Office of Planning: Memorandum of Understanding pg2

Specific Goals. Among the specific goals of the Waterfront Revitalization Endeavor are the following:

To realize the full potential of the District of Columbia's waterfronts (the "Waterfronts") in order to enhance the quality of life for residents of, and visitors to, the greater Washington, DC area through a partnership which will provide access to, where appropriate, and improvement of the Waterfronts. For purposes of this Memorandum of Understanding, and as more fully described in Exhibit A, the Waterfronts consist of, inter alia, both shores of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, and landmarks such as the Southwest Waterfront, Fort McNair, the Navy Yard, RFK Stadium, the Anacostia River parks, the National Arboretum and the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. It is clearly understood by all of the parties to this agreement that security is the number one priority of military installations. Consequently, where issues arise concerning public access to waterfront areas on military installations, the installation commanders will be the ultimate decisionmakers.

To ensure that the Waterfronts are planned and developed to provide the appropriate development potential for the District of Columbia and the federal government. This development will preserve the environment and encourage the use of sustainable development techniques. Waterfront development should be planned to take advantage of its location, particularly view corridors and where appropriate, access to green spaces.

To build on existing relationships to ensure that Waterfronts are planned and developed with the participation and input of surrounding communities and community organizations. The Waterfront Revitalization Endeavor will build on existing relationships between the City, federal agencies, and the Washington, DC community (e.g., the Bridges to Friendship initiative).

To assess existing infrastructure with respect to anticipated future demand, particularly with respect to transportation, storm water management, wetland restoration, and bulkhead rehabilitation. The infrastructure will be planned in order to support the mix of private development and park protection and rehabilitation desired by the District of Columbia Government, the federal government, and the surrounding communities.

To build a framework by which the Parties will develop a cooperative plan for the Waterfront Revitalization Endeavor.

To develop a timetable and appropriate implementation and management mechanisms for the realization of the Waterfront Revitalization Endeavor. The implementation should assess the impact of development in the project area on environmental quality, economic development, access to open space, where appropriate, and sustainability of the entire region.

To build on existing plans for the District of Columbia, including the L'Enfant Plan and the McMillan Plan, to create consistent and compatible development.

To bring economic development, employment, and recreational opportunities to the communities surrounding the Anacostia River consistent with all applicable laws.

Endeavor. The parties agree to partner in the Endeavor for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement. The signatories, or their designees, for each of the constituent federal agency parties shall meet with the Mayor of the District of Columbia, once a year, to review the status of the Endeavor and the progress of the Waterfront Revitalization Endeavor.

Management. The coordination of the Endeavor will be the responsibility of a Joint Management Committee comprised of one or more representative(s) from each of the Parties. The primary responsibility for coordinating the affairs and activities of the Joint Management Committee shall be borne jointly by the representative of the General Services Administration and the District of Columbia Office of Planning. The Parties agree to appoint their initial representatives to the Joint Management Committee on or before April 19, 2000 and to schedule an initial meeting of the Joint Management Committee on or before April 26, 2000. The Joint Management Committee will make recommendations regarding joint planning and project development matters. The individual agency or agencies affected will be responsible for obtaining all required approvals from planning and permitting agencies and ensuring compliance with all applicable local and federal rules, regulations and statutes. The Party that appointed a member may remove and replace that member at its sole discretion.

Community Participation Process. The parties recognize the importance of public participation in the planning and implementation of projects along the Waterfront. To that end, when appropriate, outreach will be made to the community and stakeholders to discuss proposals and plans. As appropriate, the Endeavor will work with existing organizations and others. This process is only for the area designated in Appendix A and will not supersede requirements and missions of the parties.

Planning. The Parties involved with the Endeavor will collaborate with the overall planning effort for the Anacostia Waterfront that is being developed by the District of Columbia Office of Planning in partnership with the National Park Service and the General Services Administration.

Funding for the Waterfront Revitalization Endeavor. It is the intention of the Parties that the costs of the planning process may be funded by the parties involved, consistent with the missions, authority, and budget process of each constituent Party.

Implementation. It is the intention of the Parties that implementation will be an effort by the appropriate parties and others in the private and public sectors as will be determined by the Joint Management Committee. The Joint Management Committee shall make recommendations with respect to implementation and where appropriate, shall facilitate coordination among relevant stakeholders. Recommendations shall be coordinated with appropriate federal and local bodies.

Timetable. Within sixty (60) days of the date the parties enter into the MOU, the Joint Management Committee will agree to the initial scope of the Endeavor's planning efforts, including community participation mechanisms for the Waterfront Revitalization Endeavor; will establish mechanisms to review projects and provide recommendations to appropriate agencies/organizations; and will develop a list of initial projects that can be completed relatively quickly to further the stated goals of the Endeavor and to provide momentum for the Waterfront Revitalization Endeavor.