ANC7C04 DCRA Oversight March2011

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ADVISORYNEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 7C04 TOGETHERBETTER!

Department of Consumer and Regulatory

AffairsOversight Hearing March 9, 2011

Good afternoon, I am Sylvia Brown, Advisory

Neighborhood Commissioner 7C04. Instead

of a flowery testimony, Ive chosen to let the

saying a picture is worth a thousand words

be the witness.

The six pictures you have are indicative of

the frustration neighbors in ANC7C04 have

with the Department. I know that I have

reported several of the properties pictured

at least four times and have had the Mayors

Office of Community Relations research the

Sylvia C. Brown,ANC 7C-04

4651 N.H. Burroughs Avenue NE Suite 2 Washington, DC 20019P: 202-398-5100 E: [email protected]


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properties. Yet they are not on the vacant

property list or the blighted or

exempt lists. The lots on the second page,

5051 Lee and 1000 block of Division are in

limbo. The Lee Street site is a foundation

that has been in that condition at least two

years but it isnt considered vacant and

wont be razed. The Division site goes back

and forth between Department of Public

Works and DCRA regarding maintenance

responsibility. Several lots have nearly if not

more than $200,000 in unpaid taxes1044

48th Pl NE and 1034 45th St. NE.




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At a community meeting last week Director

Majett said the agency only has two vacant

property inspectors for the entire city.

Thats money left on

the tablenot for fines but for having a

vibrant community. Deanwood is a part of

the enhanced Home Purchase Assistance

Program where first time homebuyers are

eligible for over $70,000 in housing

assistance. As I testified at the Department

of Housing and Community Developments

oversight hearing people buy a

neighborhood, not a building. DCRAs

limited vacant inspection staff stifles this




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opportunity and my communitys efforts to

reach its potential.

DCRA, DHCD, Office of Tax and Revenue,

Planning and Deputy Mayor for Planning and

Economic Development must do better

collaborate

proactively and agressively on real

community economic development. Capture

these lots,

initiate community greening space, help us

be a part of the revitalization of the District.




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ANC7C04 DCRA Oversight March2011

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