By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Political Writer
Tmcqueen@afro.com
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced the final phase of a three-part transformation for the Skyland Town Center on June 20. The new development will bring 126 townhomes, 75 affordable housing units for seniors, 10,000 square feet for retail, a public square and a plaza to Ward 7.
Photo credit: AFRO Photo/Tashi McQueen
“It’s been 10 years since we broke ground here. We’re excited about Skyland,” said Bowser at the live-streamed groundbreaking ceremony. “I want to thank the community for trusting, believing and fighting for this neighborhood. When we all work together we not only get economic development, but we get economic development that enhances the neighborhood and delivers what the people want.”
The residential area’s nearly 90,000 inhabitants will benefit from the complete transformation of the Skyland Town Center. As 83 percent of Ward 7 residents are African-American and 7 percent are White, according to 2022 U.S. Census data, Black residents should largely benefit from this investment.
Bowser acknowledged the delays in the process but emphasized that they are on track now and will get done.
“I have to take a moment just to acknowledge all of the great people in government that make sure projects like this get done,” said Bowser. “This has been over a series of many years. We added to a series of hard projects. These are the projects I like to say were stuck when I became mayor, and we worked really hard to unstick them. Skyland will be like the poster child of unsticking projects over many years.”
Bowser acknowledged that Skyland was one of many community projects held up that is now on its way.
“Last week we were at the McMillan Reservoir to open what will be the first in a series of openings, first the Reservoir Park Recreation Center,” she said. “Last week we were at Sycamore and Oak adding to the entertainment and sports arena, adding to Whitman-Walker Health, adding to affordable housing with a great play space for kids.”
At-large D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (Ind.) echoed the magnitude of the efforts put into these long-term projects.
“In 2014 the council voted to provide tax increment financing proceeds to support this Skyland Redevelopment. Ten years later, I’m happy to be here getting you all one step closer to the finish line,” said McDuffie. “To the development team, as I mentioned, that is continuing these efforts to complete this worthwhile project, keep pushing. To all the residents, keep pushing. We all look forward to coming back here successfully to take part in a ribbon cutting and a grand opening.”
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