it should look and feel like a development that's fitting for our city.

I just hope that whoever redevelops that site does it right.

Anonymous said...

yup, that's the point.

i used to live in georgetown in the early 90's. there were plenty of crappy little joints with great prices that went away with all the new high end developments (on M street, and south of there to the waterfront).

it's what happens.

as i've said many times before. the current florida market is a remake of the old farmers market that stood where the Archives building now stands. things change.

the current market has outlived its useful life, with the advent of the new york metro station, and the lack of developable land in dc.

it's going to change. there's no doubt about that. there are new developers swinging into the fray to get a piece of the action.

i think the basic idea is to do it right.

just think.... the area around uline arena is already slated to be an entertainment district.

ATF, and a new hotel are nearby.....

the old market, as it now stands (barely), just won't make the cut. period.

it's time for the place to change, and that's evident by all the proposals to change the area.

will it change the character? probably.

is that horrendous?

probably not.

definitely not, imho.

they just need to get it right.

new town is a crap idea, imho.

but... without community input, it'll be what the big spenders want it to be....

if i owned a bldg. there, i'd definitely sell out.

i have no doubts that current owners are ready and willing to sell and make away like bandits, whether the local community likes it or not.

it started with the atlas and the children's museum, and it will continue.

next stop: the area around home depot.

granted, all of this will take years and years...

humans are creatures of comfort and habit. there will be lots of contentious folks advocating NO CHANGE. but they won't last.

they'll just delay the inevitable.

i'm for change. good change.

i promise.