Mayor’s Official Residence Commission, final report, April 24, 2001

MAYOR’S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE
COMMISSION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Report
2. Appendices

a. Maps and aerial photographs [not available
on-line] b. Legislation
c. Members of the Commission
d. Witness list
e. Letter from Casey Foundation

BACKGROUND

The District of Columbia is experiencing a cultural, economic, and political renaissance. The population of Washington, D.C. is becoming more diverse. Private sector investment is growing in District neighborhoods, and public confidence in local government is increasing. This renaissance is occurring while District residents and stakeholders are coming together, working together, and succeeding together to obtain the promises of the new millennium.

Similarly, in industries such as best offshore sportsbooks, the landscape is evolving with more secure and regulated platforms that cater to a growing global audience. As Washington, D.C. positions itself as ‘America’s Crown Jewel,’ ensuring strategic investments and sustainable growth remains a top priority.

The act establishing the Mayor’s Official
Residence Commission states:

1. The District of Columbia is the nation’s
   capital and international showcase;
2. The Mayor of the District of Columbia serves
   as the highest elected official at both the state and local levels;
3. Each of the 50 states in the United States
   provides an official residence for its top executive government
   official, the governor, for the purpose of serving as an official
   state residence; a suitable official location for entertaining and
   honoring state, national, and international guests, as well as its own
   distinguished citizens; and an official location that houses and
   displays cherished memorabilia of the state’s cultural and social
   history;
4. An official residence is also provided for the
   Mayors of major cities in the United States, including Detroit, New
   York and Los Angeles;
5. The mayors of cities that serve as the
   capitals of other nations are also provided with an official
   residence, including London, England and Paris, France;
6. The Mayor of the District of Columbia should
   have a residence suitable to entertain and honor citizens, businesses,
   local and federal officials, and the many official guests and
   distinguished persons who visit the District each year from other
   cities, states and nations;
7. After 25 years of limited home rule, it is
   time to establish an official residence of the Mayor of the District
   of Columbia.

INTRODUCTION

Many different suggestions have been made
regarding the location of the Mayor’s Official Residence. It is the belief
of the Commission that the best way to evaluate the various ideas is to
establish a framework that objectively articulates options in terms of .
size, cost and programmatic considerations. Having done so, each specific
idea and proposal can be evaluated on the basis of the established
framework and criteria.

The Mayor’s Official residence could reasonably
range in size from 2,500 square feet to over 16,000 square feet depending
on resources and programmatic preferences and choices. For purposes of
framing a discussion, the establishment of a mayoral residence within the
District of Columbia would be based on the following site selection
options.

• The first option is a standard or basic
  economy mayoral residency that accommodates only the housing needs of
  the Mayor and his or her family. 
• The second option is a larger version of the
  first option that provides high quality housing, additional living
  areas and bedrooms, limited guest space but no space for any public
  activity.
• The third option is the largest version in
  which there would be high quality housing that accommodates the needs
  of a contemporary Mayor and his or her family, contains separate guest
  quarters, a public entertaining and reception area, as well as a
  exhibition space that can accommodate school age tours. There would be
  ample space for the Mayor and the District of Columbia to receive
  leaders from cities and nations from around the world.

The establishment of the Mayor’s residence would
greatly enhance the reputation of Washington, D.C. and support our
citizens’ vision of the District of Columbia as “The World’s Capital
City”. The District of Columbia and its official residence seeks to
be America’s crown jewel, and in doing so fulfills the highest
aspirations, values, and ideals of American society for democracy,
diversity, education, culture, neighborhoods, economic opportunity, and
governance. The Mayoral residence is not to be the home of any one Mayor,
but the home of all future Mayors.

PROGRAMMATIC CONSIDERATIONS

Entity

The benefits of establishing the mayoral
residency in the District of Columbia are many and could take one of
several different forms.

• The residence could be owned and operated by
  the District of Columbia government. All costs of acquisition and
  renovation as well as ongoing maintenance would be the responsibility
  of the District government. The District of Columbia government
  contains an Office of Property Management that is responsible the
  ownership and maintenance of several thousand pieces of property.
  There is no current funding for this purpose nor is there
  adequate-staff in the Office of Property Management to undertake a
  significant additional task. All operations including procurement and
  personnel activities would be governed by those that currently govern
  the District government.
• The residence could be owned and operated by a
  separate not for profit foundation. This foundation would be dedicated
  to the sole purpose of owning and operating a residence for the mayor
  of the District of Columbia. It would be able to raise funds necessary
  to accomplish the task with the amount of capital and operating funds
  to be determined by the choices regarding size, scale and role of the
  residence. Gracie Mansion, the residence of the Mayor of New York is
  owned and operated by this type of foundation (The Conservancy). The
  significant advantage of this approach is the enhanced ability to
  raise funds and resources from outside the government.

