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."

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."

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.

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.
...

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."

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.