Vacant Property Update

Posted By Si Kailian, 10/18/07 11:49 AM

We discussed the survey at the last MVSNA meeting, here it is for public viewing. Please let me know if there are any glaring errors or omissions. The Vacant Property Survey currently covers 105 properties on 7 squares in the Mount Vernon Square Historic District. (we plan to expand the survey into the Triangle soon). We were informed by DCRA last spring, after the initial survey, that tax class changes would be visable in the fall after the 2nd half year property tax bills went out. As noted on the survey, DCRA changed 11 properties to the Class 3 tax rate (5%). 51 vacant properties still require changes.

I also put together a quick analysis of 7 properties in Square 450 that are being under-taxed as the starkest example of revenue loss. From 2005-2007, DC Gov. has lost $389,238 in tax revenue by not taxing these 7 vacant properties at the Class 3 rate. If changes are not made in 2008, DC Gov. will lose an additional $547,648 in property tax revenue.

I have also made the old plat maps available in the public file for all of you neighborhood history buffs. And here is an illustration showing all of the vacant buildings (red) & lots (blue) in the MVSQ historic district.

Categories: Development, History, Meetings, News, Real Estate | Comments (12) | del.icio.us | Linking Blogs

Comments

Si -- You are an angel to have done this work. We all owe you a debt of gratitude. By the way, we have a tree growing out of a building at 925 5th Street NW. Never knew before today that the roof had caved in and the "building" had gone wild with vegetation. The guys working on it say they don't speak English but the building is owned by Tony Cheng.

Posted By Thais / At 10/18/07 1:46 PM

I wonder what kind of wildlife lurks in there?! omg if anyone is around please go take a photo! HP told us months ago that Tony Cheng had plans for a new restaurant there. I'm glad if they are at least cleaning it up.

Posted By Si Kailian / At 10/18/07 1:59 PM

But if he doesn't secure the doors again, we have a BIG problem. This property acted as a mini-crackhouse. We harassed Tony to secure the doors for months and he only did it the day after the Subway Liquor murder. Lets keep a close eye on this. Open doors means open air drug market and prostitution like before.

Posted By Thais / At 10/18/07 2:16 PM

I believe that vacant property efforts have stalled due to the loss of key staff at DCRA. Twane Duckworth, who we met with months ago and was updating the records, went back to the Attorney General's office (he was on detail to DCRA). Gilbert Davidson, who inspected vacant property and also addressed these issues, has moved from DCRA to DPR. And Desi Deschaine, who handled community affairs for DCRA is no longer with the agency. That leaves pretty much no one handling this very important issue. They need to hire staff and soon. We will follow up with them.

Posted By Cary Silverman / At 10/18/07 3:38 PM

is 925 5th St. in a historic district?

Posted By richard r / At 10/19/07 7:43 AM

I don't know if the area is historic. But walked by 925 5th Street building and looked inside yesterday. There was about a foot of filth, terrible stench, roof partially collapsed and a tree growing inside. Building is probably not salvageable. The entry area by the roll top door is now up again. If this is not also fixed or secured, we expect it to become a hot spot as it was before. FYI -- this building is next door to Fun Fair.

Posted By TTA / At 10/19/07 9:30 AM

if the structural conditions are as bad as you describe this is a developers dream come true. the bigger the tree is allowed to grow the worse it gets which results in a greater opportunity that the building needs to go.

a few weeks ago the HPRB had an application along NY Avenue at where the tree was growing in the middle of the building. an HPRB member asked staff why the property was premitted to deteriorate and just got stared at without an answer. the building is on the wrecking ball list now.

HBRB has two inspectors. who knows what they are supposed to do?

Posted By richard r / At 10/19/07 10:18 AM

Update on 925 5th Street -- two guys are on the roof today trying to strip it with hammers. The tree has grown above the roof line and is visible from the other side of the street. The door entry is not boarded up anymore. So far, the crack dealers and prostitutes have not yet discovered that it is open again (but it is only a matter of time). Any thoughts about this?

Posted By Thais / At 10/19/07 11:35 AM

oh nice! so much for historic preservation! LOL if it's zoned historic contact the HPRB office.

Posted By rr 446 / At 10/19/07 11:45 AM

There are construction guys working,in the building next to FunFair,I heard jackhammering.
I think it's 925 5th St-Is this the building referenced in other posts owned by Tony Cheng? Do we know what's going on?

Posted By Paul / At 11/1/07 1:32 PM

They are digging a tunnel to Fun Fair. The guys will get in through the broken roll down door at 925 and enter Fun Fair secretly that way.

P.S. Couldn't resist. This property is the one referenced in the other posts. No one seems to know what is happening with that property beyond a general cleanup. Did you notice the tree growing inside the building was cut down?

Posted By anon / At 11/1/07 1:55 PM

HA HA--But I wouldn't put it past them to do something like that-I didn't see the tree or the inside, everytime I walk by in the morning the doors are closed, and then in the evening, sometimes they are not even locked, and like everyone said the roll up door is always in the upright and not locked position-Is there anyway we can find out what's going on with that place? What is Tony Cheng doing with it?

Posted By Paul / At 11/2/07 7:50 AM