Council committee moves Midtown Redevelopment land plan forward after developer outlines phased build

The community and economic development committee voted to forward a redevelopment plan from Midtown Redevelopment LLC that would consolidate vacant lots across multiple blocks and build mixed residential and commercial space.

Jeff Knight of the planning bureau said the project covers seven blocks and 11 project sites and would yield about 62 residential units in 23 buildings along with roughly 5,500 square feet of commercial space. He described the layout as “scattered sites” infill north of the Broad Street Market area and said the Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions to ensure accessibility, sidewalk construction and refuse collection coordination.

Chris Bryce, owner of Midtown Redevelopment, told council the developer expects to break ground in November on the first 12-unit building on Calder Street and to sequence additional 12-unit buildings thereafter. The developer said investors and financing have been secured after a prior building partner withdrew.

Knight said the plan assumes a mix of townhomes and 12-unit multifamily buildings, with townhomes designed to include zero-step entries where feasible and the multifamily buildings providing pedestrian and bike accommodations and formal landscaping plans. The planning bureau recommended sidewalks be built along Calder Street and North Fourth Street and that the applicant coordinate with the city engineer and public works for crosswalks and refuse access.

Council members asked about effects on current neighbors and affordability. The developer said the Marketplace portion is market-rate and that the broader Capitol Heights work contains an approximate 10% affordable housing carve-out previously approved. Council voted to forward Resolution 56 to the next legislative session for a formal vote.