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
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.
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.
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.
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
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