Mayor Muriel Bowser joined residents to break ground on construction of Riggs Crossing, a senior resident building that will be located on the southeast corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE. The lead developer is the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) in partnership with EYA.

The project website is davisbuildsriggsxing.com.

This building accompanies the recently constructed townhome community by EYA called Riggs Park Place. Mayor Bowser celebrated the ribbon cutting of Riggs Park Place last summer. Together, these projects complete the development that started with the construction of Fort Totten Square back in 2015.

Video: Mayor Bowser Breaks Ground on New Affordable Senior Housing Project in Ward 4, July 20, 2023

Aakash Thakkar, chief acquisitions officer at EYA, opened the event and as always recognized the community’s role in this project. Vandalia Joyner-Taylor, a resident of Riggs Park since 1959, introduced Mayor Bowser. Mayor Bowser laid the foundation for these projects, starting as an ANC commissioner before becoming Ward 4 councilmember and then mayor. Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George followed the mayor, recognizing the importance of this affordable housing project in Ward 4. Christopher Donald, executive director & CEO of the DC Housing Finance Agency, and Drew Hubbard, deputy director of the DC Department of Housing & Community Development, both mentioned how this project will help meet the District’s goal of producing 12,000 affordable housing units by 2025. Carmen Romero, CEO of APAH, closed the program.

Overview

Riggs Crossing will consist of 93 income-restricted units for seniors 62 years old and older.

• 52 units at or below 30% median family income (MFI)
• 41 units between 30-50% MFI
• 10 permanent supportive housing units

APAH has a lot of experience building affordable housing primarily in Virginia with a couple of projects in Maryland. Riggs Crossing is APAH’s first project in DC. Jaydot will provide case management services for the 10 permanent supportive housing units.

Approximately 5,000 square feet of ground floor retail will be available for below market rate lease for a local/unique retailer.

Construction

Davis Construction is the construction team on this project. Monthly construction updates are available on the project website. On the website, you can also subscribe to receive updates about the project. The site work seen over the past few weeks was pre-construction site work. The team received permits yesterday to begin excavation. Expect about 5 weeks of pounding during excavation. The team has set up a vibration monitor and met with nearby property owners. For construction concerns, email Joanna Shin at jshin@apah.org.

Jobs & Apprenticeship Opportunity

On the website is a list of available construction jobs. In addition, as part of the team’s First Source commitment, they are offering paid apprenticeship opportunities for up to 20 DC residents. From the project website:

As part of our First Source Approved Alternative Plan as well as our Section 3 best faith efforts, DAVIS and APAH have committed to providing training for up to 20 District Residents. We plan to partner with the local Associated Builder’s and Contractor’s (ABC) chapter and enroll interested potential workers in the ABC CORE program for a 10 week training program. We will help graduates find job offers with our trade partners within the industry. Costs for candidates to enroll will be covered by DAVIS and APAH.

If interested in the apprenticeship opportunity, complete the contact form on the “Career” page on the project website or simply stop by the construction trailer (located in the green space in front of Food & Friends) to provide your contact information and let the team know of your interest in enrolling. Please let your neighbors know about this opportunity to take advantage sooner rather than later.

Retail

There will be about 9,500 square feet of ground floor retail space, of which 5,000 square feet will be offered below market rate lease for a local/unique retailer. Right now, the team states that there is not infrastructure capacity for a full-service restaurant, but they might be willing to revisit that decision. Interested parties may contact Joanna Shin at jshin@apah.org.

Pictures of groundbreaking below.