The Washington Post has a story out about Mayor Muriel Bowser’s next door neighbors. Mayor Bowser lives in a semi-detached home in Riggs Park. According to the article, she shares a party wall with a family who moved into their home this past April. It is an interesting read looking at the life of the mayor’s new neighbors and the security bubble that accompanies the mayor.
The article has once again revived the question of whether the city needs an official residence for the mayor. The issue has been debated over the years, as DCist noted back in 2012. The article suggests that the mayor’s home is the most modest mayoral home that the city has seen. I suppose some might think the mayor deserves the grandeur of an official residence to entertain and conduct business. Interestingly enough, not every major city has an official mayoral residence. Chicago and San Francisco do not have one. New York and Los Angeles do, but some mayors have opted out of living in the official residence. Every state does have an official residence for the governor, which some might believe is the more appropriate comparison for DC’s mayor. Even in that case, several governors opt out of living in the official state residence.
I do not have strong feelings about the issue, but I do not think an official residence is necessary. The cost of maintaining an official residence plus the cost of maintaining the private home of a mayor that will likely sit empty while the mayor is in office does not seem justifiable. I think there is something refreshing about having mayors who live in different parts of the city, modest homes or not. I could be persuaded otherwise though.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
I think it is important for the Mayor of the District of Columbia, our Nations Capitol to have an “official residence”. It’s doesn’t need to be a lavish palace. But it would allow the city to have one location, to entertain dignitaries and that offers meeting space to the general public. It could showcase our local history and in the long run save money. It would be “the peoples house” in the same way that many states maintain a residence for their Governors. Every 4 – 8 years DC MPD has to re-create the wheel and erect a guard station and electronic security at a newly elected Mayor’s private residence. It would provide a sense of history to visitors and locals alike. The city would not be responsible for maintaining the Mayor’s home during their term, just as they’re not responsible for the care and maintenance of a Mayor’s car while a city vehicle is being utilized. It’s a shame that the city didn’t take advantage of the offer from the Casey organization for a home when it was offered. That’s not something that happens very often.