Metropolitan Development just filed a boatload of raze applications for the fenced-off buildings on 7th Street NW between P and Q Street, otherwise known as Kelsey Gardens. The listing on MAC Realty Advisors’ site says the parcel is under agreement, so perhaps a deal is finally on the way to closing; last time we checked it was imminent but on the rocks back when the U.S. was about to go into default. Granted, this project has had more fits and starts than a 15-year-old jalopy, but you don’t usually knock buildings down until you’re ready to replace them.

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UPDATE, Thursday, 10:30 a.m. – After posting this, I was notified that the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs had designated the buildings as “blighted” in mid-June. The property owner appealed at the end of that month, and the question hasn’t been resolved yet. If the finding holds, they’ll be assessed at the 10 percent rate for the second half of tax year 2011, which means a bill of about $400,000. Razing is a lot less expensive.

So who the hell knows what’s going to happen to this site.