North Building, Hine project, from 7th and C Streets, SE, Tuesday, December 20.
Update on Hine Project – North Building Residential and Retail
by Larry Janezich
According Eastbanc’s Hine Project Manager, contractors are pushing to finish the North Building by the end of the year to receive a residential certificate of occupancy from the city. The target date for residents to start moving into the affordable housing units is January 16. So far, 21 applicants have been approved, and the application of six more are pending. There are a total of 34 affordable units. Dantes Partners will be managing the residences. According to Ken Golding of Stanton Development, “it’s hard to qualify” for the project’s affordable housing, requiring the submission of two year’s tax returns and an employer’s certification. So far, some 60% of applicants are single. The largest family of applicants is three. (For more on the affordable housing component, see here: http://bit.ly/2eYMzMe)
Stanton Development will manage the 14 above-and-below-grade retail spaces in the North Building. Golding says there are a “lot of leases out for signature, and letters of intent,” but “there is nothing we can announce.” Eastbanc says the earliest that retail can move in will be in May.
According to the Zoning Order, 20 percent of the total retail square footage must meet two criteria: Outlets must be local, i.e., DC based with no more than six outlets. 1,000 square feet of retail has been reserved for two incubator businesses (750 and 250 square feet) and will be 75% subsidized.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 
The Trader Joe’s and more housing right across from a metro station sure will be nice.
I was hoping we could get more of a local grocery store like a Mom’s. The affordable housing goin to mostly “singles” instead of families doesn’t sound promising. It would be nice to have some stable families who could use the housing rather than some young folks who are really being subsidized by their parents.
Please be aware that “singles” does not refer to single individuals as some are “single parent Households “.
except that the largest family to apply thus far is three. That doesn’t put much of a dent in the affordable housing crisis. My money is on early career non-profit workers who make paltry earnings despite high education level achievement and future earnings prospects
I like the concept of increased housing and retail that will bring more amenities to the Hill. The trouble with the design of the North Building is that it seems to treat 7th Street as if it were a back alley with most of the design character facing new C Street. The south frontage of the south building looks good. Hard to tell what the East side of the South Building will look like facing 7th Street but if they treat it the same way as they treated the North building, it’s going to bring a dreary character to what could have been a charming street. Perhaps kudzu vine would soften it all up.
As a small business owner on the hill, I had hoped to move my business here but the rent is so expensive that it is not friendly to small mom and pop businesses. My rent would double. Very disappointing
that looks like a catch 22 — local business with no more than 6 outlets but with enough revenue and capital to afford very high rents. I suspect this will become Barracks Row restaurant row north as non-food/drink establishments will be unable to make the math work.