Category Archives: Construction

What's DC's Chinatown without Chinese People? www.SaveChinatownDC.org

What’s Chinatown without Chinese people? www.SaveChinatownDC.org

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Save Chinatown Solidarity Network DC has put up a website and it’s startling.

There’s only about 300 Chinese folks left in DC’s Chinatown which begs the question: What’s Chinatown without Chinese people?

There’s a petition about Saving Museum Square where some of the remaining Chinese and other lower-income Downtown residents and families live. Apparently, the slumlord is slowly pushing residents out of the building by neglect and harassment in order to sell and demolish their home for … guess what … more luxury housing. Petition here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/save-museum-square
 
There’s also the threat of wiping out some of the remaining Chinese businesses (now and into the future) by the proposed 10-story luxury hotel along the 500 block of H Street. More here: https://www.savechinatowndc.org/hstreethotel
 
 
 
Let’s take a look at a sample of the DC Comprehensive Plan and what it says about Chinatown
 

 

From the Central Washington Area Element of the Comp Plan, Chapter 16

https://planning.dc.gov/node/574842

Today, Chinatown is facing challenges retaining its identity as the area around it booms with new retail, office, entertainment, and housing development. The Chinese population in the area has been declining for decades, and many of the Chinese businesses are having a difficult time keeping pace with rising rents and land costs. OP’s 2009 Chinatown Cultural Development Small Area Action Plan found that in 1970, there were 3,000 Chinese Americans living in and around Chinatown. That number had declined to fewer than 300 by 2009. 10A DCMR 1613.2.

Policy CW-2.3.1: Sustaining Chinatown
Retain and enhance Chinatown as a thriving downtown community, including housing, community, and cultural facilities; ethnically oriented, street-level retail; related wholesale operations; office and professional uses; and hotels. 10A DCMR 1613.4

Policy CW-2.3.2: Preserving Chinatown as a Viable Community
Preserve and conserve Chinatown, not only by installing Chinese-inspired building facades and street signs, but also by supporting the cultural traditions of the local Chinese community, assisting Chinese-owned businesses within Chinatown, sustaining the social services that serve the Chinese population, and attracting new activities that expand the area’s role as a regional center for Chinese culture and education. 10A DCMR 1613.5

Action CW-2.3.A: Chinatown Design Review
Continue to implement design review procedures that support the authentic expression of Chinese culture in new and rehabilitated development, including, as appropriate, building design, signage, streetscape, and open space criteria. Periodically review the procedures and update them as necessary. 10A DCMR 1613.9

From Chapter 7 of the Comp Plan — Economic Development
https://planning.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/op/publication/attachments/07_ED.pdf

Small and Minority Businesses
Minority business enterprises represent an important subset of small businesses in Washington, DC. Their growth and expansion remain a particularly high economic development priority, and efforts should continue to streamline processes and provide innovative assistance. 10A DCMR 714.13(a)

Action ED-1.1.B: Data Tracking
Maintain and regularly update statistical data on employment in core sectors, wages and salaries, forecasts by sector, and opportunities for future employment growth. Where possible, the District should consistently track, collect, and disaggregate data by race. 10A DCMR 703.22

Action ED-3.2.D: Small Business Needs Assessment
Conduct an assessment of small and minority business needs and existing small business programs in the District. The study should include recommendations to improve existing small business programs and to develop new programs as needed. 10A DCMR 714.20

Policy ED-3.2.1: Small Business Retention and Growth
Encourage the retention, development, and growth of small and minority businesses through a range of District-sponsored promotion programs, such as Made in DC and 202 Creates, as well as through technical and financial assistance programs. 10A DCMR 714.6

Policy ED-3.2.6: Commercial Displacement
Avoid displacement of small, minority, and local businesses due to rising real estate costs. Develop programs to offset the impacts of rising operating expenses on small businesses in areas of rapidly rising rents and prices. Also consider enhanced technical support that helps long-standing businesses grow their revenues and thrive in the strengthening retail economy. 10A DCMR 714.11

Policy ED-3.2.7: Assistance to Displaced Businesses
While avoiding displacement where possible, assist small, minority, and local businesses that are displaced as a result of rising land costs and rents, government action, or new development. Efforts should be made to find locations for such businesses within redeveloping areas, or on other suitable sites within the District. 10A DCMR 714.12

Action ED-3.2.A: Anti-Displacement Strategies
Complete an analysis of alternative regulatory and financial measures to mitigate the impacts of demographic and economic market changes on small, minority, and local businesses. Measures to be assessed should include, but not be limited to, technical assistance, building purchase assistance, income and property tax incentives, historic tax credits, direct financial assistance, commercial land trusts, relocation assistance programs, and zoning strategies, such as maximum floor area allowances for particular
commercial activities. 10A DCMR 714.17

Policy ED-3.2.11: Small Business Capacity Building
Promote capacity building for small businesses, including equity impact enterprises, that expand awareness of financial management, strategic planning, inventory management, legal requirements and risk management, and proven marketing techniques. Expanding awareness of these techniques will help small, minority, and local businesses grow along with the District’s economy. 10A DCMR 714.16

 

Build-Baby-Build

Compare and Contrast: Growth & Displacement

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Recently, the Mayor’s Office of Planning proudly announced that the city has started growing in population again.

