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Theme Park Takes a Step Forward
By Vanessa Williams
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 17, 1997; Page B01
The issue split the council, which voted 7 to 6 after two hours of heated debate to permit the city to enter into a lease with National Children's Island Inc. and Island Development Corp. It also split the community: The Council Chamber was packed with residents and activists from nearby neighborhoods wearing stickers pledging their support or advertising their opposition to the proposed development.
Proponents hailed the development as a potential financial boon for the cash-starved city and a way to clean up what they called a weed-choked dump site. Opponents, who preferred to describe the site as beautiful parkland, warned that development would wreck the ecosystem of the Anacostia River. They also complained that the developers have not submitted development plans and environmental impact studies.
But council Chairman Linda W. Cropp (D), who delivered one of her most forceful speeches on an issue since taking the helm of the city's legislative branch, repeatedly argued that construction could not begin until the council received and approved environmental impact studies and detailed development plans. Those documents also would require federal approval before construction could begin.
That those plans were not on the table yesterday prompted strong words from opponents.
"What this is is a glorified carnival," said council member Sharon Ambrose (D-Ward 6), who represents neighborhoods surrounding the site and who has been a staunch opponent of the proposal. "This is flash and flimflam. This is snake oil," she said.
Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) called the proposed development "Fantasy Island," after the 1970s television show in which people lived out their dreams on a remote island.
"Fantasy Island was not all bad," retorted Cropp, who urged her colleagues to support the project. "Without a dream, nothing can be accomplished."
Council member Hilda H.M. Mason (Statehood-At Large) noted that only one developer had proposed construction for the site and that she welcomed a proposal in which "a dump can be transformed into an education facility that can benefit the children."
But council member David Catania (R-At Large), participating in his first council meeting since his election this month, said city officials should strive to create a "Children's Island all over the District" by making streets safer, improving the quality of schools and lowering taxes to keep families in the city.
And so it went for two hours until the vote was taken. Joining Cropp and Mason in support of the bill were council members Sandy Allen (D-Ward 8), Harold Brazil (D-At Large), Charlene Drew Jarvis (D-Ward 4), Frank Smith Jr. (D-Ward 1) and Harry Thomas Sr. (D-Ward 5).
Those voting against were Ambrose, Catania, Evans, Kevin P. Chavous (D-Ward 7), Kathy Patterson (D-Ward 3) and Carol Schwartz (R-At Large).
Frazer Walton, president of the Kingman Park Civic Association and an opponent of the proposal, was deeply disappointed. "It's business as usual. . . . We're going to remember every person who voted in favor of that, particularly Harold Brazil. He can believe that the people of this city do not want someone elected as mayor of this town who has no regard for the welfare of the residents."
Mayor Marion Barry (D), who had asked the council's approval of the proposal, said he was pleased the project would move forward. Barry's administration has estimated that the theme park would yield $9 million in annual tax revenue.
"Let's give the development team a chance to show the project's merits," the mayor said.
The city has negotiated with Contessa Bina Sella di Monteluce, of London, for nearly 15 years to develop the property. Indeed, another agreement was approved in 1993, but that stalled until last year, when Congress passed and President Clinton signed a law transferring control of the property to the city.
Yesterday, Brazil was the target of several direct appeals to oppose the proposal by colleagues who noted that he was the only council member to vote against the project in 1993, when he represented Ward 6.
Ambrose said that Brazil had been the only council member "who stood up and defended the security and the preservation" of the neighborhood. "And I am confident we can depend on him to do it again."
Catania tossed Brazil's own words back at him, reading prior public statements in which Brazil said he did not support the project. He also admonished his colleagues to remember that they work for the residents of the District and not "the Contessa Bina Sella di Monteluce."
Brazil told his colleagues that he could support the project because the property "is not a park filled with natural beauty. . . . It's a man-made dump, landfill. . . . It's a shame to see the state of it. If it wasn't for the contessa, there would be no activity out there except for one camper and one bird."
© Copyright 1997 The Washington Post Company
