Thursday, December 13, 2007

Life in Mount Vernon Square: Vacant Property Meeting

"OTR was automatically retaining old Class 3 tax exemptions despite receiving updated listings from DCRA. (This explains why only 11 properties were changed to the higher rate this year. And why Sendar's Smelly Whore Cafe is still inexplicably exempted after 10 years.) This is being corrected.
OTR is...er...in the process of some personnel changes."

Strangely, OTR was not included in the meeting. Great work by the community, i.e., Si, Brian, David, and everyone else that contributed! Keep up the pressure.

619 14th Street, NW

Formerly the National Bank of Washington
Not listed in OTR's online tax records.
Listed as vacant by DCRA in 2004.
Square 253 lot 67

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

DC Code 42-3131.06. Registration of vacant buildings

(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the owner of a vacant building shall maintain the building in compliance with the requirements of § 42-3131.12 and, within 30 days after it becomes a vacant building, register the building with the Mayor, and pay the registration fee. The Mayor, in his sole discretion, may extend the time for good cause.

(b) A vacant building shall not be subject to the registration and fee requirements if it is:

(1) Owned by the government of the United States or its instrumentalities;

(2) Owned by a foreign government or its instrumentalities;

(3) Under construction or undergoing rehabilitation, renovation, or repair, and if there is a valid building permit that was issued within 60 days of the required registration date; provided, that the scope of the permit is not limited to electrical or plumbing work; provided further, that this exemption shall not exceed one year from the date of issuance of the first building permit for rehabilitation, renovation or repair;

(4) In compliance with the requirements of § 42-3131.12 and the housing regulations of the District of Columbia and the owner or his agent has been actively seeking to rent or sell it; provided, that the time period for sale or rent shall not exceed one year from the initial listing, offer, or advertisement of sale, or 90 days from the initial listing, offer, or advertisement to rent; or

(5) Exempted by the Mayor, in his or her sole discretion, for good cause.

(c) If a vacant building is owned by the District of Columbia or its instrumentalities, it shall be subject to the registration requirements in subsection (a) of this section and the maintenance requirements in § 42-3131.12, but shall not be subject to the fee requirements under subsection (a) of this section or the fines and penalties collected under § 42-3131.10.

(d) If a present interest in a vacant building registered under this chapter is transferred or otherwise conveyed, a deed shall not be recorded by the Recorder of Deeds until a new registration is filed with the Mayor and the applicable fees are paid.

(e) If the name or address of an owner of a vacant building changes for any reason other than by transfer or conveyance, the change shall be reported to the Mayor in writing within 30 days.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Eye Opening World Class Design Coming to Mt Vernon Sq?

"Development is no doubt a good thing. But I think the 'making things too nice' comment reflects the nature of the type of development taking place. What we constantly see are very large developments by well-connected 'developers'. What we do not see are small businesses renovating existing structures that they will occupy. Real estate prices (and assessments) have gone up so much that only large developments are financially possible. Instead of forcing owners to put properties to immediate good use, DC has allowed owners/speculators to sit on vacant property and wait for their big payday. This is not investment; it is urban strip mining."
My comment on ANC2C02 Forum

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Fox 5 Investigates Abandoned Houses

"A News Edge investigation into one of DC's biggest eyesores, abandoned houses. Chances are you have seen them. You may even have one on your block. Some are vacant for years. And now they have turned into crime havens! So what, if anything, is being done about it? Fox 5's Maureen Umeh investigates."

Reform OTR Now

The Office of Tax and Revenue's Class 3 Office is obliged by law to collect the higher class 3 property tax (5%) for previous years properties have been vacant and to pursue cases of fraud. I believe the OTR hase been negligent of its duties.

Several weeks ago, I once again begged Steve Capello, supervisory assessor and manager of the Class 3 program, to investigate several vacant properties near my home. I am still waiting for a reply. 1000 M St NW has been vacant for over 20 years yet has never paid class 3 tax and in fact was receiving the senior citizen homestead deduction. 1002 M St NW was paying class 3 tax until their assessment went up last year and they somehow got an exemption. The house is going to enforcement by the Board of Condemnation and is on the tax sale list, yet it is still listed as class 1 (occupied). The developer that bought 1006 M ST NW waited at least a year before even applying for permits and did not pay the class 3 tax during that time.

