Trump take over of golf course and give away of Carter Barron

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:About 400 people have signed so far but we need way more. Again, this is about slowing down the process and getting community input. And BTW, THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A POOL!!! there isn't enough money to build one. The idea had been considered by the city but the council rejected the funding needed for a feasibility study. I suppose the developer could put one in but I doubt it due to cost. No way to make money off a pool

I’m shocked that 400 people in DC don’t know the definition of “lease.” Please save us from them Mr. Ein.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, much as I loathe Trump, I actually wouldn't mind Carter Barron being redeveloped in a public/private partnership. I don't know that this particular lease would do it, but Carter Barron is a grossly underused resource. I used to love to go to Shakespeare in the summer there in the 1990s but the amphitheater was in decline then. It just could be so much more than it is.

[Anonymous]

The original proposal was a public private partnership between DC and the developer. DC had already budgeted 9 million dollars to fix up the tennis courts and was planning on renovating the space. Residents hoped the plans would include the amphitheater and were staring to work with the city.

At the last minute and without any warning, this plan was discarded. Now, the federal government will give the land directly to the developer. It is unclear if the federal government will be providing any money to the project. This eliminates any role DC and its residents have in the project. It is unclear what, if any role , NPS will have. However, NPS is underfunded and under resourced so it is unlikely that there will be much if an oversight.

In addition, the developer is only required to invest 25 million dollars for a 50 year lease. This is not enough money to provide amenities that will benefit residents. No picnic areas, no pools, no pickleball courts. The focus will be on creating infrastructure that promotes a one week tennis tournament.

I spoke with a DC council member who said that the developer would be free to create a private pay to play tennis club and there is nothing anybody can do to stop it.

Residents have been fundraising for years to try and get the amphitheater up and running. This is not included in the development plans and, in fact, the enlarged parking area could prevent it from ever be redeveloped. The parking areas will be owned by the developer, not NPS or the city and they could restrict access.

The worst part about this whole thing is the underhand way it's being handled. A 12 day review period right before the holidays followed by a transfer on March 1st. Even if you think bureaucratic tape slows projects down, this is a crazy short time line prevents input from residents and the city.

Please sign the petition if you want to slow this process down and get the attention of lawmakers.

https://www.change.org/p/stop-rock-creek-park-tennis-sports-complex-development?recruiter=2393795&recruited_by_id=b37ad064-608a-4483-b2eb-87a1e15321de&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_promote_or_share&utm_term=psf&utm_medium=facebook&utm_content=fht-490918014-en-us%3A0

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The original proposal was a public private partnership between DC and the developer. DC had already budgeted 9 million dollars to fix up the tennis courts and was planning on renovating the space. Residents hoped the plans would include the amphitheater and were staring to work with the city.

At the last minute and without any warning, this plan was discarded. Now, the federal government will give the land directly to the developer. It is unclear if the federal government will be providing any money to the project. This eliminates any role DC and its residents have in the project. It is unclear what, if any role , NPS will have. However, NPS is underfunded and under resourced so it is unlikely that there will be much if an oversight.

In addition, the developer is only required to invest 25 million dollars for a 50 year lease. This is not enough money to provide amenities that will benefit residents. No picnic areas, no pools, no pickleball courts. The focus will be on creating infrastructure that promotes a one week tennis tournament.

I spoke with a DC council member who said that the developer would be free to create a private pay to play tennis club and there is nothing anybody can do to stop it.

Residents have been fundraising for years to try and get the amphitheater up and running. This is not included in the development plans and, in fact, the enlarged parking area could prevent it from ever be redeveloped. The parking areas will be owned by the developer, not NPS or the city and they could restrict access.

The worst part about this whole thing is the underhand way it's being handled. A 12 day review period right before the holidays followed by a transfer on March 1st. Even if you think bureaucratic tape slows projects down, this is a crazy short time line prevents input from residents and the city.

Please sign the petition if you want to slow this process down and get the attention of lawmakers.

https://www.change.org/p/stop-rock-creek-park-tennis-sports-complex-development?recruiter=2393795&recruited_by_id=b37ad064-608a-4483-b2eb-87a1e15321de&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_promote_or_share&utm_term=psf&utm_medium=facebook&utm_content=fht-490918014-en-us%3A0

Mark Ein has a decades long record of improving this city both from a real estate and charitable perspective. Sure, he’s made so dough along the way. Good for him. Is there anything he has done that would in any way make you uncomfortable with him taking on this project? You’d rather have DCPR handle this project? What is wrong with you. Stop trying to scare away the doers.

[Anonymous]

Well, apart from the environmental impacts (see the dumping of blue paint. I would love to hear from Mark Ein about the amenities he is going to provide residents with his $25 million dollar budget (well, about 15 million after necessary repairs to the stadium.) Until then I have to assume that as a business owner, his main goal is to make a profit, which he will do by providing a venue for a tennis tournament. The needs of the residents are not a priority for either him or the Federal government.

A public private partnership with DC would have increased the chances that park would remain accessible to residents. It would have ensured that residents could provide input. There would have been a more thoughtful process (at least I hope).

This is rushed. There is no time for comments or for input. The land will be under control of a private developer for 50 years. Even if Mark Ein is a great guy who loves the city, what about the next owner? Who will provide money for day to day maintenance ? What if the Citi tournament decides to leave and the stadium is no longer needed? Does it become a Private Tennis Club? Lots of questions but no time to get answers because the property will be transferred as of March 1st.

