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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
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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