An Open Letter From FBA President Asher Corson

FOGGY BOTTOM DC — I would like to update you on a matter that is important to the Foggy Bottom Association, to our community-at-large, and to me, as FBA president and a resident. Troubling information has come to light that Equity Residential, chosen by the Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development to redevelop the Historic Stevens School into a dorm-like rental apartment, is making every possible effort to force its project through the District’s approval process despite strong and continued community opposition.

After tremendous neighborhood outcry over the award of the development project to Equity, Council members Jack Evans, Kwame Brown, and Marion Barry—all on the Economic Development Committee—came to our aid and made it clear that the Equity deal would not pass through their committee. CM Brown, Chair of the Committee, told an FBA membership meeting audience that the deal would be dead on arrival in his Committee. At that point, it seemed that the deal was completely dead. We remain thankful for the support of Council members Evans, Brown and Barry.

The disappointing news is that Equity, in the face of the failed project, hired a well connected lobbyist to pressure the District’s decision-makers to relent. As reported in the “Current,” we know that this lobbyist has already met with CM Evans’ office and the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. The good news is that CM Evans has indicated his steadfast support for the neighborhood’s opposition to the Equity project. The bad news is that Equity recently indicated to the FBA that it is being given the green light by the Deputy Mayor’s Office to move ahead with its project, despite no community support.

At this juncture, along with other community leaders, we need to strongly emphasize to the District’s decision-makers that we do not want this project.”

In the coming weeks, ANC Commissioner Florence Harmon will be arranging meetings with community leaders to shore up and gain the support of District officials on this important matter. Also, I encourage neighbors to send letters of support to me personally (lashercorson@gmail.com), so that I can assemble and give them to our District officials. It will take a little more work to ensure that we prevent this inappropriate dorm-like development from being built on the Historic Stevens site. With the continued support of our Council members, the hard work of community leaders, and your individual efforts, our goal is to convince the Deputy Mayor to stop moving forward on this ill-conceived project.