There are apparently 3,000 new people in DC than there was in July 2021, pointing to U.S. Census numbers.

The local media quickly got-in-with-the-spin by parroting the executive to help spread the amazing word of D.C.’s “comeback.”

  • “U.S. Census Bureau Numbers Show DC’s Population Stabilizing”
    Prince Of Petworth, December 23, 2022
  • D.C. Sees Slight Population Increase After Two Years Of Decline
    WAMU, Jenny Garthright, Dec 26, 2022
  • D.C.’s population grew last year, reversing pandemic-related decline
    Washington Post, Fredrick Kunkle, December 23, 2022

Interestingly, it is the Federal City Council propped “think tank”, the DC Policy Center that checks the Mayor’s announcement pointing out there is still a net migration of single wealthy professionals (“urbanists”) to lands beyond the District and that the “new people” that are “stabilizing” DC’s population loss are likely babies.

Compare and contrast the recent heralding of new DC babies to two other data points:

D.C. isn’t constructing family sized units (3+ bedrooms) — Nearly 98% of all new housing units built in DC over the past 20 years are studio/1bdrm/2bdrm units (not family sized).

Many of the new young people who moved into the city over the past decade have hooked up, gotten hitched, and are starting families. With DC’s severe limits to DC’s unoccupied single family housing stock coupled with the almost zero new construction of family sized units, many newly productive DC families are leaving the city to raise their children.

What of the voluminous displacement of Black residents apparent with each major Census update ?

Contrast the recent DC baby news with the fact that the Mayor never puts out any press releases telling the tale of displacement of Black DC and working-families (maybe because its the policies of the city directly responsible for the harm). Instead, when the Census pops showing the horrible numbers of those being shown the door (60,000 Black folks made gone from the city over the past two Census cycles), the Mayor’s Office of Planning tried to spin this displacement as “choice.”

That is, the Mayor’s “planning” officials are suggesting DC’s vulnerable communities are leaving their Chocolate City, their homes, their families simply because they seek greener pastures. And, the local media went right along with this terrible trope, going further and suggesting that the Census shows better integration of the city (more mixing of races in DC’s neighborhoods).

Who do you believe it serves to champion population growth in DC while simultaneously downplaying the harms or worse rewriting the reality of displacement for tens of thousands of working families and Black residents who cannot afford the real estate speculation gold rush over the past two decades?!?

ARTICLES ABOUT GROWTH AND DISPLACEMENT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS IN REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER:

D.C.’s population grew last year, reversing pandemic-related decline
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/12/23/dc-census-2022-growth/
By Fredrick Kunkle
December 23, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. EST

D.C. Sees Slight Population Increase After Two Years Of Decline
Jenny Garthright, Dec 26, 2022, 1:08 pm
https://dcist.com/story/22/12/26/dc-new-census-numbers-population-increase/

1 in 4 public housing units sit vacant during D.C. affordability crisis
Washington Post, Steve Thompson, October 19, 2022

DC’s Population Growth Has Affected the Racial and Ethnic Composition of Wards 6, 7, and 8
By: Elizabeth Burton, October 7, 2022
https://greaterdc.urban.org/blog/dcs-population-growth-has-affected-racial-and-ethnic-composition-wards-6-7-and-8

Meaningful Racial Equity in DC Zoning
Kymone Freeman September 16, 2022
https://www.weactradio.com/2022/09/16/dc-zoning-roundtable/

Leavin’ the region — Greater Washington faces threat of increasing departures to other markets
Washington Business Journal, Tristan Navera, Sep 9, 2022

D.C. Becoming ‘Chocolate City’ Again After Pandemic ‘White Flight’ Reverses Gentrification Trend — The Census Bureau released new data this week.
Bruce C.T. Wright Written By Bruce C.T. Wright, July 1, 2022
https://newsone.com/4364960/dc-white-flight/

D.C.’s White population has declined for the first time in two decades
By Tara Bahrampour, Washington Post
July 1, 2022 at 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://archive.ph/cFQWZ

Charts of the week: A pandemic-induced exodus has broken the District’s population boom
Sunaina Bakshi Kathpalia, March 25, 2022
https://www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications/census-shows-pandemic-exodus-has-broken-dc-population-growth/

