June 27, 2007
Shiloh Properties Update: Work in Progress
Repair work has begun on a series of controversial, condemned vacant properties owned by a local church in the Shaw neighborhood.
The string of properties owned by Shiloh Baptist Church on 9th St. NW, which have been a source of tension in Shaw due to their decrepit conditions for decades, were condemned in mid-May, with an order from the city to complete a list of repairs or face a lien against the properties. For many weeks, no visible work had begun, and neighborhood blogs (including this one) expressed frustration that the church seemed to be making the same promises it has been making for 40 years, but still not delivering.
Shiloh church administrator Charles Randolph confirmed that the mandated repair work has now begun, at the expense of the church, without involvement from the city. "It should be done in a couple of weeks," he said.
More photos after the jump.
The work being done includes installing permanent roofs, repairing brickwork and masonry, installing gutters and down spouts, and cleaning the interiors.
The church has said that they eventually hope to turn the properties into housing for senior citizens from their congregation.
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Having dealt with slum lords before I can guarantee that the "improvements" made will be of the lowest and cheapest quality. Expect them to last 1-5 years at best.
This Public Service Announcement is brought to you by Cranky and the letter Q:
Mary Cheh's DC Council Committee is holding a hearing on vacant and nuisance properties on July 3 at 1 pm.
hmmm, I find it hard to believe that properties that have been in decrepit states for decades, as you mention, can be turned around and livable "in a couple of weeks." And if that's the case Mr. Randolf, what took you so dang long?
Now if the church would just get off the backs of the family-owned restaurant, Queen of Sheeba, which serves lovely home-cooked Ethiopian food across the street from it on 9th Street. The Ethiopian family had put their life savings into the restaurant, to open it, and that is in jeopardy, not b/c they do not offer a wonderful setting or product (they do), but their business is hampered by the Baptists at Shiloh who object to the restaurant serving alcohol with food, and have tried to block the license. Let's hope Queen of Sheeba is successful at beating back the Baptists, as Vegetate and BeBar were (after long, tiresome, expensive fights).
AddE, I don't think they intend to make the buildings livable anytime soon, just sanitary, secured (i.e. hopefully drug addicts are no longer able to squat in them) and not a danger to the community.
AddE - The Shiloh properties have been decrepit since at least 1990. There's one decade for you. The "we're going to build homes for seniors" line is just as old.
The buildings only need be stabilized against further structural deterioration, and made secure enough not to present a nuisance. I hope HPO will partner with DCRA and take an active role in overseeing this work. That would assure quality repair work.
So far as them being turned from vacant to productive use, increased tax rate aside, that's in the hands of Shiloh.
Sorry for the mistake on thinking that they were looking to make them livable in a few weeks time. Monkeyerotica - I got the 'decades' portion form the article itself. My apologies.
Since it's a church, does Shiloh even have to pay real estate tax on these properties?
If not, they're doing the city a double disservice of leaving the places to rot and being tax cheats.
Shiloh's paid $271,081.50 in taxes since 2005 to hold onto its portfolio of vacant properties. A high price to pay to keep certain "newcomers" from moving into the neighborhood.
People would benefit from a FAQ on this.
What's the reason we can't just eminent domain this trash?--MKE
Tax the vacant properties and tax the church, there should be no institutions granted tax-free status.
You do sortof have to wonder what Shiloh's end game is here. They could have converted this to senior housing years ago.
If their real concern is keeping the neighborhood black, then converting these to senior housing would have helped further that goal, as I'm willing to bet every person they put in there would be black.
So I really don't understand their rationale here.
Maybe it's just a spite thing?
Maybe they really want to allow them to degenerate to the point that they can tear them down for parking? If so, they have to know that neighbors are geared up for that, and will do all possible to prevent it.
So what is it they really want to do?
You've hit on a point, Hillman.
But I think the general assumption that Shiloh has "a" plan for these properties is probably wrong. Their protracted inaction doesn't strike me as fitting with any plausible or coherent plan. It speaks to me of either indifference or, I think more likely, some sort of institutional paralysis. And, really, I think that's kinda sad, 'cause time marches on.
I guess I should opine that the tear them down for parking option, if that was ever something they considered, isn't a real option anymore.
OK, I've heard enough. 'Time for some facts. I trust that truth is desired here...
I've been a member of Shiloh for 36 years. With that bit of information, I know some of you have found just the target you were looking for. Be that as it may, I want to talk briefly, honestly about my church.
I am troubled that we are seen as such a poor neighbor. It is quite true that we have not developed our six properties. There are reasons for that. The biggest of them was a fire about 10 or so years ago. But, I didn't come here to argue that point or make excuses. I'm just here to let you hear the truth about our actions and intentions.
1. As it was mentioned in a post above, we have paid a small fortune is taxes for our vacant properties.
2. It is true. We are going to develop some of our properties on the west side of 9th street for senior housing. We are also looking at putting an education facility adjacent to them.
3. All of the buildings are historic. We never wanted to tear them down for parking.
4. We had made plans to develop them years ago. We even had begun implementing those plans. But, our church, constitutionally, is a democraticly run organization (my words).
Bottom line; when the body changes it's mind, whatever the reason, plans are subject to change. And, that is just the reality of what has been happening.
5. We're not opposed to a restaurant being successful. We operate one of our own, The Tuning Fork Eatery.
Look, we're a Baptist Church. You can't be shocked that we would fight their licquor application. And, surely the owners must have considered it - if not expected it - as they developed business plans and thought about locating across the street from us. We're kind of hard to miss on this corner.
My name is Chuck. I have posted here previously as luckychucky. I won't ask you to be patient. I won't ask you to accept or appreciate what I have said. But, like it or not, now you know.