But a couple of questions.... On the design, the setbacks are nice. And I know it's a preliminary drawing. But I hope they add some interesting detail, particularly in the brick buildings. As it looks now it looks pretty bland.
I personally like some of the detail at Senate Square, and at The Whitman, near the Convention Center.
If you are going to build a destination building it'd be great if it was distinctive.
This is a massive project that will impact H Street for decades.
And 50,000 sf of retail sounds like a lot, but would the overall footprint of the site would allow more? The more, the better.
And any chance of making it a priority to go with local retail, not yet more bank branches and the like?
Last, the 170 spaces of public parking. Fantastic idea IF they make it well lit and safe. Whether we admit it or not some Hill residents simply won't walk to and from H Street at night. Many would come for the restaurants, Atlas, etc., if they could have a reasonable shot at secure and safe parking.
But having said all that, a re-use of that property can't come soon enough.
Sounds good, but I'm worried about the loss of the Rite Aid. I'm about a half-mile from there (near Union Station), and it's one of my most useful retail outlets. The next closest drug stores are the CVSes at 8th and Penn SE, 5th and Mass NW, and 12th and Penn SE - all much farther away.
Anyone know about plans for relocation of that store?
Hillman, I'm pretty certain H Street already has some pretty strict rules against chains opening up. But, honestly, I can't see high end retail going into the new space that ISN'T a chain.
And I see no reason why the Rite AID can't be in the new building if they want to rent the space.
2021 is a LONG time away. last I heard (in late 2007)- no leases were being extended past 2009 and that 2012 was the planned opening date. Darn recession.
Hillman, I'm pretty certain H Street already has some pretty strict rules against chains opening up.
While the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and the Office of Planning have drawn plans for the area and established design standards, there are no formal mechanisms in place to preclude a certain type of business from opening.
The only exception seems to be community activism/involvement: neighborhood groups have historically had some degree of influence over how their area is being developed. They are able to attain party status at many of the public meetings held by the District Government, which affords them a bit more power (and speaking time) than disparate private citizens.
1. Develop a retail plan. 2. Develop a plan to temporarily relocate Rite Aid. Deal with it now. 3. 50K retail space is a lot actually, unless you have solid agreements to pull in particular kinds of tenants.
H Street's biggest issue is way more inventory than there is demand either supply (investors-retailers) or consumer demand.
50K s.f. of retail needs 30,000 regular shoppers to be successful.
I would expect 2013 to be realistic. They won't be breaking ground for a couple of years. And there are "for lease" signs all over the empty storefronts...so temper expectations.
There is a CVS at the starburst intersection (approx. 15th & H, NE). Not as convenient as Rite Aid perhaps, but nowhere near as far as the locations you mentioned.
This is going to be great. I can't wait to see some more inviting spots open up between 8th and 12th. I'm surprised the 1000 and 1100 blocks haven't developed more already. Will be great to see H St growth start spreading closer to the Capitol.
Ryan - Yes, the Starburst CVS is the closest to the Rite Aid and the obvious replacement for those on that end of H St, but I'm in the opposite direction, near Union Station. One reason that when the Rite Aid is relocated, it should be at least somewhat to the west of its current location.
Also, I tend to bike to the drugstore, and getting to either of the CVSes on Penn is a nicer bike ride. When I do drive, I tend to go to the Starburst CVS.
14 comments:
It looks and sounds good, but will it be a useful addition to the neighborhood? Will people want to live there?
Plus, I wonder how long will it take to get retail back in there.
What's the timeframe on this?
Completion date........SPRING 2021
I'm all for redeveloping this site.
And I know it's easy for us to be critics.
But a couple of questions.... On the design, the setbacks are nice. And I know it's a preliminary drawing. But I hope they add some interesting detail, particularly in the brick buildings. As it looks now it looks pretty bland.
I personally like some of the detail at Senate Square, and at The Whitman, near the Convention Center.
If you are going to build a destination building it'd be great if it was distinctive.
This is a massive project that will impact H Street for decades.
And 50,000 sf of retail sounds like a lot, but would the overall footprint of the site would allow more? The more, the better.
And any chance of making it a priority to go with local retail, not yet more bank branches and the like?
Last, the 170 spaces of public parking. Fantastic idea IF they make it well lit and safe. Whether we admit it or not some Hill residents simply won't walk to and from H Street at night. Many would come for the restaurants, Atlas, etc., if they could have a reasonable shot at secure and safe parking.
But having said all that, a re-use of that property can't come soon enough.
Sounds good, but I'm worried about the loss of the Rite Aid. I'm about a half-mile from there (near Union Station), and it's one of my most useful retail outlets. The next closest drug stores are the CVSes at 8th and Penn SE, 5th and Mass NW, and 12th and Penn SE - all much farther away.
Anyone know about plans for relocation of that store?
Hillman, I'm pretty certain H Street already has some pretty strict rules against chains opening up. But, honestly, I can't see high end retail going into the new space that ISN'T a chain.
And I see no reason why the Rite AID can't be in the new building if they want to rent the space.
2021 is a LONG time away. last I heard (in late 2007)- no leases were being extended past 2009 and that 2012 was the planned opening date. Darn recession.
Hillman, I'm pretty certain H Street already has some pretty strict rules against chains opening up.
While the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and the Office of Planning have drawn plans for the area and established design standards, there are no formal mechanisms in place to preclude a certain type of business from opening.
The only exception seems to be community activism/involvement: neighborhood groups have historically had some degree of influence over how their area is being developed. They are able to attain party status at many of the public meetings held by the District Government, which affords them a bit more power (and speaking time) than disparate private citizens.
1. Develop a retail plan.
2. Develop a plan to temporarily relocate Rite Aid. Deal with it now.
3. 50K retail space is a lot actually, unless you have solid agreements to pull in particular kinds of tenants.
H Street's biggest issue is way more inventory than there is demand either supply (investors-retailers) or consumer demand.
50K s.f. of retail needs 30,000 regular shoppers to be successful.
Where do you people get the date of 2021? Is that date accurate?
Did you mean completion was planned for 2012, not 2021?
IT WAS OBVIOUSLY A JOKE!!!!
I would expect 2013 to be realistic. They won't be breaking ground for a couple of years. And there are "for lease" signs all over the empty storefronts...so temper expectations.
npm:
There is a CVS at the starburst intersection (approx. 15th & H, NE). Not as convenient as Rite Aid perhaps, but nowhere near as far as the locations you mentioned.
This is going to be great. I can't wait to see some more inviting spots open up between 8th and 12th. I'm surprised the 1000 and 1100 blocks haven't developed more already. Will be great to see H St growth start spreading closer to the Capitol.
Ryan - Yes, the Starburst CVS is the closest to the Rite Aid and the obvious replacement for those on that end of H St, but I'm in the opposite direction, near Union Station. One reason that when the Rite Aid is relocated, it should be at least somewhat to the west of its current location.
Also, I tend to bike to the drugstore, and getting to either of the CVSes on Penn is a nicer bike ride. When I do drive, I tend to go to the Starburst CVS.
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