(Washington, DC) Representatives from Giant Food and CHR LLC today announced the signing of a lease agreement that will result in construction of a full-service Giant food-pharmacy combination in Southeast Washington. Land development of the site will begin in the fall of 2005 on the site of the former Camp Simms in Ward 8. Construction of the 63,000 square foot store is slated to begin in the spring of 2006.
Officials with the District’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) played a pivotal role in bringing a national supermarket to Ward 8. The agency’s former executive director, Stanley Jackson, and his team at DHCD Andrew Ridley, Esq. Acting Section Chief, Economic Development Section, Office of the Attorney General and Victor Selman, Chief Operating Officer, DHCD worked with Giant to reach an agreement that would bring retail services to the community. Jackson is now the District’s deputy mayor for planning and economic development and is “glad we can bring a grocery store to residents – and the neighborhoods – East of the River.” DHCD’s new director, Jalal Greene, has made the redevelopment of Camp Simms a top priority for the department. Stephen Oseroff of Stephen L. Oseroff Consulting LLC also played an important role in finalizing lease negotiations.
This announcement falls in line with Mayor Anthony Williams’ resolution to provide more retail opportunities to the communities in east Washington, Wards 7 and 8. Additionally, the opening of the supermarket will create new jobs, the majority of which Giant officials have pledged to fill with residents of the local community. Barry Scher, vice president of public affairs for Giant Food, commented, "We are very excited to make this announcement with the developer, CHR LLC, and look forward to holding a public ground-breaking ceremony with Mayor Anthony Williams, Councilman Marion Barry, and other members of the city government, including Stanley Jackson, who played a key role facilitating the project. We will bring the citizens of Ward 8 the very latest in merchandise and services and equally important, we will hire approximately 150 area residents to help staff the community's new food and pharmacy combination store.”
The three entities comprising the joint venture CHR LLC (East of the River CDC, Mid-City Urban, and William C. Smith & Co.), are all committed to providing retail services to the community in which they create housing opportunities, as well. The $37.5 million redevelopment of the 25-acre Camp Simms site will provide over 110,000 square feet of retail space and 75 newly constructed single family homes. William C. Smith & Co., the residential developer, will donate 25% of the profit from the sale of the homes to Building Bridges Across the River, a non-profit organization formed to build and operate the $26.5 million Town Hall Education Arts and Recreation Campus (THE ARC) nearing completion at 19th and Mississippi Avenue SE.
