Georgia Ave. Project Stirs Hopes For Long-Awaited Revitalization

D.C. officials and residents gather for the groundbreaking of a $60 million development to be built above the Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro station. Park Place will feature 156 residences, underground parking and retail space. (Photos By Melina Mara -- The Washington Post)

" . . . It wasn't really true economic development," he said.

Fenty attended the residents' first meeting and later introduced them to officials from Donatelli Development Inc., the Bethesda-based firm that would win the bid to build at the site, Williams said. The project faced some setbacks, including a lawsuit by a failed bidder.

Dorothy Blackwell, who has lived in Petworth all her life, and her husband, Kevin Blackwell, said they hoped yesterday's groundbreaking marked Georgia Avenue's turnaround.

"I have watched the deterioration," said Dorothy Blackwell, 45. "We're starting to see things now. A restaurant, a dry cleaner. We want the Mocha Hut, a nice little breakfast place."

Mocha Hut is a confirmed tenant, and Donatelli is negotiating with other businesses, said Christopher Donatelli, president and chief executive of the firm.

Donatelli has become a leader in transit-oriented development in the District as the firm behind projects near the U Street and Columbia Heights Metro stations.

The Georgia Avenue-Petworth Station was a natural next step in development, said Nigel Gragg, who heads Gragg & Associates LLC, a partner of Donatelli's.

"Georgetown is over and done with. Dupont Circle is over and done with," he said. "There's only one direction to go."

But some residents are worried about losing one of the city's more affordable neighborhoods.

Nicole Paprika and Marco Del Fueg staged a two-person protest as event participants grabbed hard hats and shovels.

"We are against this extreme development. Not even working-class people can afford to live here," said Del Fueg, 41, who called himself a community activist.

Donatelli said 20 percent of the units will be set aside for residents earning less than 50 percent of the city's annual median income, and some will be reserved for residents earning less than 30 percent.

Donatelli and city officials said there was ample community participation in planning and deciding how much affordable housing would be included.