Chart of the week: Are D.C.’s 25-34 year olds leaving the District because of pandemic telework? 
March 11, 2022, Bailey McConnell
https://www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications/young-professionals-leaving-dc-telework/

D.C.’s population is shrinking
Jan 10, 2022, Paige Hopkins
https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/01/10/dc-population-shrinking

DC had largest percentage drop in population in nation
Valerie Bonk | vbonk@wtop.com
December 23, 2021, 6:54 AM
https://wtop.com/dc/2021/12/dc-had-largest-percentage-drop-in-population-in-nation/

Why Is D.C. Losing So Many Residents?
By Christopher Jones • December 27, 2021
https://georgetowner.com/articles/2021/12/27/d-c-s-population-loss/

New census data finds D.C. had nation’s largest percentage drop in population
December 23, 2021
Héctor Alejandro Arzate
https://www.npr.org/local/305/2021/12/23/1067215177/new-census-data-finds-d-c-had-nation-s-largest-percentage-drop-in-population

Many fled D.C. during pandemic, halting city’s population boom
Washington Post, Tara Bahrampour and Marissa J. Lang, Dec 24 2021

1 in 7 residents of the D.C. area moved during the pandemic, poll finds — A larger share of area residents say they have seriously considered moving to a new community since the pandemic began
Washington Post, Luz Lazo and Emily Guskin, August 17, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. EDT

Census Reveals Growing Diversity In Washington Region, Increasing White Population In D.C.
Martin Austermuhle, Aug 17, 2021, 4:15 pm
https://dcist.com/story/21/08/17/census-reveals-growing-diversity-in-washington-region-increasing-white-population-in-d-c/

2020 census numbers show where our region is growing and where it isn’t
By DW Rowlands (Contributor) August 18, 2021
https://ggwash.org/view/82241/2020-census-numbers-show-where-our-region-is-growing-and-where-it-isnt

VERIFY: Yes, data shows 17,000 more people left D.C. in 2020 than year before, amid pandemic
WUSA9 News, Evan Koslof, July 16, 2021

2020 Census shows U.S. population grew at slowest pace since the 1930s
By Tara Bahrampour,  Harry Stevens,  Adrian Blanco and  Ted Mellnik
April 26, 2021
https://archive.ph/yDQi1

Opinion: There can be no racial equity in D.C. when Black and Brown families are being displaced
The Washington Post/Opinion by Minnie Elliott
March 5, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EST
http://www.dcfeedback.com/fit2print/dc/506

COVID Is Carrying Young People Away from DC — Whether They Want to Leave or Not
Hayden Higgins, Oct 15, 2020
https://medium.com/seventhirty-dc/covid-is-carrying-young-people-away-from-dc-whether-they-want-to-leave-or-not-e38ec01d6259

More than 92 Percent of D.C. Residents Have Responded to 2020 Census
by Stacy M. Brown September 23, 2020
https://www.washingtoninformer.com/more-than-92-percent-of-d-c-residents-have-responded-to-2020-census/

This GIF Shows How The D.C. Area’s Demographics Have Changed Since 1970
Jan 14, 2020, 4:32 pm
https://dcist.com/story/20/01/14/this-gif-shows-how-the-d-c-areas-demographics-have-changed-since-1970/

The Reason D.C.’s Once-Dramatic Population Growth Is Slowing Down (And Why That’s Not So Bad)
Jan 30, 2019, Martin Austermuhle
https://wamu.org/story/19/01/30/the-reason-d-c-s-once-dramatic-population-growth-is-slowing-down-and-why-thats-not-so-bad/

Census: In D.C., Black Median Income Is Now Less Than a Third of White Median Income And other surprising highlights from the latest U.S. Census data
by Andrew Giambrone September 15th, 2017
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/325548/census-in-dc-black-median-income-is-now-less-than-a-third-of-white-median-income/

Why do people move out of D.C.
Washington Post, Perry Stein, June 10, 2015

I have no proof that apartments in these towers are being warehoused and acknowledge that such a thing may seem counterintuitive in today’s allegedly red-hot market — or any market. But if demand for expensive units is softer than we’ve been led to believe, I wonder if landlords could be hiding supply to keep their rents up.

Lane Brown, writer for Curbed, in his Jan. 27, 2023 report, “New Yorkers Never Came ‘Flooding Back.’ Why Did Rents Go Up So Much? Getting to the bottom of a COVID-era real estate mystery.”

Some Land Uses Don’t Mix: West End Library

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Quoting the architect of the MLK renovation Francine Houben of Mecanoo who in the February 2022 issue of World Architects said:

I never thought it was a good idea to add a residential volume on this particular public building. A library — a public building — has very different ownership, maintenance, and sustainability issues than a residential building. In the end DC Libraries canceled that idea, and changed direction. I think that was a good decision on the part of the city.

