A D.C. preservation panel unanimously approved height and design tweaks developers made to their proposed development project near historic Eastern Market — much to the chagrin of the surrounding neighbors who say the project is still too big.
The development on the site of the old Hine Junior High School will take up slightly more than one square block on Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 8th streets, Northeast. Since its inception, residents have had problems with the project’s height — six stories in some parts — and the size (mass) of the buildings. Developer Stanton-Eastbanc has adjusted the project several times, the most major adjustment being earlier this year after two key office tenants dropped out of the project.
At Thursday’s Historic Preservation Review Board hearing, neighborhood groups banded together to push for greater compatibility with the historic district and lower heights in the project. The groups included the Eastern Market Metro Community Association, Eyes on Hine, The 200 Block of 8th Coalition and the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. The local Advisory Neighborhood Commission issued a statement against the project’s height and mass, however, three commissioners said they were in favor of keeping the project as-is.
Those in support of the project include the 7th Street Merchants Association, Barracks Row Main Street, DC Preservation League and the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
According to the EMMCA blog, Stanton-Eastbanc will be back before the board in July for approval of the remaining two portions of the project: the 7th Street and C Street residential buildings.
