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Foxhall Community Association, Casey Mansion Committee
Summary of Position
December 2002

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Casey Mansion Committee

The CMC is an official committee of the Foxhall Community Citizens Association (FCCA) organized to explore the impact on the community of the proposed transfer of National Park Service (NPS) Whitehaven Parkland to the Casey Mansion Foundation (CMF). The CMC stands opposed to the NPS land transfer but not to the Mayoral mansion as originally offered to the District of Columbia by the Casey Foundation

The MANSION

  • February 26, 2001, The Eugene B. Casey Foundation offers to “provide to the people of the District of Columbia an official residence for the perpetual use of its Mayors…”
  • April 24, 2001, the Mayors Official Residence Commission, headed by former Mayor Walter Washington, reports that the proposed mansion on the 16.5 acre site will have little impact on the adjacent neighborhood, provides sufficient parking, and accommodates all reasonable security concerns.
  • June 5, 2001, by resolution, the D.C. Council tentatively accepts the “gift” offer.

The TRANSFER

  • June 13, 2002, the National Park Service and the Casey Mansion Foundation agree to exchange four acres of Park-Service-owned wooded parkland adjacent to the Mansion site for two parcels of Casey-owned land on the Georgetown waterfront.
  • Although no architectural design has been published, the Casey Foundation claims the additional four acres is required for a service and parking entrance to the Mansion, improved security, and a more attractive view.
  • The NPS has placed covenants on the land transfer to prevent future development.
  • In response to public pressure, the NPS has agreed to set up an escrow account to exercise its right of first refusal to repurchase the Whitehaven Parkland if the mayoral residence is not built.

The COMMUNITY POSITION

  • September 17, 2002, FCCA establishes committee to review the NPS land transfer.
  • The Casey Mansion Committee (CMC) voted unanimously (12-0) to oppose the transfer.
  • The FCCA Executive Board voted unanimously (8-0) to oppose the transfer.
  • November 20, 2002, FCCA membership voted unanimously (37-0) to oppose the transfer.
  • December 4, 2002, ANC3-D (Palisade) unanimously passed a motion to “oppose” the transfer.
  • December 3, 2002, ANC2-E (Georgetown) unanimously passed a motion to "not support" the transfer.

The ISSUES

  • The National Capital Planning Commission's Comprehensive Plan states that Whitehaven Parkway and Glover Archbold Park should be protected, preserved, and maintained, and that steps should be taken to protect properties adjacent to parkland with easements, transfer development rights, …
  • Who needs it? The CMF has not demonstrated a need for the additional four acres. D.C. acknowledges the original site meets all of its requirements.
  • Public access to Public parkland. The CMF would fence the property eliminating all public access.
  • NPS stewardship is better. The transfer opens the Mansion site, the parkland, and adjacent privately owned property, a total of 35 acres, to potential dense development should the Mayor’s mansion not be built?
  • A Threat of Development. The CMF has refused to draw up a legal agreement making the mansion available to the District until after the mansion is built, yet still reserves the right to develop as a matter of right up to 144 houses on the mansion site.
  • Adverse Environmental Impact to wildlife and wetlands. The Whitehaven Parkland serves an important hydrologic function, filtering pollutants and sediments entering the wetlands and Glover Archbold Park. The CMF plans to remove the understory growth, which would increase runoff and sediments, and reduce the filtering of pollutants.
  • NPS escrow fund may not be sufficient to reacquire parkland at market value and might be better used to simply purchase the Georgetown waterfront parcels.
  • NPS covenants only protect the parkland if they are enforced. Examples exist of covenants not enforced and eventually being removed.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

  • Sign the CMC Petition. The results of will be presented to D.C. government officials, Federal officials at the NCPC and NPS, Congressional representatives, and to the media.
  • Visit the Whitehaven Parkland site.
  • Attend meetings of the CMC every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Palisades Public Library.
  • Write letters to the National Park Service, National Capital Planning Commission, District Government, and to newspapers (Washington Post, Washington Times, The Current).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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