McMillan Sand Filtration site groundbreaking begins this Wednesday, despite local opposition

On Wednesday, December 7, groundbreaking will begin for the $720 million redevelopment of the McMillan Sand Filtration Plant. Despite opposition from Friends of McMillan Park, group of community volunteers against the development, the project will continue to move forward.

According to the Washington Business Journal, Friends of McMillan Park hoped for the site to become a park, arguing that the proposed plans are an "affront to the community” and the result of an "incestuous relationship between business and government." The first buildings are expected to deliver by 2018.

The 25-acre project is bounded by Michigan Avenue NW, North Capitol Street NW, and First and Channing streets NW. Once complete, the entire development will span 2.1 million square feet, roughly 1 million square feet of which will be towards medical office space from Trammell Crow.

The project will also feature 531 apartments and a 52,000-square-foot Harris Teeter from Jair Lynch and 146 townhouses from EYA. Additional plans for the site include an eight-acre park and 17,500-square-foot community center.

• McMillan groundbreaking set for next week, but project still faces court challenge [Washington Business Journal]