WASHINGTON, DC—The start of construction on the long-anticipated The Wharf waterfront project ceremoniously began on Wednesday with turning of the first dirt.

City officials hope the 3.2-million mixed-use project will equal or surpass the beneficial economic impacts National Harbor had on Prince George's County and the Inner Harbor has produced for the city of Baltimore.

Mayor Vincent Gray and other candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for mayor joined chief officials with The Wharf development team of Madison Marquette and PN Hoffman at the event held in a heated tent at the waterfront, according to washingtoncitypaper.com.

David Brainerd, managing director of Madison Marquette, termed The Wharf "one of the most exciting development projects ever constructed in the city of Washington, D.C."

"This is going to be beyond the Inner Harbor in Baltimore," added Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Victor Hoskins. "This is going to be beyond National Harbor."

The groundbreaking signals the start of construction on the first phase of The Wharf, which will include 200,000 square feet of retail, 435,000 square feet of office space, 648 apartments, 240 condos, 680 hotel rooms, and cultural spaces. This phase is slated for completion in 2017. See story at washingtoncitypaper.com.