The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has issued an order affirming the D.C. Zoning Commission’s 2007 decision to approve the development of Square 54. Located at 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Square 54 is currently under construction as a mixed-use office, retail and residential project. This order affirms the Zoning Commission’s 2007 decision without qualification.
In 2007, the D.C. Zoning Commission concluded extensive hearings by issuing separate orders approving the 2007 Foggy Bottom Campus Plan and the Square 54 project. The Foggy Bottom Association appealed both orders to the D.C. Court of Appeals, and, in September 2009, the court generally affirmed the Campus Plan decision.
“While we have long believed that we had a strong case in support of the Zoning Commission’s decision, it is gratifying to us and our partner, Boston Properties, to receive the Court’s decision and have the matter so firmly decided,” said GW President Steven Knapp. “We look forward to sharing the amenities of this wonderful project with our neighbors in Foggy Bottom and beyond.”
Square 54 is being developed by Boston Properties under a long-term ground lease from the University. It is a commercial project that will have office space to the north along Pennsylvania Avenue, apartments to the south, and extensive retail space on the ground floor throughout the development. A full-service grocery store will occupy some of the retail space and will be accessible from both 22nd and Eye Streets as well as the underground parking garage. The project is scheduled to be completed in early 2011.
“We always believed that the Zoning Commission order approving the Square 54 project should be upheld on appeal, not only because of the extensive thought and planning that GW and Boston Properties put into the project, but also because of the strong support demonstrated by District of Columbia officials and many members of the Foggy Bottom/West End community,” says GW Deputy General Counsel Charles Barber. “In addition, the Zoning Commission conducted a thorough evaluation of the project and documented its findings and conclusions with a comprehensive written decision. Still, I would be less than candid if I did not acknowledge the importance of the court’s opinion in affirming the commission’s decision, giving the full green light to this important project.”
Michael Akin, executive director of government, international and community relations, says the community was an “important partner” at every step of the project. “The approval of Square 54 , the 20-Year Foggy Bottom Campus Plan both now upheld by the court - and the School Without Walls/South Hall project were preceded by a multiyear community-based planning process,” says Mr. Akin. “Members of our community attended countless neighborhood meetings, provided critical feedback and offered more than 300 statements of support when the proposals went before the Zoning Commission.”