DC North | June 2007 | Ward 2 News

Ward 2 News

by: Susan Ruether

Nuisance Property Bill Eyed by Shaw and Logan Residents
Ward 2 residents hoping for some action on the vacant or “nuisance” properties in their neighborhoods lined up on May 24 to testify at a DC Council hearing on the “Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform and Real Property Classification Amendment Act of 2007,” a bill introduced by Councilmembers Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3).

For residents of Shaw and Logan Circle, where vacant properties abound, many say the “broken window syndrome” and other crime and quality of life issues created by empty properties are chief among their concerns.

“Vacant property is one of the main issues for my constituents,” said Commissioner Kevin Chapple of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C. “The crime that is encouraged by vacant properties is a real problem…The abandoned houses are [also] one of the barriers to real economic development and the revitalization of this area. No one wants to see blighted businesses and vacant and rundown homes,” Chapple continued.

The legislation aims to better coordinate the agencies responsible for identifying, tagging and taxing vacant properties in order to more efficiently deal with abandoned properties, according to Jack Evans’ office. The bill directs the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to manage the inspection and designation of properties as “Class 3 vacant” while requiring better coordination with the Office of Tax and Revenue.

The issue of taxation of vacant properties is a major concern for some residents who say that taxation is a viable way to deal with negligent owners.

The Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association recently prepared a study of vacant buildings in the area and presented the results to the council. According to Si Kailian, the MVSNA found that 61 of the 100 vacant properties in the neighborhood are being taxed at the wrong rate.

The MVSNA reported: “Many are taxed at the rate for occupied or permitted structures (0.88 percent), rather than the higher ‘Class 3’ vacant property rate (5 percent), depriving the District government of thousands in revenue and placing no incentive on owners to rent, develop or sell their vacant properties.”

Ray Mileski thinks the bill could go even further than enforcing the tax laws on the books. Mileski, a 21-year Shaw resident at Ninth Street and Rhode Island Avenue, said the house next door to him has been abandoned for nearly eight years. A for-sale sign is tacked on the house, but according to Mileski, the owner has no intention to sell and avoids paying taxes at the Class 3 rate (for-sale properties are taxed at the lower Class 2 rate). “The Evans legislation has no teeth,” said Mileski who suggested “taxing the hell” out of nuisance property owners.

The new legislation, instead, intends to compel owners to maintain their vacant property and pay their fair share of tax, though some residents thought other mechanisms should be considered. Residents at the May hearing pointed out, for example, that the DC government itself is the owner of several vacant properties in Ward 2.

Another well-known vacant-property owner in the area, Shiloh Baptist Church, recently received a notice from the Board for the Condemnation of Unsanitary Buildings; four of the several abandoned properties on Ninth Street were posted with condemnation notices last month. Most of the buildings have been abandoned for decades, and the church was given 15 days to make major repairs to the roofs, the interiors, and the bricks and mortar or face the possibility of fines.

Shiloh Minister Thomas L. Bowen told the Washington Examiner on May 18 that the master plan is to turn the properties into affordable housing for seniors, though he conceded that the church hadn’t acted in a timely fashion.

Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh will host a public oversight hearing titled “Vacant and Nuisance Property Administration and Enforcement” on July 2 at 10 a.m. For more information call 202-724-8062, or visit www.marycheh.com.

Mayor Joins U Street Businesses in Green Power
Standing outside of the landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl restaurant on U Street, 10 locally-owned and independent DC businesses announced their intention to switch their source of electricity to 100 percent wind power in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage greater energy independence.

Working with the Latino Economic Development Corporation and its DC-Area Local Business Alliance project, Clean Currents LLC – a DC-based “clean energy business” – produced three-year 100 percent wind energy contracts for the following businesses: Ben’s Chili Bowl, Boundless Yoga, Busboys and Poets, Cake Love, Coppi’s Organic Pizza, Love Café, Luna Grill and Diner, Rumberos restaurant, The Diner and Tryst.

“What people in our urban communities really want is locally-owned and environmentally-responsible economic development that promotes livable and healthy neighborhoods,” said Kimberly Weeks, owner of Boundless Yoga. “Each of us can do our part by saying ‘no’ to fossil fuel-powered electricity and choosing instead to go green.”

