Update on Poplar Point

I talked with Council members Marion Barry and Kwame Brown Wednesday night at the awards dinner for the Mayor's Youth leadership Institute at Howard University.

It seems that while Ward Eight Councilman Barry is leading the attack on Mayor Fenty's plan to open up the Poplar Point development to competitive bids, At Large Councilman Brown is not ready to take a position in the controversy.

Brown told me that it would be premature for Barry to count on his support in that he (Brown) has never met with Victor MacFarlane or seen the proposal that the San Francisco developer and pro soccer owner has put forth with the blessing of Barry and former Mayor Tony Williams.

Brown suggested at one point in our conversation that he may have a problem with such a lucrative contract not being awarded through the bid process. I was MC for last night's MYLI event, Brown and Barry were given awards by the city's Youth leaders. Mayor Fenty was there early and only briefly; unfortunately, no chance to ask him about this issue. Next time!

Barry and Brown could be seen talking privately at their table during the program, after the former Mayor arrived well into the event; Afterwards Barry explained to this reporter that "Kwame and I have some more talking to do".

PS thanks to the reader who corrected my mistake; it is Victor "MacFarlane".