Monthly Archives: February 2012

New Details Emerge on IMA Pizza’s Decision to Quit Barracks Row – Decision May Not Be Final

by Larry Janezich

In a letter addressed to organizations and individuals involved in the effort to bring IMA Pizza to the 400 block of Barracks Row, prospective owner Steve Salis shed some light on his decision to forgo opening the pizza outlet at this time, though he held out the prospect that the decision could be revisited in the future. 

The letter, dated February 6, described the economics which drove the decision.  Salis pulled the plug on the project and parted on good terms with building owner Streetsense, after it became clear to him that he could not launch the business according to schedule in spring of this year.  He cited the uncertainty involved in getting an exception to the ban on fast food on Barracks Row and the uncertainty as to when Streetsense could deliver the store space.  Streetsense had asked Salis to “put down a substantial amount of capital as a deposit in order to hold the space.”  He said he found his position untenable being faced with “a bad use of my capital and no guarantees” on how the process would be resolved.

Salis says that he and Streetsense mutually agreed that the best thing to do would be to put the property back on the market while Salis secured a lease in another neighborhood in order to meet his delivery goals.  If the space is still unrented in a few months, Salis said he left the door open for the parties to re-engage in discussion to see if a deal can be worked out.  Salis also said that this arrangement had the advantage of allowing him to work out operational kinks prior to coming to 8^th Street.

ANC6C Commissioner Scott Price Addresses January 26 Community Meeting on Hospital Conversion

Historic Preservation Application for Former Medlink Hospital Conversion Comes Before ANCs Developer Not Yet 100 Percent Committed to the Deal

by Larry Janezich

IBG Partner’s propose converting the southern part of the former Medlink Hospital at 7^th and Constitution Avenue, NE, to some 140 mostly one bedroom or smaller apartments, depending on market demand.  The project will include 80 parking spaces and be conducted under terms of a proposed 75 year lease on the site.  The developer has filed a historic preservation application with the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) which must approve changes to historic buildings in the Historic District.  That application will come before the two affected ANCs for their consideration this week.  The HPRB considers the matter later this month.  The Restoration Society – which has the same right to comment on the application as any other DC citizen – gave a qualified endorsement to the application last month.  Since the site was rezoned to accommodate residential use in 2006, the conversion can take place as a matter or right with no further consideration by DC Zoning Board. 

In two recent community meetings, residents expressed concerns, virtually all of which had more to do with impact of the proposed development on the neighborhood than with historic preservation, and thus outside the purview of the HPRB.  These issues included traffic, trash, parking, apartment size, pedestrian safety, and the rights of the building’s controversial owner, Dr. Shin, to exercise any control over the project.

For its part, the developer assured the community that Shin has no say in the project and that every effort would be taken to preserve and protect the adjacent and historic St. Monica/St. James Episcopal Church.

During the January 26 community meeting, representatives of the developer noted that the size of the apartments will depend on a yet-to-be-conducted market study, and that IBG is not yet 100 percent committed to the project.  At the end of the forthcoming study period the company will have to commit substantial funding to close on the lease.  The first step is to determine what can be done with the site.  According to an IBG representative, “You don’t go to the second level (study period) until we get through the first and that will be with the decision of the HPRB after the February 23 hearing.  Approval will trigger all sorts of studies which will have to get done before closing with the owner.” 

Additional comments by an IBG representative revealed that they will be targeting Station Place employees and that – depending on the demand – the apartments could be larger.  Asked why the units will be apartments rather than condos, the developer’s representative cited the 75 year lease as the reason.  “During the 75 year lease period, IBG can do anything we want within the law – in 75 years, Dr. Shin’s heirs take over the building.”   

Given the lack of controversy on the historic preservation aspects of the development, approval of the application seems to be a foregone conclusion.  ANC6C is scheduled to consider and vote on the application on Wednesday night at its February meeting and ANC6A will consider and vote on the application at its monthly meeting on Thursday.

The Week Ahead…

by Larry Janezich

Monday, February 6

6:30pm CHRS Historic Preservation Committee meets at 420 10^th Street, SE, first floor.

Tuesday, February

7:00pm ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee meets at St. Coletta’s School, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE.  The Subcommittee will receive a report from the Subcommittee on the Hine PUD Process.

Wednesday, February 8

6:30pm ANC6B Transportation Committee meets at Hill Center.  The Committee will hear a proposal to use the Performance Parking Fund to pay for Garfield Park sidewalk repair.  The Committee will also consider the Hine Transportation Impact Study Draft and a proposed letter to DDOT.  The Hine Transportation study refers to the impact the development will have on traffic, not the impact of the traffic on residents.  But – the Committee is considering the impact of the construction phase of the project on residents, and this will likely be discussed at the meeting. 

7:00pm ANC6C meets to review the IBG plan and perhaps to vote on IBG’s historic preservation application to convent part of the former Medlink Hospital at 7^th and Constitution into 140 rental apartments.  The Commission meets at Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Thursday, February 9

7:00pm ANC6B ABC Committee meets at Hill Center.  The Committee will consider resolutions of protest for the 7^th and L Street Market, the Pennsylvania Avenue Market at 1501 PA Avenue, and the Southeast Market at 1500 Independence Avenue. 

7:00pm ANC6A meets to review the IBG plan and perhaps to vote on IBG’s historic preservation application to convent part of the former Medlink Hospital at 7th and Constitution into 140 rental apartments.  The Commission meets at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th Street, NE.

CANCELLED  7:30pm CHRS Zoning Committee meets at 420 10th Street, SE, first floor.

Crepes on the Corner in Hill East Opens Today

by Larry Janezich

The long awaited opening of Crepes at the Corner (of 15^th and C, SE) is happening today.  The café is having a soft opening today.  Your hosts, Mark and Vince, say they will have a majority of their dishes on the menu available and that they should be up and running “full speed” by the weekend.