We don’t want the city to privatize 1617 U Street for more high-rise luxury housing that will likely displace the community’s life safety services.
We’ve heard from the Mayor’s staff there are no specific plans or proposed project for 1617 U Street to discuss at this time, yet the Mayor’s Office of Planning has been pushing for a massive increase in zoning from four- and five stories to more than 10 stories in height at 1617 U Street. Recently many neighbors spoke up and sent in letters to the D.C. Zoning Commission in opposition to the luxury upzoning proposal.
Additionally, we’ve heard from CM Nadeau and Ward Two Councilmember Brooke Pinto that they can only hope the Third District police station and Engine 9 fire station may choose to come back to any future redevelopment of this public site but there are no guarantees–
In May 2023, ANC 1C asks: “There’s a rumor circulating that … the police station will be moved”:
Ward 1 Councilmember Nadeau responds: “I’m not aware of any plans to move MPD. If they move it would be because they want to. … I know actually to be honest with you … they have considered other sites that would be more central to the Third District because as you know it’s like it’s kind of the upper north part of the district. … [N]obody’s asking them to move. If they do want to move I’m sure we’ll all find out about it at the same time… . “