In a neighborhood where secret meetings, conflicts of interest, and sweetheart deals have become the norm — where arm's length relationships with developers have descended to lap dancing with full pelvic grind — a familiar figure has re-emerged, this time in a starring role.
Herb Cooper-Levy is a resident of Colecroft. And the Growler was quite surprised when he showed up at last week’s Inner City Civic Association meeting.
Mr. Cooper-Levy is not an ICCA member, nor is he eligible for membership since Colecroft is outside the ICCA’s boundaries.
Nothing about the ICCA is ever coincidental, so the Growler wondered if he had been privately invited to support the Braddock Road Small Area Plan which P&Z Acting Director Rich Josephson was scheduled to discuss.
The Growler has seen Mr. Cooper-Levy at some of the Braddock Road Small Area Plan meetings, where he assumes an amusingly proprietary air. But any representations that he is one of the plan’s pioneers is questionable, although several years ago Mr. Cooper-Levy was part of an informal, now defunct, citizens’ group that called itself the Braddock Area Team.
The Growler was even more surprised while watching Saturday’s City Council hearing to see Mr. Cooper-Levy stand up and tout the Inner City Civic Association’s support of K. Hovnanian Homes’ 621 N. Payne Street condominium project as well as his own passionate support for the project. Since the ICCA took no vote on the Payne Street project, his testimony intrigued the Growler. After some patient digging through public records, though, the Cranky One now understand what is really going on.
Mr. Cooper-Levy is Executive Director of the RPJ Housing Development Corporation, a non-profit offshoot of the National Capital Presbytery and named in honor of Rev. Robert Pierre Johnson. RPJ actively buys and preserves affordable housing in Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church and Front Royal.
In April 2006, the Alexandria City Council approved a loan of $3.5 million to RPJ to acquire and preserve 34 rental units at the Arbelo Apartments (at 831 and 833 Bashford Lane). In June 2006, the City Council approved a loan of $6,615,000 to RPJ for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 44 rental units at Lacy Court Apartments, formerly known as the Commonwealth and Monroe-Nelson Apartments. These apartments are located in Del Ray at 1502-1516 Commonwealth Avenue and 4, 6, and 8 W. Nelson Street.
In the space of two months, Mr. Cooper-Levy scored more than $10 million in loans from the City, something he did not disclose at Saturday’s public hearing.
What likely prompted Mr. Cooper-Levy's support for 621 N. Payne Street? Could it be the $748,160 contribution that K. Hovnanian Homes is making to the City's Housing Trust Fund? That’s just the beginning of the gravy train for affordable housing groups, with all of the development now planned around Braddock Road and all the developer contributions on the horizon.
It turns out Mr. Cooper-Levy is pushing density in other forums and with other projects. He wrote a lengthy and impassioned letter in 2005 in the Alexandria Gazette about the Madison and Harris-Teeter, in which he also disclosed he was “one of two Federation of Civic Association representatives during the planning process” for the Carlyle. (Boy, Growler thinks he may want to retire that item from his curriculum vitae PDQ.)
So the guy likes density and he also runs an affordable housing advocacy group. So what?
Consider this: in 1997, Mr. Cooper-Levy also testified at City Council against strict enforcement of the City's Fair Share Policy. If you remember past postings, you’ll know that the Fair Share Policy relates to the equitable distribution of public housing within the city. This makes Mr. Cooper-Levy an advocate of both high density (which will benefit his group) and public housing containment.
Then there are the rumors that the City would like to shovel even more “affordable housing” into our neighborhood. The Growler clearly remembers that during the Mayor's walk last April Mr. Euille pointed again and again to sites in our neighborhood he thought appropriate for affordable housing. Now Mr. Cooper-Levy is taking center stage, pushing for density which will provide a windfall for groups like his.
Do these facts bode ill for a neighborhood that has just learned it's not getting any reduction in public housing at either Adkins or Bland? In fact, does this signal we are getting even more "affordable housing," which might mean work force housing but will probably translate to more Section 8 housing like Jefferson Village?
24 comments:
Well the growler has left me speechless and breathless, but thankfully I can still type.
This nonsense has got to stop!
