District of ColumbiaCouncil proposal would let mayor sell and lease Reeves Center land
If the Council approves the proposal and closing conditions are met, the developer could build housing, a hotel, offices, and arts and retail space on the site.
What it does
If the Council approves the proposal and closing conditions are met, the Mayor could sell the Office Parcel for $1 and lease the Residential Parcel for 99 years. The $99 total rent would be paid at closing.
At least 30% of the project’s homes would have to be affordable. The plans show either 97 affordable homes among 322 total, or 86 among 285.
The developer would have to direct 35% of its adjusted budget to certified businesses and meet District-resident hiring, apprenticeship, and work-hour targets, subject to possible waivers.
Argument forIf built, the project could bring more homes, public space, and a new NAACP headquarters to the Reeves Center site.
Argument againstSelling one parcel for $1 and leasing another for $1 a year could limit the District’s future options for using the site.
More detail
The Council would declare the property no longer needed for public use and authorize the Mayor to sell part and lease part to Reeves CMC Venture, LLC. The property is at 2000 14th Street NW and includes Lot 7000 at 1414 V Street NW, subject to the agreement’s air-rights terms. The District and developer must meet the agreement’s closing conditions. The air-rights parcel may be excluded from the ground lease if its current tenant does not agree to recognize the developer as landlord. The Mayor’s authority would expire three years after the act takes effect, except that authority over Lot 7000 would expire under the development agreement.
The developer would have to build and maintain or sell affordable homes in the project. The home count depends in part on whether the developer acquires the air-rights parcel. At least 30% of the project’s residential units must be affordable. The attached plans show two alternatives: 322 homes, including 97 affordable homes, or 285 homes, including 86 affordable homes. The attached draft housing covenant sets a 99-year affordability period for each affordable home; the final income allocations depend on the selected plan.
The developer would have to meet certified-business participation and spending targets and District-resident hiring and work-hour requirements. These requirements apply to Reeves CMC Venture, LLC and project employers, including contractors and subcontractors, as specified in the agreements. The attached certified-business agreement sets a spending target of 35% of its adjusted development budget and requires at least 20% certified-business equity and 20% development participation. The LDDA requires at least 51% District residents among new hires and among apprentices and trainees. The First Source agreement also sets resident work-hour targets by job type and allows waivers or partial waivers under stated conditions. The targets apply during project development and construction under the attached agreements.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
- 2026
- Nov 19Public Hearing on B26-0834
History
- 2026
- Oct 28Public Hearing on B26-0834Latest
- Oct 23Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Oct 20Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by FacilitiesMinor
- Oct 9Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Oct 9Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0834 Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Oct 6Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by Human ServicesMinor
- Oct 6Referred to Committee on Facilities, and Committee on Human ServicesMinor
- Sep 29B26-0834 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
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