Josephine Butler Parks Center Property Tax Relief Act of 1999
Bill 13-187

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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.