Councilmember Jim Graham
A BILL IN THE COUNCIL
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To provide equitable real property tax relief to Washington Parks & People.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as
the "Josephine Butler Parks Center Property Tax Relief Act of 1999".
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia orders that all real property taxes,
interest. penalties, fees, recordation and transfer taxes and other related charges on
real property located at 2437 15th Street, NW, Washington. D C.. Lot 871. Square 2662, for
Tax Years 1998 1999, be forgiven upon transfer of the title of that property to Washington
Parks and People, a District of Columbia non-profit organization.
Sec. 3. (a) Washington Parks & People. a DC nonprofit corporation, has a firm
contract to acquire real property located at 2437 15th Street NW, Washington, DC.
(b) The purpose of this acquisition is to facilitate the establishment of the Josephine
Butler Parks Center, a broad-based center supporting revitalization of parks and other
public spaces for communities across the innercity, in a building which was formerly
vacant and a neighborhood eyesore.
(c) The acquisition and renovation of this facility is being supported by a broad range
of public and private partners, including financing from Nations Bank, unanimous and
"enthusiastic" support from ANC 1-B, and hundreds of community volunteers.
(d) The bank will not permit the closing to go forward if there are any unpaid tax
liens on the property.
(e) All equity in the property is being donated by the current owner to Washington
Parks & People, subject to the outstanding loans and taxes.
(f) From 1998 forward, the property has been and will continue to be used exclusively
for non-profit uses. It has taken much of this period for Washington Parks & People to
come to closure on the necessary financing due to the deteriorated state of the formerly
vacant property. Accrued property taxes during this period total $41,500.72, in addition
to approximately $8,000 in transfer tax that will be levied on the acquisition.
(g) Under the terms of the transfer of all of the owner’s equity in the property, all
tax liabilities also transfer. Washington Parks & People will be able to complete
acquisition as soon as the property, transfer, and related taxes on the property are
forgiven.
Sec. 4. 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 District of Columbia Self-Government
and Governmental Reorganization Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D. C. Code
§1-233(c)(3))
Sec. 5. 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), approved by the Financial
Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority as provided in Section 203(a) of the
District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority Act of
1995, approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat. 116; D.C. Code §47-392.3(a)), and a 30-day
period of Congressional review as provided in Section 602(c)(1) of the District of
Columbia Self Government and Government Reorganization Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87
Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233(c)(1), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.