Community revitalization: from the archives

Since the Uline matter is up again, the same old b.s. has resurfaced. Because I don't do deference/a** kissing very well, I end up getting legalistic. I am big on following the law, which doesn't call for having meetings with any and everybody, but does provide for certain notice requirements. So I got spanked tonight at a community meeting.

While looking for an email address, I found this email from November 2, 2003, on the Uline issue, more or less:

The opposition to preservation in the neighborhood is by and large fomented by the [excised] Community Development Corporation, which would rather assemble land, demolish historic properties of great great merit, and build suburban-style value engineered junk in their place.

What the CDC does is play on the real and legitimate fears that people have about displacement.

But the fact is, displacement is happening right now, and the neighborhood isn't designated historic. And such a decision (after the buildings are documented, much outreach, a vote, etc.) is at least 3-5 years away. Displacement is happening right now due to economic forces -- demand for housing, our historic housing stock, and the other aspects of the neighborhood that make it desirable -- diversity, close-in location, great transportation assets. AND the new Metro station*, which has changed outsider attitudes about the present and future value of the neighborhood.
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* Oct 5, 2006: When this email was written, the New York Ave. Metro Station was still one year away from opening.
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At the same time, I think the CDC is using the people that they purport to help. The fact is the Metro station also makes big swaths of the neighborhood attractive to office developers. So does the fact that the land in downtown is getting "used up" and therefore Downtown has no where to grow but east. Our little houses lie in the path of this expansion. The CDC hopes to make dollars off this change. (This as you know is conjecture.)

The purchase of the Air Rights** over the railyard was a significant event. The buildings that will be constructed will front directly onto the bridge, connecting the bridge and the street to downtown and the office buildings along North Capitol and First Streets. The bridge will no longer seem like a barrier. At the same time the bridge will better connect to the rest of H Street and will make more appealing land clearance and the construction of more office buildings along H Street, along 2nd Street, and downward from the Florida Market area north of Florida Avenue. In my opinion, this puts up to 1/3 of the residential neighborhood at risk from conversion to commercial zoning. (Another reason that historic designation is opposed by the developers and their front man, the CDC. With such designation, changing the zoning will be virtually impossible.)
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**Oct 5, 2006: Note that last week's Post and Washington Business Journal had stories about Akridge finalizing the deal on the above-mentioned air rights.
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E.g., the land on my block where the Murry's is happens to be owned by one of the largest real estate investment trusts in the U.S. -- and it's based in Oregon. Why do you think they decided to invest in our neighborhood, what do you think they are waiting for?

Similarly, the demolitions on Wylie are suspect given that over the years lousy new construction has been built in the greater area (Wylie Court, apartments across from Hechinger, Delta Towers, Hechinger Mall). Wylie and the 1200 block of H could be assembled for an office building. Etc.

I favor preservation for two reasons. One is for beauty. But the other is that in DC law, having historic districts are the only way that citizens have "as a matter of right" the ability to weigh in on all major land use and construction decisions in their neighborhood. OTOH, DC Zoning Law swings the other way, providing "matter of right" to land owners to do whatever they want without (except in situations calling for variances or special exceptions) any citizen input whatsoever.

Getting back to the Uline for a minute, people in DC and the people on 3rd Street particularly, are known for their ability to be "persuaded" for very little. (I used to call this susceptibility to graft and corruption, but realizing that opens me up to libel-slander charges, I now call it "susceptability to green love".)

One of the things I say is that for developers, the great thing about DC is that we sell ourselves for so little. $100 for a block party, an air conditioner so a waste transfer station can stay open for another year, a $25 donation to a charity favored by an ANC Commissioner for a postive vote on a liquor license, etc. All these things have happened with the people on 3rd Street. So combine that with the CDC influence, and I really have to take it with a grain of salt.

Frankly, the vocal people don't even represent the rest of the people on the block. XX (one of the people mentioned in the attached email) told one of my colleagues that the majority of the people he spoke with favored saving the building. But that sure isn't reflected in the mouthings that come from them.

I really am tired of being attacked by them -- "The Layman Group" is what they call the Uline preservation effort. But that's life.

Index Keywords: urban-revitalization