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Development and Construction:

  • The proposed redevelopment of Martin’s View includes the demolition of the existing low-rise apartment buildings and replacement with approximately 800 spacious new residential units across four new buildings. All existing 156 units will be replaced as part of this redevelopment. Redevelopment of the property will occur in phases so that residents are able to relocate on-site.

    In addition to new, high quality apartment units, the redevelopment will also bring new amenity spaces for residents, including communal green space, a fitness center, a daycare, community room, secure garage parking, and more.

  • The redevelopment will occur in several phases, with the first phase (or first building) targeting a construction start in mid/late 2025 and delivering the first available units by 2027. The completion of all 4 phases will take approximately five years to complete.

  • First and foremost, residents will benefit from a brand new unit with high quality finishes and appliances. Residents will also benefit from the many common amenities that will be integrated into the property, such as:

    1. Elevator access

    2. Enhanced security

    3. Fitness center

    4. Botanical garden

    5. Half court basketball court

    6. Grilling Stations

    7. Community Center

    8. Day Care

    9. Improved Access to Fort Greble Park

  • Redevelopment is still a few years out. At this point, the development team is pursuing a Planned Unit Development (PUD) application with the Zoning Commission in order to obtain approval to redevelop Martin’s View. The process is starting Fall 2023 and will take approximately 8-12 months. During that time, residents and external community stakeholders, like the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC), will be invited to engage in the process and provide their ideas, input, and concerns, with the goal of creating a development program that is informed by the community. After the PUD process is completed, the design and permitting process will continue, with a targeted construction start anticipated for mid/late 2025.

  • As most residents know, Martin’s View is an older property, and many of its systems are also quite old. While property management has worked to address ongoing maintenance concerns and maintain the property to a level of quality, some of the issues with the property are simply a result of its age. Redevelopment allows for the creation of brand new units on-site to accommodate both existing residents and new residents. With these new units comes new finishes and fixtures within the units, as well as new heating, cooling and plumbing systems, new amenity spaces, and an improved quality of life at the property.

    Additionally, Martin’s View presents an opportunity to address the ever-present need for more affordable housing units in the District. There is a great opportunity here to not only provide new, high-quality housing for existing residents, but also to create new, affordable housing options for others who wish to reside in this community.

Building and Unit Design

  • Yes, with a new building there is new AC and heating with an expected 25 year lifespan. Every unit will have central heating and air conditioning. We understand currently that utilities are being included in the total rent amount; we are currently analyzing this to confirm if this is a sustainable model for us to continue going forward and/or if there is a way for us to permit this structure to remain in place for some existing residents. We will circle back with more information on this issue in a future meeting.

  • The amount of parking on site will increase to approximately 270 spaces. Paid parking will be offered in order to allow us to provide a safe, clean, and secure parking option for residents.

  • Yes, there will be an in-unit washer and dryer. The two-bedroom apartments will have two bathrooms.

  • Our average unit size is approximately 740 square feet, with units ranging from:

    Studio 397-538 sf (average 510 sf)

    Junior One Bedroom 514-540 sf (average 526 sf)

    One bedroom 476-766 sf (average 618 sf)

    Two bedroom 678-947 sf (average 899 sf)

    Three bedroom 944-1110 sf (average 1040 sf)

  • Yes, the architects and security consultant team are working together to make sure residents feel safe, and security cameras will be part of the larger security plan for the property. We also have a good relationship with the police in this community given that we own and operate several other housing properties nearby, and we trust we will continue to maintain this positive relationship with MPD at Martin’s View going forward.

  • Yes. There will be more exterior and interior lighting. In the new streetscape there will be lights on Elmira St and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, as well as the courtyard and between buildings 3 and 4. Additionally we will be speaking to the relevant District and Federal agencies about increasing lighting aggressively on Elmira St. and within Fort Greble Park.

  • There are five stories and a penthouse. The building is the same height as Bridgepoint Hospital and the highest point of Leckie. On the inside, the courtyard makes it look like six stories plus a penthouse.

  • We will be implementing Amazon lockers as they have better security. There also will be a package room if the item is too big for a locker.

