The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures (NREUV) and Nix Development Company (NixDev) as the development team for the Deanwood joint development. Other members include local architect Cunningham Quill and general contractor Bozzuto Construction Company.

Future developments will bring new housing and retail options to the community near the Deanwood station entrance in Northeast D.C.

Enabling the Development

This results from several years of planning and engagement with community leaders.

The development at Deanwood station was enabled by a Compact Public Hearing hosted by WMATA. In 2023, the board approved closing the surface parking lot. Permission to rezone the property to medium-density mixed-use was granted in September 2024.

The mixed-use development will be complemented by a new 20,000-square-foot DC Public Library, which was approved in April 2024. The DC Public Library, which has allocated $24 million in funding for the project, is working with WMATA separately to develop an agreement.

“We look forward to this site getting a fresh start by transforming an underutilized space into a vibrant, mixed-use hub of housing and amenities for Ward 7,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We have a world-class public transit system, we have a world-class library system, and this project will bring them together and deliver jobs, housing, and more for DC residents.”

WMATA has worked to ensure that land near its stations is fully utilized to drive new ridership and provide new community amenities.

“Deanwood station is a fantastic example of WMATA working with the city and the local community to replace a mostly empty parking lot with a development that will enhance the neighborhood,” said WMATA GM/CEO Randy Clarke. “Transit-oriented development is a key component of WMATA’s Regional Opportunity and Partnership strategic goal and WMATA remains a national leader in cultivating livable communities near our stations that create new transit users and connect people to economic opportunities.”

Selecting the Contractors

NREUV and NixDev were competitively selected based on a track record of completing mixed-income developments in the area and commitment to community engagement and economic empowerment.

The proposed development includes 169 mixed-income residential units, ground-floor retail, and services, including a teen tech center.

Proposals were received from three other development teams.

Staff will commence negotiations on the joint development agreement in anticipation of bringing it to WMATA’s Board of Directors later this year for approval.

Specific development timelines are still being determined and are subject to obtaining financing. However, construction is estimated to start by 2028.

Since issuing a 10-year strategic plan for joint development in April 2022, WMATA and its joint development partners have broken ground on seven regional developments, with five being completed.

Approximately 1,900 units, including 1,100 affordable units, were constructed through these developments.

Leveraging WMATA’s real estate holdings helps foster regional partnerships to generate revenue, build ridership, connect people to more jobs, and create new tax revenues for local and state partners.