OTR also does not investigate clear cases of fraud such as trumped-up Pepco bills used to claim occupancy. At 1000 M Street, the owner plugged in a lamp to generate a bill he could take to OTR and claim occupancy. The house has been vacant for over 20 years and, at the time, the rear of the house had no roof. When I brought this to OTR's attention, they promised to send a vacant property registration packet. Bob Worthington in the OTR Class 3 Office even protested, saying that the size of the bill indicates that someone must be living there.

Recently, Worthington informed me that he was unaware of there being any problem with fraud with the registration of vacant properties and that they rarely involve the OTR's investigative unit. Tonight, in an extensive investigative report, Fox 5 news found otherwise.

The city council should exercise oversight over the Office of Tax and Revenue to make sure that tax cheats are prosecuted.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

1225 10th Street, NW

This row house is clearly a shell but is not listed as vacant.
Sold on 8-8-07 but sale price is not available.
Ellis Jackson lowered the assessed improvements to only $64,910 for 2008 from $70,050 for 2007.

UPDATE:  This building was torn down.  More about it here.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Task force tries to take back H Street - Examiner.com

"...a large number of shuttered storefronts appears to be choking the area’s vitality, making local business owners nervous that the neighborhood’s transformation will continue. Some believe the problem is speculators who have bought vacant buildings and don’t want to invest capital into them until they can be flipped for a profit.
...a task force created earlier this summer is attempting to put pressure on those speculators to either sell or develop the properties, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Alan Kimber said..."
Courtney Mabeus
The Examiner
Aug 16 2007

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Fifth and Oh: Vacant Properties, con'd.

"I noticed yesterday that there's a Fire Department condemnation notice on the property at 1417 5th Street NW (pictured above). Apparently that doesn't mean too much except for requiring the owner to secure the property against unauthorized entry and vermin infestation. But at least it suggests that someone may be paying attention. This property is actually on the vacant properties list, but it's still listed as Class 1 residential rather than the Class 3 rate that's supposed to be applied to vacant properties. Best of all, according to the on-line data, it's getting the homestead deduction!"
DaddyFiveOh also excerpts his written statement for Mary Cheh's July 3 hearing.

ANC2C02 Forum - Ward 2 Core Team vs Vacant Properties in Shaw

"The word from Joe Martin is that Mayor Fenty has requested that officials from the Dept. of Consumer Regulatory Affairs, the US Attorney's Office, the Office of the Attorney General, MPD, the Dept. of Health, the Dept. of Mental Health, Fire/EMS, and the Dept. of Public Works take to the streets Aug. 1 and address vacant property issues along 9th Street."

renewshaw.com: Condemnations Yield More Parking and $200k for Shiloh

"Shiloh's latest Take Down the Signs Update triumphantly claims that as of July 22, 2007, campaign donations total $199,880.53. The update also reveals that Shiloh awaits a permit to dismantle the garage behind 1534 9th Street, which will, no doubt, make way for more church parking in the near future (does anyone know why this structure isn't also protected by the HPRB?)."

Monday, July 30, 2007

Other Government Agencies

These government offices should have an online presence but do not. Please feel free to contact them with your concerns.

DCRA Board of Condemnation of Insanitary Buildings
Hubert Johnson (202) 535-1837 [Good guy--Ed.]

DCRA Vacant Property Office
Allen Smith (202) 442-4332

OTR Class 3 Tax Office
Stephen Cappello (202) 442-6738
Bob Worthington (202) 442-6775

OTR Homestead Deduction Office
?

Sunday, July 15, 2007

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." [I regret missing this hearing. Sounds like the community was well represented.--Ed.]
DC North | June 2007 | Ward 2 News

In Shaw (now with more gentrification): U.G.L.Y. you ain't got no alibi

"...a house on the 1500 block of 3rd Street, NW...Another house that has seemingly sat vacant for years is at the corner of Marion and Q Sts NW...not a house but a business, is the Check 'n' Go or the rob people of their paycheck with usury fees. Note the top portions where windows have been busted in and out and the masonry"

Investigators on the hunt for D.C. tax cheats

"The team has nailed tax preparers who falsify returns, restaurateurs who fail to turn over sales taxes, and individuals who substantially understate income or inflate deductions.

They have seen fraud in every tax category: sales, income, property, franchise and business license.

