The Cafritz Foundation is seeking a two-year extension of time to submit an application for the next phases of Art Place at Fort Totten (Zoning Commission case no. 06-10I). The project sits in ANC 5A09.

See Developer Statement in Support of Extension Request.

The Zoning Commission expects to discuss the request at its public meeting on January 30, 2025.

Background

We have gotten a lot of questions about timing for various aspects of the development. The project, a planned unit development (PUD), is being developed in phases along South Dakota Avenue NE between Galloway and Kennedy. The Modern at Art Place (referred to as Building A or Phase 1) opened in 2017. When the Zoning Commission approved the part of the project currently under construction (referred to as Block B or Phase 2), the commission requested that the developer “file a second stage PUD application for either Block C or Block D by December 31, 2024.” (ZC order 06-10D). The expectation was that Phase 2 would have been fully built out by now.

As most know, after the second phase was initially approved, the pandemic impacted plans for the project. They lost their big anchor Meow Wolf, and the retail environment dramatically shifted. So, they filed requests for modifications that were approved. They came up with a sequencing plan for the second phase, which has been discussed on the blog previously. The first sequence included construction of Aldi grocery store, which opened on December 5, 2024. They outlined further sequencing to round out the second phase to include potentially a children’s museum, housing, and additional retail.

Last year, we discussed that the new potential operator of the children’s museum, KID Museum, was taking time to evaluate the feasibility of opening a second location in this neighborhood. There is a KID Museum in Bethesda. At Aldi’s ribbon cutting, I was told that KID Museum is still going through their feasibility process. We also discussed plans by Social Justice School to establish a permanent home in the last remaining warehouse on Kennedy Street. The developer previously communicated that the development team continues to seek financing for the housing portion of Phase 2.

Extension Request

All that to say, there are no clear answers about timing for the remainder of Phase 2 and what could possibly be in store for future phases. And that is what the developer is saying they need time to evaluate. Their filing states:

The Applicant requests an extension of the First-Stage PUD approval for two years; that is, until December 31, 2026. This extension request will provide the Applicant the opportunity to review, potentially revise, and move forward with Second-Stage PUD applications for the development of the Property. The time extension request will also allow the Applicant to finalize a new development timeline and mix of uses, which better reflects the current and expected economic climate.

The DC Office of Planning filed a report recommending approval of the extension request but noted that if this is indeed the second request and not the first, then it may be granted for just one year (OP Report).

The developer notified ANC 5A and ANC 4B, as well as the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA).

(Full disclosure: Knowing that a request for an extension of time was likely forthcoming, I sent the development team and ANC Commissioner Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) correspondence about the property. Over the past couple of years, a few residents have regularly let the development team know about the need to be more diligent about maintaining the vacant lots, picking up trash, improving the overall appearance of the property, being creative and flexible regarding the vacant retail spaces and lots, and etc.)

The developer’s filing states:

In response to dialogue with representatives of ANC 5B, LRCA, and members of the surrounding community, the Applicant has agreed to undertake the following actions to enhance the physical appearance of the area around Blocks B, C, and D as follows:

• The Applicant has prepared a full design program for a new fence with signage and art images, as well as banner signs on new light poles throughout the site;

• The Applicant will install trashcans along South Dakota Avenue in front of Block B; and

• The Applicant will work with LRCA, ANC 5B, and members of the community to activate the site (in particular the South Dakota Avenue frontage) while the planning for the future development of Blocks C and D progresses.

(The ANC listed in the filing is a typo. The project is in ANC 5A and across the street from ANC 4B. Also, the first bullet point regarding banners is something they came up with on their own).

I anticipate that we will be hearing more about these interim plans in the next couple of months.