D.C. Council Okays Convention Center

The following report on the proposed D.C. convention center at Mt. Vernon Square makes two assumptions. First, that all politics are local and an appreciation of this fact drives all successful organizing efforts, especially in an oppressed colony such as the District of Columbia. Second, that D.C.’s local politicians rarely have the people’s interests at heart, and therefore should not be expected to perform as if they did.

We Lost Again

On June 16, D.C. Council passed by an 8-to-5 vote the final financing package for the proposed $685 million-plus convention center at Mt. Vernon Square, putting the city’s most expensive construction project in its history one step closer to reality. This project is certain to set in motion a frenzy of gentrifying development and displacement of poor residents (see S. Donkin, “D.C. Convention Center Will Displace Residents,” Washington Peace Letter, June 1998, p. 1).

The financial package was approved despite numerous financial and legal concerns raised by some councilmembers (see T. Deady, “Convention Center Foes Still Fighting Financing,” Washington Business Journal, June 5, 1998, p. 1), as well as many in the press (see R.A. Pyatt, “A Chance to Climb Out of a $750 Million Hole,” Washington Post, June 1, 1998, p. F04; R. Utt, “The Mirage of Megaplex Development,” Washington Post, June 14, 1998, p. C01; P.L. Wolff, “Oh, What a Tangled Web of Deceit the Convention Center Weaves,” The Intowner, June 1998, p. 2).

It was also approved after several weeks of astoundingly unabashed repression of dissent on the part of Council as numerous community activists were ejected from council debates, legally posted signs stating opposition to the convention center were illegally removed by city officials, and two activists were arrested in council chambers after peacefully displaying anti-convention center messages while those displaying pro-convention center messages went unharassed. These blatant violations of constitutionally protected free speech graphically illustrate the seriousness with which the well-funded development lobby and its bought-off council shills are determined to pursue their sweep of D.C.’s neighborhoods.

The Plan is Here

For many years, a rumor has circulated within some of D.C.’s black communities of a conscious plan to remove poor blacks from the city by the year 2000. While the existence of an actual blueprint for “Plan 2000,” or “The Plan” as it is also known, may be debatable, the fact remains that recently enacted Council legislation will accomplish the same result. The Convention Center Financing Amendment Act, in conjunction with Councilmember Jarvis’ National Capital Revitalization Corporation Act, Councilmember Smith’s Tax Increment Financing Authorization Act, and congressional threats to rent control, will facilitate the removal of large numbers of poor and black residents from affordable neighborhoods to make way for convention centers, stadiums, and hotels.

As Councilmember Brazil stated before voting in favor of the convention center on June 16, “We are looking at a whole new Washington in the next few years.” A new Washington which, by the way, excludes poor people. As an added insult, much of this displacement will be done using public funds.

These legislative assaults on D.C.’s poor passed because there was simply no organized opposition on the part of constituents. The community’s inattentiveness to the sell-out of our own neighborhoods allowed Council’s betrayals to breeze through with nary a peep. So now, “The Plan” is no longer rumor; “The Plan” has been legislated.

Last Chances

The convention center package now goes before the Control Board and Congress for approval. Sources on Capitol Hill have said they see no controversy surrounding the proposed center, so it’s up to D.C. residents to show Congress the controversy.

The Green Party of D.C. is actively organizing in preparation for the next phase of the fight to save our neighborhoods and promote revitalization centered around the people and not elite interests from the outside. Congress will hold hearings on the convention center sometime in mid-July. All residents determined to maintain a livable inner-city core which provides affordable housing as well as good jobs are urged to get involved now!

Steve Donkin is a member of the Green Party of D.C. He can be reached at (202) 986-9438.