Norton Sees No Obstacles to Washington Channel Bill Introduced Today to Spur Economic Development
Norton Sees No Obstacles to Washington Channel Bill Introduced Today to Spur Economic Development of Southwest Waterfront
February 15, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to transfer jurisdiction to the District of Columbia the part of the waterway surrounding the Southwest Waterfront to enable a major section of the redevelopment of the Waterfront to proceed. When complete, the redevelopment will include 2.5 million square feet of hotel, office, retail and residential units, as well as increased maritime activity. The project will create thousands of jobs for 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.
Norton got this bill passed in the House by unanimous consent in the 111th Congress last year, but the Senate did not get to it. "I anticipate passage of this bill in light of our discussions with the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which have agreed to reassign the necessary sections of the Washington Channel because the Southwest Waterfront is no longer a major port for large vessels," Norton said. "Larger modern docks for increased boating and waterside activity make the highest and best use of an undervalued and underused asset with incredible potential. We are making progress on the Southeast Waterfront, which is developing from my Southeast Federal Center legislation. We need to get on with the underdeveloped Southwest side. We got this non-controversial bill through the House easily last Congress, and I will move quickly to avoid further delay of the redevelopment by Congress."