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
The communal space at 425 M Street SW is scheduled to be redeveloped into Class-A apartments with no plan for relocation. 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. To prevent the harm the loss of this space would have on the community, 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. The community has used this space for gatherings like the DC State Fair. 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.
425 M Street SW is scheduled for redevelopment, and the loss of the communal space will be to the detriment of community members and small businesses. This space hosts the Southwest Farmers Market, where local businesses have been able to access a steady customer base and SW community organizations have been able to garner support to sustain their ability to support SW residents in need, such as SW Mutual Aid. Redevelopment without replacement would mean the loss of an accessible, central, and recognizable community meeting space with a unique ability for gathering in a safe, clean, outdoor location, the loss of live music and income source for local, DC artists (primarily persons of color), and the loss of fresh, affordable produce during a pandemic amid significant supply chain issues.
No new locations in SW have been identified to host the farmer’s market or Friday Night Markets and, in our opinion, there is no other location that can match the vibrancy, openness and centrality of the current spot. Thus, SW Action is calling on the government to purchase both parcels at 4th & M Street and transfer it to Douglass CLT, build the obligated community center and preserve the thriving communal gathering space that has been curated there.