Media Release:
Monday, April 12, 2021
Contact: Nick DelleDonne,
703 929 6656
‘The Neighbors Don't Want It!’
Dupont ANC Struggles Again with Masonic Project
The Masons’ plan for an oversized, inappropriate apartment building in an historic district at 16th and S Streets, NW – a development that would destroy the low-rise historic stretch of 15 Street, was once again before a committee of Dupont ANC2B on Wednesday, April 7. Dupont East Civic Action Association (DECAA) has appealed the DC Zoning Administrator’s approval of the 'lot subdivision,' necessary for the project to proceed, and which the Administrator did by simply signing, with typos, the draft submitted by the Mason's developer, Perseus.
In contrast to DECCA, which made a succinct, full explanation of its appeal, both the Masons and the developer, Perseus, declined to make any presentation. However, Christine Roddy, a Perseus representative,
declared, in effect, that it is ok for the city to violate its regulations at the request of the developer. “The simple fact is,” she said, “the neighbors do not want it. They are throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks,” concluding that the city needs housing – an issue not before the ANC and the BZA.
Mo Pasternak, the ANC Commissioner representing the residents around the Temple, was quick to pledge his support of the developer. “I ran on a platform of more housing. This is a weird zoning thing and I support whatever zoning we need to build more housing.” In a response published later in the neighborhood listserv, HearUsNow, longtime resident Diane Quinn said, “Do we need more high-end housing? All the “for rent” signs show apartment buildings are 40% unoccupied, as people move out of Dupont. Make no mistake, we need more housing, but it is needed for those earning less than $50,000 a year,” she emphasized.
DECAA president Nick DelleDonne added, “Citizen challenges like ours are defending the Dupont Circle community, but, from Roddy’s viewpoint, we are holding up Perseus' profits. It is developers who come from outside DC and leave devastation in their wake, in the form of huge increases in land values, rampant displacement of residents and no affordable housing,” said DelleDonne.
DECAA has invited Pasternak to its next meeting on April 19 to hear from his constituents.
The whole ANC will meet Wednesday, April 14, to vote on a resolution that will go to the Board of Zoning Adjustment where the case will be heard May 12.
Here is the video tape of Wednesday night's meeting:
0:43 Ed Hanlon and Michael Hays, DECAA’s presentation
1:19 Christine Roddy
1:23 Kerry Bedard
1:24 Wendy Schumacher
1:25 Barry Karas
1:27 Debby Hanrahan
1:28 Nick DelleDonne
1:30 Mo Pasternak
Visit DECAA’s website and sign our petition. www.KeepDupontGreen.org