Barry Farm: Updates

Paying Homage to Our Neighborhoods

NCI consistently hears from residents and other stakeholders about the need to acknowledge the beauty of the existing neighborhoods where we work, even as we plan for future transformation. As one way to honor that request, NCI commissioned DC-based design company Victory Dance Creative to create a series of images that pays homage to each of the four NCI neighborhoods. NCI showcased the images at this year’s DMPED March Madness event. Victory Dance Creative has a DC Neighborhood Project that showcases many neighborhoods across the city, and now the NCI neighborhoods are in that number, with an image that captures a building, landmark or street view that commemorates the neighborhoods’ past, present and future.  View the images below.

Barry Farm Nominated for Federal Opportunity Zone

On April 25th, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the nomination of 25 census tracts, including Barry Farm, to become “Opportunity Zones.” Opportunity Zones are eligible for a new federal program that provides tax incentives for investments in new businesses and commercial projects in low-income communities. The Opportunity Zones program was established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to encourage long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide. The incentive could help promote investments in new public infrastructure, affordable housing, businesses and capital improvements.

DC Court of Appeals Moves to Consider Additional Items in Barry Farm Redevelopment 

On April 26th, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals issued its decision on a challenge to the Zoning Commissions’ 2014 approval of Barry Farm’s master plan, or Planned Unit Development (PUD). The Court acted to send the PUD back to the Zoning Commission to consider additional items and concerns raised by opponents of the plan.

This action does not mean the development can not move forward at Barry Farm. The D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA), the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), and the Barry Farm development team are committed to bringing forth the vision of a vibrant mixed-income community that revitalizes public housing, provides home ownership opportunities, creates hundreds of new affordable homes, and provides new amenities, parks, and retail to the Ward 8 community.

“We owe it to our residents and the District to rebuild Barry Farm with safe, affordable housing and amenities which residents in other parts of the District enjoy,” Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian Kenner said in a statement. “DC Housing Authority and its partners must carefully review the decision and address issues in order to move ahead with much-needed housing for District residents.”

Read the full article at the link below.

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