Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg

History

DCHA received a $34.9 million grant award for the revitalization of Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg in October 2001. Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg, the Washington Navy Yard and the Southeast Federal Center, combine to form one of the largest urban redevelopment areas in the country, in one of the most outstanding locations, between Capitol Hill and the Anacostia River. The area has frontage on the Anacostia River, direct access to public transportation, proximity to Capitol Hill, and a growing employment base. Redevelopment activity is underway by District and Federal agencies of the Navy Yard and Southeast Federal Center.

Arthur Capper and Carrollsburg Dwellings is a 23-acre 758-unit public housing complex located in Near Southeast. The properties are old and obsolete. The high concentration of low-income units combined with the barracks-style architecture of the developments have deterred any significant investment in the community.

Project Summary

The plan for the revitalization of Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg represents one of the most ambitious HOPE VI projects undertaken nationwide. The $34.9 million grant award has been leveraged to provide a total of over $424 million for the creation of 1,562 rental and home ownership units, office space, neighborhood retail space and a community center.

The housing strategy will replace the demolished units with 707 public housing units, 525 affordable rental units and 330 market rate homes for purchase, for a total of 1,562 new units. By replacing all occupied public housing units, the Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg development will be the first HOPE VI site in the country to provide one-for-one replacement of demolished public housing units.

It is the program’s ability to capitalize on the value of the land, a dynamic uncharacteristic of most HOPE VI projects, and the developable density that allows it to retain this level of affordable housing. The project achieves high density on-site because of the marketability and value of the land near Southeast. Because of the influx of a new employment base, Near Southeast has become an attractive area for people to live close to work.
The development Team selected by DCHA includes Forest City Enterprises and Mid-city Urban, LLC, both with significant experience developing similar projects in the Washington, DC market.

Highlights of Plan

One for One Replacement of all Occupied Public Housing Units. The financing of the commercial development along with the capacity of the site for increased density makes possible a first for any HOPE VI redevelopment project – the replacement of all occupied public housing units, thereby insuring the opportunity to return to every eligible Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg resident. In addition, the development of 855 additional units for moderate and market rate families allows for the desired income mix without a loss of public housing units.

Mixed Income Community with Linkage to the Upper Income Community of Capitol Hill

Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg links the Capitol Hill neighborhood to the Anacostia waterfront. The redevelopment of Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg will replace a community with a high concentration of poverty with a thriving mixed-income community in the heart of Southeast Washington, while maintaining the same number of occupied public housing units.

Large-Scale Commercial Development

The plan calls for up to 600,000 square feet of office space and 20,000 to 40,000 square feet of retail space. In addition to the stabilizing influence on the larger community, the development will provide permanent employment opportunity to neighborhood residents.

Unprecedented Partnership Between the Local and Federal Government on a Redevelopment of this Scope

The DCHA development team includes residents of the impacted neighborhood, representatives of the Navy/Marine Corps and Southeast Federal Center, and the District Governments efforts to revitalize the Anacostia River waterfront, which is being coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Planning. The team made the most of the opportunity to jointly participate in the planning of their respective projects in a manner that would provide the greatest benefit to all.

Economic Development Activity

The economic development program for Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg will focus on maximizing training, employment and home ownership opportunities. DCHA has secured the commitment of providing jobs to at least 1,130 residents over a three-year period. In addition, redevelopment of the Navy Yard will result in significant Section 3 opportunities for a ten-year period.

 

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