Besides its location next to the metro, the site also will benefit from being next to the future headquarters of the Department of Employment Services, a 230,000-sf structure. Bidders are expected to assemble teams with at least 20% equity participation from Local, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises as well as make strong commitments to work with contractors and businesses in Ward 7. The site is located in the middle of four million sf of new development under way in this part of the city. The District is also kicking in about $40 million to help develop the area as part of the Great Streets Initiative corridors.

The District also revealed that it has selected Blue Skye Development LLC as its development partner to rebuild 4427 Hayes St., NE--an abandoned apartment building that will be redeveloped into 26 units of mixed-income housing. It will be used for off-site replacement housing for some current residents of the Lincoln Heights/Richardson Dwellings community, which is being rebuilt into nearly 1,500 new units of housing as a part of the New Communities Initiative.

"These two projects exemplify the kind of transformative economic development that is so important in our communities east of the river," DC Mayor Adrian Fenty says. "The New Communities Initiative is about building some of our most challenged communities into stronger, healthier neighborhoods, while this Minnesota Avenue Metro Station shows our commitment to smart, transit-oriented development throughout our city."