We Take City to Court For Capricious Decision in Masonic Landmark

Dupont East Civic Action Association (DECAA) filed its first court action Saturday, June 22,  in the DC Superior Court charging the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) was arbitrary and capricious in denying DECAA’s application to extend the Landmark boundary of the Masonic Temple at 16th and S Streets, NW.

HPRB’s action drew city-wide attention because of two contradictory reports issued by the Historic Preservation Office (HPO) which advises the HPRB.  On April 30, HPO issued a report setting the east boundary of the Temple Landmark 100 feet east of the back wall of the Temple and ten days later issued a second report setting it at the wall of the Temple, completely contradicting its initial determination. The significance is that the first determination would mean that the proposed Temple development would be on the Landmark, while the second would not.

Many in the historic preservation community were outraged by the decision as pandering to the developer, Perseus TDC, and a betrayal of the city’s dedication to historic preservation which have made the Dupont-Logan community  in significant part a desirable place to live.

 “I never thought I’d see the day when the Historic Preservation Office was arguing against protecting our historic resources and in favor of development,” said longtime advocate for historic preservation Lance Salonia, a member of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City, the city’s oldest land use planning organization.  “What transpired with this landmarking case . . . went far beyond just ensuring the correct interpretation of our historic preservation laws. . . it was clear advocacy in favor of the developer.”

DECAA is represented in this filing by noted attorney Barry Coburn of the law firm of Colburn and Greenbaum PLLC, with offices in DC and New York. Coburn is one of America’s premier attorneys.

This is the first court action undertaken by newly formed Dupont East Civic Action Association dedicated to historic preservation and other city regulatory matters in DC. “Join us in our membership drive. We’re here to make a change,” said DECCA president Nick DelleDonne.

Join the neighborhood discussion and action forum, HearUsNow! https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/hearusnow

Visit our website and sign our petition. https://www.KeepDupontGreen.org

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Nick DelleDonne 202 667 9639