Progress is underway at several D.C. development projects

Here are some updates on projects around D.C.:

🚧 Mamie "Peanut" Johnson Plaza

The $41 million project to overhaul the once-dangerous Northeast intersection formerly known as Dave Thomas Circle is now entering its final construction phase.

Catch up quick: The intersection — at Florida Avenue, Eckington Place, New York Avenue, and First Avenue — was long despised by locals for its complicated traffic pattern.

• The city seized the Wendy's sitting at the intersection's center by eminent domain in 2021 and tore it down last year, rechristening the area as Mamie "Peanut" Johnson Plaza, after the first woman to ever pitch in the Negro Leagues.

The latest: A new traffic pattern is now in effect at the intersection, with two-way traffic open on First Street and on Florida Avenue NE.

What's next: Work is underway to create protected bike lanes, updated sidewalks, upgraded streetlights, and three new green areas with play spaces.

• Expect the project to be finished by this year's end.

🚧 1617 U St. and 1620 V St. NW

D.C.'s goal of turning the U Street property currently home to a fire station and police headquarters into a mixed-use development is inching forward.

• D.C., which owns the property sitting along 17th Street between U and V streets, wants to find a developer to build housing, some affordable.

Yes, but: This plan has prompted debate among residents worried that the changes would impact liveability and drive up prices.

The latest: Last month, the D.C. Zoning Commission voted to advance an amendment permitting taller buildings and increased density on the site.

What's next: The amendment is expected to go back to the zoning commission for a final vote next month.

• If passed, the city would begin the search for a developer.

🚧 The Parks at Walter Reed

The former Walter Reed Army Medical Center's redevelopment into a mixed-use community began in 2016, and 70% of the project is now complete or under construction, a spokesperson tells Axios.

• Currently, you'll find a mix of apartments, condos, and single-family housing; a co-living space; spots like Whole Foods and Jinya Ramen Bar, plus a dog park and a playground.
• The project is expected to be finished by 2030.

What's coming: More residential, as well as retail like Pére Wine Bar and Slice & Pie, per the spokesperson.

• Plus: The restaurateurs behind Midlands and Ivy & Coney have paired up to turn a former auto shop into a bar and restaurant with a huge outdoor space.
• Expect the outdoor area to open this year, with the indoor restaurant coming next year, the spokesperson tells Axios.

🚧 Reservoir District

The first phase of the redevelopment of the former McMillan Sand Filtration Site just north of Bloomingdale opened earlier this summer: A $137 million rec and aquatic center and a 6.2-acre park.

The latest: Expect to see townhomes, apartments, a grocery store, restaurants, retail, and a health care facility by 2027, says a city representative.

🚧 Skyland Town Center

The 18-acre development in Southeast D.C. near Hillcrest has been in the works for decades, and the first phase of the project opened in 2021.

• There, you'll find spots like Starbucks, &pizza, HalfSmoke, and a Lidl — the first grocery store to open east of the Anacostia River in years.

The latest: Construction is underway on the project's final phase.

• In the works: Townhomes, affordable senior housing, retail, a public square and plaza, and a brunch spot called Savage Breakfast Club from the team behind Anacostia's Kitchen Savages.
• The townhomes should open next year, per a city representative.

🚧 11th Street Bridge Park

Construction on the $92 million park was originally planned to kick off this summer, but it's been delayed until the end of the year, park director Scott Kratz tells Axios.

• The park is now expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027, says Kratz.

The X-shaped park will stretch over the Anacostia River between the Navy Yard and Anacostia neighborhoods, with an outdoor amphitheater, an environmental education center, a café, a playspace, gathering spots, trails, urban gardens, and canoe and kayak launches.