COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Office of At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown
Chairperson, Committee on Economic Development
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 21, 2007
For More Information Contact:
Michael Price, Office: 202-724-8159; Cell: 202-445-4510
Councilmembers Brown, Evans & Schwartz Join to Rescind West End Legislation
Tiverton tenants sign deal with another developer that was highest bidder
(Washington, D.C.) Today, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown announced an agreement with Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans and At-Large Councilmember Carol Schwartz to join together in an effort to rescind emergency legislation that authorized the Mayor to enter into negotiations with EastBanc, Inc. over a land disposition agreement at 24th and L Streets NW. A Motion to Reconsider to rescind the emergency measure will be introduced on October 2nd during the Council’s next legislative meeting.
“It’s now clear that some of the conditions surrounding the tenants’ agreement to deal exclusively with EastBanc have changed,” stated Councilmember Brown. “It has always been my intent to protect the rights of residents and to ensure that we had the community’s best interests in mind.”
“That’s the reason I voted for it—to protect the tenants,” said Councilmember Schwartz. “But now that things have changed and it is no longer an emergency, this should be what it always should have been, and that is an open, competitive process that allows for plenty of community input.”
The Council was informed that the tenants had agreed to remain in exclusive negotiations with EastBanc, but now the conditions have changed. Testimony given to the Committee on Economic Development on July 3, 2007 was used to justify passing the emergency legislation. The testimony led the Committee to believe that the legislation was critical to preventing the Tiverton Associations’ tenants’ option to purchase rights from expiring. The Tiverton tenants began negotiations with another developer besides EastBanc and recently signed an agreement to sell to a new company.
Councilmember Brown understands that the public needs the opportunity to speak on proposed agreements with the city. Before the emergency legislation was passed, Brown insisted that language be included to require the Council’s review of any successfully negotiated land disposition agreement between the tenants, the Mayor and EastBanc, Inc.
“Council review is necessary to allow the public another opportunity to voice their concerns and to maintain transparency in the government,” said Brown. “I have scheduled two hearings, one on Monday to go over projects managed by the Deputy Mayor and another in the beginning of November to discuss the best practices of public private partnerships. I want to ensure the community has a chance for input on this.”
On Monday, September 24th, Councilmember Brown will hold a public oversight hearing to review projects under the purview of the Deputy Mayor’s office. The hearing is necessary because the Council legislated that the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation and the National Capital Revitalization Corporation be dissolved, and all their assets and liabilities and responsibilities shall be under the authority of the Executive as of October 1, 2007.
Another hearing is also scheduled for November 1st to discuss the best practices of public-private partnerships. The subject of how government can remain open and responsive to the needs of District residents while planning public-private partnerships will be addressed.
Public Hearing Schedule
TOPIC: Projects Managed by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
WHEN: September 24, 2007, 10:00 AM
WHERE: Council Chamber, John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
TOPIC: Best Practices of Public-Private Partnerships
WHEN: November 1, 2007, 4:00 PM
WHERE: Council Chamber, John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
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