What Makes a Desirable Place to Live? Fund Raiser Tells Story

What Makes a Desirable Place to Live? Neighbors Are Finding Out Together at Block Buster Funding Party

Neighbors pooled $7,200 in a fund raising party Saturday afternoon, Jan. 11, to fight the outrageous development planned at the Masonic Temple at 15th and S Streets, NW, an event called by the Dupont East Civic Action Association (DECAA) which has been leading the neighborhood campaign.

“Our goal was $4,000 but I guess we hit a vein,” said DECAA President Nick DelleDonne. Neighbors are protesting the proposed development as too big, and out of character with the historic district which DECAA is dedicated to preserving. The development is so large it will permanently block public views of the back of the Masonic Temple, the work of renowned architect John Russell Pope and regarded around the world for its splendor. “We want to see a park instead, in the last open green space in the area, dedicated to the cultural heritage of the African American community that once thrived here,” said DelleDonne.

DECAA filed a lawsuit against the city to stop the developer Perseus and its false claims of ‘by right.’ The lawsuit charges violations of constitutional rights, due process, conflicts of interest and administrative chicanery pandering to the developer.

DECAA has secured the pro bono legal services of the acclaimed attorney Barry Coburn, who has thus far fashioned a brilliant strategy, but depositions and other legal services will fall on the association of neighbors.

The project was the brainchild of former Councilmember John Ray of the firm Manatt Phelps, while now disgraced CM Jack Evans was attached to the firm and originally included a $22 million tax abatement to sweeten the deal. “Even our pro-developer ANC would not go for that,” DellleDonne said. “The project has corruption written all over it,” he said.

The matter of subdividing the Masons’ lot, which the Historic Preservation Office insisted was not a matter for the Mayor’s Agent, now heads to the Mayor’s Agent for a public hearing on February 7.

Donate to DECAA’s legal campaign at  www.GoFundMe.com/Keep-Dupont-Green Let us have your contact information to stay in touch.

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