I would love more affordable MIDDLE INCOME housing in our neighborhood for families (of all types and sizes) who are currently priced out of our neighborhood. I am but one seeking many. I suggest we;
1) OPPOSE more public housing units in Parker Gray PUBLICLY--time to make the COUNCIL accountable to the FAIR SHARE concept, Yes, Mr. Mayor that includes you, Mr. Krupicka and Ms. Pepper, your precious neighborhoods have to be part of the mix as well.
2) OPPOSE maintenance of the current level of public housing in Parker Gray without a FUNDED and specific plan from ARHA and the CITY as to how its going to be sustained particularly with regard to on-going maintenance and capitol improvements (they look bad now, imagine how they will look in a few years after continued declines in federal and state funding, no more reserves and smaller bailout loans (we can only hope) from the city.
3) STAGE AN ICCA REVOLT OR COUP. Well I put it out there--I am OVER "discussions" that never involve VOTES and a President and developer, opps I mean, Vice President, who stands in the way of votes, and then spends numerous hours chatting away with other developers, city council members and other wannabe power brokers, publicly and privately stating our support/opposition to projects without any real attempts at consensus building or God forbid DISAGREEMENT. Decision making is an ugly business at times but it shouldn’t be shied away from. I’m sure the Del Ray folks argue all the time and look how successful they are. The membership of ICCA is non-existent, my goodness if we didn’t have the developers and interlopers at these meetings, why we would have no one at all. It's time for our "leaders" to either step up or MOVE OUT OF THE WAY for new leadership.
4) Aggressively redesigning the City's Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development. The city is required to send HUD a 5 year and 1 year action plan annually. A quick review of the city page notes that the FY 07 plan was released in May 2006, which means the Office of Housing must be working on its FY 08 plan right now. We should be approaching the city to revise this annual plan now, with the long term goals of 1) throwing out Res. 830 (forgive me if I’ve gotten the number wrong) 2) making Fair Share work 3) increasing dispersed housing and Section 8 as part of the city's overall plan 4) reducing the number of developers who get to buy there way out of providing affordable housing units--the city is one cheap date--$748,000--what is that about 2-3 units in the recently approved condos at Fayette street
5) Refine/Create a focus on Parker Gray/IC development as a primary focus of the Braddock Road plan. Why on earth are we spending so much time on PEOPLE WHO DON’T EVEN LIVE HER YET at the expense of those that do? Still can’t figure that one out. I care less about density or height of buildings personally, and much more about quality of life, good schools, housing issues, and yes, parking and traffic. We need a dual track one on Housing one on Jefferson Houston (but I’ll save that for another day.
5) Finally, ARHA NEEDS A MASSIVE INFUSION OF SUNSHINE up its wazoo. It’s disgraceful that they don't have a public website, that they don't have a map showing where public housing is located throughout the city that the basic demographics of who they serve, their operating budget, funding sources, isn't readily available to the AVERAGE Alexandrian who doesn’t have the Growler’s skills for weeding out information.
‘nuf said, anybody want to actually SIT DOWN IRL and starting working on a plan? I do and I hear from the Growler that others do too. Lastly, anyone going to the Mayor's Town Hall Meeting tomorrow?
Copy of the FY07 action plan is available here: http://www.ci.alexandria.va.us/city/housing/actionplan2007/action_plan_2007.html
As you may recall, noone else volunteered to be an officer for the ICCA. Don't complain about it if you aren't willing to do something.
Actually I was there, and the current leadership did nothing to seek out new members nor to solicit or encourage others to run, they were as silent as possible and let the clock run out for as long as they could making it a done deal before the meeting ever happened. Great leadership actually creates and encourages succession. I guess you didn't read to the end of the post. I DO PLAN TO DO SOMETHING AND THE REASON FOR MY POST WAS TO FIND OTHERS WHO WANT TO MAKE A CHANGE AS WELL. IMHO THE ICCA IN ITS CURRENT FORM ISN'T THE WAY TO GET THINGS DONE SO WE NEED TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING ELSE OR CHANGE THE WAY ITS CURRENTLY FUNCTIONING. One other thing, others around the city, including standing council members, are waiting for us to get our @#$% together btw, they have more than once encouraged several of us to start another organization in Parker Gray.
