(WASHINGTON, DC) – Mayor Vincent C. Gray, other District government leaders and development team partners today celebrated the groundbreaking of The Shops at Dakota Crossing in Ward 5’s gateway community of Fort Lincoln New Town.

“The Shops at Dakota Crossing represents another exciting milestone in the continued retail renaissance of the District,” said Mayor Gray. “We know this development will create new and exciting retail opportunities for District residents who want to spend their dollars within our city limits.”

Principals from the development partnership, Fort Lincoln Retail, LLC, were joined by Mayor Gray and DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown to formally kick off construction at the 44-acre site.

When completed, the center will house 430,000 square feet of retail space and 2,000 parking spaces, create 1,200 new jobs (permanent and construction) in the District, and generate $634 million in tax revenues for the District over the next 30 years. It will also bring convenient shopping choices to the surrounding communities, neighboring suburbs and beyond.

The project becomes part of the over $2 billion worth of District-affiliated projects currently under construction across the city, creating thousands of construction jobs and permanent jobs.

“Projects like The Shops at Dakota Crossing are further evidence that quality retailers know District residents deserve access to amenities and an array of shopping choices,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Victor L. Hoskins. “We look forward to continuing our marketing and recruitment efforts for this and other great retail opportunities across the District.”

The Shops at Dakota Crossing is located just inside the District line off South Dakota Avenue NE and a short distance from heavily traveled Route 50 and D.C. 295/Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

Additional project information can be found by visiting The Shops at Dakota Crossing