The buying group will purchase nearly two million kilowatt-hours of wind energy per year for three years, according to Clean Currents. “This is equivalent to taking about 2.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide – the main global-warming gas – out of our air,” said Gary Skulnik, president of Clean Currents. “The carbon offset is equal to taking 185 motor vehicles off of our roads.”

Going green also saves money. Savings are estimated to be $21,000 for the first year and even greater in subsequent years as Pepco prices are likely to increase in years two and three of the deal according to Clean Currents.

The businesses are members of the DC-Area Local Business Alliance, launched by the LEDC last year to promote locally-owned businesses while advocating for the implementation of economically and environmentally sustainable business practices.

Mayor Fenty announced the new contract at a press conference in a show of his support of the initiative.

Ward 2 News Briefs

ANC 2C – Shaw, Mount Vernon Square
General Announcements: No major resolutions were passed at the May meeting according to Commissioner Chapple.

For more information about ANC 2C, call 202-387-1596.

ANC 2F –Logan Circle, Thomas Circle, Shaw, Downtown
The commission passed a resolution to advise DDOT to approve the application for an outdoor café by Stoney’s at 1433 P St.

ANC 2F voted to support “The Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform and Real Property Classification Amendment Act of 2007” (Bill 17-086) and to advise the council to pass the legislation.

A resolution passed to accept the voluntary agreement (to be approved by ABRA) as negotiated with La Pata Negra, 1612 14th St., NW.

The commission resolved to accept the voluntary agreement with Dakota Cowgirl Restaurant, 1337 14th St., NW.

The commission voted to advise ABRA to approve a stipulated license for special events for International-lifestyles t/a The Space-Karen Cox, 903 N St., NW.

The commission voted to protest the renewal application of ABRA license for Stoney’s, 1433 P St., NW, on the grounds that it would disturb the peace, order and quiet of residential tenancies and lower property values. It was further resolved that a voluntary agreement with the licensee should be negotiated.

For more information on ANC 2F, call 202-667-0052, or visit www.anc2f.org.


