Norton Plan Approval Comes as DC Small Businesses Already See Benefits in Face of Recession (1/8/09)

Washington, D.C. - The National Capitol Planning Commission's (NCPC) 9-1 decision to approve the Master Plan for Consolidation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the West Campus of St. Elizabeths follows Norton's efforts that got the first $100 million for the project approved. "With today's decision, we begin almost a decade of construction at an optimal time to throw the city, and particularly the Ward 8 community, a lifeline as the recession deepens," said Norton, chair of the subcommittee that will guide the construction.

"The value of the project to the city, particularly to Ward 8, has already begun to be demonstrated in dollars and cents," Norton added. "Of the first $28 million spent on stabilization on the west campus of St. Elizabeths so far, 100% of the stabilization contracts went to small and disadvantaged business contractors, and 40% went to District residents." The General Service Administration and DHS estimate that the headquarters in Ward 8 will lead to a direct creation of 28,000 new jobs. The 14,000 DHS employees are key to the retail and commercial development that Norton hopes will recreate MLK Ave, Ward 8's main commercial street.

Norton congratulated the NCPC on months of study and negotiation that resulted in a Master Plan that was so improved it received a near unanimous vote. As subcommittee chair, Norton required GSA to work with the Ward 8 community, District of Columbia officials, DHS personnel, and the many interested organizations that were consulted until an acceptable agreement was reached. Although the Master Plan took longer than the federal government had wanted, Norton said that it was "well worth the time. Like every solution, the Master Plan did not lead to the nirvana many of us desired." She was particularly pleased with the strong desire of Ward 8 residents for the new headquarters.

The success today continues Norton's efforts to locate federal agencies in developing neighborhoods, benefiting neighborhoods like NOMA, where the new ATF headquarters and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission headquarters opened last session. A major section of the Justice Department is also under construction there. National Public Radio, the YMCA and other well-known private entities are following the government's lead and moving to the neighborhood.