Norton Delighted that First Parcel of Land Transfer Awarded for Development (2/14/08)

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who sponsored the Federal and District of Columbia Government Real Property Act of 2006 that will transfer Poplar Point and other federal land to the District, said she was "delighted that the city has reached the first milestone for completing the land transfer with the selection of Clark Construction as the Master Developer for Poplar Point." Norton worked for two years and took the bill through four House committees and the Senate to bring to the District, the Poplar Point site, Hill East, where the DC General Hospital site is located, and many other smaller but valuable parcels that the city has long sought.

The next steps will require the close cooperation of the federal government, including a study of Poplar Point to ensure that the Master Plan adheres to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for which a request for proposals has been issued by the District. The study is required for all federal land and will ensure that the Plan takes into account all environmental impacts. The NEPA process is scheduled to be completed in 2009. Certification of the Master Plan, including the NEPA review, will allow the Secretary of Interior to convey most of Polar Point to the District of Columbia. However, the District also is responsible for providing facilities for several National Park Service units now located at Poplar Point before the final conveyance of that portion of Poplar Point can occur.

Norton said she also is looking forward to the transfer of the Hill East parcel, the other large parcel in the Norton legislation. Her office is working with the city to identify a site for a House mail sorting facility, a requirement before Hill East can be transferred. A proposed site has been identified and negotiations are underway.