Stop trying to scare aware people who have questions and who want answers.

[Anonymous]

Also, I want to add that the process for this transfer raises a lot of questions. First and for most WHY IS NPS NOT GETTING ANY OTHER BIDS!!! Federal law stipulates that at least three bids must be reviewed. However, six weeks is not enough time for any other company to put out a competing ideas.

The petition is just a way to try and make sure that all ideas, not just Mark Ein's, are considered. This is about DOING something the right way instead of the RUSHED and SHADY way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, I want to add that the process for this transfer raises a lot of questions. First and for most WHY IS NPS NOT GETTING ANY OTHER BIDS!!! Federal law stipulates that at least three bids must be reviewed. However, six weeks is not enough time for any other company to put out a competing ideas.

The petition is just a way to try and make sure that all ideas, not just Mark Ein's, are considered. This is about DOING something the right way instead of the RUSHED and SHADY way.

Let me get this straight: the bid from the locally raised, successful businessman and philanthropist who lives in the city is threatening to you? You’d rather another developer with no local ties swoop in here and underbid the project? Or, you’d rather DCPR manage the project? Please don’t screw this up for all of us. There are plenty of other places to have your picnic.

[Anonymous]

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1305521.page

[Anonymous]

I’d like to have time to review other ideas. Competition usually results in a better product. If win’s proposal is the best, it will be easy for him. Competitive bidders are also more likely to seek community input. Again, lack of competition rarely leads to the best outcome.

Initially there was going to be a private public partnership with DC but this idea was ditched. Might be helpful to know why. But apparently asking questions is not encouraged. We are just suppose to say thank you Mr. Rob for taking over a public space. Maybe I would feel less strongly if we had answers and a proper review period instead of a 12 day review period right before the holidays and a transfer on Match1st.

[Anonymous]

Oops sorry about the typos!

[Anonymous]

Also if Mark Ein is so great, why did he hire workers who dumped paint down the sewer and into the creek. Maybe another developer might have a really good plan to protect the environment. I know that for all the problems DC has in capital projects, residents of DC would have more information regarding infractions. This paint dumping occurred in July 2022 but nobody knew. It was only recently discovered after a neighbor filed a FOIA

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ybb236n8yXY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d like to have time to review other ideas. Competition usually results in a better product. If win’s proposal is the best, it will be easy for him. Competitive bidders are also more likely to seek community input. Again, lack of competition rarely leads to the best outcome.

Initially there was going to be a private public partnership with DC but this idea was ditched. Might be helpful to know why. But apparently asking questions is not encouraged. We are just suppose to say thank you Mr. Rob for taking over a public space. Maybe I would feel less strongly if we had answers and a proper review period instead of a 12 day review period right before the holidays and a transfer on Match1st.

A city full of government workers, nonprofit employees, and political activists really has no useful ideas to offer here. Let the private sector do what it does best here: deliver a well build project on time and on budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d like to have time to review other ideas. Competition usually results in a better product. If win’s proposal is the best, it will be easy for him. Competitive bidders are also more likely to seek community input. Again, lack of competition rarely leads to the best outcome.

Initially there was going to be a private public partnership with DC but this idea was ditched. Might be helpful to know why. But apparently asking questions is not encouraged. We are just suppose to say thank you Mr. Rob for taking over a public space. Maybe I would feel less strongly if we had answers and a proper review period instead of a 12 day review period right before the holidays and a transfer on Match1st.

A city full of government workers, nonprofit employees, and political activists really has no useful ideas to offer here. Let the private sector do what it does best here: deliver a well build project on time and on budget.

Hush. Government knows best. In a decade or two, Carter Baron could open to the public, with a pool, pickle ball courts, day care centers, vocational programs, a golf course, women's center, pre-k programs, summer work study programs, a rec center, an amphitheatre, frisbee golf, soccer fields (with and without artificial turf), wildlife centers, senior centers, and whatever else. It would be a massive jobs program for the District.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also if Mark Ein is so great, why did he hire workers who dumped paint down the sewer and into the creek. Maybe another developer might have a really good plan to protect the environment. I know that for all the problems DC has in capital projects, residents of DC would have more information regarding infractions. This paint dumping occurred in July 2022 but nobody knew. It was only recently discovered after a neighbor filed a FOIA

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ybb236n8yXY

A FOIA with whom?

[Anonymous]

NPS.

“On July 12, 2022 DOEE received complaints about blue liquid discharging from outfall 829 in Blagden Creek. We then were notified by National Parks Service (NPS) that contractors working for the CitiOpen tournament at the Rock Creek Tennis Facility were discharging paint-laden water into the storm sewer. An employee of NPS saw World Class Courts employees washing out 55 gallon drums of paint and illegally dumping it into a storm drain on the south side of the tennis facility. He told them that dumping into the storm drain was illegal and a violation of their work permit. He instructed them to contain all excess paint and dispose of it at a proper facility.” See the attachment “111_MDE_Tennis_Site_Directive_7.14.2022”

The employees pushed back and became argumentative, saying their manager had given them approval to dump the paint there. Mr. Papa spoke with the tournament director Dan Laufer and the owner of the court painting business, Matthew Magner, and explained why they were not permitted to wash paint down the storm drain. He explained that the dumping violated their permit terms through NPS…

This was recorded in documents that were received under a FOIA request.