Hill East Auto Shop Scrapped for Mixed-Use Development

A long-standing Capitol East auto repair center will soon be forced to close its garage doors.

Earlier this month, OPaL LLC announced plans for their “Watkins Alley” 45-unit mixed-use residential facility at the site of Jerry’s Custom Automotive Center and its corresponding warehouse at and around 1311 E Street SE near the Safeway.

Jim, who said he ran the shop but declined to give a last name, confirmed the company is no longer taking new customers and that they will discontinue work in their body shop this week. The shop will continue small repairs on existing customers’ cars until the deal is finalized and construction begins. Jim declined to comment further.

“It’s all up in the air, when we’re gonna close and where we’re gonna go. If my customers want to know what we’re up to, they can call,” he said.

Sean Ruppert of OPaL LLC announced plans for the residential space at an ANC 6B Planning and Zoning Committee meeting in January. The proposed building will will have 30 three-bedroom townhomes, eight flats, six lofts, and a carriage house priced from $150,000-$1.2 million.

District Source reports the ANC 6B Planning and Zoning Commission initially approved the project June 4 . Final action is expected in July.