In 2006 the Council passed the New Town legislation that gave New Town Development Partners LLC exclusive rights to develop the 24 acre parcel currently occupied by the Florida Market / Capital City Market. The legislation required that before a final blessing was given to move forward the developer had to obtain [within 180 days of the legislation taking effect] the consent of the owners of at least 50% of the land in the Market. At that point the city would force the other landowners to go along with the developer's plan. The developer was unable to obtain the necessary level of consent. In fact, they still are at 50%. In part, this is because Gallaudet and J Street own large parcels of land in the Market. Combined, Gallaudet and J Street own over 25% of the Market land east of 4th Street. This is more land than is controlled by any other owner in the Market, including New Town Development Partners LLC.
Basically, your pal and mine Mr. John Ray, who is the lobbyist for New Town [you might remember him from such quality projects as the Shell Station at 14th and Maryland, or the slot machine initiative] convinced Councilmember Harry Thomas that the Council should reward the developer for failing to meet the consent threshold. By which I mean that the Councilmember has this new legislation [which he was going to try to get through as emergency legislation, but then he backed off that idea] that excludes any parcels owner by Gallaudet or J Street. So it basically just makes it easier to get the required consent because it eliminates the two largest objectors.
Read the legislation yourself here- http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/images/00001/20080919131328.pdf.
The Commitee on Economic Development is holding a public hearing tomorrow 2 October 2008 at 1:00PM. Those wishing to testify should contact John Adams at jadams@dccouncil.us or by telephone at 202-727-6683 by 5:00PM on 1 October 2008. Those testifying should bring 15 copies of their written testimony and also submit them electronically.
10 comments:
I'm somewhat new to the neighborhood. Can someone please explain why there seems to be so much opposition to this project? Thanks in advance.
Does this mean that any land owned by J Street and Gallaudet won't be part of the eminent domain and takings? Because otherwise, the City is really lowering the bar on this.
If this guy's involved w/ the Shell station and Slots in DC than it's up to him to prove to me that he's nothing but a greedy shill. This project is definitely in a different league and could be a real benefit to the area. That being said, I'd also like to hear what the objections are at this point.
BACKGROUND
1. A couple years ago the DC Council used legislation to select a specific developer to redevelop multiple parcels of land that comprise the Florida Market, a primarily wholesale food area.
2. The DC Council stipulated the developer had to convince more than 50% of the parcel owners to go along with their plans by a certain date.
3. The developer could not convince Gallaudet University and J Street Development, the two biggest parcel owners. They did not like the plans and were working with a developer of their own.
4. The developer went back to the DC Council and convinced them to rewrite the legislation so that the parcels owned by Gallaudet University and J Street Development need not be included to reach the 50% threshold.
DEVELOPMENT CONTROVERSY
1. The DC Office of Planning did a study of the Florida Market that indicated: (a) the Ward 5 and Ward 6 development pipeline was plenty full of retail/residential projects; (b) the timeline to recoup the District's upfront investment was inordinately high; and (c) the wholesale space served a good purpose relative to what was available in Maryland, Virginia, and the District itself.
2. The developer specified by the DC Council in the original legislation doesn't have any legitimate qualifications. They have never done business in the District before.
3. Present economic conditions don't merit this project, especially when looking at NoMA which is something like 75% vacant right now.
POLITICAL CONTROVERSY
1. The people behind the project used campaign contributions and international trips to bribe Councilmen and a former Mayor to endorse the project.
2. Although the Florida Market sits in Ward 5, the people that will be most impacted are those in Ward 6. Ward 6 residents live due south from the project. Ward 5 residents live over the train tracks to the north or on the other side of Gallaudet University.
better to use the word "influence" rather than "bribe." I used to use similar words but realized that such are at the level of what people could term libel/slander, so now I just use the phrase "green love."
Thanks for your succinct summary of the issues. I hope you can testify or at least submit testimony.
@not on parker
Thanks for the succinct summary of the issues surrounding this development.
Could I say something to the DC Council like...
"It would be legally irresponsible of me to call what's going on here as bribery, so I will use a more proper term -- influence"
Is that a means to side step libel?
Why do people resort to name calling. I know there is a quest to save the urban wasteland that is the current market, but why go on the personal attack. John Ray, and all are serving a function. They are at least trying to do something. Where as the rest of the playing are just spinning.
While the spin the rat infested market remains.
In stead of arguing meaningless, pointless, and at times minor issues, lets try to get something decent put there.
I would love to eminent domain the whole area. There is nothing of value there. Nothing. Mow it all down. Start over.
Yes, i mean nothing including the Italian store, which has staff the follow me and my father around like we are thieves (perhaps because we're black, I don't know). The flea market with real fleas, the rotten chicken places. The bad fruit stands, the bad fish market. Oh an the subway in the little tavern building.
Knock it down.
Post a Comment