Anonymous
03/17/2016 17:31
Subject: Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
Maybe there is already another thread on this, but wasn't there supposed to be a city Council meeting or hearing this morning about this where the mayor was supposed to make her arguments? Did anybody attend or listen in? Any thoughts or comments
Anonymous
03/17/2016 17:16
Subject: Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
Anonymous wrote:The whole thing stinks to high heaven. Will the Inspector General step in?
In good 'ol DeeCee?
Anonymous
03/17/2016 16:54
Subject: Re:Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
Can only infer that more of these CMs are in the pockets of the developers based on responses here:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/pricetag-of-dc-homeless-shelter-plan-draws-scrutiny-at-first-council-hearing/2016/03/17/2bae0cd6-ec51-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/pricetag-of-dc-homeless-shelter-plan-draws-scrutiny-at-first-council-hearing/2016/03/17/2bae0cd6-ec51-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html
Anonymous
03/17/2016 14:53
Subject: Re:Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
jsteele wrote:Did everyone see this article about the costs of Bowser's plan:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/homeless-shelter-plan-could-be-profitable-for-bowsers-backers/2016/03/16/cbab0e76-eadc-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html
"But records show that most of the private properties proposed as shelter sites are owned or at least partly controlled by major donors to the mayor. And experts have calculated that the city leases would increase the assessed value of those properties by as much as 10 times for that small group of landowners and developers."
I've been a supporter of the shelter plan and I don't think cost-effectiveness should be the major consideration. But, at the same time, the costs must be in the realm of sanity and it is not clear to me that is the case with this plan. Even in Ward 3 which we know has high-priced real estate, Bowser has managed to commit to paying over twice as much as the going rate:
"In Ward 3, Bowser is proposing to spend $56 million to lease 38 units that would be built on Wisconsin Ave. NW near Observatory Circle. The District would pay an estimated $6,187.26 in monthly rent per unit over 20 years. The average rent for high-end apartments in the ward is $2,973."
It would be a really tragedy if the Bowser administration sought to exploit the homeless situation as an opportunity for some individuals to make a quick buck.
While the Post touches upon the developer donations (vastly underreported as they hide behind LLCs for each property - Bowser opposed legislation to change that when she had authority to do so when on council), Jemal Sorg et al have spread the wealth beyond the mayor. Nearly all of the council members have lucre from this small claque of real estate moguls/puppeteers. The conflict of interest is mind-boggling, especially when the AG wants to shut down these exact kinds of loopholes. And it is unbelievable that the District will pay over $6000/month for families fighting every night to bath their kids in the ONLY TWO bathtubs at these shelters. Infants and toddlers don't shower, they take baths. My guess is that mayor is as indifferent to those conditions as she is to the lack of wraparound services offered on or near these sites.
Anonymous
03/17/2016 14:49
Subject: Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
Anonymous wrote:The whole thing stinks to high heaven. Will the Inspector General step in?
+1.
And, hopefully, before it is too late to protect taxpayer money?
Anonymous
03/17/2016 13:46
Subject: Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
The whole thing stinks to high heaven. Will the Inspector General step in?
Anonymous
03/17/2016 13:19
Subject: Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
Anonymous wrote:So let me get this straight:
1. The city will pay the construction costs to build new structures and facilities on each of these sites
2. The city will then lease the buildings from the property owners for 20 to 30 years.
3. At the end of 20 to 30 years, the city will need to find new properties and will own nothing. The original property owners will have received tens of millions in annual payments and will own the building.
What the ever-loving F#CK?!?
This is a genuine corruption scandal. It's a monumental giveaway to her major donors pure and simple. No one can make a straight-face argument that this is the best deal the city could get.
Anonymous
03/17/2016 12:25
Subject: Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
DC residents get the government they vote for. Good on 'em if it's corrupt as hell.
Anonymous
03/17/2016 12:23
Subject: Re:Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
I wonder if the homeless shelter plan lead to white flight.
Anonymous
03/17/2016 10:50
Subject: Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/homeless-shelter-plan-could-be-profitable-for-bowsers-backers/2016/03/16/cbab0e76-eadc-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html?hpid=hp_local-news_dchomeless-845pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory
and in the article " broad range stems from the fact that the administration chose sites suited for families. He also said the buildings would be unique and require costly amenities such as durable surfaces, since families could be moving multiple times per year, and would include cafeterias and play spaces for children."
