Dupont Circle Church Redevelopment Moves Toward Final Approval

• June 5th 2015

by Tianna Mañón

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The St. Thomas’ Parish Church development stumbled closer to final approval from the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) on Thursday.

The HPRB unanimously voted to move the St. Thomas’ Parish Church development to its consent calendar, but left open an option for the community to remain involved in the development process. The project was given design concept approval from the board earlier this spring.

The project planned for 1772 Church Street NW (map) would replace the ruins of the former church that burned down in an arson attack 44 years ago. To pay for a large new church building, the church partnered with developer CAS Riegler, which plans to build a 70-foot, 50-60 unit residential building on the site.

The project has a contentious history. A petition opposing the project drew hundreds of signatures, and the ANC has struggled to come to an agreement with the developers over the design for the residential building. The point of contention between the neighbors and the developers is mainly the height of the residential project, which the community wants to cap at 59 feet.

When HPRB chair Gretchen Pfaehler put forward a motion to approve the project on Thursday, board member D. Graham Davidson said he wanted the project to return before the board. Pfaehler went for a compromise: The project will go on the consent calendar, where the board typically gives quick and final approval. But if community members continue to object to the project, another hearing will be scheduled.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/dupont_circle_church_moves_toward_final_approval/9968.