Accommodations for Seniors & the Disabled

  • Yes, as per the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). There will be 12 elevators (two per building) and one freight elevator.

  • Our team will consult with our architects on this and circle back in a future meeting to confirm.

Development Team and Property Management

  • Kaye Stern Properties and Bensahel Capital are DC-based developers with significant experience in developing affordable multifamily housing communities. The development team has over 30 years of combined affordable housing experience within DC and the greater metropolitan area.

  • Community Housing Coalition is currently the majority owner of Martin’s View, and local housing developer, Kaye Stern Properties in partnership with Bensahel Capital, is taking the lead on the redevelopment given their extensive experience in multifamily housing development in the District. Should the development concept receive approval from the Zoning Commission, Community Housing Coalition will transfer Martin's View to the development team, and the development team will move forward with the redevelopment plans at that time.

  • The goal is to select a team with experience in managing projects of similar size that would provide our residents with the highest quality of service while increasing the level of professionalism at the property.

  • This building is very old. With aging comes holes in infrastructure that allow insects and mice to come in. It becomes increasingly expensive to maintain the existing building. We will have adequate pest control measures and vendor contracts in place as part of the new development to eliminate this issue in the future. Additionally, there will be a full-time head building engineer with a full-time staff of 8-12 maintenance staff that are HVAC certified and AC-certified to ensure that building systems and overall quality are maintained on-site.

Relocation and Right to Return

  • Residents will not be displaced by this project. Each resident will work with the developer’s relocation coordinator to move within Martin’s View or to an off-site unit of their choosing during construction, and all residents in good standing will be welcomed to move back into the new building upon completion.

  • We are hiring a professional relocation company to aid and assist all residents in navigating the temporary relocation process. Again, we stress that the cost of temporary relocation will be paid by the developer.

  • A phasing plan is being developed to indicate which buildings will be impacted in each phase of redevelopment and the timeline for when the residents of each building will need to move out of the current unit. Current Martin’s View residents will be able to relocate to another existing unit during construction of an earlier phase, thus allowing residents to remain on-site during construction. Residents who wish to make an off-site move may do so if they choose. Moving and relocation support (moving boxes, packing support, and movers) will be provided by the developer via their relocation coordinator, and residents will receive ample notice prior to any moves occurring.

  • All current residents in good standing will have a right to return to a new unit that meets their household size upon completion. Residents will pay rents comparable to their current rental rate, with any increases to be aligned with standard annual rent increases that residents currently anticipate.

  • The developer of Martin’s View will coordinate with residents to relocate within the community or off-site if they choose.

  • Yes. TOPA will apply when the property will be offered for sale to the development team. We encourage residents to explore the formation of a Tenant Association and leverage any and all District resources available to do so.

  • We are not offering buyouts. We will pay for relocation costs when the time comes.

  • It is too early at this point in the process to have a time frame for moving out or a housing list to move to, however, once we get closer we will send out unit availability both within the community and the vicinity of the building with 3-4 months advance notice.

  • While there is no Rent-to-Own program for a residence this size, there have been numerous discussions for several housing providers and Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) providers to do home purchasing consulting and credit consulting. We will be looking into the Positive Rent Credit Reporting Program. It is extremely beneficial and can improve our resident’s credit.

Engagement

  • The development team is committed to engaging residents throughout this process so that the building design and program can be informed by the community. Current Martin’s View residents will receive invitations to participate in several engagement opportunities starting in Fall 2023; during these engagements, residents will be able to learn more about the proposed design and program and also share their ideas, questions, and concerns. Specific topics that will be discussed included, but are not limited to, redevelopment phasing and relocation, common space design, unit sizes, and safety and security.

    Additionally, the development team intends to engage ANC 8D as part of the formal PUD process. They will also reach out to neighboring stakeholders to share the project concept and solicit additional ideas and input.

Project Economic Impact

  • Our preference will be to employ Ward 8 residents and to exceed the District’s local hiring goals, with a specific emphasis on training youth out of career academies. We will host open door interview sessions as we get closer to shovel-readiness.

    We also anticipate creating 25-30 permanent jobs for the property management and maintenance team.