Boston Properties
In partnership with the site owner, Boston Properties is planning the redevelopment of a 35,500-square-foot surface parking lot downtown along the E Street Theatre Row between 8th and 9th Streets NW. CuDC is working with the developer to find an appropriate arts use and tenant that will satisfy zoning requirements while complementing the class A office and retail goals of the project.

Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
2006 Downtown BID Momentum Award Honoree
Working in cooperation with reSTORE DC, the Chinatown Steering Committee, Gallery Place Associates and the DC Office of Planning, CuDC coordinated the restoration of 14 building facades in Chinatown. The project delivered facelifts to properties on H Street, between 6th and 7th Streets, and on 6th Street, between G and H Streets, funded by reSTORE DC, Gallery Place. The improvements included brick repointing, gutter/downspout replacement, painting and some other basic façade maintenance to minority-owned properties in the style indicative of Chinatown.
Photo courtesy Reggie Snowden/Downtown BID.

Shops at Eckington
CuDC is giving assistance to a small private developer who is rehabilitating 10 row houses between 1900 and 1918 4th Street, NE to create 10 to 15 1,200 to 2,500 square foot artist units in Eckington for artists to lease or purchase. Renovation begins in April 2004 and occupancy is expected to begin in the fall.

Lowe Enterprises
In an effort to implement the NoMa Development Strategy, CuDC continues to pursue the inclusion of an arts component in the development of the Wax Museum Site (5th & K Streets, NW). In conjunction with approximately 500 residential units and 50,000 square feet of retail, CuDC recommended 40 affordable artist units and performing arts space. CuDC is working with Lowe Enterprises, which was selected by the National Capital Revitalization Corporation to develop the property.

Mather Studios

CuDC built out and manages Flashpoint, an arts incubator situated beneath Mather Studios. A creative laboratory, Flashpoint provides strategic business support in a sophisticated and affordable downtown space for multiple arts organizations. CuDC conducts an open, competitive recruitment process to select resident organizations who are committed to artistic excellence and who demonstrate potential for growth and a willingness to participate in the incubation process. CuDC also presents cutting-edge arts programming at Flashpoint, showcasing emerging visual and performing artists in the Mead Theatre Lab and Gallery at Flashpoint. Participants in these two programs are mentored by members of the Theatre Lab and Gallery panels, respectively, which are comprised of noted area arts professionals who help to see these projects through from conception to execution.

Tivoli Square
After almost 30 years of dormancy, the historic Tivoli Theatre at 3333 14th Street, NW, was reborn in 2005. CuDC came to the aid of developer Horning Brothers several years earlier, when the restoration of this landmark property had come to a complete standstill. CuDC helped to mitigate the competing expectations of various city agencies and community advocates and advised on the inclusion of an arts use that would preserve the historic theatre space. Finally, the organization connected Horning Brothers with GALA Hispanic Theatre, which was seeking its first permanent home. Pleasing city officials, community leaders and the arts industry, the reinvented Tivoli Theatre opened its doors in January 2005; this remarkable project is anchored by GALA’s 250-seat, state-of-the-art performing arts venue.

505 Ninth Street NW
Boston Properties, who are redeveloping this surface parking lot in partnership with the site owner, called on CuDC to determine an appropriate arts use for the project that would satisfy zoning requirements while still complementing its Class A office and retail goals. As a result, venerable DC theatre company Washington Stage Guild will finally have a permanent home for the first time in its more than two decades of theatrical work, located right in the midst of downtown DC.

NoMa Development Strategy
At the request of area stakeholders, CuDC convened a planning process that focused on opportunities for economic growth and physical development incorporating the arts, media, communications and other technology-oriented industries along with housing in two areas north of Massachusetts Avenue. After securing a grant from the Department of Housing and Community Development, CuDC hired a world-class team of urban and cultural planning consultants led by Patrick Phillips of Economic Research Associates. The team included Don Carter of Urban Design Associates, Chris Velasco of Artspace Projects, Inc. and Peter Calthorpe, the leading proponent of new urbanism and transit-oriented development.

Beginning with a broad context area, the process included an evaluation of existing conditions, interviews with key stakeholders and collecting public feedback; the team also convened affinity groups and held a 3-day charrette before presenting a final draft. This plan recommended development patterns, public space improvements and prototypical projects that would collectively foster the growth of the existing arts and cultural industry, recruit technology-based companies and provide a wide-range of new housing options. Stakeholders expressed a desire for the Mt. Vernon Triangle area to be developed as a primarily residential, mixed-use neighborhood with arts venues and a range of affordable housing options. Stakeholders described an “arts, media and tech district” that would accommodate a concentration of arts, media and technology companies in a creative environment for both workers and residents. CuDC continues to work with the area as they submit a Small Area Plan to the DC Council for approval.

For more information, contact at 202.315.1308.