Langston Slater Surplus Declaration and Disposition Approval Act of 2024
The proposed legislation is expected to have a significant impact on local housing options in the District of Columbia. By allowing for the development of mixed-income housing, the bill seeks to enhance the availability of affordable housing units. As stipulated in the legislation, a minimum of 30% of the residential units in the project must be designated as affordable housing. Furthermore, the bill mandates that contracts for the project be awarded to certified business enterprises, thereby promoting local economic engagement and participation in the development process.
Bill B25-0838, entitled the Langston Slater Surplus Declaration and Disposition Approval Act of 2024, proposes the declaration of District-owned real property, located at 33-45 P Street, N.W., as surplus and authorizes the Mayor to dispose of the property. The bill indicates that the property, which previously housed two elementary schools, is no longer required for public purposes, allowing for its potential sale to private developers. The intent is to facilitate the development of approximately 52 mixed-income residential units that will include a variety of housing types ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments.
The discussion surrounding the bill may involve notable points of contention, especially regarding the processes of community engagement and the selection of the development team. Community members may express concerns over the adequacy of public hearings and the degree to which local input was incorporated into the decision-making process. As the development team, named Lebanon Village at Langston Slater, was chosen following community input discussions, the transparency and fairness of the selection process could be scrutinized. Additionally, the requirement for affordable housing may lead to debates about the effectiveness of these measures in addressing broader housing affordability issues within the district.