129-Unit Mixed-Use Development Breaks Ground in U Street

The mixed-use development, 13|U, broke ground on Wednesday with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and Executive Director of the nonprofit Words Beats & Life Mazi Mutafa speaking at the event. The development earned its name for being located at the intersection of 13th and U streets NW. Chevy Chase-based developer The JGB Companies plans for the project to have 129 residential units and 15,750-square-feet of street-level retail. 12 of the residential units will be designated for affordable housing. The eight-story building will also feature 48 below-grade parking spaces. According to a press release, the developer will provide a $600,000 community benefits package for new recreational fields at Garrison Elementary, a play space at Westminster Place, a new Capital Bike Share station, and funding to initiate a Business Improvement District. On the inside wall of a temporarily covered sidewalk along the construction site, a temporary 264-foot mural was installed by Words Beats & Life with words from the Patrick Washington poem, "The Lady in My Life," and images of historic buildings and artists from the area. The project was designed by local firm David M. Schwarz Architects and is expected to delivery by 2017.

· David M. Schwarz Architects [Official Website]
· The JBG Companies [Official Website]
· Development Watch archive [Curbed DC]