"As you may recall, noone else volunteered to be an officer for the ICCA."
Baby doll, the ICCA controls more tightly than a spandex girdle. All watched as Bud Hart took out his cell phone and called his civistas for back up.
"As you may recall, noone else volunteered to be an officer for the ICCA."
Baby doll, the ICCA controls more tightly than a spandex girdle. All watched as Bud Hart took out his cell phone and called his civistas for back up.
"I do and I hear from the Growler that others do too."
Reads like you and the Growler are less than arms length. Too bad! You are well spoken and obviously forthright but the neighborhood needs honest leadership whatever form it takes.
"I care less about density or height of buildings personally, and much more about quality of life,"
The fact that you short change density disappoints because high density development negatively impacts our quality of life. You are interested in families with children hardly the group wanted to occupy these new human filing cabinets. But since schools are your issue, at tne next ICCA meeting, stand the ICCA Secretary if he comes next to the ICCA Vice President and tell me what picture they paint. The Mayor's plan for this neighborhood is one of de facto segregation. I am tired, tired, tired, of always being asked to understand low income needs, maybe yours included. Why do I think you live on Columbus Street and are involved with the TravelLodge? You're obviously bright, but I want a leader with the bigger picture in mind.
I'm not advocating for the ICCA, but I don't think that founding another civic association is a good idea. It's divisive, and it gives the City Council and others an excuse to ignore both groups and/or pit them against one another.
It's certainly possible to just "take over" the ICCA.
1. The meetings are announced. Start distributing fliers to increase attendance.
2. Walk your block and gather up people to go.
3. During the open discussion, demand that there be a vote on issues. Put yourself on the record.
4. When the opportunity next presents itself, run for office.
5. Demand the resignation of any officer that isn't doing his/her job.
This seems like a far better alternative than organizing a rival group. A "West Side Story" turf war in the Inner City would only result. And the beneficiaries would not be the residents.
Believe it or not, there are many of us who don't live within the boundaries of ICCA, Lofts, Colecroft, NECA, or the North Old Town Civic Assn, but who nonetheless either live in very close proximity to Bland and Adkins or who must walk through it to the Metro. The OTCA is not interested in this issue. Trust me - I've tried. So, we are very interested in this new civic association - please, please post the information about the new civic association here so we can participate. I think you'd be surprised at the number of people who are motivated to work on the public housing issue. You can start by including us in your new civic association and then creating a coalition with the other civic associations to pressure the City to disperse Bland and Adkins.
"I'm not advocating for the ICCA, but I don't think that founding another civic association is a good idea. It's divisive,"
Sure you are. This neighborhood could not be any more divided than it is now. There are lots of reasons not just one but unhealthy it is. There are advantages to starting anew.
"The Mayor's plan for this neighborhood is one of de facto segregation."
I understand the Growler's reference to the school as a hidy hole. I get the blogger's reference to haves and have nots. The Mayor has yet to impress me but your reference I do not understand. De facto based on race, class, economics, what?
‘nuf said, anybody want to actually SIT DOWN IRL and starting working on a plan? I do and I hear from the Growler that others do too. Lastly, anyone going to the Mayor's Town Hall Meeting tomorrow?
I'm new to all these goings on; just started reading this blog, but I'd like to do SOMETHING about all this lopsided development.
Are you sure this Cooper-Levy guy lives in Colecroft? I've lived there for over a year and have never seen him at a Board meeting or annual election.
Yes, he's even a past president of the HOA.
At last Saturday's hearing on 621 N. Payne St, he contradicted Richard Calderon and said when the project was presented to the HOA everyone was enthusiastic.
Were you around for that HOA meeting?
I believe he is misrepresenting the facts on two accounts. First, there was no COA (to be technical, we're not a HOA :) meeting to discuss the matter. The current President circulated his views via an online CS owners forum. Second, most CS owners agreed with the President (via the online forum) that the Payne project, as it stands, would be detrimental to the neighborhood. Only two owners, to my recollection, were in favor of the project; only then because they would prefer some development to the inevitable city delays that lead to no development when each point is negotiated into oblivion.
