Development

Existing Conditions

In terms of development, the River Corridor has already seen a lot of construction activity in recent years. In the Historical Anacostia area alone, 2,600 new units of housing are in the pipeline, which outpaces the number of new units slated for many other parts of D.C.[28] Relatedly, median home values and average rents have continued to rise over the past decade. At the same time, the study area has a low homeownership rate and an aging housing stock. A fifth of the River Corridor has lived in their homes for 20 or more years and more than half of residents are considered cost burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on rent.[29]

Neighborhoods in the River Corridor are in a precarious position as development attracts while current residents continue to struggle with housing cost and quality. While this advocacy plan is not a housing equity plan, there are clear gentrification and displacement risks in the area, which could be exacerbated by removing the highway if not addressed preemptively.

2,600+ new units of housing already in the development pipeline, in the Historic Anacostia area alone, a third of which are designated as affordable

1.8 million sq ft of potential developable land opened by this project

Allowing for the creation of approximately

1,633 new units of housing

Proposed

Locations

Increase housing stock while maintaining affordability and alleviating cost burden

Development Goals

The goals for the development framework are first and foremost to build a better Corridor for the people who already call the area home. Ensure new development is climate resilient and zoned for responsible land use

Ensure new development expands upon neighborhood character and amplifies existing assets