Before the unit was established, Braman said, the District was viewed as an "easy target" for tax cheats. Now its targets are paying big civil fines and serving jail time." [Let's hope they go after vacant property owners as well.--Ed.]
by Michael Neibauer
The Examiner
July 13, 2007

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Vacant Property Map for ANC 6A and 6C

Residents of ANC 6A and 6C,

A new interactive map of vacant properties in ANC 6A and 6C is located
at:
http://www.communitywalk.com/washington/dc/anc_6a6c_vacant_properties/map/136384

Nationwide, it is Independence Day. And in ANC 6A and 6C it is also
Independence from Vacant Properties Day. As we all know, vacant
properties often fall into disrepair and attract crime, vermin and
blight. Because of these problems, vacant properties are supposed be
charged at Class III property tax rates (5 times normal) to
incentivize owners to fix up and reoccupy their properties or sell
them.

Unfortunately, the reality in Washington DC is that many vacant
properties never get on the vacant property lists, many receive
waivers so that they do not have to pay the higher tax rates and
surprisingly, many continue to receive homestead exemptions even
though the properties are considered vacant by the DC government.

A number of volunteers from ANC 6A and 6C have worked hard over the
last several months to catalog over 300 vacant properties in our
neighborhood and posted our results on an interactive map where

1) There is a recent picture of the property
2) The property address links to the tax records
3) The properties are classified as to where they are in the
identification system.

Although a lot of work has been done, we still need your help!

We need help with the following items:

1) Pictures of the remaining properties.
2) More information about these properties, including how long it has
been vacant, if it attracting other problems, etc.
3) Reports of vacant property which do not appear on the map.

You can leave comments on the map with more information about the
properties. To report new properties or send pictures please send an
email to 6a6cvacantproperties@gmail.com

The city council is preparing to pass a vacant property law that
eliminates many loopholes in the existing law and will cause many more
vacant properties to pay Class III rates. Having a comprehensive list
and mapping of all vacant properties in ANC 6A and 6C will help us
quantify the problem in our neighborhood and report these properties
to DCRA and OTR.

Special thanks in this project go to: Tom Madison, Charles Elliott,
Bill Schultheiss, Heather Scott, Chris Homan, Stephanie Nixon, Alan
Kimber, Lance Brown, Sharon Cochran, and Rick Uzes.

Drew Ronneberg
ANC 6A Economic Development and Zoning Chair

Monday, July 2, 2007

Vacant and Nuisance Property Administration and Enforcement Hearing on July 3, 1:00 pm

I received the following email several days ago. Please attend if you can. At the last hearing on vacant property there were only 2 people who testified on behalf of the community: myself and the chairman of ANC2F Charles Reed. Unfortunately, I may not be able to attend this time. Individual testimony makes an incredible impact. Besides, all your friends can watch you on TV.

"Dear All:

I wanted to write to everyone who's contacted Councilmember Evans regarding concerns about vacant property. On Tuesday, July 3, 2007, Councilmember Mary Cheh, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, will hold a public oversight hearing on vacant and nuisance property administration and enforcement. This hearing will explore a range of issues, including the outcomes of vacant and nuisance property cases, enforcement against serious and repeat violators, and best practices in vacant and nuisance property administration and enforcement. The public hearing will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the fifth-floor Council Chamber at the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

If you'd like to testify or submit testimony for the record, please contact Jason Juffras, Clerk for the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs: jjuffras@dccouncil.us.

Michele

Michele Molotsky,
Deputy Chief of Staff
Councilmember Jack Evans, Ward 2
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, #106
Washington, DC 20004
Ph: 202-724-8033, F: 202-724-8023"

Sunday, July 1, 2007

1001 11th Street, NW

Jemal's Billboard?
Owner is Jemal's Bulldog LLC.
Registered at class 2 (commercial).
Building assessed at $150.
The property is on the tax sale list for $25,639 in taxes owed. See Tax Sale 2007.
See also CityPaper Shines Spotlight On Jemal and 1015 K Street, NW.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

My Testimony Given in Person on Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform on May 24

Hi, my name is Ed. I live on 10th Street NW in the Shaw Historic District with my family. Since moving to this address, we noticed several neglected buildings in the 1000 block of M.

The mansion at 1000 M Street has been vacant for decades. You may have seen the house in the 1979 Peter Sellers movie, Being There. It is in the background of one of the most famous scenes looking much like it did when we moved down the street 3 years ago. DCRA first listed the property as vacant on March 23 2002, soon after the class 3 tax was instituted. But 1000 M has never paid the class 3 tax. For years it received the senior citizen homestead deduction despite having no roof. The owners provided Pepco bills to fraudulently claim occupancy; they merely plugged in a lamp. Ownership has changed several times though no sale is recorded. Only after being condemned did the owner slowly start to make improvements. The scaffolding remains today though no work has happened in months.