I did attend the last COA meeting last week when Richard Calderon proposed what he said at Saturday's meeting. The Board ostensibly approved the content of his statement on Saturday basically asking for modifications to the Payne plan to keep in line with the neighborhood.
I took attendance at the COA meeting and no one named Herb announced himself as present to my knowledge. There were roughly 12 owners present + the Board and management company.
"I'd like to do SOMETHING about all this lopsided development."
The proposals on the table including the suggested Braddock Road Small Area Plan definitely favor lopsided development. Supposedly there will be another Braddock Road community meeting prior to the Plan's being submitted to City Council and you can voice your outrage then. No date was given at the last ICCA meeting for the Braddock meeting. One way to participate is to hold the ICCA officers accountable for their behavior. The officers mostly favor the developers' plans as presented and finesse the very limited membership accordingly. The ICCA's process has been outrageous.
I think the problem is the civic association is too small. We need to merge with surrounding groups. The reason groups like Old Town and Del Ray have power is they are large and well organized, have lots of volunteers, etc.
"I'd like to do SOMETHING about all this lopsided development."
So how do we find out about these meetings?? It seems like unless you're already connected, or know where to look, you won't hear anything...
"I think the problem is the civic association is too small. We need to merge with surrounding groups. The reason groups like Old Town and Del Ray have power is they are large and well organized, have lots of volunteers, etc."
I know its Loftie hate hour here, but the Lofts tried to merge with the ICCA, or even join in with them, and were rejected. Also with OTCA.
Furthermore, the Lofties have pushed for Adkins and Bland to have formal associations, which might help to control the anarchy and chaoes there, but residents are too afriad and constantly shift in and out, and ARHA also didnt like the idea.
Second, most CS owners agreed with the President (via the online forum) that the Payne project, as it stands, would be detrimental to the neighborhood.
Kinda confused. First, I've never heard of a CS on-line forum. Second, it sounds like CS Condos is being confused with CS Condos/Townhouses. They are two different entities. Why would the Payne St. project be 'detrimental' to CS? I would say that the dark, emply street it is now is 'detrimental' bordering on agregious. Richard Calderon shouldn't presume to speak for all in CS by simply stating in a newsletter that he is going to appose new develpment at a public meeting. The push should be to get public housing dispersed. Man!!!
"De facto based on race, class, economics, what?"
Heck, its segregated on all of them. The sad thing in this whole debacle is that the ultimate victims are the very people that ARHA claims to want to help; low-income African Americans. They are inequitably the victims of all the violence and crime and quality of life issues that occur at Adkins and Bland. Heck, most of them dont like the situation either and would prefer dispersal to other areas (as a way to live in a better environment)
The Mayor and Councilman Gaines should quite frankly be ashamed of themselves, since its only going to get worse, not better. Even with dense development, the issues of Adkins and Bland will not go away and are only going to get more publicity and notice.
"I know its Loftie hate hour here, but the Lofts tried to merge with the ICCA, or even join in with them, and were rejected. Also with OTCA."
It's not hate Lofties week butI do think the suggested mergers unwise. The Lofts, like Colecroft, have formally constituted homeowners associations and these groups presumably speak to Council on their behalf. Single family homeowners cover a broader geographical base and often have different needs. I was at the ICCA meeting when the merger was discussed and I remain pleased the outcome is what it is. I did not want to deal with disgruntled homeowners association members coming to the ICCA searching for an alternative venue. Sadly Mr. Cooper Levy has proven me correct.
"Kinda confused. First, I've never heard of a CS on-line forum. Second, it sounds like CS Condos is being confused with CS Condos/Townhouses. They are two different entities. Why would the Payne St. project be 'detrimental' to CS? I would say that the dark, emply street it is now is 'detrimental' bordering on agregious. Richard Calderon shouldn't presume to speak for all in CS by simply stating in a newsletter that he is going to appose new develpment at a public meeting. The push should be to get public housing dispersed. Man!!!"
