“Dear PoPville,
A sincere plea for help (lawyers that can represent a neighborhood, we need you!), and answers (from District leadership, we need these, too!).
I am an Anacostia resident (since 2010), writing on behalf of more Anacostia residents and our unanswered petition imploring the Mayor, DHCD and Chapman Development to deliver a vibrant, mixed-use development that promotes walkabilty and provides neighobrhood-serving retail where we live. The project of note is now known as the Maple View Flats but was part of the Big K Special Merit Project.
We are asking District leadership for answers. We were told (I should say we agreed) that historic homes were being moved to provide for affordable housing and Class A retail on MLK SE. You can read more here. Affordable housing was built, but (1) retail promised has not been delivered, and (2) the historic homes moved remain vacant.
The sentiments we feel are those of disbelief and anger. We are residents without the means to sue the District into action, into accountability. So, what do we do? Anacostia has met its affordable housing target per the District’s housing goals provided, and we met our end of the Big K Special Merit Project. The District has not met its Class A retail promise. Instead, our retail space is being modified to accommodate an urgent care.
What is happening to Anacostia, and why? Something doesn’t smell right.”