It’s already been a busy year for development in the corridor of land that stretches from Bryant Street north along North Capitol to Catholic University. DCist has kept a close eye on the debate between residents of the nearby neighborhoods (of Park View, Petworth, and Brookland) and the Armed Forces Retirement Home, which intends to open portions of its massive campus to commercial and residential development. Green space has been a part of that discussion, specifically whether or not the AFRH property will include some, and participants of the debate have often mentioned the McMillan Reservoir property as an alternative location for park land.

Now it seems, the city is taking action on the property, which stretches from North Capitol west to Howard University, just south of the Washington Hospital Center. The Washington Business Journal is reporting that Mayor Williams will tomorrow announce a plan to expedite transfer of that land, totalling 25 acres, to the National Capital Revitalization Corporation. It appears the land will be host to a large-scale mixed-use development, and the NCRC could announce a design frame for the site as early as March 29th.

The McMillan property is an odd looking area. It served as a sand-filtration plant (a water purification site using sand) until it closed in 1986. Now it contains lines of trenches and towers that visitors often mistake for missile silos. We’ll be sure to update you all as details become available.

Picture of McMillan Reservoir property from www.dcpreservation.org.

Filed Under: armed forces, Armed Forces Retirement Home, Bryant, Bryant Street, Business and Development, catholic university, dcist, design, green, hospital, Hospital Center, howard university, mayor, Mayor Williams, McMillan Reservoir, National Capital Revitalization Corporation, neighborhoods, North Capitol, park view, the city, The Washington, The Washington Business Journal, university, washington, Washington Business Journal, washington hospital center,