CBG Celebrates Bryant Street Groundbreaking with Community Members

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA—The Bryant Street team broke ceremonial ground today on phase one of the 13-acre master-planned development, which will deliver new housing, retail, and entertainment to Northeast D.C.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie made remarks at the ceremony about the project's expected impact on its Edgewood neighborhood and the city.

"As our city continues to grow, we know that it is rapidly changing, and so we have to prioritize investments like this one in communities just like Edgewood. Throughout smart planning and with creativity, we can have all of the things that our neighborhoods want: safe and affordable housing, investments in new infrastructure, top entertainment, and improved public spaces," said Mayor Muriel Bowser, in her remarks at the event. "Together we can create amazing opportunities to transform an aged shopping center into a fresh multi-purpose destination."

MRP Realty and FRP Development Corporation, the owner and lender of the project respectively, also hosted Interim Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John J. Falcicchio, the Advisory Neighborhood Commission for Edgewood, and other involved community members. Bryant Street includes roughly $17 million of tax incentive financing from the District for infrastructure improvements to the development and to Metropolitan Branch Trail.

"After extensive hard work, collaboration, and planning with the DC government and local neighborhood groups on this project, Bryant Street is an example of how incredible things can happen when people work together," said Kevin Schaar, principal at MRP Realty. "It feels great working hand-in-hand with the community to create a world-class destination where people can come together to for living, dining, shopping, and entertainment, and we can't wait to bring Bryant Street to life."

Scheduled to complete construction in 2022, CBG began work on Bryant Street's first phase in February, transforming the former shopping center on Rhode Island Avenue into a six-and-a-half-acre mixed-use community with 449 luxury and 38 affordable apartments served by 35,000 square feet of retail. Another contractor will build a nine-screen Alamo theater as part of the project's first phase.

The final master plan is set to include more than 1,500 residential units, 250,000 square feet of retail, and one-and-a-half acres of green space. Bryant Street is designed to achieve LEED certification.

"We appreciate MRP choosing CBG to construct this large-scale master planned development in Northeast DC," said Tim McDonald, senior contract executive. "It's a great opportunity to bring more housing, entertainment, retail, and open space to the Edgewood neighborhood."

CBG also sponsored Noyes Elementary in creating a mural of student artwork on Bryant Street's 100-foot covered walkway along Rhode Island Avenue. Students from kindergarten through fifth grade contributed more than 90 pieces of art illustrating what they do for fun in the neighborhood. Continuing CBG's tradition of beautifying and investing in its neighborhoods, the Bryant Street student art walkway marks CBG's seventh such project nationwide.

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