You are right - I was referring to the CS condos (not townhouse community). Second, you wouldn't be the only one who hasn't heard of the CS Condo online forum. Even though it was formally approved at the annual meeting, the Board and Association have done nothing to promote its use or even acknowledge its existence. The 40+ CS condo members on it at the moment are through sheer volunteerism and networking.
On the point of Richard Calderon presuming to speak on behalf of CS Condos owners, I couldn't agree with you more. First, re-read my post; I didn't claim to agree with Richard's views on Payne, just reported my observations of what transpired leading to his "statement" at the hearing. Richard continually mixes his personal views with his role as a member of the CS Condo Board and its mostly to the detriment of our community. We've tried unsuccessfully to remove him from the Board numerous times. Its difficult when the developer is on the Board (the same one the CS condo owners SUED and settled with out-of-court in mid-1990s), still owns a large percentage of the units, and our water intrusion issues relating the developer's faulty construction continue even after spending over $2 million on the problems. It's no wonder that unit owners are now suing the Association.
Welcome to the airing of our dirty laundry.
Morning Ms Eberwein,
For the benefit of all Alexandrians I need you to get this email out to your Republican friends to encourage those that are eligible to come to the Republican Canvas and vote for a change in leadership by electing me as the Republican nominee on this Tuesday night at 7pm at Minnie Howard.
My name is Lisa Miller and I am running as a Republican for City Council. I have lived, worked and been actively involved in the community through my civic association, through the PTA at TC Williams, through my dogged pursuit to understand why there is a 35% drop out rate in our schools, a labor shortage, and flight of the middle class.
Bill Cleveland and Pat Troy while good men will not bring the energy and know-how to the City that is needed to deal with the financial crisis this City will face in the near future. City Council is trying to out build deflating real estate prices. I think this is destructive to our way of life and could be on balance better negotiated
through a balance of new build, reduction of expense through streamlined systems, procedures and services and an increase in revenue through the promotion of the City in business revenue and hence increased tax revenue.
I have run my own successful business, see www.LisaMiller.org for 15 years and have the business experience to achieve these goals without sacrificing service.
As I was born and raised in Washington DC and my business takes me all over Northern Virginia my knowledge and familiarity with the interconnecting issues that affect Alexandria are solid. I serve on the Taylor Run Civic Assn Board. I am a single parent and until recently have not been able to dedicate my time to public exposure except through
the advertisement of my business. What I have done since my activity in the 90s for City Council elections is learn about how local, state and federal government works.
I’ve tracked legislation and been down to Richmond for a variety of issues that impact Alexandria.
What Alexandrians need is someone well versed in finance, marketing, systems, best government practices and has the energy and time to dedicate to this great City. We all lose when we do not look for talent to serve our City.
I will admit I enter this race late. I entered because I sincerely believe that Bill Cleveland and Pat Troy will not assist Alexandria in being an effective balance to the Alexandrian Democratic machine. Chris Marston, the chairman of the Alexandria Republican Party has announced he will be Bill Cleveland's campaign manager prior to the canvas. This I sensed while weighing if I would run.
When Chris Marston confirmed his stance I decided to run. The thought of watching Bill Cleveland sleep through City Council meeting turns my stomach. Watching him object with out reason or solution merely wastes the seat he wishes to occupy on City Council.
I announced my candidacy at last Wednesday's Democratic meeting. I told that I grew up in Washington DC and Marion Barry was the Democratic Party I knew. This is why I will remain a Republican. Because of what I can bring to the City Council position it is in the best interest of both parties to support me based upon my assessment of the Democratic candidates reason's for running, their narrow experience and their lack of independence from the Democratic machine.
While there are many issues I can agree upon with Democrats, I can not agree with increased spending when we haven’t adequately address our unfunded obligations, deflation in real estate values, and inadequate efforts to create efficiencies to reduce the cost of government and increase revenue.
I believe the City Democratic machine has become complacent and arrogant to our detriment. I believe the City will shortly suffer from that monotone approach.
Please encourage your membership to assist me in mproving the quality of candidates on City Council by voting for me at the canvas on Tuesday night at 7pm at Minnie Howard.
Best regards and keep up the good work,
Lisa Miller
Lisa Miller for City Council
703-338-2422
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