DC Jobs with Justice Corner: Saving Public Property in DC

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
With the imminent closing of 23 DC public schools, DC community activists will demand the DC City Council pass legislation to protect public property at a Council hearing today at 9A. “In 2001 the Lovejoy School in Northeast DC was sold to build 54 luxury apartments and the developer made $24 million on this project,” says the People’s Property Campaign. “The Giddings School is now a Results Gym. The Mathur building, once part of the University of the District of Columbia was converted into condominiums which sold for up to $1 million each. And now with 23 public schools being closed this year, it is up to us to make sure these spaces continue to function for the benefit of the public.” Activists at the hearing will ask the Council to support a bill – sponsored by Councilmembers Harry Thomas Jr. and Marion Barry – that would require increased community input and the creation of a Community Development Plan before public property is sold. For more info and to sign up to testify, email tkinlow@dclaborarchives.org or call 202-974-8224.
- report by Tiye Kinlow, DC Jobs with Justice Intern