I wrote about a proposed second phase to Fort Totten Square a few times last year. The development would be built on land across the street from the nearly completed first phase. Part of the land is owned by Lowe Enterprises and part of the land is owned by the District. Originally, JBG and Lowe proposed to build more apartments with ground floor retail.
Previous Fort Totten Square Phase II rendering
Now, they are proposing to partner with EYA to build 170 multi-story townhomes with approximately 27,000 square feet of ground floor retail. Twenty percent of the homes would be set aside as below market rate affordable homes.
Because part of the land is still owned by the District, the same process we described before (surplus process) still needs to happen. The mayor’s office must declare the land surplus and hold a public hearing. Then the council will hold a hearing and vote on whether to approve disposition of the land. Interested residents will have an opportunity to testify and comment on whether they believe the land should be reserved for public use rather than sold to the developers.
Surplus property site
Early consensus seems to support townhomes over more apartments. It is still early in the process though and we have already seen this project go through fits and starts in different administrations, so we will have to wait a few months to see what happens with the negotiations.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
I am anxious to see how they will fit 170 townhomes and 27k sq ft of retail on just that small piece of land.
Surprised that they are also opting for townhomes instead of more apartments or condos. Thought they would be going for high density at that main intersection and filling in some single family and townhome options in other areas throughout the neighborhood.
I should have added in the post that originally they were proposing significantly fewer apartments in the 2nd phase than the 350 apts that are in the 1st phase anyways, so it’s not quite a stretch to change to 170 townhomes. I won’t pretend to speak for others, but I think there is a feeling that giving people the opportunity to own in the neighborhood in the form of townhomes that complement the neighborhood is a good thing, much like the Comstock development on NH Ave has done a nice job enhancing the surrounding neighborhood. There is a lot of demand for opportunities to own near close in metro stations, so I can see the rationale behind this move. Not to mention, I’m not sure where there are other locations in the neighborhood that can fit the number of homes on this scale.
I can see 350 apartments because you can build up but with townhomes you have to spread out.
Is there more land in the equation than just that stretch of land at the corner of Riggs and South Dakota. Those townhomes are going to be really small and really tight to fit 170 townhomes on that small piece of land.
I guess I would need to see renderings to grasp the concept of how that will fit.
Are you planning on tearing down that hideous eye sore of a liquor store and adjoining carry out? The dry cleaners should have the opportunity to relocate in the planned retail space because everyone can use a dry cleaners and the neighbors have established a wonderful repor with the owners. Will this project effect those residents in the Chillum Place apartments as well as their parking lot? Please be considerate of all involved and if you plan to cause a hiccup atleast give them the opportunity to relocate in the new phase 1 same rent level.
Hi I’m new to this blog. Good to know about the dry cleaners. I have been looking for one.