Norton’s Southwest Waterfront Redevelopment Bill Set to Receive House Vote on Tuesday?

Norton's Southwest Waterfront Redevelopment Bill Set to Receive House Vote on Tuesday

December 5, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's (D-DC) bill that clears the way for the redevelopment of the Southwest Waterfront is set to receive a vote in the House on Tuesday. The legislation will come to the floor under suspension of the rules, which is reserved for non-controversial bills, and therefore is very likely to pass. Norton's Southwest Waterfront Redevelopment Act, 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 include 2.5 million square feet of hotels, office space, retail and residences, as well as increased maritime activity.

"I appreciate the negotiations with my Republican colleagues that enabled us to move forward with a bill of great importance to the city," Norton said. "At the same time, we are making excellent progress in the Senate. When we are done, the city will be able to begin building a new 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.