Norton Introduces Vital Bill for Redevelopment and Revitalization of the Southwest Waterfront

Norton Introduces Vital Bill for Redevelopment and Revitalization of the Southwest Waterfront

June 22, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today will introduce an essential bill for the redevelopment of the Southwest Waterfront, which clarifies the legal status of a property in order to allow the District to move forward with a major redevelopment project that will include 2.5 million square feet of hotels, office space, retail and residences, as well as increased maritime activity.

"Transferring full ownership of the Southwest Waterfront to the District is another important effort in the continuing revitalization of underused areas that have burdened by federal restrictions, even when, as with the Southwest Waterfront, the federal government has no intent to use the land," said Norton. "The District of Columbia has created a new vision for the Southwest Waterfront that will attract residents to live and work there and visitors from the National Mall to the waterfront area, as well as afford maximum use of this valuable site. Development of the new Arena Stage and the Washington Kastles tennis stadium, which are already at the waterfront, and the announcement of the Graduate School USA's commitment to a long-term tenancy have jumpstarted development of the new Southwest Waterfront, and Southwest residents have shown a keen interest in the mixed-use development to come." However, Norton said, "The original law restricting the use of the land along the waterfront to lease-only arrangements reflects antiquated, pre-home-rule practices, which the city did not have authority to develop property, and these practices effectively cut the city off from building multi-use structures on the site and drove down its useful value." Neither the National Park Service nor any other federal agency has any interest in developing the waterfront or the Southwest Waterfront parcels, other than the Maine Lobsterman Memorial and the Titanic Memorial, which are protected in the Norton bill from transfer. The federal agencies with any interest in the site have been consulted and have agreed to this transfer.

The Norton bill would specifically amend the D.C. Code to: allow the District to transfer the property by "one or more quitclaim deeds;" update the site description of the land to be transferred to include all areas within the approved project site; remove references to the urban renewal plan, which has expired, and insert the phrase "master plan" in its place; allow for the sale of condominiums on the site; repeal certain provisions no longer applicable to the site; change all references of the District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency to "the District of Columbia, as successor in interest to the District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency;" and broaden the definition of uses for the Fish Market to include other foods, beverages, produce, and flowers.

The Southwest Waterfront development project will create thousands of jobs for District residents, generate millions of dollars annually in local tax revenue, create new and improved waterfront parks and docks, and revitalize the southwest quadrant of the city.