The building next door, 1002 M St, also has been vacant for years. It too was listed as vacant on March 23 2002. Until recently the owner was paying the class 3 tax but now has an exemption because of a work permit. Not an ounce of work has been done. The Board of Condemnation referred this property to the Housing Code Enforcement Office on March 2 2007 for lack of repairs.

Two doors down, 1006 M Street NW, has been vacant since August 7 2002 when Federal Marshalls evicted the last “occupants”. A developer purchased it in 2005 for $750,000. Then they sat on the property for more than a year before even cleaning it out. Still no exterior improvements have been made.

After many complaints, I received a letter from the former lead inspector for Ward 2, Charles Mason, claiming that these properties were in compliance, despite gross housing code violations observable from the street including bricks falling out, open windows, trees growing from the foundation, etc. Eventually, all 3 properties were condemned but only after I made dozens of calls and sent scads of emails over 2 years. My wife has attended several condemnation board hearings to tell the truth about these buildings even as various “owners’ representatives” have trotted out excuses. … Still all of these vacant properties are today exempt from class 3 tax despite all of our attempts to bring them to the attention of the District.

My wife and I have witnessed people selling drugs in front of these buildings. We have seen vagrants sleeping, drinking, urinating, and even defecating on these properties. This is Broken Windows Theory in action where neglect breeds crime. A neighbor was violently mugged in front of 1000 M St and spent 10 days in the hospital. The MPD crime database lists numerous thefts-from-auto, robberies, and even a car jacking in the 1000 block of M Street. I polled my neighbors and every one who has a car has had it broken into. All this is happening just one block from our Convention Center.

It is my belief that vacant properties reduce the amount of affordable housing. Since there is no incentive for the owners of vacant properties to put them to good use, buildings that could be housing people sit unoccupied instead. Here’s what happens. The government does not enforce the Vacant Building Maintenance Standard and does not levy the class 3 tax. As the buildings deteriorate, assessments decrease, even as taxes skyrocket for occupied properties. The owner/speculator waits—sometimes decades—until a developer comes along that is willing to pay top dollar. That developer then turns a single family home into several luxury condos. Gone is any possibility for a middle class family to buy a fixer-upper downtown.

The same situation is occurring in our business districts. Instead of selling to a small business that would restore and occupy rundown properties, speculators hold out for the big-time developers who are only interested in supplying high-rent space for national chains. The funky, independent stores and restaurants that draw people to the city are left out.

No doubt this new legislation will close several loopholes. But I think it is more important to recognize that there has been little or no enforcement of the present regulations. This legislation is an opportunity to do more than mend buildings; it can help rebuild a neighborhood and, as Broken Windows Theory has taught us, it will reduce crime, too. It is time to finally repair DC’s many broken windows.

testimony given in person on
Bill 17-86, the “Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform
and Real Property Classification Amendment Act of 2007”

Thursday, May 24, 2007
10:00 a.m.
Room 412
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W

Prices on 9th

"How about the guy at 1250 9th? $10,000,000 for that shell?!

Or the vacant building at 1801-1803 9th--$2.2 million.

In other real estate news:

The Queen of Sheba building at 1503 9th is for sale for $2,000,000.

And we have 1913 9th (vacant, as far as I can tell) for $1,998,000; the garage shell at 1321-3 Naylor Court is going for $1,195,000."
modthinglet comments on renewshaw.com

When is a Vacant Building Not Vacant?

"Matthew Forman, federal real-estate attorney and vice president of the Kalorama Citizens Association, e-mailed Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham, alerting him of the contradiction. “Would you please investigate how, if the owner of 1342 Vermont is claiming the property to be vacant, they were not charged the $5/100 real property tax rate for vacant properties? The property isn’t paying the vacant tax rate and in fact is still receiving the homestead exemption, giving them a further, significant reduction in their property taxes.…In this case, it would appear that the property owner needs to be sent a bill for either the conversion fee or the back taxes - they can’t have it both ways,” he wrote. Besides the City Paper, he cc’ed Eric Goulet in Councilmember Jack Evans’ office and Thomas Branham, the District’s chief assessor."
Washington City Paper: News & Features: Blogs

DCist: Shiloh Properties Update

"As you'll recall, the city condemned four properties on 9th St. NW owned by Shiloh Baptist Church, and ordered them to complete repairs on the buildings by a date certain (we originally estimated the date being May 31, but it turned out they were only counting business days, so the actual deadline was June 5). These properties have been neglected for decades and a source of great frustration for the Shaw neighborhood, due to their unsafe, unsanitary conditions."
DCist

Home Again Need Work

"Four Home Again properties in Ward One will finally be renovated after several years of disrepair and neglect...
1915 6th St, NW
902-904 T St, NW
744 Harvard St, NW
1428 Perry Pl, NW
...
Although I am pleased by the progress, much work needs to be done to improve Home Again."
Councilmember Jim Graham

DC Preservation League

"The mission of the DC Preservation League is to preserve, protect, and enhance the historic and built environment of Washington, DC, through advocacy and education." Their most endangered places list includes Franklin School, DC Public School Buildings, several theaters,...

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Life in Mount Vernon Square: Tax Sale List Posted

"Some of our vacant property made DC's annual Tax Sale List.
The tax sale auction begins July 9th & details can be found on the OTR Site and on the list itself. 90% of the taxes usually get paid."
by Si Kalian on Life in Mount Vernon Square

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Testimony: Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform

Bill 17-86, the “Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform
and Real Property Classification Amendment Act of 2007”

Thursday, May 24, 2007
10:00 a.m.
Room 412
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W

Testimony of Stephen Cappello, Supervisory Assessor, Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)

Testimony of Nick Majett, Deputy Director for Inspections and Compliance, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Success on 9th Street (Treebox Vodka)

"After I posted earlier on the 9th street places, I decided to quit being a complainer on my little soapbox here and get pro-active."

Friday, June 1, 2007

1200 Block of 9th Street .... Still irking me

"These property owners in the 1200 block of 9th street don't care about local rules and regulations to clean and secure their vacant properties. I'm going to contact them all about getting this fixed and will share as I learn more."
Treebox Vodka

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Group asks city government to help solve vacant properties issue

"The Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association pinpointed 100 vacant properties in the area bounded by New York Avenue Northwest to the south and N Street Northwest to the north, between First and Seventh streets. Of those, 71 were vacant buildings and 29 were empty lots."
Michael Meibauer
The Examiner
May 30, 2007

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

1000 M Street, NW

Vacant for 20-30 years.
First listed as vacant by DCRA on March 23 2002.
Was not listed as vacant when I reported it by fax to DCRA July 7 2004.
Owner currently listed is M Angelidou. Though no sale is recorded owners listed in the past were M Atasoy, Faik Tugberk, L Stamoul, Stamoul Angelidou. Note that M Atasoy owns 1002 M St.
Was receiving a senior citizen homestead deduction.
Provided OTR Class 3 office with Pepco bills to "prove" occupancy. Owners had turned on a lamp in front room.
Condemned in November 2005. At the time, trees were growing from the foundation, the rear part of the roof had collapsed, etc.
Released from condemnation March 28 2007 because exterior of building was brought up to code as required.
Building interior is still not habitable.
Receiving Class 3 exemption.
Has never paid Class 3 tax.
See also Restoration underway at 1000 M Street.
For examples of crime at this corner see Mugging 'round Mt. Vernon Sq.

1006 M Street, NW

Last "occupants" evicted by US Marshalls on August 7 2002.
Sold for $749,900 to Dan Scott Development LLC.
First listed as vacant by DCRA on June 23 2005.
Condemned on February 2 2006.
Sold again 10-11-06 for $1,934,425 to Dan Scott Development LLC.
Work finally started in May 2007.
Has asked the Condemnation Board for a 90 day extension. Next hearing is July 25 2007.
Receiving Class 3 exemption.

