By 2016, the Mount Rainier Gateway Arts District will offer new places to live, shop and socialize right outside of the District.
The Menkiti Group has been selected by the Redevelopment Authority of Prince George's County to restore three historic buildings on the 3300 block of Rhode Island Avenue, which sits just over the border from D.C. The $4 million project will include 12 residential units above 10,000 square feet of commercial space.
The real estate firm, based in Northeast’s Brookland neighborhood, has been tracking its neighbors in Mt. Rainier for a number of years, says Mark Rengel, vice president of development for the Menkiti Group. “We see it has a lot of untapped potential--great housing and architectural character.”
Menkiti is expected to acquire the properties in the first quarter of 2015. During the project’s design phase, local nonprofit Gateway Community Development Corporation will play a significant role.
“They’re captains of the local community and will help us dig in with the constituents to find the most important things that this project needs to bring to the community,” says Rengel.
Menkiti has already obtained commitments from
Annie's Ace Hardware, restaurateur Joe Englert (who developed and owns several D.C. restaurants like Rock & Roll Hotel, Granville Moore's, and H Street Country Club) and arts incubator
ReCreative Spaces to occupy the three commercial spaces at 3300 Rhode Island Ave, 3308 Rhode Island Ave, and 3310 Rhode Island Ave.
The company also plans to use sustainable design practices, such as a green roof and solar hot water heating.
Most of all, Rengel is proud to be restoring the buildings rather than tearing them down. “Breathing new life into them is the most sustainable thing we can do. We’re really excited to get started in Mt. Rainier and really shine a light on that community.”