PETITION
Mayor Fenty, Council Member Wells, Council Member Brown, Interim
DDOT Director Frank Seales Jr., and DCRA Director Linda Argo:
We, the undersigned, OPPOSE the use of public
space for the Shell Gas Station proposed to be built on the Northeast
corner of 14th Street and Maryland Avenue, NE. This site
will require a substantial taking of public land, at no cost to the owner, to
facilitate the proposed use. The use of public lands for a commercial
purpose must be supported by the community and offer unique benefits
to the community.
This project is neither supported by the community nor will it
provide unique benefits to the community. This project will:
- Over-saturate the area with gas stations (4 within a quarter
mile, 3 within 1 block!)
- Subsidize the operation of an Oil Company
by allowing the permanent and
free use of public space
- Damage the environment (large impervious surface, increase
auto emissions, buried hazardous materials, etc)
- Result in a net loss of ten public curb side parking spaces
for use by customers to the H Street Corridor
- Increase loitering and potentially crime
- Present an increased hazard to pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other motorists by customers turning into and off from the property
- Increase congestion and motor vehicle crashes due to its close
proximity existing intersections
- Be an unattractive gateway to the H Street Corridor
Our community would support the use of public
space for a project that would add value to our community and
be consistent with its character. There is a shortage of
other uses in our neighborhood which we would welcome at this
property such as a restaurant, cafe, coffee shop, daycare, flower
shop, or garden center indicated in our preferences below.
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