If you’ve been on one of our neighborhood listserves anytime lately, you’ve probably seen mainstay William Jordan talking about what he claims are Jim Graham’s connections with Donatelli Development, a big local development company.
He recently posted this diagram (click it to see the full size version) which he says details all the connections. Here’s his description:
In late Fall 2010 just at the start of Hypothermia Season, the city with the support of CM Graham hastily closed the only bilangual La Casa emergency shelter in the city and kicked out its clients. Although, the city found apartments for some, most were shipped to shelters as far away as Ward 8 or dumped in the streets. This was done to allow Donatelli Development to begin construction on its Highland Park Phase II luxury apartment complex in the Spring of 2011. Of course the question was asked, if construction would not begin until the Spring, why risk the lives of these men by closing the shelter at the start of winter, why would city agencies legally obligated to protect these neighbors, activist, many CBOs, ANCs and citizens sat silently at this injustice? The basic answer is Donatelli Development needed the homeless out to successfully refinances a portion of its $600M plus portfolio and related politics. Some time ago I attempted to explain the dynamic, but was told my explanation was too complicated and convoluted, I needed pictures. So, below is the first DRAFT of the inital slide of a series designed to illustrate this dynamic.
The DRAFT diagram below is designed to show connections and relationships. When the government is involved in development with the priviate sector and public benefits are expected, things can get pretty complicated. Hopefully even for those not interested in justice for our homeless neighbors, as the diagram evolves hopefully this and the series will be helpful. This is a draft feedback is welcome.
I told him I don’t quite follow it and asked if he’ll say more about it, and here’s his response:
There will be more, the purpose of this is diagram is only to give folk a hint of the complex web of relationships that influence how Columbia Heights got/gets developed. As well the role of government, hinting that the concept of “market rate” in Columbia Heights is kind of nonsense. In essence everything is significantly subsidized directly and indirectly. The dynamics and relationships are complicated and purposely not transparent. The problem is that there is no short way to do it.
I generally don’t agree with Jordan, but it’s interesting in any case.
