If you work anywhere near the intersection of Connecticut Ave. and K Street NW, you’ve been following the spectacular demolition of the two buildings formerly located at 1701 and 1725 K Street NW earlier this year. Now that the corner is a big, gaping hole in a prime downtown location, we’ve been eagerly awaiting the word on when construction would begin on the new 12-story office complex that is planned to replace it. But this morning, the Post broke some bad news: the parcel’s developer wants to turn the whole thing into a parking lot, at least for a year or two.

The developer demolished two office buildings at the intersection’s northwest corner this year after winning D.C. approval to replace them with a 12-story office complex designed by the architecture firm founded by I.M. Pei.

But in a letter to D.C. officials last month, the developer sought to alter the project to generate cash while the lot sits fallow until construction begins, perhaps at the end of 2009 or in early 2010.

The reason construction of the new building has been delayed is because the main tenant secured for space, the law firm of Arent Fox, can’t move in until 2013. The buildings were knocked down early because the original plan was for another firm to move in in 2010, but that deal fell through.

There’s a glimmer of hope toward the end of the Post’s story, which indicates the developer might be open to some alternative temporary uses for the land if he and the city can come to an agreement. Harriet Tregoning, director of the city’s Office of Planning, mentioned an outdoor food market as one possibility. Got any other ideas for what could be done on this spot for a year or two? Anything is better than a parking lot. Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Photo by Dan_DC