Courtney Mabeus, The Examiner
2007-06-18 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

Council Member Harry “Tommy” Thomas, Jr. is expected to announce Tuesday that New York investment firm Apollo Management will help finance and plan the redevelopment of the Capital City Market into a mixed-use development to be called “New Town.”

Apollo employees would not confirm their involvement and Thomas, D-Ward 5, did not say how much the firm’s involvement would cost.

The D.C. Council last December approved legislation that allows for redevelopment of the market, which sits at the corner of Florida and New York avenues in Northeast, so long as more than 50 percent of its merchants agree. Mayor Adrian Fenty’s office and the Council must also agree and approve a final conceptual plan.

Thomas said he is working to get the merchants, many of whom are Asian and Hispanic, to agree to the renovation.

“I think we’re very close,” Thomas said.

This is the second time in less than a year that the redevelopment project has come up and it is certain to have many critics. Paul Pascal, a lawyer who represents about 70 of the market’s merchants, has said he feared the new development would force them out.

“We’re absolutely opposed to the New Town development concept to level the market,” said Pascal, whose family owns land at the market. He added he would agree to a phased plan to renovate some of the buildings.

“Our goal is to keep it as a market and to preserve the historic market there,” Pascal said.

The 24-acre market was moved to its current location by the federal government from its former spot near the U.S. Capitol to make room for the National Mall. The market, which supplies area restaurants and souvenir shops, appears run down on first glance but remains hectic throughout work days.

Thomas’ plan would add workforce housing, a mile of retail storefronts, restaurants and an amphitheater

Council Member Tommy Wells, D-Ward 6, has had reservations about the project in the past but now said he would agree to a plan that would allow the former merchants to return.

Thomas could not be reached for additional comment.

cmabeus@dcexaminer.com