(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) Brian Kenner today announced the responses for the redevelopment of Parcel 42 in Ward 6, the District’s first “OurRFP” project. OurRFP is a Mayor Bowser initiative that incorporates resident and community engagement early in the Request for Proposals (RFP) prior to developer solicitation. The six proposals include plans for affordable housing, retail, sustainable design, and public space in the District’s Shaw neighborhood.
“The high level of interest from residents and developers are a testament to our efforts to engage the community early and often in Parcel 42,” said Deputy Mayor Kenner. “DMPED will continue to use OurRFP as a tool to expand affordable housing, grow small business, and generate revenue we can invest back into our neighborhoods.”
The respondents for Parcel 42 are:
- Ditto Residential, Group 360, Irving Development
- Donohoe Development with Spectrum Management
- Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing with AHC, Inc.
- MANNA, Inc., PINDAR Group, and Stratford Capital
- Menkiti Group with Veterans on the Rise and Dantes Partners
- The Fortis Companies
DMPED piloted the new OurRFP process for Parcel 42 located at 1707 7th Street and 639 Rhode Island Avenue. Initially launched by Mayor Bowser at the March Madness RFP announcement event in 2015, the new initiative is intended to provide transparency throughout the RFP process as well as accountability for delivering public benefits that are committed through the OurRFP.
The following community preferences, which were shown to be of the highest priority to the neighborhood, were incorporated into the RFP:
- High quality and innovative architecture that establishes a signature gateway
- A vibrant retail mix that includes neighborhood serving and destination retail
- Active and vibrant streetscapes with sustainable landscaping in the surrounding public space
- Maximized affordable housing for a range of income levels
- Creation of an active, publically accessible space on Lot 803
- Incorporation of sustainable elements to exceed the minimum green building requirements
- Local hiring and business opportunities
DMPED, working in conjunction with the Office of Planning, hosted a Public Workshop engagement in June 2015 to gather community input on the future of Parcel 42. Ideas were combined with responses to the Online Engagement Forum and presented back to the community at a follow-up meeting held in July 2015. The meeting gave residents an opportunity to provide their preferences from the many ideas received.
The RFP was issued by DMPED on September 4, 2015. The respondents submitted competitive proposals representing most, if not all of the community preferences from the RFP. Next steps include, evaluation of the respondents, follow up presentations and engagement with the community, and ultimate selection of the successful development team.
For more information on Parcel 42 and other DMPED projects, visit: dmped.dc.gov.
CONTACTS:
Joaquin McPeek (DMPED) 202.727.6698; [email protected]