Millions Spent, Projects Delayed
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Highland Addition, Southeast
History: In 2003, the city decided to build 188 housing units on vacant land and awarded development rights to H.R. Crawford's company. The city contributed $1.6 million in 2005 and $500,000 in 2007. So far, about $1.2 million has been spent on architects, engineers, legal fees and project management.
Status: Nothing has been built. City officials blame zoning and other delays, along with a $5 million shortfall for road work and other infrastructure improvements. Crawford said the project was delayed because of changes in the architectural team as well as funding gaps.
Parkside Terrace Apartments, Southeast
History: The city provided loans totaling $2.3 million in 2003 to help Crawford's company buy the property and launch a massive rehabilitation.
Status: Renovations have not been done. Tenants left the building in 2005 and Crawford sold the property to another developer for $5 million more than he had paid. The city gave the new developer additional funding to repay Crawford's old loans. Construction started this year on more than 300 housing units. Crawford is still a partner on the project.
Crawford said he made repairs at the property but did not have the funds to renovate the building, which was overwhelmed by sewage problems and other breakdowns.
Trenton Terrace Apartments, Southeast
History: Through the East of the River Community Development Corp., Crawford's company received a $1.25 million city loan to buy the complex in 2001 and launch the development of more than 100 new housing units.
Status: Homes have not been built. Crawford emptied the property of tenants and sold it in 2004 to another developer for $1.6 million more than he had paid. The city gave the new developer additional funding to repay Crawford's old loan. The new developer tore the buildings down but has not started construction because financing has not been secured. Crawford is still a 15 percent partner on the project. He said the complex had environmental and crime issues, the architect and engineer could not agree on a development plan, and the city ultimately wanted the buildings torn down.
George Washington Carver Estates, Northeast
History: Tenants teamed up with Crawford to redevelop the property into a rental complex for seniors and more than 100 townhouses, with the city contributing money to buy the property and $4 million to launch the development in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, the D.C. Housing Finance Agency also contributed millions through tax-exempt bonds and low-income housing tax credits.
Status: The senior center is complete, but no townhouses have been built. Several tenants who feared that they could not find anyplace else to live sued Crawford's company and the tenants association for housing-code violations after they lost their heat, gas and water, forcing them to move out. The case is pending. Crawford attributed the delays to the permitting process and design changes.
