Stop Work Ordered at Grace Street Condo Site

The stalled boutique condo project at 3220 Grace St. NW is taking hits from both the District government and nearby neighbors in recent days.

Thursday an inspector from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs  issued a stop work order, citing work on a retaining wall that was being performed without permits.

Then over the weekend a typed, unsigned note was tacked to the stop work order advising the condo developers to get a new architect and a new plan.

"Now that the property value of the neighbor has been saved from this incredibly ugly building, please do yourselves and the neighborhood a favor. Walk a quarter of a block east and knock on Frank Schlesinger's door. Let him design a nice set of rowhouses...". 

The property went through several designs and numerous revisions at the hands of the neighbors, the Advisory Neighborhood Commission and the Old Georgetown Board. 

Though a plan for a four-story, seven-unit condominium eventually won approval and permits were issued throughout the summer, construction, according to one neighbor, has been stalled for several months. 

And now any progress that might have been in the works is stalled until the stop work order is resolved. 

Larry Parker with DCRA told Patch that the stop work order was probably issued for work outside of the parameters of the permits issued for the site, which include a permit for a retaining wall. He also said the permits were not posted anywhere on the site, which could also lead to the stop work order. 

Parker said the soonest a hearing on the order could even be scheduled would be Monday or Tuesday, so a resolution will not be immediate. A reality that will no doubt please the anonymous note-writer.