1002 M Street, NW

First listed as vacant by DCRA on March 23, 2002.
Owners are Muhtesem Atasoy and Paik Tugberk.
Condemnation Board sent property to enforcement on March 2, 2007 for lack of progress. The city may now hire someone to do the work and put a lean on the property for costs.
Was listed as Class 3 but now is Class 1 (7/2/07). Still Class 1 (12/1/07).
The property is on the tax sale list for $24,448 in taxes owed. See Tax Sale 2007.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

District looking for vacant buildings

"Mayor Adrian Fenty on Thursday, his 100th day in office, said of DCRA's past performance with nuisance and abandoned properties, 'not being inspected enough, not getting abated quick enough is a big deal.' The new DCRA director, whom Fenty has yet to hire, 'will have to take care of that.'"
Michael Neibauer
DC Examiner
April 16, 2007

Homeowners have one more chance to make property tax claim

"An inspector general%u2019s audit released in March found thousands of ineligible property owners receiving the benefit, in part due to weak internal controls over the application process. The IG estimated the city lost between $1.1 million and $3.4 million in tax revenue in fiscal 2004 alone.
... Ward 2 D.C. Council Member Jack Evans, chairman of the finance and revenue committee, said most of the 4,000 probably deserve the benefit and “just didn’t send the letters back.""
Michael Neibauer
DC Examiner
July 14, 2006

Some homeowners could lose Homestead tax break

"About 8,000 homeowners, out of the 90,000 who receive the deduction, were first contacted earlier this year as part of the OTR audit. Each property owner sought had no car registered in D.C., no city driver's license, were not registered to vote in Washington and had not filed D.C. income taxes. 'We questioned whether or not that person would truly be domiciled in the District,' Skolnik said."
Michael Neibauer
DC Examiner
Dec 7, 2006

Monday, May 7, 2007

Off Seventh - My Chronicles of Shaw: Slum of the Week

"This week's SLUM OF THE WEEK property sits at the corners of 9th/Rhode Island/Q Streets NW.� According to picture number one the address is 819 Q Street, NW.� I have been told the individual that owns this property is also a business owner in Georgetown...stay tuned we will discuss shortly."
(Off Seventh has posting about this property for a while--Ed.)

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Broken Windows Turns 25

"Twenty-five years ago, social scientist James Q. Wilson and criminologist (and Manhattan Institute senior fellow) George Kelling first introduced the phrase 'Broken Windows' into the public policy lexicon. In a pathbreaking Atlantic Monthly article, Wilson and Kelling pointed out that people were likelier to vandalize a building with one broken window than a building with none, since a broken window sends the message that nobody cares, encouraging vandals to act on their destructive impulses. Similarly, they suggested, if a community tolerates quality-of-life offenses, such as drug use and prostitution, it signals to all potential lawbreakers that it doesn't care what happens to it; more serious crime will soon result."
Charles Sahm
City Journal
Spring 2007

Notice of Public Hearing: Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform

Council of the District of Columbia
Committee on Finance and Revenue
Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs
Notice of Public Hearing
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004

COUNCILMEMBER JACK EVANS, CHAIRPERSON
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND REVENUE
AND
COUNCILMEMBER MARY CHEH, CHAIRPERSON
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICES AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS

ANNOUNCE A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING ON

Bill 17-86, the “Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform
and Real Property Classification Amendment Act of 2007”

Thursday, May 24, 2007
10:00 a.m.
Room 412
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

On Thursday, May 24, 2007, Councilmember Jack Evans, Chairperson of the Committee on Finance and Revenue, and Councilmember Mary Cheh, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, will hold a joint public hearing on Bill 17-86, the “Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform and Real Property Classification Amendment Act of 2007.” Bill 17-86 is intended to make the nuisance property abatement program more efficient and effective by eliminating overlapping responsibilities of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and the Office of Tax and Revenue in the designation, registration, and assessment of vacant properties. The public hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

The Committees invite the public to testify or to submit written testimony, which will be made a part of the official record. Anyone wishing to testify at the hearing should contact Aukima Benjamin, staff assistant to the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, at 724-4902, or via e-mail at abenjamin@dccouncil.us. All witnesses will be permitted a maximum of five (5) minutes for oral presentation.

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, or to Ms. Cynthia Brock-Smith, Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004. The record will close at the end of the business day on Thursday, June 7, 2007.

Monday, April 30, 2007

Gallery Place Living: CityPaper Shines Spotlight On Jemal

From Comments: si said...
"This is my problem: "sat on his properties until the deals started rolling in." This is MR. Clean's MO, he land banks his historic dumps until a build to suit tenant comes along but in the meantime, wont bother to fix a broken window. Check out the tragic former mansion at 11th & K that has a huge billboard bolted to the facade, lost half its moldings to neglect, and over the years is turning into a homeless colony & dumping ground. The building actually has cardboard additions. This is not an isolated case. check out the block w. NY, 7th, L & 6th...he owns almost all of the vacant building that encompass most of that square - broken windows and all. And the city exempts many from the Class 3 tax rate."

