Friday, April 21, 2006

Central Union Mission Sold

The Washington Post is reporting that Central Union Mission at 14th and R has been sold for $7M to a developer who intends to build high-end condominiums. According to the article, the Mission has signed a contract to purchase property in the 3500 block of Georgia Avenue NW. The move is not without contraversy:

D.C. Council member Jim Graham, who represents Ward 1 where the mission is proposing to relocate, said that Georgia Avenue is showing signs of rejuvenation and that a homeless shelter would hurt its revitalization efforts. "They should stay right where they are," Graham said. "And I say that as an advocate for the homeless."

You can read more about Central Union Mission's proposal for the new facility here, which will include a new dental clinic and additional space and facilities so guests do not have to eat in shifts or rush through cramped spaces. According to the press release, the new facility will also improve existing programs, which include overnight shelter and long-term rehabilitation programs, English-as-a-Second-Language classes, providing basic necessities to immigrant families, emergency grocery assistance to senior citizens and working single parents, clothing and furniture distribution, and a camp and outreach to children.

Inside The DC Bubble describes this "another example of a win-win created by the dreaded gentrification." What do you think?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, I look at it this way for the homeless and the shelter. I imagine they got a lot of money from that company and can use it to help many homeless people when they finally relocate.

As for the Logan area, I don't know what it will do to our homeless population. I see less and less of them, particular on the Logan Circle benches, but I am sure there are tons of reasons for that.

Anonymous said...

Here we go again. Probably another request for variances in the recreation and parking requirements.....

Anonymous said...

Requests for variances in parking and rec? How greedy will we allow developers to be?

Shame on the ANC for voting the way they did. No builder should ever be approved for just 2 balconies and less than ample parking. Only two units on that Church Street bldg. will get rec space.

Were the commissioners even paying attention!?! This is an election year for the ANC. I will vote for change.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Anonymous on voting for change. The only ANC member I have any respect for is Chris Dyer (I will say I really am only comparing him to the chairman). He did a stand up job in actually helping out the Logan residents on the parking issue. I felt like Chairman Reed thought we were some kind of trouble making element in the community and weren't worth the effort.

FYI: Chris and Chairman Reed should know who I am so this isn't some blind Internet complaint. I have voiced my opinion about the ANC to Chris personally.

Anonymous said...

Follow up to my last post. I didn't mean to imply that I thought any of the other ANC members were doing a bad job. Speficially, I just wanted to say thanks to Chris and voice my frustation with what I perceive to be a Chairman who doesn't think parking is a big deal. I could be wrong, but its the perception alot of other Logan residents have who went to the ANC meetings where parking was discussed.

Anonymous said...

Instructions for peition signing (for those interested in launching their candidacy for ANC) are currently posted on the BOEE website: www.dcboee.org. Best of luck!

Anonymous said...

FYI - I've heard that Chris K is no longer running this blog, nor is she any longer on the LCCA board or ANC.