Bates Area Civic Association

Via http://ccca-online.org/FentyOpensSafeShoresAtBundy

10:30 am, Thursday, March 25 *Remarks
Safe Shores Ribbon Cutting
Former Bundy School, 429 O Street NW

Mayor Fenty’s schedule suggests that he will be in Shaw Thursday morning for the official opening and ribbon cutting for Safe Shores, which has moved into the former Bundy School building at 429 O Street NW.

As some people may recall, the vacant lot behind the Bundy School was expected to become in part a controversial parking lot for Safe Shores and there was a remote possibility that part of the vacant lot might become a dog park for the community. But since **the federal land transfer did not take place, Safe Shores tenants will be forced to use the parking spaces around the building, some of which was planned for an outdoor children’s play area exclusively serving those receiving care at Safe Shores. Other tenants will be forced to park on the surrounding surface streets and/or take public transportation. According to one source familiar with the details of the failed land transfer:

**“The federal land transfer request was part of a bundle of properties that the DC government wanted the Federal government to transfer to the DC government, to be placed under the control of the Dept. of Real Estate Services (“DRES”). The transfer was included in the FY 2010 budget request — which should have been approved before the commencement of FY 2010 on October 1, 2009. The budget request was not approved — which is why the expected land transfer did not occur in October, 2009. The FY 2010 budget request was expected to be approved on March 2. DRES was informed that the entire bundle of land transfers had been deleted from the budget request; the Federal government decided not to transfer any of the requested land parcels to the DC government. Apparently, the Federal government’s decision does not reflect any specific decision about the Bundy Park site, but rather is just a blanket decision by the Federal government not to transfer any real property of any value to the DC government.

The DC government cannot make any improvements on any land that it does not own. So, it cannot build the parking lot needed for Safes Shores, and it cannot build a dog park, on the site. This site will likely continue to be (1) a vacant, trash-ridden, crime-infested blight on the community, and (2) the occupants of Safe Shores will not have enough parking, and will have to park on the streets. So, this is a problem that should unite the opponents as well as the proponents of a dog park. Because of the Federal government’s decision, no one gets what they want.
DRES may resubmit a land transfer request in the FY 2011 budget request that goes to Congress for passage in September, 2010, or later. The Bundy Park site may or may not be included in that land transfer request. What the community can do now is appeal to Congresswoman Norton’s office to do what she can to cause the Federal government to transfer the Bundy Park site. It is possible that she could get the land transferred separately, without being included in the DC government’s annual budget request.”

In advance of Mayor Fenty’s press conference Thursday, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans’ office, other government officials and staff were involved in an expedited clean up of the Bundy vacant lot and replacement of the destroyed chain link fences that many local residents have been complaining about for YEARS. The old destroyed fence work was torn down Wednesday morning and new fencing was put up in record time the same day. Also, two vehicles and debris left on the site, apparently by the Bundy School/Safe Shores construction crews, were cleared quickly in order to make for a great photo-op for Mr Fenty’s presser.

Apparently, residents cries for years did not resonate with any elected officials before Wednesday, but we have all become all too familiar with how much more importance is given to Mr Fenty’s pressers these days than to the daily needs of local residents. … But by no stretch of the imagination is that meant to imply that local residents, including myself, are not extremely appreciative of the hard work, and attention and services that went into getting the project completed in record time — in one day! Nor should any of this suggest that local residents are not happy to have a fully occupied Bundy School and an active organization serving vital needs of the community as a new neighbor.

Welcome to Shaw, Safe Shores! Happy Photo-Op, Mayor Fenty!

The Bundy vacant lot was, for several decades, slated to be exclusively used for public recreation space according to this post from InShaw. It’s a pity that the still born “September 11 Memorial Grove“ planned for the New Jersey Avenue & O Street Park, across the street from the Bundy School, could not be reassigned to the Federally owned land behind the Bundy School, to make some productive, educational use out of what may otherwise be a blight on the community for some years to come.

*The Mayor often has a very busy schedule with four public appearances including his regular Connecting with the Mayor segment onfenty and fentyonfoxcom or getting up early and tuning in to the segments and calling in.