March 29, 2006- Historic Move by Federal Government to Anacostia

Washington, DC—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and key federal and District officials will present important, up-to-date information about the first ever federal development east of the Anacostia River, planned for St. Elizabeth’s at an All-Community Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, April 5th from 6:30-8:30 PM, at the Petey Green Community Center, 2907 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE in Ward 8. The Congresswoman, who is ranking member of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over this project, has set aside the bulk of the meeting for residents to ask questions about the upcoming development of the west campus of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for federal office space beginning with the $300 million Coast Guard headquarters. Representatives of the General Services Administration, Coast Guard, D.C. Department of Transportation, D.C. Office of Planning, and National Capital Planning Commission will speak about their roles in the development. Mayor Anthony Williams and Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry will offer brief opening remarks, and ANC 8C Commissioner Mary Cuthbert will open the meeting with remarks of welcome.

The Congresswoman rarely introduces new federal projects with a full Town Hall Meeting. Although the Coast Guard is not the largest construction that she has sought and guided through her subcommittee, she said, "The Coast Guard construction is a path-breaking opportunity to finally take long vacant federal property that has been a major factor in the deterioration of Ward 8 and convert the property into a magnet for the quality commercial development that the Ward has has difficulty attracting." At the same time Norton said, residents will want answers to many questions concerning issues such as access to the grounds, considered particularly scenic, benefits to the neighborhood, the roles of the responsible federal and D.C. officials when federal construction occurs in city neighborhoods, and how much influence the community has on federal construction.

Norton said that the development of federal sites the size of St. Elizabeth’s has considerable community economic development potential, particularly along Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, similar to commercial development that has always followed federal construction in other D.C. communities.

The west campus of St. E's is owned by the federal government and the east campus is owned by the District of Columbia.