Norton to Speak at The Wharf Phase II Opening Celebration, Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will speak tomorrow, October 12, 2022, at the celebration marking the completion of The Wharf, the neighborhood Norton's 2012 legislation enabled to be developed on the Southwest Waterfront in the District of Columbia. One of Norton's key priorities for decades has been the transfer of unused or underutilized federal land in D.C. to the D.C. government or the private sector to redevelop neighborhoods and generate tax revenue for D.C. Among other such transfers, Norton legislation enabled the development of The Yards, a neighborhood on the Southeast Waterfront.

"Getting federal land for the District and ensuring public access to our waterfront have been among my top priorities during my service in Congress," Norton said. "With Phase 2 of The Wharf complete, we can celebrate the neighborhood's revitalization. These types of projects bring hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for D.C."

Norton's remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow.

Remarks of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

Completion of The Wharf Phase 2

October 12, 2022

I am pleased to join you today, on the fifth anniversary of the Grand Opening of The Wharf Phase 1, to celebrate the completion of The Wharf Phase 2. Phase 2 will continue to revitalize the Southwest Waterfront with the addition of 1.15 million square feet of mixed-use development, including a marina, offices and retail, 351 new housing units and parks and public spaces.

I was honored the Waterfront Park here was dedicated to me in recognition of my years-long work to pass legislation to allow The Wharf to be developed. The passage of my legislation enabled the redevelopment of The Wharf into this thriving, tax-revenue generating mixed-use development and community hub for live music, visual arts and culture. I am particularly pleased that The Wharf and The Yards, which also resulted from separate legislation of mine, have reactivated both the Southwest and Southeast waterfronts.

I have also worked hard to defeat efforts by the federal government to restrict public access to the Washington Channel, which the Army Corps proposed to do recently on behalf of Fort McNair but is no longer pursuing. My Washington Channel Public Access Act would prohibit the Army Corps from finalizing, implementing or enforcing any proposed rule restricting public access to the Channel. I am pleased that the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed this bill last year.

Transferring unused and underutilized federal land in D.C. to the D.C. government or private sector and improving public access to our waterways have been among my top priorities during my service in Congress. With Phase 2 of The Wharf complete, we can celebrate the neighborhood's revitalization. These transfers bring new neighborhoods and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue to D.C.

I congratulate Monty Hoffman, Amer Hammour, the team from Hoffman-Madison Waterfront and all the community partners for their dedication and work on this visionary project.

Thank you.

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