Broadcast Center One to Break Ground in February 2008

As reported on October 18 by DCMud (a DC real estate gossip blog), this project is finally moving forward and will transform our Square-394 neighborhood a-top of the Shaw/Howard University Metro Station, at the intersection of 7th and S Streets, NW.


This project will provide for the following real property improvements within Square 441:

• Mixed-use development - 319,917 sq/ft, above grade in $120 million total development investment
• 250 space below-grade parking garage
• 103,083 sq/ft. commercial space - Radio One returns to city
• 24,323 sq/ ft of local retail/arts space -10% will be affordable retail space
• 202 residential units - 25% will be affordable and workforce housing, in 192,511 sq/ft

Review the developer's May-2006 comments on and creative visioning regarding the thriving future of our neighborhood as a broadcasting- and artist-studio haven (from the Washington Post, by Dana Hedgpeth, Monday, May 26, 2006; D03: Developer Has the Past in Mind for Shaw).

PARCEL 42 MUST BE ABOUT NEW-WAYS OF CONDUCTING PUBLIC HOUSING

In Shaw recently asked the long-overdo and quite appropos question regarding Parcel 42: [paraphrasing] "Isn't adding MORE low-income housing (Parcel 42 proposal) in an area with such extremely high-concentration of existing low-income housing, not such a good idea?" How will our community leaders and elected officials rise to the mandate that Parcel 42 MUST be different than those that came before?

In Shaw says recently, affably:

" ... Parcel 42 [...] presenters were suggesting 100% affordable housing. Doesn't the Susan Reitig House of Prayer building that's up have affordable housing aspects? And then across 7th St there is a post-riot affordable housing building, which across 8th from that building another affordable housing structure, and across R Street from that a public housing. Then across R/Rhode Island from Parcel 42 is senior affordable housing. So short of the 7-11 that intersection would be a concentrated area of affordable housing if this plan was chosen. I'm no city planner, but isn't this almost like concentrating poverty? And despite being structured to have retail or some commercial space on the first level the building on 7th and R (Lincoln-Westmoreland? Name escapes me now), there is little for profit business that I see. So something is wrong if pre-existing space is underperforming. ... "

How about some new responses to the issue of gun-fire and affordable housing? How about some substantive changes to the dangerous and ineffective ways in which public housing has been operated/executed in the past?

I solicit from DC elected leaders, including Councilmember Graham, Councilmember Evans, Mayor Fenty, the Chief of Police, and community leaders, starting with Mr. Padro, what ideas he and they intend to support to ensure that Parcel 42 does not become the gun-shot-haven that is the Westmoreland. I look forward to these leaders' offering of NEW THINKING AND DOING on this issue with substantive ideas to do parcel 42, right: NOT more of the same poor, public housing offerings that is much too-much a problem unto itself and others; and though my disposition on this issue is already vividly apparent, I'll say it again: often a gun-shot wound/death unto itself and unto others.

More Work Required to Reduce Affordable Housing Gun-Fire/Crime

Today I read (in Off Seventh Street) about an October 11, 2007, gun-fire incident alleged to have been associated with the Lincoln Westmoreland Section 8 housing project.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ON THIS CRIME-INFESTED PROPERTY, THE LINCOLN WESTMORELAND -- I BELIEVE I AM REFERRING TO THE "II" PROJECT. IT IS TIME THAT A FEW ISSUES ARE TAKEN UP BY THE LEADERSHIP IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL AS BY THE POLICE AND DC COUNCIL AS FOLLOWS:

1.INSTALL SHOT SPOTTERS -
This technology should be deployed immediately around the Lincoln Westmoreland. There are all too-frequent reported and unreported gun-shots coming from this property - I HEAR THEM. As a near-by homeowner I demand that the community leaders in this neighborhood and City take note: Install this technology (Shotspotter) to contribute to gun violence deterrence/detection in our area.

2. REQUIRE “RESIDENT ASSISTANT” (RA) PROGRAM IN THE WESTOMORELAND AND ALL PUBLIC HOUSING –
It is a more than apparent that the “crime haven” of the Westmoreland is out of control; the security guard program is a band-aid solution. Instituting – by DC Council law/statute -- a real authority (perhaps some policeman or policeman like-authority) to be required to live in each and every housing project, to learn and know the community, its members: the good and detrimental. This community dweller, living at the community and paid to strengthen the community social fabric and problem solving and deter (and have evicted) the “un” –social element.

3. REQUIRE “RA” PROGRAM IN PARCEL 42 –
I do not know how the Lincoln Westmoreland got to the despicable condition it is in, but, the pending proposal for Parcel 42 should include an RA program and/or some other creative thinking that prevents the creation of another Westmoreland.

What are your thoughts about additional measures that can be taken on this important public health issue?