COUNCILMEMBER MURIEL BOWSER, CHAIRPERSON, COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COUNCILMEMBER JACK EVANS, CHAIRPERSON, COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND REVENUE
COUNCILMEMBER KENYAN MCDUFFIE, CHAIRPERSON, COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON, CHAIRPERSON, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

ANNOUNCE A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

Bill 20-382, the Skyland Town Center Omnibus Act of 2013

On October 29, 2013, Councilmember Muriel Bowser, Chairperson of the Committee on Economic Development, Councilmember Jack Evans, Chairperson of the Committee on Finance and Revenue, Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations, and Chairman Phil Mendelson, Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole will hold a public hearing to consider Bill 20-382.  The Skyland Town Center Omnibus Act of 2013 would reauthorize the Tax Increment Financing subsidy and approve the surplus declaration and disposition of the Skyland shopping Center and adjacent properties (Skyland). The transformation of Skyland into a new town center will help to revitalize a blighted shopping center so that it may become a first-rate amenity worthy of the surrounding community.

Skyland, located at the intersection of Naylor Road, Good Hope Road, and Alabama Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C., was acquired by the District between 2005 and 2008 from private landowners for the purposes of redeveloping the site. After years of engagement with the community, the development team, property owners, and tenants, the project will provide higher-quality retail, mixed-income housing, improved pedestrian access, and construction and retail jobs.

The proposed redevelopment plan for Skyland includes: (i) space to be leased to retail tenants containing approximately 340,000 square feet, (ii) multifamily buildings containing approximately 450-500 residential units, and (iii) accessory parking spaces. In addition, the project will include affordable housing with 20% of the residential units reserved for households with incomes at or below 80% AMI and 10% of the residential units reserved for households with incomes at or below 120% of AMI.

In order to support the development of the project, the District is proposing to support construction through a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) subsidy. The District proposes to invest up to $40 million to assist with the construction of the project and on-site and off-site infrastructure improvements. The TIF note will be repaid through available tax increment generated by the project.

The public hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Individuals and representatives of community organizations wishing to testify should contact Rob Hawkins, Legislative Director to the Committee on Economic Development, at (202) 724-8052, or rhawkins@dccouncil.us and furnish their name, address, telephone number, and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business October 28, 2013.  Persons presenting testimony may be limited to 3 minutes in order to permit each witness an opportunity to be heard. Please provide the Committee 20 copies of any written testimony.

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Committee on Economic Development, Council of the District of Columbia, Suite 110 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004.