As discussed here before, the Friends of the Georgetown Waterfront Park are lobbying GSA to put some sort of a restriction on the West Heating Plant property before selling it that would require the future owner to maintain the south half of the property as a park. This could involve a division of the lot, an easement, or some other restriction. (While some have wistfully proposed the demolition of the plant itself, that is not likely to happen. For what it’s worth, I think it’s a beautiful building and would oppose any demolition).
As I also mentioned in that other article, the elevation of Dan Tangherlini to the head of GSA has been seen as a fortuitous event for the efforts to secure the parkland. Tangherlini is a well-respected, long-time D.C. resident who previously served as the head of DDOT and WMATA and was Mayor Adrian Fenty’s City Administrator. Many Georgetowners hope that those District ties will endear Tangherlini to their position, and a letter from Evans will certainly help.
The auction was originally going to happen in the late summer or early fall. I have not heard whether this schedule has been solidified yet.
Topher Mathews blogs at The Georgetown Metropolitan . The Local Blog Network is a group of bloggers from around the D.C. region who have agreed to make regular contributions to All Opinions Are Local.
