WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) - A local group announced it plans to file a lawsuit to block development of a charter bus depot on the site of an historic school.
In a statement, Empower DC said it has hired a former ACLU attorney, Johnny Barnes. The lawsuit follows a meeting last week when 75 residents met in opposition to the mayor's plan to permit 65 charter buses a day to park on the lot of the historic Alexander Crummell School at 1900 Gallaudet St, NE. for the next five to 10 years.
The charter bus lot is being constructed for the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, on whose Board the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Hoskins and the President of the Federal City Council sit.
Empower DC said that Mayor Gray has yet to respond to correspondence from Empower DC urging that an alternate location for the buses be identified.
Among thoses speaking out against the charter bus lot are nonprofit developers Manna Inc. and DC Habitat for Humanity. 58 new homes are being built in the community. Empower DC said that new homeowners have been shocked to hear about the Mayor's plans. Residents are calling for the creation of an adult education and job training site at Crummell.
The law suit will be announced at a press conference Wednesday, July 25th at 11 a.m. in front of the Alexander Crummell School.