Francine Houben, Architect for MLK Library renovation

Ms. Houben’s statement rang true in spring 2022 at the West End Library (closed for nearly 2 months due to trouble with private housing units built above the library)

. . . cited from the source emails . . .

  ———- Forwarded message ———
From: Robert Oliver <lrlfriends2017@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, May 7, 2022, 8:55 AM
Subject: Temporary Closure of West End Library
To: DCPLFRiends <dcplfriends@googlegroups.com>  

Dear Members,   I am sharing DCPL’s official statement on the temporary closure of the West End Library.  

Due to a maintenance emergency, the West End Neighborhood Library will be closed for the next several weeks starting May 4. We will send an update when we have a specific reopening date.

Due dates for library materials checked out from the West End Library have been extended until reopening. Customers with active holds will be notified where to pick up their items next week, once they are moved.    

Martha Saccocio
DC Public Library Director, Community Engagement
(202) 604-8241 (M)   

DCPL ATTACHMENT BELOW:

———- Forwarded message ———
From: Pinto, Brooke (Council) <bpinto@dccouncil.us>
Date: Sat, May 14, 2022, 10:16 PM
Subject: RE: Temporary Closure of West End Library
To: robin diener <robinsdiener@gmail.com>, Hanson, Ella (Council) <ehanson@dccouncil.us>, Romanowski, Brian (Council) <bromanowski@dccouncil.us>

Robin – the information I received was that the damage was from an apartment above that led to water damages in the library. The repairs should take about 4-6 weeks (hopefully sooner!).  

My best, Brooke  
Brooke Pinto
Councilmember, Ward 2
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 106 Washington DC 20004
Office: 202-724-8058 Email: bpinto@dccouncil.us

From: robin diener
Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2022 5:57 PM
To: Pinto, Brooke (Council) <bpinto@DCCOUNCIL.US>; Hanson, Ella (Council) <ehanson@DCCOUNCIL.US>; Romanowski, Brian (Council) <bromanowski@DCCOUNCIL.US>
Subject: Fwd: Temporary Closure of West End Library  

Hello CM Pinto,  
No one seems to know what’s up with the West End Library. Several weeks of “emergency maintenance” sounds bad. The library was built under a public private partnership. Perhaps that explains the terse notice. It is a public library, however, and information should be available to its owners – the public.
Hope you can find out for us.  
Thank you,  
Robin Diener 202 431-9254    

——- Forwarded message ———
From: robin diener <robinsdiener@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 25, 2022 at 6:14 PM
Subject: Housing over libraries
To: Romero, Gary A. (DCPL) <gary.romero@dc.gov>, Board of Library Trustees (DCPL) <BoardOfLibraryTrustees@dc.gov>, Richard Reyes-Gavilan (DCPL) <Richard.Reyes-Gavilan@dc.gov>, Saccocio, Martha (DCPL) <martha.saccocio@dc.gov>, Robert Oliver <lrlfriends2017@gmail.com>

In my capacity as Executive Director of the DC Library Renaissance Project

Housing Over Libraries

The latest difficulty (there have been several but this time it is flooding from a private living unit overhead) at the West End Library would seem to call for a hearing or roundtable on the pros and cons of housing being built over libraries, and of Public-Private Partnerships (ppp’s) generally. With three libraries — Deanwood, Rosedale and Northwest One — all proposed to be rebuilt with housing over them, we need a full understanding of what happened at West End and how we ensure it not happen again is needed. Options for our public library buildings such as combining with other civic uses should also be considered, as well as a complete understanding of land ownership and financing possibilities.

Under the Chevy Chase Small Area Plan recently published by OP, we have a large enough public property to combine the two civic uses — library and community center — together in one new building, while constructing affordable housing on the rest of the property around it, and thus avoid the potential for problems such as have occurred at West End. This exact concept was developed by Ward 3 Vision and is included in the Small Area Plan as one of three options. DCPL should endorse the concept proposed by Ward 3 Vision, and make clear that it is the best option for the Chevy Chase Library.

I would like to quote architect of the MLK renovation Francine Houben of Mecanoo who in the February 2022 issue of World Architects said: I never thought it was a good idea to add a residential volume on this particular public building. A library — a public building — has very different ownership, maintenance, and sustainability issues than a residential building. In the end DC Libraries canceled that idea, and changed direction. I think that was a good decision on the part of the city.

https://www.world-architects.com/en/architecture-news/insight/the-world-is-changing-we-have-to-update

For now, we can avoid the issues experienced at the West End Library simply by not putting public and private together in one structure, an option open to us at Chevy Chase because of the size of the property. In view of the likely limited size of the other libraries being contemplated for housing over them, further examination is needed, and can and should be had.

