The squeaky wheel gets the field
/The grassy field with its apple trees, inside the alley along 15th, Webster and Varnum Sts NW.
by Yuliya Panfil
Pushing back can work. Last week we reported on a group of Petworth neighbors fighting to prevent a small grassy field inside an alley from becoming a new row home development with 9 units.
In June, residents of the blocks bounded by 14th Street, 15th Street, Varnum and Webster Streets had learned that the owner of a field inside the rectangular block was in discussions to sell the field to real estate firm Newmark Knight Frank, for the construction of 9 new row houses.
The neighbors wanted the field to remain as green space for the use of the community. They organized, retained a lawyer, and unearthed an agreement and zoning decision from 2004 that mandated the field remain in perpetuity.
The green field as it shows up in Google Maps.
The neighbors’ efforts have paid off: yesterday they were notified that due to pushback from the community, the developer has decided to abandon the project.
Thank you so much for you interest in the Arkansas Alley Redevelopment plan. Unfortunately, due to push back from some members of the community, we have decided not to continue with the project at this time. Should this change, we will be sure to let you know.
“I almost can't believe it, but our efforts have succeeded,” wrote Sharla Rivera, one of the neighbors who had mobilized against the redevelopment. “Our next step will be to figure out how to procure the property for ourselves (no small feat), but for today, pop open a bottle of wine.”
So for now, the grassy lot with its apple trees remains inside the alley.
