dc diary

O Street Market at Crossroads

By Jack Evans

June 2008

The development of the O Street Market in the Ward 2 neighborhood of Shaw is entering a critical juncture – the financing package. I have helped see this project through from its conception, historic preservation and zoning processes, and now here we are with the financing package, which will allow us to move forward.

In short, with this legislation, all the pieces will be in place to create, what I think, will be catalytic project which will serve as the lynchpin for the revival of the commercial district of Shaw and help foster further private-sector investment in the neighborhood, and truly serve as a new town center for the community.
 
As you may know, this development will en   tirely remake two critical blocks and, most importantly, reuse the historic O Street Market as a new Giant to serve the community. The project will also contain senior housing, market rate apartments, condominiums, as well as a specialty hotel, parking, and additional retail spaces along both 7th and O Streets.
 
This project has been the subject of nearly daily conversations with the DC Chief Financial Officer and the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, and I am very much hoping to finalize this financing package this summer before the Council recess, which begins July 15.  I believe this type of investment in the Shaw community will help revive and propel the commercial districts along 7th and 9th Streets and catalyze further investment by the private sector in that area.

I greatly appreciate the support from the community for the project – it is truly helping to make a difference.

Jack Evans is the D.C. Councilman representing Ward Two. His column appears in each edition of this publication.