200 Apartments Planned Near Mall

Clarke Realty has plans to build 52 townhouses and 200 apartments at 1600 Maryland Ave. NE — the old Sears site, just north of the Hechinger Mall area.

The plans are currently before the Office of Planning for what's called a Large Tract Review, where they look at these bigger projects. The Office of Planning took a look at it, thought it was a good design, especially in the sense that the developer really seemed to be looking at and drawing on the H Street Strategic Development Plan, which is what we hope to see in these types of developments.

The building's being drawn up to the sidewalk — it's pedestrian friendly. Parking is provided in the interior.

They are looking to the District for some funding for the apartment component, and if they get that funding, there will be specified affordable housing.

The [ANC Zoning & Economic Development] committee would like the Office of Planning to take a look at the design of the interior spaces. There are some alleyways and courtyards, and we'd really like the Office of Planning to look at that and be comfortable that those don't create any public safety issues — that they're designed and lighted in a way that it does not create any places for people to lurk, as some other large master development plans have. §