Vacant Property Survey

Its done and you can view it here.  the colors on the doc correspond to the colors on the map.  Looking at the map we still have a bunch of surface parking lots owned by developers & churches - some in use for 80s style housing, some develop-able.  the count of vacant buildings including the triangle is about 60 and many do have plans that will hopefully materialize in the near or distant future.  what's clear from taking into account the 2007 survey is that 1. the vacant property tax encouraged development of small properties - a bunch got knocked off the list.  I even saw Sunrise academy's folly at 1225 5th occupied!   2.  it did not affect development of large properties because DC never really levied the vacant property tax on large developers with few exceptions.  So when Douglas Development claims they have been fully taxed, that's true - at the 1.85% commercial rate.  ANC 2C should perhaps take that into account when dealing with any future exemption requests.  The lack of charging the vacant property tax is a huge revenue loss for the city compounded over years, especially for the highly valued downtown property  3.  There is still nothing that applies to a vacant lot or a crappy parking lot.  4.  DC Gov is one of the worst offenders.  They have the crappiest house in the hood (if you can call it that - no roof, no walls) and they are slower than molasses in disposing of their develop-able property - when they aren't giving it away for a dollar.  5.  DC taxes property at prorated mixed rates only in theory.  6. quite a few religious exemptions for property that isn't actually being used for religious purposes.  Another major revenue loss that could be huge citywide.  7. I cant even explain the assessment records I found with buildings valued at $1000.

One more thought, and this also pertains to the exemption from the blighted tax supported by ANC 2C for Douglas Development, Squares 450/451.  Blighted tax is 10% (and in my opinion high).  Vacant property tax is 5% and should be levied in actuality.  It absolutely works on a small scale but we have yet to see it in action on a large scale.

Again, our deepest gratitude to Dan Maceda for his help with research and to all of the neighbors that contributed tips, photos and information.  y'all rock!