Cafeterias for what? At that rent units should have kitchens. WTF play space? Suburban style yards? Note units near woodley park metro are by a DC public school. We saw one building where a whole side of it overlooked the playground. Came with renovated kitchens , balconies, granite, breakfast bar in lobby, washer-dryers in units. Less rent than Bowser.
A charitable organization-Anne Frank House-rents or owns units-http://www.theannefrankhouse.org/
It serves those with chronic mental illness but the model would work far better than Bowser's and many in DC general might be chronically homeless.
Stats on move-outs? Move-ins?
and in the article " broad range stems from the fact that the administration chose sites suited for families. He also said the buildings would be unique and require costly amenities such as durable surfaces, since families could be moving multiple times per year, and would include cafeterias and play spaces for children."
Cafeterias for what? At that rent units should have kitchens. WTF play space? Suburban style yards? Note units near woodley park metro are by a DC public school. We saw one building where a whole side of it overlooked the playground. Came with renovated kitchens , balconies, granite, breakfast bar in lobby, washer-dryers in units. Less rent than Bowser.
A charitable organization-Anne Frank House-rents or owns units-http://www.theannefrankhouse.org/
It serves those with chronic mental illness but the model would work far better than Bowser's and many in DC general might be chronically homeless.
Stats on move-outs? Move-ins?
Anonymous
03/17/2016 10:31
Subject: Re:Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
Anonymous wrote:jsteele wrote:Did everyone see this article about the costs of Bowser's plan:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/homeless-shelter-plan-could-be-profitable-for-bowsers-backers/2016/03/16/cbab0e76-eadc-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html
"But records show that most of the private properties proposed as shelter sites are owned or at least partly controlled by major donors to the mayor. And experts have calculated that the city leases would increase the assessed value of those properties by as much as 10 times for that small group of landowners and developers."
I've been a supporter of the shelter plan and I don't think cost-effectiveness should be the major consideration. But, at the same time, the costs must be in the realm of sanity and it is not clear to me that is the case with this plan. Even in Ward 3 which we know has high-priced real estate, Bowser has managed to commit to paying over twice as much as the going rate:
"In Ward 3, Bowser is proposing to spend $56 million to lease 38 units that would be built on Wisconsin Ave. NW near Observatory Circle. The District would pay an estimated $6,187.26 in monthly rent per unit over 20 years. The average rent for high-end apartments in the ward is $2,973."
It would be a really tragedy if the Bowser administration sought to exploit the homeless situation as an opportunity for some individuals to make a quick buck.
The fact is [are]building[s] with all utilities included, has some 2 beds converted to 3's [L shaped LR/DR] , 2 baths, pools, gyms walkable to metro for under $3000/month. Add walkable to metro [less than 3 blocks] and you have a real tragedy. Location on connecticut near metros.
Near the wisconsin ave location for Bowser's legacy is Alban Towers which has 2 bedrooms for 3105/month.
Perhaps they will call the Observatory Circle shelter "Muriel's Mansions." While it certainly won't look like a mansion -- or seem like one to its residents -- DC taxpayers will be paying a millionaire's rent for it to Bowser's cronies.
Anonymous
03/17/2016 10:26
Subject: Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
Anonymous wrote:So let me get this straight:
1. The city will pay the construction costs to build new structures and facilities on each of these sites
2. The city will then lease the buildings from the property owners for 20 to 30 years.
3. At the end of 20 to 30 years, the city will need to find new properties and will own nothing. The original property owners will have received tens of millions in annual payments and will own the building.
What the ever-loving F#CK?!?
And don't forget that some of the developers will get coveted zoning changes (upzoned for greater height and density) as part of the shelter initiative. This will make their properties tremendously valuable. For example the Observatory Circle parcel is zoned for low density residential right now. At the end of the lease, the owner will be free to raze or renovate the structure and build quite densely as a matter of right, without needing further hearings or approvals. Bowser's plan is to package all of the zoning changes for the shelters into a single up or down application before the DC zoning commission, so that there will be none of the individualized hearings and reviews of localized impacts that are customary for applications to change zoning. How do you think this vote will go?
