Councilmember Vincent Orange
A BILL IN THE
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
This bill was introduced by Councilmember Vincent Orange and referred to the Committee
of the Whole.
To amend Section 9-130 of the D.C. Code to prohibit the use, occupation, or disposition
of the John A. Wilson Building by persons, governments, or other entities, other than the
Government of the District of Columbia.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as
the "John A. Wilson Building Exclusive Utilization Act of 1999."
Sec. 2. Findings.
(a) The Council of the District of Columbia finds that:
(1) In entering into a lease with the U.S. General Services Administration, the John
Hancock Companies, and Washington Development Group, the total number of square footage
that would be reserved for the Council of the District of Columbia and other District
agencies was misrepresented and altered without the knowledge and consent of the Council;(2) In executing said lease, key portions of the agreement were absent from the
document in its entirety, and therefore may have contributed to portions of the Wilson
Building being included in the lease for the GSA;(3) In order to reverse the events of the last 5 years, the Council finds it necessary
to seek legal relief from the terms of the lease and to sever its relationship with the
developer, Washington Development Group, and its officers;(4) All of the events in this transaction notwithstanding, the Council recognizes the
historical and political significance of preserving, protecting, and properly utilizing
the John Wilson Building to advance the mission of the Government of the District of
Columbia, and as such shall reserve its use exclusively for the Government of the District
of Columbia;(5) Pursuant to the provisions of the Home Rule Act, it is the Council’s prerogative to
reclaim the John Wilson Building for its exclusive use, and for exclusive use by any
official agency, body, office, or official of the Government of the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. Section 9-130 of the D.C. Code (June 29, 1937, 50 Stat. 377, ch. 403, §1) is
amended as follows:
(a) Add a new subchapter to read as follows:
"(1) The Mayor shall prohibit any governmental agency, entity, or organization,
other than those subject to the laws and regulations of the Government of the District of
Columbia, from using, occupying, leasing, or otherwise enjoying the benefits of the use of
the John A. Wilson Building.".
Sec. 4. Applicability.
(a) This subchapter shall apply retroactively to January 1, 1999.
Sec. 5. Fiscal impact statement
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal
impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the Home Rule Act, approved December 24,
1974 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233(c)(3)).
Sec. 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by
the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), approval by the Financial
Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority as provided in section 203(a) of the
District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995,
approved April 17, 1995(109 Stat. 116; D.C. Code Sec. 47-392.3(a)), a 30-day period of
Congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the Home Rule Act, approved
December 24, 1973(87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233(c)), and publication in the District of
Columbia Register.