The entry lobby of the Avenue at night
The ribbon cutting and opening celebration of The Avenue — the 83-unit mixed-use apartment building located at 3506 Georgia Avenue NW — went off without a hitch on Friday. The event was well attended and included both a tour of two of the building’s units and a sampling of food from nearby Georgia Avenue businesses.
The building is 100 percent affordable under the city’s affordable housing laws. So as would be expected, a major theme of the event’s speeches focused on affordable housing. Mayor Gray renewed his commitment to bring more affordable housing options to the District as they City attracts new residents and broadens its tax base. For hist part, Councilmember Graham briefly recounted the long road and past community involvement that occured just to get the Avenue underway. He also renewed his commitment to redeveloping the main Park Morton complex noting that the Avenue was only the first step.
In touring the building, all I can say is WOW. Starting with the lobby and navigating the building, in many ways if felt like a boutique hotel to me.
Key speakers at the event were Peter Siegel (Landex Corp.), Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Councilmember Michael Brown, Councilmember Jim Graham, Deputy Mayor Victor Hoskins, DC Housing Authority Director Adrianne Todman, DC Housing Finance Agency Director Harry Sewell, DC Department of Housing and Community Development Director Michael Kelly, and Freddie Mac Director Christin Kaufman.
Mayor Gray prepares to cut the ribbon, flanked by Councilmember Jim Graham and Victor Hoskins
Kitchen in one of the one-bedroom units
The building includes a small exercise room
"The territory comprising Park View extends from Gresham Street north to Rock Creek Church Road, and from Georgia Avenue to the Soldiers' Home grounds, including the triangle bounded by Park Road, Georgia Avenue, and New Hampshire Avenue" (from Directory and History of Park View, 1921.)
Park View, D.C. 