More uncareful language

One of the biggest contributors to destabilization of neighborhoods is all too often local, state, or federal government agencies, and their poor stewardship of the properties in their "portfolio."

In the article "From Blighted Block to Housing 'Miracle': Six Dilapidated D.C. Residences Rehabbed, Added to Tax Rolls, on Farragut Place," today's Post discusses the success of the DC Home Again program in the Petworth neighborhood.

Mayor Williams is quoted in the article as saying: "new homeowners now live where only a few years ago vacant homes languished beyond repair."

BUT THE BUILDINGS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY WMATA.

From the article: "The six rowhouses on tiny Farragut Place stood empty for a decade, trash piling up in the yards and plywood boards nailed where windows used to be. Neighbors called police when the rats got too bad and when vagrants snuck inside."

The rowhouses on Farragut Place were bought by the Metro system in 1994 and left empty, officials said, so that tunnels could be dug underneath to serve the planned Georgia Avenue/Petworth rail station. Neighbors told construction crews that the house Hernandez is buying may have been used as a drug stash house. When work crews went into the house this spring, they found dog waste throughout the first floor. "We took out 22 trash cans" of waste, said Jeffrey S. Dawson, project manager for Coakley Williams Construction. Floors had to be sanded, disinfected and sealed before carpet could be laid. "Between that and the rodents, it was horrible."
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This happens all the time, with District Government agencies and the properties under their control, with community development corporations, etc.

Not good.