Proposed: An All-Affordable Apartment Building Near The New Soccer Stadium
Construction of the new DC United stadium in Buzzard Point has spurred considerable development interest in the past year, and a new project has thrown its hat into the ring.
TM Associates submitted a proposal to the Zoning Commission for a 10-story, 100% affordable multifamily building adjacent to the under-construction stadium, Urban Turf reports.
The project as proposed would contain 76 apartments, 16 of which would be reserved for residents making 30% or less of the area median income. The rest would be reserved for those making 50% or less of AMI, with the total stock divided between 48 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom, nine four-bedroom and one studio unit. PGN Architects is handling design.
The building at the corner of First and Q streets SW would also have three retail spaces totaling 3,804 SF, one of which will likely be a restaurant with patio space. The proposal also calls for 19 below-grade parking spots and 26 bicycle spots, and is seeking a variance from the Zoning Commission to waive the requirement for a loading dock.
With several developers hefting big plans to surround DC United's new stadium with market-rate residential and retail to create a neighborhood essentially from scratch, the inclusion of an affordable housing project amid all the new construction would be a victory in the constant struggle to keep longtime residents, especially in Southwest, from being priced out of the area.
