Ltr. from the President
   921-941 F Street, NW
   Most Endangered Kick-Off
   Summer Tours Beat the Heat
   Trust Honors Theresa Brown
   DCPL Acknowledges Members
   Row House Task Force-Help Wanted
   Masthead

Fall 2001

Settlement Reached for 921-941 F Street, NW

After ten months of negotiations, the DC Preservation League, the Committee of 100 for the Federal City, and the Downtown Artists Coalition reached a settlement with the Archdiocese of Washington and the John Akridge Company, owner and developer, respectively, of the eleven nineteenth-century commercial buildings located in the downtown arts district at 921-941 F St., NW.

The legal battle to save the buildings began in 1999, when the developers applied to demolish all but the facades of the eleven buildings (seven of which were designated contributing structures in the historic district). In November
of 1999, Rohulamin Quander, the Mayor’s Agent for Historic Preservation, denied their application, but because the order was not issued within the statutorily mandated time limit, the City deemed the application approved and issued partial demolition permits for the properties. DCPL, the Committee of 100, and the artists immediately filed suit to stop the destruction of the block.

The parties began mediation in the summer of 2000, and through protracted discussions, were able to present for Judge Quander’s approval a vastly different and improved project. Four of the historic buildings will remain intact, three more facades will be restored, and the size and height of the new construction has been decreased to lessen its impact on the historic row. In addition, space will be reserved for a gallery and affordable artists studios. The League has maintained an active role before the Historic Preservation Review Board during the final design phase of the new construction. Preservation attorney Andrea Ferster ably represented the League through the lawsuits and advised us during negotiations.