Hill East - Reservation 13

Washington, DC

The Hill East redevelopment grew out of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative whose efforts were intended to unlock Federal land along the Anacostia River – redeveloping it for a higher and better use and allowing for the community to be connected to the water.  The parcel was part of the landmark Federal and District of Columbia Government Real Property Act of 2006 and Jay successfully negotiated the transfer or Reservation 13’s 67 acres from the General Services Administration.

The 2002 District Council approved Master Plan’s included an urban waterfront district specifically intended to link the surrounding neighborhoods to the Anacostia River via public streets, green parks, and public open spaces.  The Master Plan included a dynamic mix of uses including health care, civic, residential, educational, and various community uses.  The result was the creation of an entirely new zone district on previously un-zoned land and develop a form-based code.  Jay’s team advanced the Master Plan into successfully secured approval of the cutting-edge concept from the District’s Zoning Board in 2009.  

His team’s work included completing engineering for the extension of Massachusetts Avenue, SE, terminating into a new circle to be developed by the National Park Service and while some of the social service and medical uses will remain – including the DC Jail, the redevelopment will link the residential neighborhood to the west, create a pedestrian-oriented environment through a traditional street grid, add a few health and recreation facilities along with new housing, offices, retail, and institutional uses.

Jay’s team also developed an extremely progressive approach in the project’s first Request-for-Qualifications and promoted the concept, nationally.