WASHINGTON, DC—The developer of a proposed mixed-use project at the West End Neighborhood Library site says his firm will break ground soon after the development won a court ruling against a Ralph Nader affiliated group that had filed suit to stop it.

On April 7, the D.C. Court of Appeals denied a request by the D.C. Library Renaissance Project to rehear the case. Anthony Lanier, president of project developer EastBanc Inc., says he intends to start construction “as soon as possible” after finalizing construction financing for the venture to be built at 24th and L streets NW. Lanier says construction should be in full swing by this summer.

The project, which is expected to break ground in a few months, will replace the existing West End Neighborhood Library with a mixed-use tower that will feature luxury apartments, retail space and a new library. EastBanc will also build affordable apartments atop a new fire station.

The D.C. Library Renaissance Project's litigation challenged the D.C. Zoning Commission's approval of a waiver granted to EastBanc from the city's affordable housing requirements for private developers. See story in the Washington Post.