New Voices in Poplar Point Debate
Move Over Councilman Marion Barry!
There is a little known group that opposes Ward Eight Councilman Barry's efforts to see developer Victor MacFarlane get sole rights to develop the attractive Poplar Point land along the Anacostia. Barry is at odds with Mayor Adrian Fenty who opened the project up to competitive bids. MacFarlane, owner of DC United, the local pro soccer team wants the city to grant him exclusive development rights with the understanding that a new soccer stadium will be part of the project.
Here's the latest development that came Wednesday at the Poplar Point Bidder’s Conference hosted by the Deputy Mayor’s office.
The group "ONE DC Anacostia" announced the results of their month-long, door-to-door survey of Ward 8 residents on the future of Poplar Point.
Their Press release starts below;
"After successfully advocating an end to closed-door negotiations with DC United, culminating with the announcement of the public bidding process for the site by Mayor Fenty on July 23, residents of Barry Farm, Congress Heights, Historic Anacostia and Hillsdale assembled the attached survey on development priorities for the site, and went out in teams over the last month in neighborhoods closest to Poplar Point.
The results of the 304 surveys that have thus far been entered into our database are attached.
A few highlights, which may contradict conventional wisdom:
--- 64% of the residents surveyed heard about the proposed redevelopment from the interviewer, at the moment of the survey (and the reason we also created an informational flyer about Poplar Point, which I can provide)
--- 87% were opposed to building another stadium (no matter how it was financed, according to our interviewers)
--- 81% were opposed to any kind of market-rate development at the point
--- 72% were in favor of restoring Poplar Point as a full part of Anacostia Park
--- 79% thought any new housing units should be affordable to people making less than $30,000 a year
The survey respondents specific development priorities – comparing needed amenities like youth spaces and senior centers with more market-driven development such as office and retail.
Andrew Willis
Organizing Neighborhood Equity DC (ONE DC)
Office: 614 S St NW Rear Carriage House
Mail: PO Box 26049 Washington, DC 20001
P: 202 232 2915 x103
F: 202 667 5196
There is a little known group that opposes Ward Eight Councilman Barry's efforts to see developer Victor MacFarlane get sole rights to develop the attractive Poplar Point land along the Anacostia. Barry is at odds with Mayor Adrian Fenty who opened the project up to competitive bids. MacFarlane, owner of DC United, the local pro soccer team wants the city to grant him exclusive development rights with the understanding that a new soccer stadium will be part of the project.
Here's the latest development that came Wednesday at the Poplar Point Bidder’s Conference hosted by the Deputy Mayor’s office.
The group "ONE DC Anacostia" announced the results of their month-long, door-to-door survey of Ward 8 residents on the future of Poplar Point.
Their Press release starts below;
"After successfully advocating an end to closed-door negotiations with DC United, culminating with the announcement of the public bidding process for the site by Mayor Fenty on July 23, residents of Barry Farm, Congress Heights, Historic Anacostia and Hillsdale assembled the attached survey on development priorities for the site, and went out in teams over the last month in neighborhoods closest to Poplar Point.
The results of the 304 surveys that have thus far been entered into our database are attached.
A few highlights, which may contradict conventional wisdom:
--- 64% of the residents surveyed heard about the proposed redevelopment from the interviewer, at the moment of the survey (and the reason we also created an informational flyer about Poplar Point, which I can provide)
--- 87% were opposed to building another stadium (no matter how it was financed, according to our interviewers)
--- 81% were opposed to any kind of market-rate development at the point
--- 72% were in favor of restoring Poplar Point as a full part of Anacostia Park
--- 79% thought any new housing units should be affordable to people making less than $30,000 a year
The survey respondents specific development priorities – comparing needed amenities like youth spaces and senior centers with more market-driven development such as office and retail.
Andrew Willis
Organizing Neighborhood Equity DC (ONE DC)
Office: 614 S St NW Rear Carriage House
Mail: PO Box 26049 Washington, DC 20001
P: 202 232 2915 x103
F: 202 667 5196
posted by Bruce Johnson @ 4:11 PM
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4 Comments:
Well, tough crap, Willis. Poplar Point is going to be developed because the whole point of the federal land transfer was to increase the District's tax base, something that won't happen if it's restored to a big park.
I would love to see how the question of whether or not the residents support a new stadium was phrased.
No one is disputing rather Popular Point is going to be developed. It is true the land transfer is supposed to increase the District's tax base. However, office space, retail space, and community space will increase the city's tax base just as much as some market rate condo's. The citizens of Ward 8 should see Popular Point developed to include the spaces and amenities that they need.
The reason the Federal government functionaries transfer land to DC: reluctance to spend what it takes to remedy decades of neglect when they can get DC to do it. Remember St.E?
The Feds don’t care if DC uses land for a park, industrial park, condo-farm or a parking lot - they just want to get out from under any further financial obligation and avoid exposure of their poor record as stewards of public land.
I completely agree that a bunch of market rate condos is not the way to go for the area, but the D.C. United plan includes office, retail and community space in addition to housing, both market rate and "affordable."
The stadium/hotel/confrence center is crucial to any office and retail development that would take place there because it would provide an anchor that would draw people to the area. A bunch of stores and businesses aren't going to just move in because some new buildings by the river have been zoned commercial.
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