Thank you
Robin Diener
Library Renaissance Project
202 431-9254

WTF! DCHA? DC Housing Authority Over the Past Few Years

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APR 2021

DCHA Internal Auditor Resigned After Reporting Intimidation and Retaliation — “At this point, I don’t have confidence that the Board of Commissioners or other senior executives will exercise integrity in the performance of their public duties.”

DCHA Internal Auditor Resigned After Reporting Intimidation and Retaliation

MAR 2021

DCHA Audit Finds $1.3 Million In Wasted Funds — The D.C. Housing Authority did not disclose the audit in its responses to the Council’s annual oversight questions.

DCHA Audit Finds $1.3 Million In Wasted Funds

DCHA Executive Director Accuses Former Deputy of Planning a Coup — In a deposition, DCHA Director Tyrone Garrett says he fired his deputy because she plotted to overthrow him. Chelsea Andrews, the former deputy who is now suing DCHA, says that’s ridiculous.

DCHA Executive Director Accuses Former Deputy of Planning a Coup

FEB 2021

Against Advice of Attorneys and Internal Auditors, DCHA Kept Families in Units With Lead Past Legal Deadline — DCHA Executive Director Tyrone Garrett says he was out of options.

Against Advice of Attorneys and Internal Auditors, DCHA Kept Families in Units With Lead Past Legal Deadline

OCT 2020

Greenleaf Gardens Redevelopment Stalls Early With Failed Resolution — It’s another delay for Director Tyrone Garrett’s revitalization plan.

Greenleaf Gardens Redevelopment Stalls Early With Failed Resolution

SEP 2020

CM Silverman Questions Housing Authority Commissioner’s Abrupt Dismissal — The at-large councilmember suggests Franselene St. Jean was removed to silence dissenting voices.

CM Silverman Questions Housing Authority Commissioner’s Abrupt Dismissal

August 2020

A DCHA commissioner was removed shortly after asking questions about a whistleblower lawsuit and other issues surrounding the housing authority.

Housing Authority Board Vice Chair Removed Hours After Asking Questions About Whistleblower Lawsuit

Former Housing Authority Lawyer Files Whistleblower Lawsuit Over Allegedly Counterfeit Masks — Chelsea Andrews claims DCHA Executive Director Tyrone Garrett had her fired after she questioned the procurement and authenticity of KN95 masks.

Former Housing Authority Lawyer Files Whistleblower Lawsuit Over Allegedly Counterfeit Masks

JAN 2020

DCHA’s “Repositioning” Plan is Privatization of Public Housing

DEC 2019

The Final Proposal to Renovate the DC Housing Authority’s HQ Is Totally Different From the Original Plan — A trio of developers will pay DCHA $67 million for a 99-year lease on the land where its headquarters sits, according to the resolution.

The Final Proposal to Renovate the DC Housing Authority’s HQ Is Totally Different From the Original Plan

DC Streetcar Extension Debate :: “Nostalgic Gentrification”

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Nostalgic Gentrification As A Development Tool Vs. A More Practical And Budget Friendly Use of Circulator Buses

Transit Opinion by: Iris McCrea, Ward 7 Resident and Fort Dupont Civic Association Member

. . .

The position of the Fort Dupont Civic Association is against the extension of the Streetcar beyond the Langston Golf Course at Oklahoma Avenue, NE to East Capitol Street and Benning Road NE. However, we do support transit-oriented development along Benning Road and through sub-neighborhoods from Oklahoma Avenue to Southern Avenue which is even beyond the proposed end of the streetcar route.

. . .

[T]he Fort Dupont Civic Association strongly recommends the use of the Circulator Buses starting at Oklahoma Avenue instead of streetcars.

See Full Statement Here.

2021_03_01_w7_dc_streetcar_fort_supont_statementDownload

DCHA’s “Repositioning” Plan is Privatization of Public Housing

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On Friday, January 31, 2020, Councilmember Anita Bonds who chairs the DC Council Housing Committee, hosted a hearing on the DC Department of Housing Authority (DCHA) and their “respositioning” plan for DC’s public housing stock — real homes where real people live and have real personal and professional networks.

Some public housing residents were in attendance and testified to the deplorable conditions that Chairwoman Bonds has heard about with public housing continually for years — mold, pipes leaking, rodents, infrastructure, etc.

There were ANC Commissioners and Ward 6 Public Housing residents there, like Commissioner Rhonda Hamilton who says she knows of pets living in better conditions than that provided at housing managed by DCHA.

There were other residents testifying from Greenleaf Public Housing in the Southwest, DC, Ward 6, testifying about the terrible living conditions that must be repaired now, not over a 17-year DCHA plan.

