D.C. would approve housing plans for St. Elizabeths East

D.C. would approve the Parcel 13 development plan with Dantes Partners Acquisitions LLC as developer. The plan includes about 241 homes, including senior housing, alongside 5,000 square feet of gallery or retail space. D.C. would not have to lease the land without a signed development agreement and its conditions met. The act would take effect after mayoral approval or a Council veto override, a 30-day congressional review, and publication. Its terms would apply as of March 9, 2025.

The developer would follow the project's target schedule. These deadlines cover finalizing the land lease and largely completing construction on Parcel 13. D.C.'s development office could approve changes or extensions under the final development agreement. The target schedule also calls for a signed development agreement within 60 days of Council approval, construction starting within 90 days after closing, and final completion within 12 months after substantial completion. The lease would be due within six years of the Council's original approval of the land deal. Construction would need to be largely complete within 42 months of starting.

Major changes would require Council review and approval under D.C.'s rules for public land deals. This applies to future changes in the business terms for Parcel 13. The Council review period would be 45 days.

D.C. would lease Parcel 13 to the developer for 99 years at $1 in annual base rent. The approximately 3.17-acre property is at 1100 Alabama Avenue SE, Lot 850 in Square S-5868. Base rent would be payable in advance. Council authorization alone would not require conveyance: D.C. and the developer must sign the development agreement and satisfy its conditions. The proposed lease term is 99 years; base rent would be paid in advance.

The developer would have to meet housing, construction and local business and employment requirements. The agreements address applicable local business contracting, equity and development obligations, plus job creation and employment arising from project construction. Affordable housing would have to comply with D.C. Code section 10-801; the source does not specify a unit share. At closing, the developer would provide a development and completion guaranty from a guarantor acceptable to D.C.’s development office, covering timely, lien-free completion and performance of project agreements. Construction would follow the Green Building Act, and the developer would be bound by the project’s Certified Business Enterprise and First Source agreements. The development and completion guaranty would be required at closing.