WATERFRONT COMMISSION WADES INTO BOAT CLUB PROPERTY DISPUTE
““If the city plan has a 11,500-square-foot parking lot [in its proposal] and the ODBC wants 18,600, why not plan for it to be 15,000 square feet and just move on?” asked commissioner David Speck at a November 7 meeting.
That question — which was greeted with nods by other waterfront commissioners — delved straight into the heart of the longstanding disagreement. After years of failed negotiations, officials announced last month that City Hall would consider using eminent domain to transform much of the parking lot into a public plaza.
In preparation for a special city council hearing Tuesday on eminent domain, the waterfront commission took stock of the latest offer and counteroffer on the club’s property. The commissioners hope to finalize their recommendations before next week’s meeting.
The city’s most recent proposal — offered in June — calls for the boat club to sell part of the property. As such, the organization keeps its parking lot, though reduced by half in size.
On the other side, Eric DeSoto, chairman of the boat club, reiterated his group’s counter-proposal at the commission meeting. That plan would see the organization lease part of the land to the city and keep the parking lot at 18,600 square feet, down from 23,000 square feet.
He also wanted eminent domain taken off the table.”
Wagner, Erich. Alexandria TImes 14 November 2013.