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November 17, 2005: NORTON SAYS TRANSFER OF WALTER REED TO DC IS LIKELY BUT IS CONCERNED

January 9, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2005

NORTON SAYS TRANSFER OF WALTER REED TO DC IS LIKELY BUT IS CONCERNED THAT CONGRESS WILL DELAY FOR YEARS FUNDING A NEW HOSPITAL

Washington, DC—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) expressed optimism that the District can obtain the Walter Reed property as the 30-day count down begins today for federal agencies to apply for the property. Following meetings with Department of Defense (DoD) and General Services Administration (GSA) officials, Norton said the obstacle is not likely to be federal desire for the Walter Reed property. After speaking with congressional colleagues responsible for authorizing and appropriating funds, Norton said that “the real obstacle is that budget constraints may delay for the foreseeable future the construction of the new hospital in Bethesda.”

Norton praised Mayor Williams for moving ahead now to form the Land Redevelopment Authority, the local entity necessary to receive a BRAC property. These authorities negotiate any of 20 different conveyance transfer methods. Norton said that typically the BRAC process assures that the DoD meets its goal to get the best price for the property by first working with the local jurisdiction on zoning and a plan for local use, and then selling the property to a developer on the terms of the DoD approved local plan. This method was used to transfer Cameron Station to Virginia authorities.

Norton said that federal government real estate experts see Walter Reed as more white elephant than site development opportunity because it is encumbered by a large hospital, historic structures, and other buildings that would have to be removed. Norton said that, nevertheless, her purpose was to make certain that there are no delays on the federal land disposal process, notwithstanding congressional budgetary obstacles that no one can control. She said she would meet soon with city officials and personnel.