Waterfront Renewal Plan Chosen For D.C.

Washington D.C. hopes to bring life back to its waterfront by redeveloping the area from its current state of drab concrete pavement into an outdoor park with greenspace, walking areas and diverse mixed uses. The plans also involve luring more boat traffic, possible cruise ships, to the waterfront. But the developers are being cautious about creating an area that is too "touristy" and not relevant to the community.

"Building is expected to begin in 2009 and take eight years. Monty Hoffman, founder and chief executive of PN Hoffman, said the project's aim is to bring a human scale to a neighborhood defined more by highway pavement than waterfront pleasure."

"The 2 million-square-foot development will include about 900 condominiums and apartments, 360 hotel rooms, 230,000 square feet of retail, 150,000 square feet of cultural spaces -- perhaps a maritime museum or aquarium -- along with office space, parks, piers and a waterfront promenade. Some of the residential units will be for moderate- and low-income families."