Now that we know construction will start on the first stage (Building A) of Art Place at Fort Totten, we can turn to the second stage (Building B).  We have always been told that Building B is on the backburner until construction of Building A is underway. 

A quick refresher:  The Cafritz team received approval to move the grocery store from Building A to Building B.  They then asked for flexibility on including a grocery store in Building B at all because Walmart is opening down the street with a grocery component.  They also submitted a plan for Building B that included some recreational components (e.g., ice rinks).  The Zoning Commission held a public meeting in 2012, at which time the commission expressed a number of concerns regarding the design of, uses, and community amenities in Building B.  The commission asked the Cafritz team to come back with a plan that addressed their concerns. 

The update:  The Zoning Commission included an agenda item on Art Place in its January 2014 meeting because of the delay in setting a hearing for Building B.  On January 8, 2014, the Cafritz team submitted a letter to the commission ostensibly to provide a status update on Building B.  That letter requests more time (specifically one year) to provide a more detailed update on Building B.  They say they are continuing to pursue the children’s museum and the recreational component of Building B.  However, they state it is difficult to assess what large-scale retail component they can attract for Building B due to Walmart’s pending opening in Fort Totten Square.  They say they have been told that retailers are waiting to see Walmart’s effect on retail potential in the area before committing to Building B.  To support their letter, they provided a letter by HR Retail, which is responsible for marketing the project.  Both letters mention the demographic changes taking place in the neighborhood, which they say are leading retailers to want to wait to assess what uses would appeal to not just existing residents but future residents as well.  Therefore, the Cafritz team says they believe it is best to focus on their top priority–relocating the Riggs Park Plaza resident–and get Building A completed.  They requested to return to the commission with a status report once they determine what modifications to the design and uses of Building B would be most appropriate for “this fast-changing community.” 

At the January meeting, commission members expressed concern about how open-ended the project seems to be.  They stated they would give the Cafritz team until July 15, 2014, to come back with an end date for the first phase as well as a phasing plan for the rest of the project.   

Click on the thumbnails to read the letter (all of these documents are publicly available on the DC Office of Zoning website by searching case number 06-10B)