Council reopens record indefinitely for Rio Washingtonian Center residential plan

The mayor and city council voted unanimously Tuesday to reopen the public record on the Rio Residential Project, a schematic development plan application that would add up to 463 multifamily units and about 41,558 square feet of retail at the Washingtonian Center.

Planning staff told the council the application (SDP-10104-2025) was submitted May 12, 2025, and that the record already includes 310 exhibits and 206 public comments. "Reopening the record would provide the applicant additional time to refine the plans in response to comments from the public, the council during the joint public hearing, and the planning commission's recommendation," Planning staff member Samuel Copeland said. "If the council decides not to reopen the record, staff is prepared to proceed with the presentation for council's policy discussion this evening."

Councilmember Neil Harris moved to reopen the record indefinitely; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote, 5-0. Harris said reopening gives the applicant time to address traffic, parking, pedestrian safety and architecture concerns raised in earlier hearings and by the planning commission. "This will allow the applicant to better update their plans based on previous comments," Copeland added.

Staff and the applicant said that reopening restarts the SDP review process: a new joint public hearing with required notifications, a new planning commission recommendation, and a future policy discussion and final council action. The council noted the decision takes effect immediately and that staff will later set dates for closing the record and any subsequent hearings.