Construction Progress- 2108 10th St NW

Interested buyers are constantly asking us why we haven't started construction yet on our new 4-unit building at 2108 10th St NW.  It's a good question.  If you've forgotten, here's what the building will one day look like:

 Unfortunately, this is what it looks like now (it's twin, which we built last year, is on the left):

The reason that we haven't started construction is that we have had major delays (to the tune of almost a year) in getting our building permit from the DC government.  We're very experienced builders in DC and generally like to think that we are experts in navigating the complicated process of obtaining permits.  However, we met our match in something called a Raze Permit.  People avoid having to get a Raze Permit by all means possible.  Often times builders will even incorporate the existing structure into the new one in order to prevent having to get the Raze.  The Raze is needed when you are taking down a structure entirely and starting a new one from scratch.

This is a good example of when you'd need a raze permit.

DCRA (the permitting branch of the DC Gov't) decided we needed the Raze permit in order to issue our building permit, which is fully approved pending this new Raze permit. In theory, it sounds like a good idea.  However, the permit requires abandoning all the existing utilities from the site.  Pepco has to come out and remove the electric, Washington Gas digs out the existing gas lines, WASA removes all water and sewer services, etc.  In addition, the DC gov't sends out inspectors to make sure you don't have rodent problems, tenants living there or asbestos.  In all, there are 13 agencies that have to approve the permit.  Each one can take up to a month.

The good news is that we're getting close to the end of the process.  We hope to have our raze permit next week, and the building permit shortly thereafter.  Our plan is to start construction in mid-October and deliver the finished units in April or May of 2012.  Keep checking back for more updates.