Mrs. Shont’a High, President of the Park Morton Residents Council in Ward 1 describes how DCHA has begun the plan to “revitalize” her community. She speaks about being thrown out of her home of nearly twenty years by DCHA’s repositioning plan.

Denise Thomas lives/ed in Ward 7’s Kenilworth Gardens, which has seen DCHA begin its “repositioning” on her home and neighborhood and how its destroying all of it.

Chris Otten, a DCHA client in Ward 1, describes what it is like living in a DCHA-subsidized unit that is managed by a private slumlord with toxic dust and mildew never being remedied.

Paulette Matthews, bounced from Barry Farms Public Housing in Ward 8, now lives in Ward 1, who describes the horrendous disruption from displacement and how it has changed her life and that of her family.

Councilmember Elissa Silverman actually sums it up DCHA’s “repositioning” plan during her opening remarks:

I am extremely concerned that DCHA is not just drifting away from serving its most vulnerable residents but deliberately abandoning our most vulnerable residents. I fear that DCHA has grown into an appendage of the real-estate division of our Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED). And, this is going to lead to the continued gentrification of our city.

For the full Council video, all 13GB’s of it, click this link.

Myth Busting!

Housing: Supply & Demand MYTHBUSTING!

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In a recent post to a popular DC listserve, there was this comment:

A new ADU (and ADUs at scale) will “contribute to affordability” in terms of adding supply, and thereby reducing the overall pressure for price appreciation and the concomitant pressure to convert existing lower priced housing to standards and expectations which satisfy higher priced segments of the market.

Richard Layman rlaymandc@yahoo.com, Saturday, February 1, 2020, Comment on Columbia Heights listserve columbia_heights@yahoogroups.com

The above intriguing comment seems to not consider the concept that #HousingIsNotACommodity and rather #HousingIsAHumanRight . . . right?

Moreover, the lack of a race and class analysis in pubic discussions around housing and jobs at this point is frustratingly maddening. Essentially, one can enjoy a “LIVABALE WALKABLE” city only if you are young, professional, single, and likely white.

Going to the facts spells that housing is a human need not a product and exposes this false sense that supply of any new housing relieves some kind of “pressure.”

First, let’s take a gander at the Income Gap analysis vis-a-vis housing costs in the City:
* https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2016/11/02/net-worth-of-white-households-in-d-c-region-is-81-times-greater-than-black-households/
* https://www.dcfpi.org/all/economic-inequality-in-dc-reflects-disparities-in-income-wages-wealth-and-economic-mobility-policy-solutions-should-too/

economic-inequality-blog-fig1-768x908.png

This means the posture of continuing to construct more and more of the status quo unaffordable housing for single wealthy professionals without an equally important push for getting longtime DC residents and Black families real jobs with real pay to be able to stay here during the modern day goldrush is simply ignorant and discriminatory. 

And, even if policy makers and the Mayor could wrangle some economic systems that actually helps longtime DC residents and families, there’s no way they will be implemented in a timely way to keep up or be substantial enough to help most people becoming more and more vulnerable to displacement. 

The HOT real estate market in DC is appreciating way too fast for most folks to keep up with rents, taxes, and housing costs generally:
* https://dc.curbed.com/washington-dc-market-reports
* https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2019/09/04/as-d-c-area-housing-market-booms-researchers-warn.html

Bottom-line, given the absolute real estate fire of the last decade and construction of tens of thousands of unaffordable single professional housing, there is absolutely no excuse that anyone should be pushing the idea that constructing any housing type at any cost is ok without a race and class analysis, especially considering the ballyhoo’d equitable development as expressed in Comp Plan Framework changes.

MORE FACTS THAT DISPEL SUPPLY & DEMAND MYTH:

NEW UNITS DON’T BRING PRICES DOWN

The DC Zoning Chair suitably explains as follows:

Tens of thousands of new largely luxury studios/1bedrooms have been built in DC, but prices keep going up and up and up:
* https://twitter.com/ecoylogy/status/1224692194277298179
* https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/z3bnme/tons-of-new-apartments-are-being-built-that-almost-no-one-can-afford

DC POPULATION GROWTH SLOWING DOWN

The influx of DC newcomers (old rhetoric: 1,000 new people a month as routinely expressed by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson) has become a trickle now, and in some months there’s more a net exit of people.
https://wamu.org/story/19/01/30/the-reason-d-c-s-once-dramatic-population-growth-is-slowing-down-and-why-thats-not-so-bad/

WE MUST ACCOUNT FOR THE CURRENTLY VACANT UNITS IN THE CITY

So what of the 30,000 vacant units according to the census, where the vacancy information gathered by the American Housing Survey (AHS) conducted biennially by the U.S. Census (more info about the survey below) shows this:

Screen Shot 2019-12-17 at 6.19.35 AM.png

This table (B25004) represents the 5-year estimate from the AHS for Washington, D.C.  This timeframe reflects 60 months of collected data and is the most reliable metric for estimating how many housing units fall into each of these categories.  There are also 1-year and 3-year estimates, explained here.  The Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is the smallest level at which the survey reports data.