Sunday, April 29, 2007

From the Past: District Establishes New Tax Rate for Vacant Properties

"New legislation has created a class 3 property tax rate for vacant commercial and residential properties in the District of Columbia. Under the "Real Property Classification Clarification Emergency Act of 2002," vacant property will be taxed at $5.00 per $100 of assessed value beginning in 2003.

The Office of Tax and Revenue is sending letters about the new tax rate to the owners of 5,300 properties identified by the District as vacant."
Office of Tax and Revenue Press Release
December 10, 2002 (Please note date--Ed.)

From the Past: New Regulations for Vacant Buildings Effective Soon

"...One of the requirements of the law is that all vacant properties be registered with DCRA. Property owners are required to make repairs in compliance with the new vacant property maintenance standards..."

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Press Release
May 8, 2002 (Apparently, 2007 is too soon--Ed.)

Restoration underway at 1000 M Street

1000 M Street "...had remained empty for at least 2 decades. Over the last few years parts of the house's roof had collapsed."

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

1015 K Street, NW

Jemal's Billboard
Owner is Jemal's Bulldog II LLC.
Registered at class 2 (commercial).
Obviously vacant for a very long time.
Has applied for a permit.
Building assessed at $140.
See also CityPaper Shines Spotlight On Jemal.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

CrimeinDC.org | Details for 1000 M St NW

"Date: Fri, Mar 28th, 2003
Time: 5:00 pm
Where: 1000 M St NW, 20001 | RSS | Map
What: Robbery (Car Jacking) | RSS
Temp: °F Humid: %
Weather:
Report: r1 reports on the listed time date and location while moving various property that he was approached by s1 who stated \"give me the car, give me the money!\" while displaying a firearm. s1 fled the scene in the auto."
12 more crime reports for the 1000 block of M Street NW.

DCRA Takes Lead in Managing City's Vacant Property

"With new authorities, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) is moving aggressively to identify, register, classify and secure all vacant properties in the District."
Press Release
Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
April 11, 2007

DC Code 42-3131.06

(c) Section 6 (D.C. Official Code § 42-3131.06) is amended as follows: (1) Subsection (b) is amended as follows:
(A) Paragraph (3) is amended to read as follows:
(3) Under active construction or undergoing active rehabilitation, renovation, or repair, and there is a valid building permit to make the building fit for occupancy that was issued, renewed, or extended within 12 months of the required registration date;
(B) Paragraph (4) is amended by striking the phrase “one year from the initial listing, offer, or advertisement of sale, or 90 days from the initial listing, offer, or advertisement to rent” and inserting the phrase “8 months” in its place.
...
(3) New subsections (f) and (g) are added to read as follows:
(f)(1) The cumulative time period for exemption from registration and fee requirements for a vacant building under the same, substantially similar, or related ownership shall not exceed 3 real property tax years.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, any exemption shall be terminated at the end of the 2007 real property tax year if the building under the same, substantially similar, or related ownership benefitted from an exemption under this section or under D.C. Official Code § 47-813(c-6) during 3 or more real property tax years.
...

Monday, April 9, 2007

NPS Woodson Park Project

"This Entry tracks the National Park Service's efforts to create a national park out of the Carter G. Woodson house and adjacent buildings on 9th Street, NW in Shaw. NPS purchased the Carter G. Woodson House from the Association of African American Life and History (ASALH) and adjacent buildings from Shiloh Baptist Church."

712 Q Street, NW - What's Happening?

"There's all kinds of junk piled in front of 712 Q Street."

Liquor Store Building at 7th and Q

"This Entry provides a bit of history on the liquor store building at the southeast corner of 7th and Q Streets, NW. As most of you know, it's an eyesore that could be a very nice building with a little (OK, a lot) of TLC."

Thursday, April 5, 2007

DC Code 47-813. Classes of property.

(2) A new subsection ©-7) is added to read as follows:
(c-7)(1) For tax year 2007 and thereafter, the following classes of taxable real property are established:
(A) Class 1 Property;
(B) Class 2 Property; and
(C) Class 3 Property.
(2)(A) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, Class 1 Property shall be comprised of residential real property that is improved and used exclusively for nontransient residential dwelling purposes; provided, that the improved and nontransient real property shall not be classified as Class 1 Property if it appears on the list compiled under § 42-3131.16.
...
(3)(A) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, Class 2 Property shall be comprised of improved commercial real property; provided, that such improved real property shall not be classified as Class 2 Property if it appears on the list compiled under § 42- 3131.16.
...
(4) Class 3 Property shall be comprised of all real property which cannot be classified as Class 1 Property or Class 2 Property.”
...

