Reclaim public land in SW: expanding the Douglass Community Land Trust for community-led development
Mayor, Muriel Bowser; Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development, John Falciccio, Ward 6 Councilmember, Charles Allen; At-large Councilmember, Robert White; At-large Councilmember, Christina Henderson; At-large Councilmember, Anita Bonds; At-large
[When this petition started in May 2022, there was no public plan for the relocation of the farmers and night markets that are held at 425 M Street SW. In March 2023, residents learned that the Department of Parks and Recreation have $3.5 million to build a space at 4th & I (eye) that will host the markets. The question still remains what will happen to the parcels at 425 and 375 M Street SW]
The communal space at 425 M Street SW is scheduled to be redeveloped into Class-A apartments (598 units with 8% being affordable). The communal space has been an excellent addition to the neighborhood, as it's provided a free gathering space for residents, a place for residents to socialize with each other, a place for local vendors and artists, predominantly of color, to sell their products and perform, a place for residents of all incomes to obtain fresh, locally grown produce. We are calling on the DC government to purchase the lots at 425 and 375 M Street SW, then transfer ownership to the Douglass Community Land Trust to allow for community-ownership and community-led development. Community Land Trusts are democratically run, non-profit organizations that own land and lease access to it for permanently affordable housing and retail space. The Douglass CLT will establish a SW Chapter, that will be made up of SW residents, that will steward the land democratically and in the best interests of the neighborhood and justice.
Petition by
To:
Mayor, Muriel Bowser; Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development, John Falciccio, Ward 6 Councilmember, Charles Allen; At-large Councilmember, Robert White; At-large Councilmember, Christina Henderson; At-large Councilmember, Anita Bonds; At-large
From:
[Your Name]
The two parcels at 4th & M, 425 and 375 M Street SW, are currently on the market and SW Action is calling on the District of Columbia government to purchase the land and transfer ownership to the Douglass Community Land Trust. The Douglass CLT will set up a SW Chapter, made up of SW residents, to steward the land to serve the best interests of the neighborhood and housing justice.
Community Land Trusts (CLT) are non-profit organizations that own land and lease access to it at affordable and below market-rate prices for housing and retail. The first CLT in the United States was created by civil rights activists in 1969 to prevent the displacement of Black farmers. CLTs today are being used to prevent gentrification and the displacement of residents and small businesses.
Southwest has been bombarded with inequitable development over the last two decades that, to me, is akin to urban renewal 2.0. The new developments have overwhelmingly catered to an affluent and transient population at the expense of working class, more community-oriented residents. The plan for the two parcels, 598 units with 8% affordability, will only continue this trend.
This is an opportunity that will allow the community to determine how a parcel of land will be developed. Community land trusts provide space for permanently affordable housing and retail space. Study after study after article after article show how community land trusts are an exemplary model for equitable development. For example, Dan Immergluck, a professor of Urban Studies at Georgia State University, recommended that cities, "Acquire land as soon as you can, through any means necessary," to prevent the mistakes he observed in Atlanta. Moving forward, we should have more land that is collectively owned, not fewer, and try to do this where ever possible.
The DC government has spent $54 million for eminent domain for the Frederick Douglass Bridge; $50 million to build 3-4 parks in the "NoMa" neighborhood; $14 million to revamp the Eastern Market metro space; $13 million to redesign “Dave Thomas Circle”; $2 million bid for a dog park in Columbia Heights. I am sick of seeing land dispositions go for $1 to private developers who provide very little for the community. Certainly, the government can spend what is required to preserve this important space that will deliver justice and equity for not just this generation of SW residents but for generations to come.