COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

 

             

TO:                  Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council

              

FROM:            Phil Mendelson, Chairman

                                                     

DATE:             December 13, 2018

 

                               

               The following measures are placed on the agenda for the December 18, 2018 Additional Legislative Meeting:

 

§  Revised Transfer of Jurisdiction over U.S. Reservation 724 (Lots 896 and 897 within Square 620) and Extinguishment of Covenants Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2018

§  Revised Transfer of Jurisdiction over U.S. Reservation 724 (Lots 896 and 897 within Square 620) and Extinguishment of Covenants Emergency Act of 2018

 

These measures would authorize the transfer of jurisdiction over U.S. Reservation 724 (Lot 896, less and except the northern portion previously retained by the District, and Lot 897 within Square 620) in the District of Columbia, from the United States of America, acting by and through the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, to the District of Columbia, and to consent to the extinguishment of covenants affecting real property in Square 620.

 

               The Council adopted a permanent version of this legislation (Bill 22-979) on second reading on December 4, 2018.  The purpose of the legislation is to correct an error in the November 2017 resolution that sought to authorize the transfer of federal National Park Service property within the Sursum Corda Cooperative redevelopment in Ward 6 to allow for creation of a park in the redevelopment.   The legislation also extinguishes two easements on the larger redevelopment site that are no longer necessary.  The Sursum Corda redevelopment project will greatly benefit those residents of the Cooperative who wish to return to the site after the redevelopment, and also be a benefit to the larger, surrounding area.  Moreover, site control for the park will enable the District and the developer to secure the park site against unauthorized access and to allow for vermin control which is a problem at the current site.   Emergency legislation is necessary to allow the land transfer to proceed sooner than congressional review of the permanent bill.

 

Draft