davisveronicatestimony-economicdevward7

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http://fairfaxvillage.blogspot.com

DATE: WEDNESDAY JANUARY 10, 2012

TO: THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

FROM: VERONICA O. DAVIS

SUBJECT: ROUNDTABLE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN WARD 7

My name is Veronica O. Davis. I am the President of the Fairfax Village IV Condominium

Association (Fairfax Village IV), member of the Hillcrest Community Civic Association Board,

and a proud blogger in Ward 7. I am submitting testimony as a public witness.

Economic development, more so than any other issue, ensues passion among all residents in

Ward 7. While I appreciate this frank discussion, I want to express on record that Im

extremely disappointed in the lack of sufficient notice to residents about this hearing.

I support moving forward with the Skyland Development Project and Revitalization of thePennsylvania Ave SE Corridor (including Penn Branch Shopping Center). My only message is

get it done yesterday. So much more can be said about economic development,

however, my testimony this evening will focus on three short-term, long-hanging

projects/programs that will stabilize our communities and immediately improve our quality of

life.

1. Focused effort to stabilize the condominium communities in Ward 7 The housing market

collapse has had a profound impact on communities around the nation. The condo market

has additional layers of complication due to the nature of the interdependence of owners.

Communities such as Fairfax Village in Hillcrest and Eastern Plaza in Deanwood are at risk of

destabilization. In a nutshell, the high foreclosures are undercutting the market and investors

are purchasing those units. The investors then rent the units, which creates an imbalance ofrenter to owner-occupied units. Due to the high renter-occupied units, many condo

associations are losing their FHA certified status. When affordable units come on sale, the

people who want to purchase and live in those units are unable to since the associations

arent FHA certified. The people who can afford to purchase with traditional loans are

investors and the cycle continues.

In the short-term, I would like to see the leadership of this city place a focused effort to

encourage residents who qualify for the Home Purchase Assistance Program and the

Employee Purchase Assistance Program to move into these communities. In addition,

develop incentives to convert long-time renters into homeowners. A healthy condo

community is mostly owner-occupied.

2. Clean-up Ward 7 Initiative Many of the shopping centers in the ward are so littered andunkempt, that residents dont want to patronize them. For example, for over two years the

community battled with the property managers at the Fairfax Village Shopping Center to

clean up the litter. Since the property manager hired a local resident this past summer, the

shopping center has remained clean and the garbage cans are emptied regularly. A job

was created and residents now have a clean shopping center. This model needs to be

applied in other shopping centers around the ward. Even in tough economic times, there

is no excuse for our ward to be trashed.


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3. Transportation plan to link development Many of the roads in Ward 7 are near or at

capacity during the morning and evening rush. As new developments come online, this

problem will be exacerbated. Each individual development is required to submit a

transportation management plan, however, with all the new development in the pipeline

there needs to be a ward-wide plan. NOW is the time to create a transportation plan to

move residents between the developments safely and efficiently using alternative modes oftransportation. This plan should also include a vision that each resident of Ward 7 has

affordable transportation options and have the ability to access other neighborhoods within

the ward and other parts of the city. A failure to plan will result in a failed transportation

system, which will have a negative impact on the quality of our lives.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony for inclusion in the public record.

Attached to my written testimony is a set of economic development principles developed

by a diverse group of residents from around the ward. Im available for any clarification and

discussions.


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GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN WARD 7

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN WARD 7Economic Development should be SELF-SUSTAINING

Create new jobs for Ward 7 residents Revitalize industrial areas to expand to new and innovative industries that provide

jobs for skilled workers

Meet the needs of all residents Allow for a healthy mix of neighborhood businesses owned by Ward 7 residents and

large national chains

Economic Development should be FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Create family-friendly environments while allowing for spaces for adult withoutchildren to gather

Foster opportunities for families and communities to interact

Economic Development should have BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT

Bridge the relationship with the Korean Business Association and other existingbusiness associations

Engage with the community through activities such as:o Hiring local residentso Mentoring/Adopting local schoolso Sponsoring sports leagues for youtho Sponsoring local events

Create Business Improvement Districts (BID), Main Streets or comparable model toassist with promoting an area, keeping the streets clean, and building relationships

with the community

Economic Development should PROMOTE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES Encourage healthy food retail options Create safe places for physical activity Provide safe and affordable transportation options Promote public art to create visual ambiance

davisveronicatestimony-economicdevward7

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