Norton’s Southwest Waterfront Redevelopment Bill Passes House

Norton's Southwest Waterfront Redevelopment Bill Passes House

December 7, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's (D-DC) bill that clears the way for the redevelopment of the Southwest Waterfront passed the House by voice vote today, and now moves on to the Senate. Norton's Southwest Waterfront redevelopment bill, H.R. 2297, clarifies the legal status of the property in order to allow the District to move forward with a major redevelopment project that will bring 2.5 million square feet of hotels, office space, retail and residences, as well as increased maritime activity.

"I very much appreciate our productive discussions with Republican leaders, enabling us to get the bill to the floor without changes or controversy," Norton said. "At the same time, we have been working with our Senate partners and see no present obstacles there. The District's Southwest Waterfront today is a wasted asset with tremendous revenue- and jobs-producing potential. With passage of our bill, the Southwest Waterfront is about to shed its past and be transformed into a first-class waterfront community."

The new Arena Stage and the Washington Kastles tennis stadium, which are already at the waterfront, and the Graduate School USA's commitment to a long-term lease there, have jumpstarted the redevelopment of the Southwest Waterfront. The Southwest Waterfront redevelopment 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.