I was active in opposing the proposed townhouse proposal years ago because it was neither transit nor community oriented. I have lived in Takoma Park, Maryland, for over 20 years and I am an enthusiastic supporter of transit-oriented development at the Takoma Metro station. I would be curious if there are other examples in DC where this model has been successful, whether it’s true that DC Parks and Rec does not want to obtain more land for parks, and whether DC Park’s position is driving this trend to HOAs owning/maintaining public green space. I have not heard anything from a DC Parks and Rec representative to know if this is true, but that seems an extraordinary position for the agency to take when DC leaders often promise to increase the green space in poorer parts of the city. I have asked EYA officials why these spaces could not be made into DC parks, and EYA’s response was that DC Parks and Rec does not want to take ownership of more land that they would be responsible for. I fear that this situation will eventually result in conflict, as I could see the homeowners resenting that they are having to bear all costs for maintaining spaces being used by others in the surrounding community. While EYA has promised the green spaces will be available to all, they will be owned and maintained by the HOAs of these new developments. They’ve built a playground at the Josephite Seminary, and they are proposing a large park with walking trails/exercise equipment/public spaces at the Providence site. EYA is building a mix of market and affordable units, and part of the benefits being offered to the community are publicly available green spaces. ![]() I live near two other EYA developments in Michigan Park/Brookland: the Josephite Seminary (near completion) and the redevelopment of Providence Hospital (early planning stages). While I support EYA’s developments and want both more housing and green space in my neighborhood and throughout the region, I do fear that leaving public spaces in the hands of HOAs is not an optimal long-term option of providing parks in the city, as I explain below. I’m facing this same issue with EYA developments in my neighborhood. Thank you, GGWash, for your hard work covering the DC area! I wanted to offer a response on one issue briefly touched on in the article “ 440 residences next to Takoma Metro station in DC near final approval” (July 11, 2023): a comment from former ANC Commissioner Sara Green that the new development’s green space would be privately owned and should instead be owned by the public. ![]() In response to 440 housing units coming to the Takoma Metro station Learn more about how to submit an Email to the Editor for possible publication. GGWash wants to hear from you! Our periodic Emails to the Editor column is your chance to sound off about stories you’ve seen in GGWash. Person using MacBook Air by Andrea Piacquadio used with permission.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |