The District does a poor job of monitoring private developers’ efforts to meet community benefits agreements and of fining them if they fail, a new report concludes.
D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson, at the request of Councilwoman Anita Bonds, D-At large, undertook the review “to look into alleged wage irregularities at a number of development projects in the District.” Her main findings: The city is potentially leaving millions of dollars in penalties on the table and is not providing an incentive for developers to follow through on their commitments.
The audit, however, looked at only two projects: Mission First Housing Group’s 133-unit SeVerna on K at 43 K St. NW, which received nearly $25 million in D.C. loans, and the Fisher Brothers’ 378-unit Station House at 701 Second St. NE, the subject of a planned-unit development and related community benefits package. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration took issue with the audit for that reason, and numerous others.