Mayor Vincent C. Gray Breaks Ground on Park 7

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Mayor Vincent C. Gray, other District government officials and representatives of the project’s development team today broke ground Park 7, a $67-million mixed-use real estate project providing affordable and market-rate rental housing, new amenities and restaurant space on the site of the formerly vacant land at the major intersection of Benning Road and Minnesota Avenue NE in Ward 7.

“Both as Mayor and as a resident of Ward 7, I am proud to be here today to announce this public-private effort that will continue the renaissance of the parts of our city east of the Anacostia River,” said Mayor Gray. “My administration is committed to creating a place that provides residents access to quality retail, restaurant, residential and transportation options while also enhancing the neighborhood experience for everyone involved.”

Principals from the development partnership – Donatelli Development and Blue Skye Development, LLC – joined Mayor Gray, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, At-Large Councilmember Michael Brown, Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Victor L. Hoskins to formally kick off construction at the site. When completed, Park 7 will include 255 parking spaces, 376 residential units, and 20,000 square feet of retail space – including 4,000 square feet for local and small businesses and 5,000 square feet for a restaurant on a 5-acre site. 

Affordable units will comprise 346 – a full 92 percent – of the project’s rental units. They will be available to households earning at or below the 60 percent threshold of the Area Median Income level as determined by the applicable U.S. government census tract.

“We are committed to Ward 7, East of the River, and all communities across the District of Columbia,” said Deputy Mayor Hoskins. “My team and I are working hand-in-hand with Mayor Gray, the Council, any and all residents who become involved and the local real estate community to revitalize neighborhoods and commercial corridors while attempting to balance neighborhood feels and needs.”

Park 7 is part of the Gray Administration’s efforts to boost the amount of affordable housing available in the District. The project is part of the over $2 billion worth of District-affiliated projects currently under construction across the city, creating thousands of construction jobs and permanent jobs. Over 1250 units of District-affiliated affordable housing have come online during the Gray administration. An additional 1550 units are currently under construction.

The project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2014.  Additional information about Park 7 can be found via the project website of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.