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Admission of guilt: last week, I briefly linked to a story on DCMUD before a co-worker pointed out that it made no sense, at which point, I removed my paragraph and decided to make some calls.
The post was about the groundbreaking of 2300 Pennsylvania Ave SE, a new apartment building with retail space in the Fairlawn area by Chapman Development. DCMUD had all sorts of fun facts about a supposedly 247-unit building, with 115 units of “workforce” housing, and 8,000 square feet of retail space, which would hopefully attract high-end retailers. Also: a new Harris Teeter east of the river! Seems like one opens in this city every week!
Great news. Now, how much of it is true?
“I don’t think there’s much other than the address that’s accurate,” says developer Timothy Chapman, who sets the record straight:
- There are 118 apartments.
- 7,500 square feet of retail.
- No Harris Teeter. (Oh…)
- $1,100, average rent.
The group is receiving housing tax credits, says Chapman, which means “we have to rent to people who make 60 percent of the median income.” Chapman would like to see a sit-down restaurant open in the building, and is currently talking to Bank of America about a second retail space. Previously, a tattoo parlor and used car dealership operated on the lot, but both businesses were gone when the land was sold.