The D.C. City Council passed controversial "emergency" legislation this summer to sell the area surrounding the West End Library to a private developer without the approval of community groups.
The legislation would allow Eastbanc, a private developer, to purchase a public plot of land on 24th and L streets. Emergency legislation bypasses the Foggy Bottom/West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission, which usually advises the District government on development and neighborhood issues. This special process must be approved by the mayor.
Jack Evans, D.C. councilmember for the area, wrote that the bill was rushed so residents of the Tiverton - a building in the lot - could buy their properties before their rights expire, according to an e-mail forwarded to a Foggy Bottom resident listserv. The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act gives all tenants in the District the opportunity to buy their property if it is put up for sale.
The approved bill states that Eastbanc must fairly develop the area by creating affordable housing options on par with the local income. It adds that the land is "no longer required for public purposes."
Ralph Nader, former presidential candidate and founder of the D.C. Library Renaissance Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting District libraries, spoke to local residents outside the West End Library July 14.
"This idea of public/private partnership - to use the latest euphemism - is nothing more than subordinating the public trust, the public interest and the public property," Nader said. "But this battle is not just your battle. If this goes through, what other D.C. library branch will be next?"
Many people in the neighborhood said at local meetings this summer they oppose the decision and doubt the necessity of the emergency status.
"I think the real reason that people are angry is because of process more than anything," said L. Asher Corson, president of ANC Ward 2 and a 2007 graduate of GW. "It is outrageous and unreasonable to expect the ANC to support a process that would permanently undermine its ability to comment on these things in the future."
The legislation would allow Eastbanc, a private developer, to purchase a public plot of land on 24th and L streets. Emergency legislation bypasses the Foggy Bottom/West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission, which usually advises the District government on development and neighborhood issues. This special process must be approved by the mayor.
Jack Evans, D.C. councilmember for the area, wrote that the bill was rushed so residents of the Tiverton - a building in the lot - could buy their properties before their rights expire, according to an e-mail forwarded to a Foggy Bottom resident listserv. The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act gives all tenants in the District the opportunity to buy their property if it is put up for sale.
The approved bill states that Eastbanc must fairly develop the area by creating affordable housing options on par with the local income. It adds that the land is "no longer required for public purposes."
Ralph Nader, former presidential candidate and founder of the D.C. Library Renaissance Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting District libraries, spoke to local residents outside the West End Library July 14.
"This idea of public/private partnership - to use the latest euphemism - is nothing more than subordinating the public trust, the public interest and the public property," Nader said. "But this battle is not just your battle. If this goes through, what other D.C. library branch will be next?"
Many people in the neighborhood said at local meetings this summer they oppose the decision and doubt the necessity of the emergency status.
"I think the real reason that people are angry is because of process more than anything," said L. Asher Corson, president of ANC Ward 2 and a 2007 graduate of GW. "It is outrageous and unreasonable to expect the ANC to support a process that would permanently undermine its ability to comment on these things in the future."
