PUT THOSE SHOVELS IN THE GROUND TIMES TWO

Considering the lack of retail we all suffered though for decades these developments are amazing for their scope and location.

On March 1, a $51 million shopping center and residential project at Camp Simms, a 25-acre former National Guard property in Anacostia, is set to begin. Anchored by a 63,000 SF Giant Food store and about 45,000 SF of additional retail space, including a restaurant. The developer, William C. Smith & Co., also plans to build 75 detached single-family homes on the site, which sits between Alabama and Mississippi Aves.

The project really could transform DC east of the river, where the median household income is about $25k per year. Anacostia is the only area of DC that has not really seen gentrification, but with major developments like this the area will attract more and more people. Let's face it Anacostia is way closer to the Capitol than is Arlington, and there is no bubble there to wait to burst. The project was not listed in the recent supermarket roundup.

And ground has officially been broken on the Target-DC USA retail development in Columbia Heights. The 500,000 SF retail and entertainment complex is being developed on the west side of 14th Street between Park Road and Irving St. A two-level Target will anchor the complex and will occupy 180,000 SF.

In addition to Target the following retailers have signed letters of intent or are in negotiations: Bed Bath & Beyond, Whole Foods, Best Buy, Old Navy, Washington Sports Club, Marshall's, Staples, Starbucks, Petco, Modell's, Vitamin Shoppe, Payless Shoes, Casual Male, Mattress Discounters, Panda Express, McDonald's, Nine West, Motherhood, Cingular Wireless and various local retailers.