DMPED: Release October 16, 2008, Fenty Announces Development Partner for the Long-Vacant Brightwood Apartments

(Washington, DC) – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty on Thursday announced the District has selected Blue Skye Development and the Educational Organization for United Latin Americans to redevelop 6425 14th Street, NW, a 26-unit vacant apartment building that has been a blight on the Brightwood community for more than 20 years.

“This property has been a disgrace in the neighborhood for far too long,” said Mayor Fenty. “But that is going to change. We’re not only putting this property back into productive use, but we’re also providing some much-needed affordable and senior housing.”

Built in the 1950s, the four-story property was known as the Tewkesbury and has been vacant since the 1980s. During that time, the property owner was cited for more than 100 code violations. This spring, the District spent $3 million to purchase the property from Vincent Abell, who is one of the 20 landlords the District sued in April for code violations at their rental properties.

The Deputy Mayor’s Office for Planning and Economic Development in May issues a solicitation for development partners for the site. Four teams responded. Blue Skye offered the best proposal, committing to redeveloping the property into 26 condos, reserving more than half of the units as affordable housing. Blue Skye also plans to build 54 single room occupancy (SRO) units for seniors at a property the team controls at 1330 Missouri Avenue, NW.

The total development cost for both projects is almost $12 million. The development team could begin construction at 6425 14th Street by summer 2009.