Brown Successfully Negotiates Land Transfer for Southwest Waterfront Development
After two years of breeched discussions, the agreement between Anacostia Waterfront Corporation (AWC) and National Capital Revitalization (NCRC) was reached as a result of Councilmember Brown’s tenacious efforts to bring all groups together to reach a decision.
During the D.C. Council’s legislative meeting held on December 5, 2006, Councilmember Kwame R. Brown offered an amendment to the “National Capital Revitalization Corporation Asset Transfer Clarification Amendment Act of 2006” to authorize the exchange of assets by and among the District of Columbia, Anacostia Waterfront Corporation, the National Capital Revitalization Corporation and the RLA Revitalization Corporation (RLARC) that yields a sustainable agreement for development of communities including the Southwest Waterfront.
Under the NCRC Act, properties belonging to the National Capital Revitalization Corporation, the RLA Revitalization Corporation and the District of Columbia commonly referred to as the “Southwest Waterfront Properties” will be transferred to the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation. In turn, the Mayor will transfer a group of parcels throughout the city to NCRC.
Councilmember Brown introduced the measure to substitute for the original legislation reviewed by the D.C. Council’s Committee on Economic Development to clearly outline all of the properties involved, including a timeline for completion and a memorandum of understanding that conveys the groups’ shared desire to see development that benefits District residents.
“The agreement is more than merely a land swap. Through several weeks of joint discussion, we were able to come to an agreement with which all parties are comfortable. This is truly a decision that specifically outlines the responsibilities of each real estate development agency and unites all groups to focus on creating new opportunities for our families to live, work and play,” said Brown.
“Through the efforts of Councilmember Brown this very complex transaction is now complete,” commented Anthony Freeman, President and Chief Executive Officer, NCRC. “With this agreement in place we will now be able to deliver development to our neighborhoods at private market speed. As a result, we will be able to strengthen the vitality of our communities where our residents will be the primary beneficiaries of these groundbreaking measures.”
"After two years of negotiations, Councilmember Brown has brought this very complicated economic development transaction within six weeks of closure, and we are all very appreciative of his efforts,” said Adrian Washington, AWC President and Chief Executive Officer. “We can now look forward to creating a world-class waterfront with new housing, retail, cultural attractions, parks and maritime amenities, while achieving the District’s affordable housing, workforce and environmental sustainability goals.”
As accepted by the Committee on Economic Development and passed by the D.C. Council, the transfer of properties must be completed by March 1, 2007.
BROWN’S BILL PASSES TO CREATE TASK FORCE TO
END MURDER IN DC During the D.C. Council’s legislative meeting held on December 5, 2006, Councilmember Kwame R. Brown offered an amendment to the “Homeland Security, Risk Reduction and Preparedness Act of 2006,” to establish a Homicide Elimination Strategy Task force to develop a plan to end murders in the District of Columbia. With the amendment accepted, Council passed by the bill unanimously.
Brown believes that while the District takes proactive measures to ensure federal protection of the nation’s capital, the city should also act proactively to prevent crime in District neighborhoods. “ “We need to move with the same urgency, if not more to protect our home fronts and prevent acts of violence in our neighborhoods,” commented Brown. “One murder in DC is one murder too many. The resources to end murder in DC exist, but there needs to be a comprehensive, proactive and permanently sustained approach to working to end murder in DC. There are things we can do on the front-end to provide an environment for our youth to succeed."
The amendment will require the Mayor to appoint a Task Force, comprised of representatives from the government, non-profit organizations, businesses, schools, victim service organizations and advisory neighborhood commissioners to bring back to the Mayor and the Council recommendations for how the city can eliminate homicides.
The task force would also analyze studies about the causes of murder nationally and locally. The task force should propose recommendations that would lead to a reduction and ultimately an end to murder in DC. The task force would identify agencies to be responsible for taking the proposed actions. The task force report would include estimates of costs and timetables for implementation.
Last week, the Council’s Committee on the Judiciary reviewed Councilmember Brown’s original bill “Comprehensive Homicide Elimination Strategy Task Force Act of 2006,” where residents and community activists overwhelmingly expressed their support of the legislation and desire to work collectively to prevent violence in their communities. "NO MURDERS DC applauds Councilman Brown for his leadership in moving the Comprehensive Homicide Elimination Task Force bill one step closer to final passage. After six years of working for a MURDER FREE D.C., we believe the Task Force will play a critical role in suggesting strategies that can help end murder in our city. We hope this will lead to a more comprehensive and sustained effort by a wide range of community stakeholders in the work to save lives and end the devastation caused by murder in our city,” said Rev. David Bowers, Founder of NO MURDER DC.
BROWN ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO NOT LOSE HOPE FOR FAIR AND EQUAL VOTING RIGHTS IN CONGRESS
Councilmember Brown expresses his continued support for DC Statehood by encouraging Districts residents to not be discouraged by Congress’ decision not to bring to the floor and vote on the DC Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act (H.R. 5388). Below are comments from Councilmember Brown in which he encourages residents of the District of Columbia to continue the fight for full representation. “Throughout the years both our representative, Ms. Eleanor Holmes Norton and Congressman Tom Davis have worked tirelessly to provoke change in Congress and has made our voices heard on the House floor. While I am also disappointed by the decision yesterday’s decision made by Republican congressional leaders to delay discussion, now is not the time to throw in the towel and forfeit our fight for full representation. Their decision does not discredit the historically groundbreaking progress made this year. Congress will hear our voice as a vote; a liberty that we have been denied far too long. As Americans, we should have equal opportunity to participate in the democracy on which our country was founded.” LSDBE HEARING: December 12, 2006 Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, Chairperson of the Special Committee on a Comprehensive Policy for Local, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises announces an oversight hearing on the progress of the Department of Small and Local Business Development. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 10 a.m. in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004. The Committee invites the public to testify at the hearing. Those who wish to testify should contact Sharlene Kranz at (202) 724-8174 or skranz@dccouncil.us, and provide your name, organizational affiliation (if any), and title with the organization by noon on Wednesday, December 6, 2006. Witnesses should bring 20 copies of their written testimony to the hearing. The Committee allows each individual 3 minutes to provide oral testimony in order to permit each witness an opportunity to be heard. Additional written statements are encouraged and will be made part of the official record. Written statements may be submitted by e-mail to skranz@dccouncil.us or mailed to: Council of the District of Columbia, Office of Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, Suite 406, John A. Wilson Building, Washington, DC 20004. The hearing record will close ten days following the conclusion of the hearing. Persons submitting written statements for the record should observe this deadline.
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