Courtesy of NoMa Parks Foundation
NoMa residents have been seeking greener pastures. And now, the former industrial district has its second site designated for park space.
On December 31, the NoMa Parks Foundation closed a $14 million acquisition for 2-acres of land, which they have dubbed “NoMa Green.” With more than 36,000 residents and more than 7,000 new homes in the works, “a diverse collection of parks and open space is essential,” said Robin-Eve Jasper, the foundation’s president in a statement. Parks provide a “wonderful place to gather, play, and enjoy being outdoors,” she continued.
The land was purchased from Pepco, which also recently sold land to the city that will become part of the new D.C. United stadium and paid $25 million for vague naming rights (as you might have heard, they’ve also been engaged in a high-profile campaign to win support for a merger with Chicago-based Exelon).
“The creation of additional green spaces and finding new ways to invest in the environment is consistent with Pepco’s core values and we are eager to see this fast-growing corner of the city benefit from a great new park,” said Pepco spokesperson Mike Maxwell.
The parcel is bounded by Harry Thomas Way NE, the Metropolitan Branch Trail, a Pepco substation, and vacant land.
In the neighborhood’s original plan, parks were non-existent. In response, the NoMa BID created the parks foundation to exclusively focus on developing public and green spaces for the rapidly evolving neighborhood. In September 2012, then-Mayor Vincent Gray committed $490,000 to jumpstart planning efforts. And in May 2013, the D.C. Council approved $50 million for NoMa parks and public spaces in the city’s 2014 budget.
The new purchase was made possible by the donation. The contribution also helped the foundation secure a lot at 3rd and L St. NE last November to be used for park space. That site was was originally intended for condos, and the foundation had just 30 days to close the $3.2 million acquisition with Cohen Siegel Investors—proving how competitive the buying market is in the neighborhood.
So far, projects like the underpass art parks have created a successful beautification buzz in the burgeoning community. The foundation is also planning a town square for events like farmer’s markets, concerts, fairs and festivals, a promenade with even more green spaces, seating, and water elements, plus a few “pocket parks, and a Landmark Theater.
Through the foundation’s partnership with the District government, all park sites acquired for NoMa will be District-owned property and titled to the city.