DC Code 42-3131.12. Vacant Building Maintenance Standard

A building shall be adequately maintained if:

(1) Doors, windows, areaways, and other openings are weather-tight and secured against entry by birds, vermin, and trespassers, and missing or broken doors, windows, and other openings are covered with 1/2 inch CDX plywood that is weather protected, tightly fitted to the opening, and secured by screws or bolts;

(2) The roof and flashing are sound and tight, will not admit moisture, and are drained to prevent dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior;

(3) The building storm drainage system is adequately sized and installed in an approved manner and functional;

(4) The interior and exterior is maintained in good repair, structurally sound, free from debris, rubbish, and garbage, and sanitary so as not to threaten public health or safety;

(5) The structural members are free of deterioration and capable of safely bearing imposed dead and live loads;

(6) The foundation walls are plumb, free from open cracks and breaks, and vermin-proof;

(7) The exterior walls are free of holes, breaks, and loose or rotting materials, and exposed metal and wood surfaces are protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather-coating materials, such as paint;

(8) The cornices, belt courses, corbels, terra cotta trim, wall facings, and similar decorative features are safe, anchored, and in good repair, and exposed metal and wood surfaces are protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather-coating materials, such as paint;

(9) All balconies, canopies, marquees, signs, metal awnings, stairways, fire escapes, standpipes, exhaust ducts, and similar features are in good repair, anchored, safe and sound, and exposed metal and wood surfaces are protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather- coating materials, such as paint;

(10) Chimneys, cooling towers, smokestacks, and similar appurtenances are structurally safe, sound, and in good repair, and exposed metal and wood surfaces are protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather-coating materials, such as paint;

(11) Openings in sidewalks are safe for pedestrian travel;

(12) Accessory and appurtenant structures such as garages, sheds, and fences are free from safety, health, and fire hazards; and

(13) The property on which a structure is located is clean, safe, and sanitary and does not threaten the public health or safety.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform and Real Property Classification Amendment Act of 2007

COUNCILMEMBER JACK EVANS, CHAIRPERSON
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND REVENUE AND
COUNCILMEMBER MARY CHEH, CHAIRPERSON
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICES AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
ANNOUNCE A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING
Thursday, May 24, 2007
10:00 a.m.
Room 412
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
On Thursday, May 24, 2007, Councilmember Jack Evans, Chairperson of the Committee on Finance and Revenue, and Councilmember Mary Cheh, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, will hold a joint public hearing on Bill 17-86, the “Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform and Real Property Classification Amendment Act of 2007.”  Bill 17-86 is intended to make the nuisance property abatement program more efficient and effective by eliminating overlapping responsibilities of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and the Office of Tax and Revenue in the designation, registration, and assessment of vacant properties.  The public hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. 
            The Committees invite the public to testify or to submit written testimony, which will be made a part of the official record.  Anyone wishing to testify at the hearing should contact Aukima Benjamin, staff assistant to the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, at 724-4902, or via e-mail at abenjamin@dccouncil.us. All witnesses will be permitted a maximum of five (5) minutes for oral presentation.
            If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Copies of written statements should be submitted either to the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, or to Ms. Cynthia Brock-Smith, Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004.  The record will close at the end of the business day on Thursday, June 7, 2007.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Vacant M Street properties slated for redevelopment

By Katie Pearce
Dupont Current
February 28, 2007

All Boarded Up and No Place to Go

"Logan Circle has undergone a major rebirth over the past few decades. We have new residential buildings, retail spaces, even a burgeoning art community. But crime and public safety are still a top concern. A large part of the problem is the abandoned and neglected properties that continue to make our neighborhood attractive to criminals."
Jennifer Trock
Washington Post
Sunday, December 31, 2006

Monday, February 19, 2007

A Thwarted Renaissance Near the Convention Center - washingtonpost.com

"Yet, even as a smattering of businesses have opened on Ninth Street and two hotels and hundreds of apartments are on the drawing board, the seven-block stretch between Massachusetts and Rhode Island avenues remains largely defined by desolate sidewalks, ramshackle lots and three dozen vacant buildings."
By Paul Schwartzman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 19, 2007; Page B01