Housing Complex » Rhode Island Ave.

Rhode Island Ave. Overhaul: End of the Road

Ruth Samuelson — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:10:39 +0000

Everything's about to change on Rhode Island Avenue in Northeast. And by "everything," I mean some things. And by "about to change," I mean may change between now and 2025.

So good, I'm glad we got that cleared up.

This week, I've been going through the city's plan for a new Rhode Island Ave in Northeast, looking at ways to improve the road with new development and $1.2 billion in investment between 3rd Street all the way to Eastern Avenue, bordering Maryland. More information below the jump.

Part 1: Rhode Island Ave. Plan: Dense Development by Brentwood Metro

Part 2: Rhode Island Ave. Overhaul: Medium-Sized Developments in Southern Brookland

Part 3: Rhode Island Ave. Overhaul: An Art District in Woodridge?

Part 4: Rhode Island Ave. Overhaul: Nothing to See Here Folks

Photo By Darrow Montgomery

Rhode Island Ave. Overhaul: Nothing to See Here Folks

Ruth Samuelson — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:23:05 +0000

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Last month, the city released a new vision for Rhode Island Avenue in Northeast. We read it, so you don’t have to.

The last section, subarea 4, is a petite span of Rhode Island Avenue, leading into sleepy Mt. Ranier. When all is said and done, D.C. will still not be wowing any Marylanders with its glorious amenities right across the border. The northeastern end of Rhode Island is getting minimal development: Just 132 new housing units will be added (compare that to nearly 2,000 in the first, albeit larger, subarea.)

Also: There will be more "expressive gateway art work which celebrates the entry into the Nation's Capitol."

That's all folks!

Rhode Island Ave. Overhaul: An Art District in Woodridge?

Ruth Samuelson — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:45:54 +0000

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Last month, the city released a new vision for Rhode Island Avenue in Northeast. We read it, so you don’t have to.

This area, subarea three, calls for the creation of an arts district, or more specifically to "take advantage of the diverse and older building stock to regenerate" the area in the form of a "commercial district along with an eclectic arts district with galleries, coffeeshops, eateries, studios, dance classes and more."

Overall, city planners aim to add 183 rental units and 152 for-sales units to the area.

Highlights from the plan:

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The aforementioned arts district would be established in the area shown above, between 20th Street and South Dakota Avenue. The city is interested in the possible creation of a DC Main Street— like Barracks Row, for example—to attract the right mix of shops.