Program

Regardless of the vehicle chosen to implement the
establishment of a Mayor’s residence one or more of the following
activities, at a minimum, will need to be undertaken. These activities
will have varying costs.

• Acquisition of an existing private property
• Acquisition and renovation of an existing
  private property
• Identification and renovation of an existing
  District owned property.
• Receipt of a gift or services.

The costs for the proposed initiative to
establish a mayoral residence will vary significantly depending on the
specific site as well as the scale and quality of the accommodations.
Prior to selecting a specific site and for purposes of this proposal, the
options can be characterized in three alternatives. The actual site and
project, when undertaken, will likely incorporate some combination of the
variables outlined below.

Option A

This option includes the acquisition of a modest
residence that would be approximately 2,500 – 3,500 sq. ft. and would
include an adequate number of bedrooms and living area to accommodate an
average family. There would be no provision for public space or
entertaining other than the normal living and dining areas customary with
this type of property. The Mayor and his/her family would live in this
house much like any private citizen. The capital and operating costs
necessary to create this residence would be the least of the alternatives.

Option B

This option includes the acquisition and
renovation, if necessary, of a significant single family structure that
would be large enough to accommodate private entertaining and meeting
area, but would not include any public space.

The residence would be 8,000 – 10,000 sq. ft. and
would include six to eight bedrooms and be adequate to comfortably
accommodate the Mayor and family as well as room for guests. Though there
would be no public space, the home would be elegant and of sufficient size
to entertain formally and to officially represent the government of the
District of Columbia.

Option C

This option includes the acquisition and
renovation, if necessary, of a significant structure that would be large
enough to comfortably accommodate the Mayor and family, including room for
private meetings and formal entertaining, as well as having separate space
available for guest quarters. In addition this option would include the
creation of significant public space that would accommodate areas of
display that would be dedicated to the history of the District of Columbia
and the display of fine art that is indigenous to our remarkable and
distinct city.

It is envisioned in this option that the mayoral
residence would become the center of social, political and artistic
activity in the nation’s capital and the foundation would be funded
adequately to further this vision. The structure would be approximately
15,000 sq. ft. or larger, would include both private residence quarters
for the Mayor and family as well as the public space necessary to meet the
articulated vision.

Location

All wards and neighborhoods in the District
represent the District. The site of the Mayor’s residence should be chosen
with regard to the impact on the on the neighborhood and the level of
accessibility. It is the unanimous feeling of the members of the
Commission that the site chosen for the Mayor’s residence be a site that
has dignity and is befitting the Office of the Mayor of the District of
Columbia.

Cost

Based on a preliminary analysis, the cost of
undertaking the establishment of an official Mayor’s Residence that is
comparable to other official state residences is in the range of $40
million to $50 million. This is based on the capital costs of construction
and rehabilitation and the capitalized costs of operating over a 50 year
period. In brief, any of the three options described above will require a
capital campaign or expenditure of District funds that would allow for an
acquisition cost that would range from $150 – $250 per square foot and an
annual operation cost of approximately of $35- $50 per sq. ft. A cost
index increase projected at 4% per year for the foreseeable future is
anticipated. The following is a breakdown of the projected costs of the
three options outlined above.

Given the fiscal constraints, demands and
pressures on the budget of the District government and the need to fund
important programs such as affordable housing, workforce development,
literacy, education, etc., funding for this initiative would best come
from outside sources.

Parking

Based on the program for the house size and its
intended function there would be some level of off street parking that
would be warranted. The minimum amount of parking would be for five to ten
cars, which would be adequate to accommodate the Executive Protection Unit
and the personal vehicles of the Mayor’s family. The cost for construction
of surface level parking if required is projected at $1,000 per space and
would be as follows:

• 0-5 spaces, $5000
• 5-10 spaces, $5,000 to $10,000
• 10-20 spaces, $10,000 to $20,000
• 50-75 spaces, $50,000 to $75,000

If it were ever a requirement to go up or down
via a structured garage, the cost increase would be substantial. In the
event of a gift in kind, there would be no cost to the district.

