For Immediate Release
March 3, 2020 

Contact
Wanda Lockridge, 202.724.8045
[email protected] 

Councilmember Trayon White Introduces Emergency Legislation for the Development of Union Square
 

Today, Councilmember Trayon White introduced B23-0675 Reunion Square Tax Increment Financing Emergency Act of 2020. The Reunion Square TIF will support the redevelopment of the formerly industrial zoned land behind Martin Luther King Avenue near the Big Chair and Anacostia Professional Building. The TIF proposes to provide tax increment bond financing in the aggregate amount not to exceed $25 million to support the project. The TIF proceeds would fund infrastructure costs and site development costs within the Reunion Square TIF area that are required for this project to move forward. As of today, the TIF project includes:

1) An approximately 280,000 SF office building, which includes 8,000 SF of ground floor retail.

This is part of the emergency basis of this bill to ensure that the Department of Health can move
forward with their relocation and to avoid any additional costs to the District.

2) A mixed‐use building that will consist of a mixed-use project with ground-floor retail, parking, a hotel,
and approximately 10,000 SF of retail.

3) A residential building with approximately 134 units (100% of which will be affordable).

“When I first came into office, there was a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) in place which totaled $250k. With the work of the community, we were able to re-negotiate the CBA to now include a total of $1.3M,” stated Councilmember White. The negotiation also includes moving from 27 affordable units to 134 affordable units which includes a state-of-the-art senior living facility.

Further negotiations, with the developer, included contracting and job opportunities for Ward 8 business and residents. This project is unique because Councilmember White went a step further to create a portion of the project where residents can invest through crowd funding with a minimum of $500. Further to ensure community stability, Chairman White is working on a Displacement Free Zones legislation to ensure that taxes and rents do not skyrocket for the residents. “I am serious about getting everyday residents to have equity in this project,” says Councilmember White. 

“None of this could have been possible without the vision and hard work of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8A, its members and the community at large. I personally would like to thank each of them for their steadfast commitment to the community. I would also like to thank Mayor Muriel Bowser for her vision,” concluded Councilmember White. 

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For immediate release: March 2, 2020

Metro extends public comment period for FY2021 budget

Metro has extended the public comment period on the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget for one week. Public feedback will be accepted online at wmata.com/budget or by mail through 9 a.m. on Monday, March 9.

The extension allows extra time for individuals to review the full 290-page budget book, parts of which have been updated to ensure full compatibility with screen reader technology for the visually impaired. The accessibility updates do not affect the content of the budget book, which has not changed.

The Board considers public comment prior to making key decisions about the budget, along with fare and service changes. Any Board-approved fare or service changes will begin on or around July 1, 2020.

For those without access to computers or internet, testimony may also be mailed to:

Office of the Board Secretary

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

600 Fifth Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

All comments must be received by the Office of the Board Secretary by 9 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2020 to be included in the public record.

The comments received by the Office of the Board Secretary, along with the survey results and public hearing comments, will be presented to the Board and will be part of the official public hearing record. Please note all statements are releasable to the public upon request, and may be posted on WMATA's website, without change, including any personal information provided.

For those who do not have access to computers or internet, copies of the docket in its entirety can be requested from Metro's Office of the Board Secretary by calling 202-962-2511, and are available for inspection during normal business hours at Metro's Headquarters at 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. Please call 202-962-2511 in advance to schedule an appointment.

All comments received are releasable to the public upon request, and may be posted on WMATA's website, without change, including any personal information you provide.