Southwest Waterfront $1.5 Billion Development Moving Forward?

An artistic rendering of the Southwest Waterfront

In fall 2006, the city announced a deal with Hoffman-Struever Waterfront LLC that will allow the company to transform the Southwest Waterfront into a $1.5 billion “world-class mixed-use waterfront destination,” according to the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. (For more project details, check below the jump.)

In October, the Washington Business Journal reported that developers wanted 16 acres of Southwest property. “A vote on the land deal is expected in November,” the newspaper stated. No such vote occurred, but now it looks like Councilmember Kwame Brown, chairman of the economic development committee, has decided to get moving with the bill (via yesterday’s Journal):

D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray jump-started the long-awaited land deal for the $1.5 billion Southwest waterfront project Tuesday, convincing the chairman of the economic development committee to take up legislation needed for the project.

Gray arranged a meeting between the chairman, Councilman Kwame Brown, D-at large, and Neil Albert, deputy mayor for planning and economic development, to discuss the project Tuesday evening. Councilman Tommy Wells, D-Ward 6, whose ward includes the Southwest waterfront, also attended.

Brown agreed to reconvene a long-delayed hearing on the legislation on Thursday. It will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Wilson Building. A mark-up on the bill is scheduled for Friday, and the full council could consider the deal on the last day of voting this year, Dec. 16.

PN Hoffman’s website posted this information about the development:

• Housing – approximately 650 units of market-rate residential and 290 units of affordable housing.

• Cultural – a 150,000 square foot cultural component focused on education.

• Hotel – 360 hotel rooms.

• Neighborhood amenities – neighborhood-serving retail such as a gourmet grocery, casual and upscale dining, cafes, shops and opportunities for local, small retailers.

• Parks – 14 acres of parks, open space, and promenades throughout the project.

• Water-focused development – significant improvements to the existing marina and pier facilities.

• Sustainable Design – the first LEED-Silver certified mixed-use project in the city.

• Significant local, small and disadvantaged business enterprises (LSDBE) Participation – participation by Washington DC-based LSDBE team members in all aspects of the project, including ownership. (More from the press release after the jump.)

An earlier version of this post stated that the development team was picked this September. The selection was actually made in September 2006.

Artistic rendering from www.swdcwaterfront.com

Tags: PN Hoffman, Southwest waterfront