Security 

Any Mayoral residence should have certain
security considerations at a level that is appropriate to the structure
and site. The Mayor’s security detail has been consulted and they have
advised that the following issues be considered:

1. Accessibility – The location should be chosen
   with consideration given to the accessibility issues regarding
   ingress, egress and traffic. Street width along with street parking
   issues should be of interest.
2. Dual entrances – The optimal residence would
   allow for a driveway sufficiently long enough to accommodate a
   gatehouse located at the working entrance gate. The entry way should
   be of sufficient size to accommodate a space approximately 40 feet
   long from the inside of the gate to a second security barrier. A
   separate and ceremonial main gate should be automated from the
   “working gatehouse” and used for entrances of visiting
   dignitaries and guests
3. Security room or building – The residence
   should provide room for the Executive Protection Unit (EPU) to remain
   on location when necessary without impeding
   the Mayor’s personal privacy. This is best accomplished by a separate
   “out building” that can double as a base for security
   personnel assigned to the residence as required. A room within the
   home is minimally acceptable so long as it provides separate access
   from the outside of the home. 
4. Perimeter fencing – The chosen location should
   include, or be capable of accommodating a seven foot decorative
   security fence. 
5. Parking – Staff parking should consist of as
   many as five city owned security related vehicles and three personal
   vehicles belonging to those assigned to residence security. 
6. Backup Independent Power Generator – The
   residence should be equipped with a generator capable of running
   critical security function as well as basic living requirements. 
7. Security Landscaping – The residence should be
   specifically landscaped with security and privacy issues in mind.

In summary there are a number of considerations
that have to be factored into a decision. Legal structure, program, scope,
location, cost, parking and security are all issues that must be weighed
when considering any alternative for the official Mayor’s residence.

SPECIFIC PROPOSALS

921 Pennsylvania Ave.

The District currently owns a building at the
above location, which is also known as the Old Naval Hospital building. It
is large, four story stately masonry building built in the middle of the
19’h century. 

• The building is approximately 14,000 square
  feet and of a size sufficient to accommodate Option C above. It would
  be necessary to convert the floor plan for use as residential. 
• Though there would be no acquisition cost, the
  costs of renovation would be between $2.1 million and $4 million. Due
  to the age and condition of the building it is reasonable to
  anticipate costs to be on the upper end of the aforementioned
  range; 
• The operating costs would be between $490,000
  and $800,000; 
• Both the capital costs of repair as well as
  the ongoing operating costs would have to be raised or paid for by the
  District government; 
• A minimum amount of parking is available on
  site, approximately 5-10 spaces; 
• Security would be reasonably accommodated in
  terms of space within the building, a guard house, security fencing,
  etc. but the site is exposed and very close to Pennsylvania Ave. 
• The use of this site as the Mayor’s residence
  would have a positive impact in many respects on the adjacent
  neighborhood, but the ongoing use would have negative traffic impact
  on the area.

Casey Foundation Proposal

The Eugene B. Casey Foundation proposes to
establish the Casey Mansion Foundation to acquire a seventeen acre site on
Foxhall Rd., build a significant structure and endow the Foundation
sufficient to pay all operating costs in perpetuity. 

• The proposed building will be “a
  beautiful, large, well planned house with official entertainment
  areas, comfortable private family quarters, and guest rooms.” The
  proposed site is seventeen acres. 
• All costs of acquisition, construction and
  operating will be paid for through the Casey Mansion Foundation. 
• Parking in excess of seventy-five cars will be
  available. 
• The proposed site and building are large
  enough to accommodate all reasonable security concerns. 
• The use of this site as a Mayor’s residence
  would have very limited impact on the adjacent neighborhood.

Other Sites

A number of additional sites have been looked at
by various members of the Commission. These sites include, but are not
limited to:

• 2801 16th St., Residence of the ambassador of
  Spain
• 2700 16th St., Chancellery of Italy
• 4845 Colorado Ave., Henry Wardman House
• Several vacant sites on Massachusetts Ave.
  located at 4th, 5th, 6th, and 9th St.
• The warden’s house at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
• Open land located on the east and west banks
  of the Anacostia River

PUBLIC COMMENT

Pursuant to the enabling legislation, the Mayor’s
Official Residence Commission held a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, April 17. The public hearing was held in the Council chambers
located at One Judiciary Square NW, Washington, DC. The hearing was an
opportunity for the Commission to hear from the members of the public on
the issue of an official residence for the Mayor of the District of
Columbia. Copies of the preliminary report from the Commission, the
enabling legislation and the letter proposal from the Casey Foundation
were available at the hearing.

There were approximately 20 individuals who
presented testimony. The majority of the individuals supported the
proposal from the Casey Foundation. One individual believed that there
should not be an official residence for the Mayor, one believed that it
should be at 921 Pennsylvania Ave., and one suggested the Commission look
at a different site on Pennsylvania Ave. that is currently being
considered for development by a private developer. Additional comment has
been received by the Commission through e-mail, as well as through phone
calls.

