Chairman Linda
W. Cropp at the request of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To approve on an emergency basis the First Amended and Restated Lease and Grant of
Easement Agreement between the District of Columbia and National Children’s Island, Inc.
and Island Development Corporation regarding certain property located in and around the
Anacostia River known as Children’s Island, so as to preserve the viability of the
Children’s Island project.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited
as the "Children’s Island First Amended and Restated Lease and Grant of Easement
Agreement Emergency Approval Resolution of 1997".
Sec. 2. Pursuant to section 45 l(b) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved
December 23, 1973 (87 Stat. 803: D.C. Code section 1-i 130(b)), the Council of the
District of Columbia approves the First Amended and Restated Lease and Grant of Easement
Agreement between the District of Columbia and National Children’s Island, inc. and Island
Development Corporation that provides for the development of certain property located in
and around the Anacostia River known as National Children’s Island.
Sec. 3. A copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to the Mayor upon its adoption.
Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
Mayor’s Transmittal Letter
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
September 30, 1997
The Honorable Linda W. Cropp
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
441 4th Street, NW
Suite 704
Washington, D.C. 20001
Dear Chairman Cropp:
Enclosed for the consideration of the Council are proposed resolutions declaring an
emergency and approving the First Amended and Restated Lease and Grant of Easement
Agreement between the government of the District of Columbia and National Children’s
Island, Inc. and Island Development Corporation. The lease and the grant of easement
agreement pertain to certain property located in and around the Anacostia River below
Benning Road, S.E. in Ward 6 known as National Children’s Island. As you may recall, the
Congress enacted "The National Children’s Island Act of 1995" on June 28, 1996
and President Clinton signed it into law on July 19, 1996. That law transferred title to
National Children’s Island from the National Park Service to the government of the
District of Columbia.
The District has been committed to this project and to its developers, National
Children’s Island, Inc. (NCI) and Island Development Corporation (IDC), for over ten
years. This commitment is evidenced by the original Cooperative Agreement entered into by
the District and NCI in 1982 (IDC was added in 1983). Additionally, the Council approved a
modification of that agreement which Mayor Kelly executed in April of 1993.
It has always been my position that a family oriented recreational park could be a
positive benefit to the District and would further complement the District’s tourism
industry. The Children’s Island project represents a $150 million private sector
investment in the District and is expected to create between 1,750 and 2,400 new full-time
and part-time jobs, with a minimum of 51 % of these new jobs targeted to go to District
residents. In addition, a minimum of 50% of the construction and service contracts and
concessions will be targeted to District-based business. Annually, the project will
generate approximately $8.9 million in sales tax revenue for the District.
The purpose of the First Amended and Restated Lease and Grant of Easement Agreement is
to set forth the terms of the agreement among the parties, including but not limited to
financial responsibilities, fiduciary duties and physical limitations applicable as the
plan to construct and operate a cultural, educational and family oriented recreational
theme park is carried out.
I urge the Council to take prompt and favorable action on this legislative proposal.
Sincerely,
Marion Barry, Jr.
Mayor
The printed bill includes a complete copy of the "First Amended and Restated
Lease and Grant of Easement Agreement Between the District of Columbia, National
Children’s Island, Inc., and Island Development Corporation"