Save McMillan Park #FACTS
Context: McMillan Park is 25+ acres of open land at North Capitol Street and Michigan Avenue, NW, still largely as it was when the federal government opened it in 1905 to control typhoid and other water-borne diseases in the city. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., it was a public, integrated park until WWII, when it was closed for security purposes. The national and local historic landmark, with panoramic views of downtown Washington, was bought by the city in 1987 for $9.3M. Take a look at the history of the federally protected historic landmark at McMillan Park.
The Mayor’s McMillan Plan and Behavior:
The proposed plan is to privatize and demolish McMillan Park as we know it in order to build two+ million square feet of residential, commercial and medical space. This plan has in part been approved by the DC Zoning Commission, the Mayor’s Agent for Historic Preservation and a premature DCRA demolition permit has been issued. These decisions are being appealed, with a temporary stay now in effect from the DC Court of Appeals.
Reasons to Halt Demolition & Save McMillan:
- Because the closest Metro stop is over a mile away, the project will generate 20,000 new vehicle trips/day at N. Capitol/Michigan Ave. and there’s been no study of impacts to emergency responders and on this emergency route from center city;
- Health effects will worsen for an area of the city with some of the highest asthma rates, especially in our children;
- The major land, water and air impacts from the massive demolition and construction have only been superficially examined;
- The District requirement for an environmental impact statement/assessment has been ignored;
- Cell 14, the most north-east sand filtration water cell, is being used now by DC Water to prevent nearby flooding when ever it rains;
- The number of truly affordable units for families, about 25, is embarrassingly low for a project that will have some of the most expensive residential units in the city;
- Residents and businesses will be displaced by the inevitable rise in property values, stimulated by the panoramic views;
- The DC Auditor questioned the ethics in a lack of competition in picking the developer;
- The DC Government is paying millions for lawyers, architects and others, including to a Baltimore pr firm to “neutralize public opposition;”
- The new library requested by the community is absent;
- See more details of the corruption around McMillan Park here.