RECOMMENDATION

It is the belief of the Commission that the Casey
Foundation proposal offers the best opportunity to realize a residence
that achieves the maximum programmatic goals at the least expense to the
citizens of the District.

Based on the analysis presented above and the
majority of the testimony received from the public, it is the
recommendation of the Mayor’s Official Residence Commission that the Mayor
and the Council, on behalf of the citizens of the District of Columbia,
accept the proposal from the Casey Foundation to designate the site
located at 1801 Foxhall Rd. NW as the Official Residence of the Mayor of
the District of Columbia.

Back to
top of page

APPENDIX A: MAPS AND AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS [not
available on-line]

APPENDIX B: LEGISLATION

APPENDIX C: MEMBERS OF THE
COMMISSION

[Full list of
members of the commission]

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUANCE SYSTEM

Mayor’s Order 2001-129
February 16, 2001

SUBJECT: Appointments – Mayor’s Official
Residence Commission

ORIGINATING AGENCY: Office of the Mayor

By virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor
of the District of Columbia by section 422(2) of the District of Columbia
Home Rule Act, as amended, 87 Stat. 790, Pub. L. No. 93-198, D.C. Code §
1242(2)(1999 Repl.), and in accordance with section 4 of the Mayor’s
Official Residence Commission Establishment Act of 2000, effective October
21, 2000 (D.C. Law 13179), it is hereby ORDERED that:

1. GWENDOLYN HEMPHILL, BRENDA RICHARDSON and
FRANK WILDS are appointed as public citizen members of the Mayor’s
Official Resident Commission (hereinafter referred to as
“Commission’) for terms of 180 days from the
date a majority of the first members are sworn-in.

2. The following persons are appointed as ex
officio members of the Commission representing
District agencies and shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor:

TIMOTHY F. DIMOND, Chief Property Management
Officer or his designee; and

ANDREW ALTMAN, representing the Office of Planning
or his designee.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE: This Order shall become
effective immediately.

ANTHONY A. WILLIAMS, MAYOR

ATTEST: BEVERLY D. RIVERS, SECRETARY OF THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Back to
top of page

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20001

Linda W. Cropp, Chairman

November 3, 2000

The Honorable Walter E. Washington
408-410 T Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001

Dear Mayor Washington:

I am very pleased to appoint you as chairperson of
the Mayor’s Official Residence Commission, pursuant to section 5(a) of
D.C. Law 13-179, the “Mayor’s Official Residence Commission
Establishment Act of 2004:” Enclosed for your information is a copy
of D.C. Law 13-179, which became law on October 21, 2000, upon the
expiration of the Congressional review period.

The other appointees of the Council Chairman are:

The Honorable H.R. Crawford
3195 Westover Drive, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20020
202-583-7777 (h)
202-547-4300 (o)

Ms. Alice Norris
506 10th Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
202-546-0107 (h)

Mr. Max Berry
2716 Chesapeake Street, N
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-362-9499 (h)
202-298-6134 (o)

Thank you for your leadership on this matter and
your willingness to serve on the Mayor’s Official Residence Commission.
The Mayor’s Office of Boards and Commissions will be contacting you in the
near future to inform you of the Mayor’s appointments and to help organize
the first meeting of this important commission.

Sincerely,
Linda W. Cropp
Chairman

Enclosure

cc: Mayor Anthony A. Williams
Members of the Council

Back to
top of page

APPENDIX D: WITNESS LIST

THE HONORABLE WALTER E. WASHINGTON, CHAIR
MAYOR’S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE
COMMISSION
ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING ON

WITNESS LIST

1. Kathryn A. Pearson-West, DC Resident
   
2. Penny Pagono – President of the Palisades Citizens Association
   
3. Erman Clay – DC Resident
   
4. Kenan Jarboe – DC Resident
   
5. Kathy Henderson – At-Large DC State Democratic Committee Member
   
6. Pete Ross and Bob Andrews – President and
   Vice President of the Foxhall Community Citizens Association.
7. Len Levine – Commissioner Single Member District 2 of ANC 2E
   
8. Gary Imhoff – DC Watch
   
9. Rhoda Burwell- DC Resident
   
10. Rodney Newman – ANC 7A07
    
11. James D. Gaston III- DC Resident
    
12. Carol Shapiro – DC Resident
    
13. Dr. Idiong Calistuf – DC Resident
    
14. Ms Rooney – DC Resident
    
15. Ellie Becker – DC Resident
    
16. Sam Bost – DC Resident
    
17. Ernest Thomas – DC Resident
    
18. Dr. Joel Ademisoye – DC Resident
    
19. Mr. Poer – DC Resident
    

Back to
top of page

APPENDIX E: LETTER
FROM THE CASEY FOUNDATION

Back to top of page