Hubbard Place Apartments
Grand Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On Tuesday April 27, 2009 a momentous celebration was held in Washington, DC commemorating the opening of Hubbard Place Apartments (formerly known as Cavalier Apartments). Several hundred persons gathered in solidarity to observe the grand ribbon cutting program. There were persons from every sector of a striving community present: elected officials, religious leaders, entrepreneurs, social advocates, and neighborhood citizens young and old; all excited about the preservation of affordable housing and the conservation of a unique historic building.

The renovated site was renamed Hubbard Place in honor of Leroy Hubbard - a long time community advocate. He was prominent among a group of persons and organizations that championed the restoration of this historic apartment building located at 3500 14th Street NW, in the Columbia Heights neighborhood. Hubbard Place, a 230 unit, eight-story building was constructed in 1927, and features efficiencies as well as one and two bedroom apartments. The building has undergone major upgrades to improve the quality of life for its residents, while sustaining affordability in a community surrounded by condominiums and rapidly escalating housing values.

From the moment the band from the Latin American Youth Center started playing jazz and the Reverend Aubrey Lewis, of St. Luke Baptist Church gave the invocation, and Sharon Sneed, President of the Hubbard Place Tenants Association, presented a heartfelt welcome, the excitement in the audience was apparent. The speakers commemorating the occasion shared countless anecdotes about the neighborhoods' elegant past and the unfortunate destruction of the 1960s to underscore the significance of this transformation. Each speaker was thoroughly familiar with the level of effort required for this success to become a reality and took pride in the accomplishment that was spearheaded by Nancy Hooff and Jim Campbell, principals of Somerset Development.

Hubbard Place Ribbon Cutting Dedication.

The officials who joined in applauding Hubbard Place as an important anchor for further development to complete the renaissance of the 14th Street Corridor vicinity were many: Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton; Mayor Adrian M. Fenty; Councilmember Ward 1, Jim Graham; Leila Finucane Edmonds, Executive Director, D.C. Dept of Housing & Community Development; Harry D. Sewell, Executive Director, D.C. Housing Finance Agency; Mary Ann Henderson, Director HUD-Baltimore Multifamily Hub; and Clarence Carter, Executive Director D.C. Department of Human Services. In addition a host of leading community voices spoke including Jackie Arguelles, Chair of Commission on the Aging; Robert Moore, Executive Director, Development Corp. of Columbia Heights; Dick Jones, former Chairman, 14th Street Project Area Committee; and Lori M. Kaplan, Executive Director Latin American Youth Center. Each lauded the momentous occasion in a unique manner.

Hubbard Place' financing is HUD/FHA insured under Sections 223(a)(7)/221(d)(4) M. Recognition goes to the HUD DC Field Office for coordinating the processing and approval of the transfer of assets and new ownership. In line with HUD's goal of promoting Transit-Oriented Development Projects (http://www.huduser.org/Publications/pdf/better_coordination.pdf) - Hubbard Place is within walking distance of the Columbia Heights metro station (on a major bus route) and major amenities including grocery and retail; restaurants and bars; health and wellness centers; mixed-use property (the building includes units for residential and commercial use) - The Black Lion convenient store and George's Shoe Repair Shop are located at the 14th Street entrance of the property.

The Hubbard Place goal is to keep these units affordable for low and moderate income individuals and families is in line with HUD's mission to maintain safe affordable housing and promote mixed-income communities - The Columbia Heights area has become one of the hottest real estate markets in DC and has seen significant gentrification as development has progressed in the area.

In addition, consistent with the goals of HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development, Hubbard Place promotes community building through citizen participation and partnerships. The Community Services Board, which consists of the Tenant Association and ownership, is collaborating to offer an array of services for the community such as after school programs, training/mentoring, youth leadership development and recreational activities. The grand ribbon cutting ceremony, which was covered by local television and print media, reinforces the community spirit to work collectively and enjoy the benefits of a true renaissance in the Columbia Heights Community.

Content Archived: March 1, 2011