THE RESURRECTION OF THE CRISPUS ATTUCKS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION -- A CHRONOLOGY

The resurrection of the Crispus Attucks Development Corporation (CADC) and ongoing Park development are testament to the renewed energy, civic activism and pure old fashion community pride.  CADC, initially without funding or a budget, has been able to sustain its activities over these past four years through the hard work and dedication of its board, other concerned citizens in the community, in partnerships with our local ANC Commissioner, The American University, and, more recently, Howard University, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Fannie Mae Foundation, and Enterprise Foundation.

Chronology of Events: 1998 to 2004

In June of 1998, community members learned through the local newspapers that the Park would be subject to an upcoming tax sale.  Upon learning of this information, concerned community members voluntarily formed a coalition to further investigate the true status of the taxes and of other matters relating to the Park.  Other members of the community who were not directly involved with the on going maintenance of the Park, but who had previously expressed an interest in or had inquired about the welfare of the Park were recruited to join the coalition.  The coalition met over the next several weeks of the summer of 1998, during which time the following information was discovered:

· The Park is legally owned by NUV-1, Inc. (which later became CADC.  NUV-1, Inc. is still listed as the owner of record.)

· CADC was a defunct District of Columbia non-profit organization; its Certificate of Good Standing had lapsed because no annual or required reports were filed for at least the 2 prior years.

The Federal tax-exempt status of CADC was uncertain.

· CADC had not formally met as an organization for nearly 3 years.

· The District of Columbia began assessing real estate taxes on the Park after a fire in July 1990 destroyed the community center located on the property

· All real estate taxes assessed by the District   of Columbia from 1990 to date remained unpaid.

· Tax liens were sold against the accrued taxes beginning in 1990.

In October 1998, the community coalition learned that District TLC Trust 1996, along with First Union National Bank as trustees and Breen Capital Services as conservator, filed suit in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to foreclose on certain tax lien certificates issued by the District of Columbia in connection with the outstanding taxes assessed against the Park from 1990 to 1995.

The coalition decided that it should adopt a more formal approach in working towards solving the issues surrounding the park.  Accordingly, it was decided to hold a formal election in accordance with the bylaws of CADC.  On November 14, 1998, a new board was elected. This board continues to manage the affairs of CADC. Monthly meetings were reinstated, generally held on the first Wednesday of every month. The group reinstated CADC as an organization in good standing with the District of Columbia by filing all outstanding reports and paying all outstanding fees and penalties. CADC's 501(c)(3) status was also reinstated.

CADC solicited and obtained the help of The American University (AU) School of Law, Community and Economic Development Clinic.  With the help of five student interns, CADC successfully stayed the action to foreclose on the Park.

CADC developed a long-term, strategic redevelopment goal for the Park.

CADC Developed a strong working relationship with the local ANC Commissioner, Ms. Vicky Leonard-Chambers.

CADC  lobbied over several months the staff of Ward 5 Councilmember Vincent Orange, Sr. seeking his support to sponsor special tax forgiveness legislation; eventually met with him to discuss same.  However, he declined his support months later.

CADC met with Stan Jackson and other Officers of the Department of Tax and Revenue to discuss and explore options for resolving the tax liens.

CADC met with counsel representing that District TLC Trust 1996 to discuss the possibility of a work out regarding the tax liens and legal fees.

CADC solicited and received the support of Howard University and its Community Association; and through Howard University, the Fannie Mae Foundation and the Enterprise Foundation.

CADC participated in a community study, "An Assessment of Educational and Recreation in the Howard University-LeDroit Park Area" conducted by Reingold Associates, Inc. (sponsored by Howard University and the Fannie Mae Foundation).

CADC cleaned, cleared and reclaimed about a ¼ of the park that was otherwise unsuitable for play.  The area was seeded and is now used by neighborhood children for various activities.

CADC organized and sponsored several community events in the park, including a Christmas tree trimming and lighting event during Christmas 1999 and various neighborhood clean up activities, including a very successful neighborhood clean-up and bar-b-que on April 8, 2000, in conjunction with ANC Chambers, the Enterprise Foundation and the FannieMae Foundation.

On September 25, 2000, Council Member Vincent Orange sent a letter to Robert New, Director of Parks and Recreation proposing transfer of Crispus Attucks Property to Parks and Recreation.

Tracey Rutnick of the Fannie Mae Foundation notified CADC Board that Deputy Mayor Eric Price had responded to Fannie Mae Foundation's letter of support for CADC and promised to follow up.

In February 2001, in response to community requests, Council Member Vincent Orange spearheaded condemnation and razing of the burned out building.

In August 2001, Annie E. Casey Foundation awarded $15,000.00 grant to cover costs of removing rubble, adding soil and landscaping the area formerly occupied by the building.  The entire property is now a green park.

On June 25, 2001, Neal Albert, Director of DC Parks and Recreation, and Council Member Vincent Orange directed a letter to Minneta Coles requesting that square 3117, lot 46, Crispus Attucks Park, be removed from the delinquent taxes property list, as Council is considering tax forgiveness legislation and transfer of property to Parks and Recreation under the Adopt-a-Park Program.

Bill 14-0104 was drafted by Council Member Vincent Orange to grant property tax relief.

On March 7, 2002, liens held by TLC Trust broke even and Breen petitioned for dismissal.  The court dismissed foreclosure action without prejudice.

CADC was notified that it's 2003 tax assessment was in excess of $300,000. This assessment incorrectly assessed property commercial property with improvements (building).  CADC filed a tax appeal  An independent property appraisal valued the property at $0.00 given easement restrictions and zoning R-4.   It was also noted that all prior assessments of this property have been inaccurate because it has been a park and noncommercial entity since 1977, when DC City Council designated it Crispus Attucks Park and Museum of the Arts via special legislation.

On May 20, 2002 received notification from DC OTR that property will be sold unless tax arrears are paid in full.

January 9, 2003, Councilmembers David Catania, Jack Evans, and Vincent Orange introduced Bill 15-0068 before the DC City Council.  The legislation would return full site control of the park to CADC, forgive all past unpaid property taxes and liens, and re-establish the tax exempt status of the Crispus Attucks Park land.

On February 19, 2004, the DC City Council passed Bill 15-0068.

On April 22, 2004, the Act officially went into effect.