The Howard Theater is currently owned by  the District of Columbia Government. Howard Theater is an historic entertainment venue created in the District of Columbia in 1901. The theater was designated an historic landmark in 1973 and was placed on the National Historic Registry in 1975. The District government invested in renovation of the theater in 2007 with combination city funds and municipal tax credit bonds. Developers and Howard Theater restoration defaulted on their obligations and management agreements since 2012. DC Attorney General Karl Racine filed suit in DC Superior Court in 2018. The theater has been substantially inactive and underutilized since 2014. the District of Columbia government entered into agreement with Howard Theater Development LLC and Howard Theater Restoration nonprofit for annual payments of $25,000 with 5% increase after 5 years. Payments have been inconsistent and at times nonexistent. The theater operators Howard Theater Development LLC and Howard Theater Restoration Group have fail to provide economic empowerment to the Black community via jobs, CBE or first source agreement and at the very minimum provide quality entertainment on a consistent bases. Friends of the Frank Reeves Center nonprofit organization has submitted a comprehensive management proposal with option to buy the theater from the city to the Deputy Mayor's Office for Planning and Economic Development and the Deputy Mayor for Community Affairs. We need you to sign this petition to Mayor Muriel Bowser to accept this proposal and return this asset to a viable financial entity in the African American community; this will create jobs, and economic opportunities. Lease holders Howard Theater LLC and Howard Theater Restoration Group nonprofit status has been sporadic and inactive over the course of the lease. They are estimated to be $2 million+ behind in property taxes and other obligations. Being unable to obtain "Clean Hands Certification" from Office of Tax and Revenue and "Good Standings Certification" from DCRA is significant breech of Ground Lease terms. We will not lose the Howard Theater like we lost the Lincoln Theater because of incompetent Management. Please sign today.