The District has selected Dix Street Corridor Revitalization Partners, LLC to redevelop vacant, unused properties at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Dix Street, NE into affordable homeownership units for residents of the Deanwood community in Ward 7. The project is the latest component of District efforts to revitalize Lincoln Heights/Richardson Dwellings and surrounding Deanwood communities in Northeast.

“Providing affordable housing opportunities to District residents is an essential part of our revitalization efforts in this corridor of Deanwood,” said Mayor Fenty. “We look forward to reviving these properties and welcoming homeowners to this community as quickly as humanly possible.”

The redevelopment of the properties at Eastern Avenue and Dix Street, NE will cost approximately $13 million. The District is partnering with Dix Street Corridor to develop 56 townhomes for District families. All the units will be designated as affordable housing, dedicated to residents at 75% or below the area median income. Dix Street Corridor made a successful development bid after a competitive solicitation process run by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.

Currently vacant and unused, the 70,000 square-foot site is comprised of six existing structures built in a “U”-shaped courtyard and two freestanding structures along Eastern Avenue, in addition to a flat, empty section of land along Dix Street. 18 townhouses will be redeveloped using the existing structures, while the other 38 townhouses will be newly constructed from the ground up. Notably, 10 of the units will be designated as off-site replacement housing for some current residents of the Lincoln Heights/Richardson Dwellings as part of the District’s New Communities Initiative. The District expects to begin the redevelopment of this affordable housing project at the beginning of 2010.

The New Communities Initiative is a comprehensive partnership sponsored by the District government to improve the quality of life for families and individuals living in distressed neighborhoods across the city. The Initiative’s goal is to revive both the physical and human conditions of neighborhoods troubled by violent crime, poverty and other socio-economic challenges.