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