Alex Koma, Washington Business Journal
Skyland Town Center, the 18.5-acre mixed-use development east of the Anacostia River, celebrated a momentous milestone this week! Phase I of the highly anticipated development reached its maximum construction height. Crowds of community members, construction workers, press, and notable figures such as D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, WC Smith Senior Vice President, Brad Fennell, Rappaport’s President, Henry Fonvielle, and many more attended the event.
The celebration included remarks from the mentioned names as well as a heartfelt story from a Skyland local resident, Charles Young, who utilized the incredible Skyland Workforce Center services to turn his life around. “I was pumping gas at the gas station across the street. I just got fed up one day, came down to the Skyland Workforce Center to get some water and I started talking to a woman in there. She knew I was in bad shape and she said, ‘if you want to get some help, get some help.’ So I did. When I came back, she was there just waiting for me. I told her I would like to work over there [Skyland Town Center] and I got a call a week later. I haven’t looked back,” said Mr. Young.
Rappaport and WC Smith, who lead the retail and residential leasing and strategy respectively, partnered with the Government of the District of Columbia as well as other entities such as the Washington East Foundation, Marshall Heights Community Development Organization Inc., and Skyland DC to redevelop Skyland Town Center over the last 15 years.
“We are excited to celebrate this significant moment for such an important project to Washington, D.C. and the immediate neighborhood. Today’s celebration not only marks the completion of Phase I’s height, but it also recognizes the dedicated community of men and women who helped accomplish this feat to make Skyland Town Center a reality. Soon, Washingtonians will be able to experience the much-anticipated Skyland Town Center vision in real life,” said Fonvielle.
The commemorative event wrapped up with a signing of a wooden truss and a press tour of the site. Skyland Town Center’s first phase of 84,500 square feet of retail will be anchored by Lidl US and CVS Pharmacy, which has been operating in a temporary trailer during construction, and 263 apartments to open in the fourth quarter of 2020, including 79 affordable units. Upon completion, Skyland Town Center will have up to 156,000 square feet of retail and 450 to 500 residential apartments in a vibrant town square setting. Deemed the largest retail development in Southeast Washington, D.C., Skyland Town Center will provide services and amenities to an underserved market east of the Anacostia River.
For more information regarding Skyland Town Center, click here.