The result is that the favored crony developers and property owners likely will get an enormous economic benefit without subjecting themselves to a contested zoning process with their communities.
Anonymous
03/17/2016 10:06
Subject: Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
So let me get this straight:
1. The city will pay the construction costs to build new structures and facilities on each of these sites
2. The city will then lease the buildings from the property owners for 20 to 30 years.
3. At the end of 20 to 30 years, the city will need to find new properties and will own nothing. The original property owners will have received tens of millions in annual payments and will own the building.
What the ever-loving F#CK?!?
1. The city will pay the construction costs to build new structures and facilities on each of these sites
2. The city will then lease the buildings from the property owners for 20 to 30 years.
3. At the end of 20 to 30 years, the city will need to find new properties and will own nothing. The original property owners will have received tens of millions in annual payments and will own the building.
What the ever-loving F#CK?!?
Anonymous
03/17/2016 09:55
Subject: Re:Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
Anonymous wrote:jsteele wrote:Did everyone see this article about the costs of Bowser's plan:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/homeless-shelter-plan-could-be-profitable-for-bowsers-backers/2016/03/16/cbab0e76-eadc-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html
"But records show that most of the private properties proposed as shelter sites are owned or at least partly controlled by major donors to the mayor. And experts have calculated that the city leases would increase the assessed value of those properties by as much as 10 times for that small group of landowners and developers."
I've been a supporter of the shelter plan and I don't think cost-effectiveness should be the major consideration. But, at the same time, the costs must be in the realm of sanity and it is not clear to me that is the case with this plan. Even in Ward 3 which we know has high-priced real estate, Bowser has managed to commit to paying over twice as much as the going rate:
"In Ward 3, Bowser is proposing to spend $56 million to lease 38 units that would be built on Wisconsin Ave. NW near Observatory Circle. The District would pay an estimated $6,187.26 in monthly rent per unit over 20 years. The average rent for high-end apartments in the ward is $2,973."
It would be a really tragedy if the Bowser administration sought to exploit the homeless situation as an opportunity for some individuals to make a quick buck.
The fact is [are]building[s] with all utilities included, has some 2 beds converted to 3's [L shaped LR/DR] , 2 baths, pools, gyms walkable to metro for under $3000/month. Add walkable to metro [less than 3 blocks] and you have a real tragedy. Location on connecticut near metros.
Near the wisconsin ave location for Bowser's legacy is Alban Towers which has 2 bedrooms for 3105/month.
And yet they say there is no money to fully fund the remaining school renovations. $56 million for 38 spots?
Anonymous
03/17/2016 09:52
Subject: Re:Bowser Spreads the Wealth opens homeless shelters in each DC ward
jsteele wrote:Did everyone see this article about the costs of Bowser's plan:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/homeless-shelter-plan-could-be-profitable-for-bowsers-backers/2016/03/16/cbab0e76-eadc-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html
"But records show that most of the private properties proposed as shelter sites are owned or at least partly controlled by major donors to the mayor. And experts have calculated that the city leases would increase the assessed value of those properties by as much as 10 times for that small group of landowners and developers."
I've been a supporter of the shelter plan and I don't think cost-effectiveness should be the major consideration. But, at the same time, the costs must be in the realm of sanity and it is not clear to me that is the case with this plan. Even in Ward 3 which we know has high-priced real estate, Bowser has managed to commit to paying over twice as much as the going rate:
"In Ward 3, Bowser is proposing to spend $56 million to lease 38 units that would be built on Wisconsin Ave. NW near Observatory Circle. The District would pay an estimated $6,187.26 in monthly rent per unit over 20 years. The average rent for high-end apartments in the ward is $2,973."
It would be a really tragedy if the Bowser administration sought to exploit the homeless situation as an opportunity for some individuals to make a quick buck.
The fact is [are]building[s] with all utilities included, has some 2 beds converted to 3's [L shaped LR/DR] , 2 baths, pools, gyms walkable to metro for under $3000/month. Add walkable to metro [less than 3 blocks] and you have a real tragedy. Location on connecticut near metros.
Near the wisconsin ave location for Bowser's legacy is Alban Towers which has 2 bedrooms for 3105/month.