RSS FeedMuseum Square Apartment Residents Get A Victory (401 K St NW)
The residents in the Museum Square apartment complex at the corner of 4th and K St NW got a victory recently as cataloged by this Washington Post article. A second appeal resulted in a judge throwing out Bush Companies, the owners of the building, attempts to value the apartment building at 401 K St NW at an artificially exorbitant value that would have practically excluded the tenants from making a buyout offer.
The 400 blocks of K and I Street (between 4th and 5th Street) which are pushing the eastern boundaries of neighborhood redevelopment towards North Capitol Street have seen significant change over the last 5 years with multiple new apartment buildings and street level retail opening. We always know these blocks would eventually see redevelopment and are generally happy with how the area turned out. That said, developers do need to obey the spirit of the laws on the books that structure how and when redevelopment occurs.
Capitol Crossing Construction Updates
In our last update on Capitol Crossing, we received two requests for information, one in the comments of a post and another by e-mail. We are providing the answers back as a public service as the developer responded as follows:
Question: As part of the original PUD for the development, an amount of money was to be provided to improve the park there at on Massachusetts Avenue. This development work was to be dine in conjunction with MVSNA and Casey Trees to improve that triangle park. What was ever done with this?
Answer: Regarding Cobb Park, Balfour Beatty DC will be using the site while the project is under construction. We will then implement a plan developed in association with the neighborhoods to restore Cobb Park.
Question (paraphrased for brevity purposes): Is the contractor adhering to the work hours as stipulated in the work permits?
Answer: The contractor is adhering to prescribed work hours, which include the following:
Massachusetts Avenue, NW and 3rd Street, NW (Early Utility Relocation Work)
- Monday – Friday: 7:00am-5pm
- Monday – Tuesday: 7:00pm-12:00 midnight, as needed
- Saturday – Sunday: 8:00am-6:00pm, as needed
Also, work on the highway/platform, work in/on I-395; the portals, tunnel, bridges, garage/concourse and platform is permitted for 24-Hours operation. The highway work takes place overnight for safety reasons as there is much less traffic.
Discount Clothing Retailer Saks OFF 5th Opened Today (555 12th St NW – 11th and E)
Saks OFF 5th (555 12th St NW), the discounted branch of the clothing retailer Saks Fifth Avenue, opened today in the former ESPN Zone space at the corner of 11th and E St NW. The store is light, open, and airy in the core but manages to use tucked away spaces on the lower level for all the items you’d expect in a clothing retailer. Music fills the space and all the clerks were friendly.
The upper level has accessories such as purses, handbags, and jewelry. Luggage can also be found on the upper level. The lower level has both the men’s and women’s section including both casual and more formal wear. The store is fully stocked with name brands familiar to both men and women, and is a great addition to the retail environment in downtown DC and Penn Quarter.
History on Foot: 601 Penn
Quite a lot of history occurred at 601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Did you know this was the site of the first public singing of “The Star Spangle Banner?” While the current building dates to 1985, the old facade has been incorporated on the corner. Be sure to stop and read the plaque when you’re passing by.
