Now that negotiations have again started between Fort Totten Square developers and District officials over the sale of District-owned land for the second phase of Fort Totten Square, it is a good time to talk community benefits. In previous posts covering the sale of the land, I described some of the community benefits that were previously included by District officials in the land disposition agreement that eventually expired. During last summer’s public hearing regarding the surplus designation by the mayor’s office, the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association submitted testimony containing proposed community benefits. I was involved in the LRCA process to draft a community benefits agreements. I also submitted testimony in my individual capacity: Comments for Hearing on Surplus Designation for Parcel (pdf).

Inclusion of community benefits in land disposition agreements is a bit controversial in some quarters. Part of the reason for advocating for community benefits in this particular transaction is that any sale that is approved would give the developers District-owned land at a hugely discounted price. District officials believe they have some justification for approving below market rate sale of land. The land consists of expansive grass with mature trees. During last summer’s hearing, some residents said they use the land to walk their dogs. For District officials, it is probably seen as a win if they can get even a nominal amount for land at a major intersection that does not currently generate any tax revenue, if that land will be developed and generate tax revenue for years to come. Whatever the justification, it is not a stretch to ask District officials to include community benefits in the land disposition agreement.

With that background, what do you think? Now is the time to be creative. What types of community benefits do you think the neighborhood could use?