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:             February 1, 2024

 

 

This memorandum is to request that the following measures be placed on the agenda for the February 6, 2024 Legislative Meeting:

 

▪        Historic Preservation of Derelict District Properties Extension Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2024

▪        Historic Preservation of Derelict District Properties Extension Emergency Amendment Act of 2024

▪        Historic Preservation of Derelict District Properties Extension Temporary Amendment Act of 2024

 

            Last year, the Council adopted emergency legislation to allow the L’Enfant Trust to continue to rehabilitate two remaining historic homes in Anacostia for resale as workforce housing.  In 2016, the Council adopted legislation to transfer four historic properties held by the District to the L’Enfant Trust for rehabilitation and eventual resale of the properties, at no cost to the District.

 

            Three of the four properties have been renovated and sold.  The fourth should be completed within the next three years as the Trust continues to identify grants and other resources to complete the renovation.  An extension of the time is necessary for the Trust to complete renovation and sale of the homes.  The legislation adopted last year extended the deadline to do this from 5 years to 10 years (expiring in 2028).

 

            This has been a remarkable project with the L’Enfant Trust.  The Trust has taken four dilapidated and vacant properties that were owned by the District, renovated to historic district standards, and is putting them back into use at no cost to the District.  This legislation is a new round of emergency and temporary legislation.  I intend to include this provision in permanent legislation later this year.

 

The draft measures are attached.  Please call me or Mr. Evan Cash if you have any questions at (202) 724-7002. 

 

 

cc:       All Councilmembers

            Council Officers