Good morning.

I am Matt Fruman, Ward 3 Councilmember and Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services.

Today is October 14, 2026.

We are meeting in room 412 of the John A.

Wilson Building and on the Zoom virtual platform.

The time is now 10.04 a.m.

I am joined by my colleague Ward 7, Councilmember Wendell Felder.

Welcome, Wendell.

Today we are conducting a public hearing on two measures, Bill 26-740, the Georgetown Boathouse Surplus and Disposition Act of 2026, and Bill 26-720, the Fletcher Johnson Surplus and Disposition Act of 2026.

B-26-740, the Georgetown Boathouse Surplus Disposition Act of 2026, was introduced by Chairman Mendelson at the request of the mayor on July 7, 2026, and referred sequentially to the Committee on Facilities and the Committee on Human Services on July 14, 2026.

The bill declares surplus and allows the mayor to dispose of district property along the Potomac River at the end of Water Street Northwest.

This parcel is known for tax purposes and assessment purposes as lots 805, 812, and 813 in Square 1179.

The development was negotiated by Demped and includes the transfer and sale of parcels along the Potomac River between Georgetown University, the National Park Service, and the district.

The bill would provide Georgetown with the opportunity to construct a boathouse for George the Georgetown University crew team after the disposition of district property that was acquired in the triparty swap.

In addition to the development of the boathouse, there will be public access to the dock built with the boathouse.

Additionally, as a result of the land swap, the district will now have jurisdiction of the land between the Georgetown Boathouse and the Georgetown Waterfront Park, with the intent to create additional community amenities and expand the park.

The legislation will expand non-motorized boating on the Potomac River and complete the development along the Potomac River in Georgetown.

The second bill on the docket is B-26-720, the Fletcher Johnson Surplus and Disposition Act of 2026.

This legislation was induced in introduced by Chairman Mendelson at the request of the Mayor on July 7, 2026, and referred sequentially to the Committee on Facilities and the Committee on Human Services on July 14, 2026.

It declares surplus and allows the mayor to dispose of district property at 4650 Benning Road.

This property, known as the Fletcher Johnson campus, is designated for tax and assessment purposes as lot 802 in square 534.

The campus formerly housed a middle school and has been in the surplus process for 18 years.

The community surrounding the school created a Fletcher Johnson task force that includes local community groups and ANC 7E, and that has advocated for the district to redevelop the Fletcher Johnson site.

This legislation reflects Demped's efforts to work with the task force and other stakeholders to ensure that the development reflects the needs of this community in Ward 7.

The plan project would deliver more than 800 units of housing, including either a memory care facility or senior living facility that will enable neighbors to age in place.

The plan also includes a freestanding emergency room, which would be the only emergency room in Ward 7.

I look forward to hearing from witnesses today and their perspective on these two projects.

I will now turn to Councilmember Wendell Felder for opening remarks.

This is a big day for Ward 7, and especially for our neighbors in the Marshall Heights community.

The Fletcher Johnson site represents so much to so many people.

Perhaps it was where you attended school as a child.

Perhaps you taught there when it served as a swing space for H.

D.

Woodson.

Or perhaps you joined your neighbors for a movie night on the fields.

Whatever Fletcher Johnson means, whatever Fletcher Johnson means to you, one thing is certain.

This site connects us as a community, and today we have an opportunity to move one step closer to transforming this long vacant property into a development that honors that history, reflects the community's vision, and delivers the neighborhood serving amenities that Ward 7 residents deserve.

For years, residents have asked the same question.

What is going on with Fletcher Johnson?

And I understand that question.

This process has taken time.

In fact, Fletcher Johnson closed its doors in 2008, and the building has been vacant since 2011.

In 2019, the district issued a request for proposal to identify a development team and begin moving the community's vision forward.

In December of 2020, a development team was selected.

Since then, the project has continued through additional planning, community engagement, and approval processes.

So, yes, it has taken some time to get here, but today we are here, and that is worth celebrating.

Today's hearing represents another important milestone in the process of moving Fletcher Johnson towards redevelopment.

As we advance through the surplus declaration and disposition process, we are working to unlock the potential of one of the ward's most significant development opportunities and bring this long-awaited vision closer to a reality.

The proposed Fletcher Johnson at the park redevelopment site envisions a vibrant mixed-use community with more than 800 housing units, including townhomes, multifamily rentals, and affordable senior housing.

The broader redevelopment plan also includes neighborhood serving retail green space for recreation and community activities and space for community program.

In addition, the district has announced plans for a freestand and emergency room department on the campus, which would expand access to critical health care services for residents in Ward 7.

Now, for me, uh this is truly a full circle moment.

Before I had the honor of serving as the Ward 7 Council member or chairing the subcommittee on local business development for the council, I had the pleasure of working in the Deputy Mayor's Office for Planning and Economic Development, where I served as the project manager for this site, and this was my first project.

During that time, I participated in community events, advisory neighborhood, commission meetings, and community days where I had an opportunity to hear directly from residents about their hopes and aspirations for the site.

I listened to those neighbors as they shared their ideas about what Fletcher Johnson could become and what they wanted to see for the future of their community.

Those conversations have stayed with me, and now as the council member, I remain committed to help turning that vision into a reality.

I also will be remiss if I didn't take a moment to recognize the community leaders and advocates who also championed this project over the past years.

First, I want to thank my dear friend, my predecessor, Vincent C.

Gray, as well as former ANC Commissioner, uh Mary Jackson, uh Evan Allen, uh, some community leaders, TN Tate, Ebony Rose Thompson.

I see we have the current uh SMD commissioner for the site, Commissioner Dupey and the chair for ANC 7D, uh Keith Towery, uh, St.