The substantial numbers of vacant units demonstrate how much foreign investment capital is parking itself in these new luxury buildings:
https://www.bisnow.com/washington-dc/news/capital-markets/foreign-investment-in-dc-expected-to-increase-next-year-102315

Empty units do not create successful inclusive DC communities.

The biggest purveyors of the supply & demand myth are the so-called urbanists — largely white single professionals moving back into the cities after their grandparents and parents failed suburban experience, or their cohorts from the mega-real estate industry. 

We’ve asked them to publicly debate these issues openly: David Alpert, Alex Baca, and Cheryl Cort.
* https://ggwash.org/about/staff-board
* https://www.smartergrowth.net/about/contactstaff/

In conclusion:

IF WE WANT A SUCCESSFUL INCLUSIVE CITY — THAT MEANS WE GOTTA HAVE POLICIES AND PEOPLE THAT ESPOUSE SUCH IDEALS, NOT JUST STATE THE RHETORIC. WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE REAL FACTS AND PEOPLE-CENTERED ANALYSIS BEFORE US, NOT JUST REAL ESTATE DOGMA.

Paving Over McMillan

McMillan Park #Facts

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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.

sign the MCMILLAN PARK petition
CLICK HERE

MW COG

MW COG SETS 2030 HOUSING NUMBERS

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UPDATE ON SEP. 11, 2019, MEETING AT METRO WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (COG) REGARDING HOUSING IN THE DMV THROUGH 2030

On September 11, 2019, the COG passed a joint resolution that sets into motion the coordination of housing preservation and production targets across the DMV. The goal: 320,000 new or preserved housing units by 2030, and of these 2/3 of the units should be considered “affordable.” Chair of the COG, DC City Councilmember, Robert White, emphasized that these units should be built to include 3+ bedroom units, aka family-sized units.

Find the COG documentation and resolution below:
* https://www.mwcog.org/newsroom/2019/09/11/officials-set-regional-housing-targets-call-for-collaboration-to-address-production-and-affordability-challenges/

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RESOLUTION R27-2019
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Major points:

  • 320K Housing Units Added 2020-2030 (an additional 75,000 units beyond units already forcast)
  • 75% of all new housing should be located in activity centers and around high activity transit (see definitions above)
  • 75% of all new housing should be “affordable” to lower- and moderate-income housing (see definitions above).
  • To share these goals to all constituents and set targets for each jurisdictions.
  • To work with non profit private and philathnropic entities to advance these goals

ROBERT WHITE — AYES UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION MWCOG R27-2019 PASSES SEP 11 2019

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DEFINITIONS
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In reviewing the resolution and information from the COG about the Housing Production targets please understand the following definitions as they can be interpreted:

  • Accessibility — Locating housing close to transportation, transit centers, or “activity centers.” This term has almost nothing to do with universal accessibility a principle of the disability advocacy community.
  • Affordable Housing — Housing that costs $2,500/m or less. There is no mention of bedroom sizes or housing costs as a percentage of one’s income. It is strictly the government setting levels of profit making, shifting market forces and volatility from the private sector onto the public.

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NEWS REPORTS
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Some news reports that came out after:

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OMISSIONS IN THE DISCUSSION
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The following are basic planning concepts that wasn’t discussed at all or just briefly by COG before passing the resolution:

  • Expiring Affordability — What is the duration of affordable covenants that may run with the land? Shouldn’t we be ensuring that any new or preserved affordable housing exist in perpetuity.  What’s the point of expiring affordable housing covenants?
  • Public / Universal Housing — The COG made no mention of the importance of public housing and public land while setting these housing targets.  Public housing is a permanent safety net to prevent homelessness.
  • Analysis of $2500/m — How realistic is it to say “affordable” housing set at $2,500 a month.  Doesn’t this just push the status quo?

