Post updated to add information about other tenants
A resident spurred me to update the site with some not so exciting news about Art Place at Fort Totten. We can confirm that T-Mobile has signed a lease for a 2,635 square foot space at the development. The lease was signed last month. X-Sport Fitness executed a lease for an approximately 42,000 square foot gym some time ago. That leaves close to 50,000 square feet of available space for additional retailers and other amenities, including restaurants, in the first phase.
In related Art Place news, Heather Johnson, Executive Director for Explore! Children’s Museum of Washington, DC spoke at a Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association meeting on March 7, 2016. Ms. Johnson shared news that has been previously shared on this site and at ANC 5A meetings. Specifically, the current plan is to locate the museum in existing warehouses located at Third and Kennedy Street NE. The museum will open in two phases, the first one being an exploratory lab to test out exhibit ideas and the second phase being the full-fledged museum. The first phase is anticipated to open in 2017. They will also open smaller, satellite locations downtown, with a fall 2016 opening anticipated for the first satellite location. See Explore Childrens Museum Brochure
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
I am very happy to hear that I am not the only area resident who is disappointed the developers of Arts Place has leased a store to T-Mobile. I was hoping for Class A retailers. It seems most T-Mobile stores are in strip malls which sometime brings an un-welcome element to the area.
What next, a Wal-mart?
Not too happy either but at least it’s not a metro PCS. They have a Tmobile in Columbia Heights, Silver Spring, and Bethesda so it’s not just in low income locations. I plan to attend the next meeting with the developers to let them know they should start announcing restaurants.
Has there been any discussion to attend a meeting with the developers to push for a Class A grocery tenant? Our options are the awful Giant up off Eastern in MD or the Yes! Organic Market on 12th, which, albeit high quality, is not a reasonable option for everyday groceries with its high price tag and limited selection. It’s time our neighborhood has a reasonable, quality grocery store option. Harris Teeter and Publix are both pushing for [more] DC presence!
Hi there, sorry for delay in responding. Originally there was a full-service grocery store lined up for Art Place (Safeway), but when Walmart was announced for Fort Totten Square, Safeway pulled out. I don’t know if you’ve seen our post on the Vibrant Streets market study done for the area. (https://nextstopriggs.wordpress.com/2015/10/06/fort-totten-vibrant-streets-part-i-market-analysis/) That study suggests the neighborhood can support a gourmet/organic store. The Art Place development team has not been super great about communication/meeting with the community over the life of this project. Angel Alston is the ANC 5A commissioner for the SMD where this project is located. You can try reaching out to her. We’d be interested in hearing the response.