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Ward 2 News

by: Susan Ruether
Nuisance Property Bill Eyed by Shaw and Logan Residents Ward 2 residents hoping for some action on the vacant or “nuisance” properties in their neighborhoods lined up on May 24 to testify at a DC Council hearing on the “Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform and Real Property Classification Amendment Act of 2007,” a bill introduced by Councilmembers Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3). For residents of Shaw and Logan Circle, where vacant properties abound, many say the “broken window syndrome” and other crime and quality of life issues created by empty properties are chief among their concerns. “Vacant property is one of the main issues for my constituents,” said Commissioner Kevin Chapple of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C. “The crime that is encouraged by vacant properties is a real problem…The abandoned houses are [also] one of the barriers to real economic development and the revitalization of this area. No one wants to see blighted businesses and vacant and rundown homes,” Chapple continued. The legislation aims to better coordinate the agencies responsible for identifying, tagging and taxing vacant properties in order to more efficiently deal with abandoned properties, according to Jack Evans’ office. The bill directs the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to manage the inspection and designation of properties as “Class 3 vacant” while requiring better coordination with the Office of Tax and Revenue. The issue of taxation of vacant properties is a major concern for some residents who say that taxation is a viable way to deal with negligent owners. The Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association recently prepared a study of vacant buildings in the area and presented the results to the council. According to Si Kailian, the MVSNA found that 61 of the 100 vacant properties in the neighborhood are being taxed at the wrong rate. The MVSNA reported: “Many are taxed at the rate for occupied or permitted structures (0.88 percent), rather than the higher ‘Class 3’ vacant property rate (5 percent), depriving the District government of thousands in revenue and placing no incentive on owners to rent, develop or sell their vacant properties.” Ray Mileski thinks the bill could go even further than enforcing the tax laws on the books. Mileski, a 21-year Shaw resident at Ninth Street and Rhode Island Avenue, said the house next door to him has been abandoned for nearly eight years. A for-sale sign is tacked on the house, but according to Mileski, the owner has no intention to sell and avoids paying taxes at the Class 3 rate (for-sale properties are taxed at the lower Class 2 rate). “The Evans legislation has no teeth,” said Mileski who suggested “taxing the hell” out of nuisance property owners. The new legislation, instead, intends to compel owners to maintain their vacant property and pay their fair share of tax, though some residents thought other mechanisms should be considered. Residents at the May hearing pointed out, for example, that the DC government itself is the owner of several vacant properties in Ward 2. Another well-known vacant-property owner in the area, Shiloh Baptist Church, recently received a notice from the Board for the Condemnation of Unsanitary Buildings; four of the several abandoned properties on Ninth Street were posted with condemnation notices last month. Most of the buildings have been abandoned for decades, and the church was given 15 days to make major repairs to the roofs, the interiors, and the bricks and mortar or face the possibility of fines. Shiloh Minister Thomas L. Bowen told the Washington Examiner on May 18 that the master plan is to turn the properties into affordable housing for seniors, though he conceded that the church hadn’t acted in a timely fashion. Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh will host a public oversight hearing titled “Vacant and Nuisance Property Administration and Enforcement” on July 2 at 10 a.m. For more information call 202-724-8062, or visit www.marycheh.com. Mayor Joins U Street Businesses in Green Power Standing outside of the landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl restaurant on U Street, 10 locally-owned and independent DC businesses announced their intention to switch their source of electricity to 100 percent wind power in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage greater energy independence. Working with the Latino Economic Development Corporation and its DC-Area Local Business Alliance project, Clean Currents LLC – a DC-based “clean energy business” – produced three-year 100 percent wind energy contracts for the following businesses: Ben’s Chili Bowl, Boundless Yoga, Busboys and Poets, Cake Love, Coppi’s Organic Pizza, Love Café, Luna Grill and Diner, Rumberos restaurant, The Diner and Tryst. “What people in our urban communities really want is locally-owned and environmentally-responsible economic development that promotes livable and healthy neighborhoods,” said Kimberly Weeks, owner of Boundless Yoga. “Each of us can do our part by saying ‘no’ to fossil fuel-powered electricity and choosing instead to go green.” The buying group will purchase nearly two million kilowatt-hours of wind energy per year for three years, according to Clean Currents. “This is equivalent to taking about 2.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide – the main global-warming gas – out of our air,” said Gary Skulnik, president of Clean Currents. “The carbon offset is equal to taking 185 motor vehicles off of our roads.” Going green also saves money. Savings are estimated to be $21,000 for the first year and even greater in subsequent years as Pepco prices are likely to increase in years two and three of the deal according to Clean Currents. The businesses are members of the DC-Area Local Business Alliance, launched by the LEDC last year to promote locally-owned businesses while advocating for the implementation of economically and environmentally sustainable business practices. Mayor Fenty announced the new contract at a press conference in a show of his support of the initiative. Ward 2 News Briefs ANC 2C – Shaw, Mount Vernon Square General Announcements: No major resolutions were passed at the May meeting according to Commissioner Chapple. For more information about ANC 2C, call 202-387-1596. ANC 2F –Logan Circle, Thomas Circle, Shaw, Downtown The commission passed a resolution to advise DDOT to approve the application for an outdoor café by Stoney’s at 1433 P St. ANC 2F voted to support “The Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform and Real Property Classification Amendment Act of 2007” (Bill 17-086) and to advise the council to pass the legislation. A resolution passed to accept the voluntary agreement (to be approved by ABRA) as negotiated with La Pata Negra, 1612 14th St., NW. The commission resolved to accept the voluntary agreement with Dakota Cowgirl Restaurant, 1337 14th St., NW. The commission voted to advise ABRA to approve a stipulated license for special events for International-lifestyles t/a The Space-Karen Cox, 903 N St., NW. The commission voted to protest the renewal application of ABRA license for Stoney’s, 1433 P St., NW, on the grounds that it would disturb the peace, order and quiet of residential tenancies and lower property values. It was further resolved that a voluntary agreement with the licensee should be negotiated. For more information on ANC 2F, call 202-667-0052, or visit www.anc2f.org.