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SOME QUOTES FROM THE COG MEETING
============================

* CHRISTIAN DORSEY, ARLINGTON, COG — “Ready and willing to do our part” “I love three simplistic targets” “This is a big setp for our region” “Our region has failed to effectively deal with housing” “Its complicated” “Roads are full of traffic” “Net effect people are harmed” “Targets are based on thoughtful analysis” “Provide accountability” “Concept of regionalism should not be understated” “lets get it done, im excited”

* DERRICK DAVIS, PG COUNTY, COG — “we explored, what the heck is ami” “no better place to be than the dmv” quotes victor hoskins … as a great thinker.  “messaging is absolutely important, crucial to drive home, to give politicos the right message to communicate with our folks”

* JOHN FOUST, FAIRFAX — “economic development critical” “Fairfax board has committed to 5,000 units over 15 years”

* NANCY NAVARRO, MOCO — asks about the “defintion of high impact areas” when referencing jbg report; emphasizes “social justice and racial equity”

* JUSTIN WILSON, ALEX — “addressing concerns about impacts such as overcrowding schools”

* BEV PERRY, DC — “more work needs to be done”

* KATE STEWART, TKPK — “Board Retreat was helpful” quotes Matthew Desmond “Its hard to argue that housing is not an fundamental human need” … “we’ve been echoing that sentiment” “this is an historic event today” “wants to partner with Mont County”

* RUTH ANDERSON, PRINCE WILLIAM, — “Cast vote in favor” “this will help us forge our comprehensive plan”

* SENATOR GEORGE BARKER, VA, “we gotta keep stepping things up” “things already happening that are pushing us in the right direction” “fairfax is doing a tremendous job in preservng affordable housing”

* BRIDGET NEWTON, ROCKVILLE — “i think this is wonderful what we are doing with housing” “something mr jackson said, taking over current garden style neighborhoods and that we need to build hi-rises — its a problem. its a quality of life issue, displacement of current families. there’s something to be said about having a balcony, to play outide, etc.” “we don’t need 2 types — hi rise or single family” “we need a mix of housing and therefore we lived in communities with all kinds of careers and picture, and we must look at the whole picture” “climate of fear — when people hear about more housing they immediate fear the impacts to roads and schools”

* TODD TURNER, PG — “impacts that come along with the housing” “what the pressure brings to things like infrastructure” “we have to be very careful about that”

* SHARON BULOVA, FAIRFAX — abt to introduce resolution “region forward compact in 2010” “we’ve had more success in the goals than we’ve realized” ** “our air is better” “we set targets to clean up our air, and we’ve done that.” “amazon — needs affordable housing” “we need to make sure weh have housing and quality of life for the industry we want to attract and retain in our region” “we want to create affordable housing for the folks we want to work here and live here”

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DC Generally a Mess: Timeline

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DC General Hospital was hailed as a top emergency trauma center for victims with gunshot wounds, that is until Anthony Williams shut it down as part of the citywide divestment of public services serving working DC residents at the start of the millennium.

2001 – 2013

Over the past decade plus, DC General shifted from a closed hospital to an emergency hypothermia shelter, then to a family shelter as other shelters around the city were shuttered continuing the social service divestment in DC.  The shelter filled up as local politicos luxury-visions for, and gentrification of the city unfolded and homelessness skyrocketed.  Families were forced to pile into expensive motels (and still are today).   Christmas back at DC General was a depressing exercise.

2014

In 2014, the DMV was shocked by the story of Relisha Rudd, a young child living at the shelter who disappeared, furthering calls to close the shelter down.

2015

in 2015, the DC Council had already voted to support the Mayor’s $300 million dollar dispersed family shelter plan and subsequent real estate deals.  In the discussion, Mary Cheh (Ward 3 Councilmember), declares “What’s wrong with us?” as they weaken basic amenities at the proposed family shelters.

2016

Starting off 2016, Mayor Bowser unveils her plan to shut down DC General so she can replace the shelter beds in new family shelters across the city. Legislative support was affirmed again by DC Council vote in 2016, making the closure required by law.

2017

There was immediate pushback by some DC neighborhoods, but with Council support & zoning agency approvals certain to follow, the Ward-based shelter plans moved forward in 2017.

2018

In 2018, the DC General closure plans get real for the families at the city’s biggest, and only shelter available to them in the city.  Advocates speak up and say “Families, not Developers, Must be Primary Drivers of DC General Timeline” as the Mayor discretely sought Amazon’s pick to land in DC.  The Mayor wasn’t budging, DC General will close by year’s end.

As voices got louder both in critique and in seeking clarity about DC General’s closure, transition of current shelter families, and planning for Ward-based shelters, DC Councilmembers started growing spines and demanding answers and holding hearings.

What became clear at the hearings was the rush to raze all buildings at Reservation 13 (the public land where DC General exists) will impact the lives and health of families still living at DC General. The Mayor’s homeless service executives were exposed as frauds.

People demanded the shelter closure be delayed.

Advocates turned up the heat heading into June and July, 2018, gathering steam for the Council to consider legislation that would delay the closure.  Pushback from the Mayor led to the Council weakening the bill, disappointing advocates, and indeed leaving the families now at DC General exposed to injury.

DC is considered a United Nations Human Rights City.  In the midst of the DC General controversies, a report was published showing how the city policies and politcos are falling short as to this acclaim.