Washington developer Herb Miller sued the District on Monday, charging that the city broke its agreement to build condominiums and shops around two parking garages north of the new Nationals baseball stadium.
Miller’s company, Western Development Corp., filed the suit in D.C. Superior Court claiming that the city did not honor its commitment to a mixed-used entertainment district with parking garages next to the stadium. The company had exclusive rights to the project and invested millions in a plan that promised economic development, hundreds of jobs, affordable housing and millions in additional tax revenue, Miller told The Examiner.
“We lose, but the citizens lose much more,” Miller said. “It’s very sad.”
Mayor Anthony Williams had pushed for Miller’s plan, but that agreement fell through when the two sides couldn’t agree on financing. The Nationals owner, Bethesda developer Ted Lerner, has asked for garages that are cheaper and easier to build.
Mayor-elect Adrian Fenty said Monday he has the nine D.C. Council votes needed to move forward with an emergency $56 million proposal to build a pair of three-story aboveground garages north of the stadium andan underground garage on the south side. They will be reinforced to support the construction of retail or residential development. Fenty’s office said the mayor-elect would not comment on the lawsuit until he had a chance to read it. District leaders said they backed away from Miller’s plan because they weren’t sure he would have the finances lined up and have the 1,225 parking spaces available by baseball’s Opening Day (March 1) in 2008. Miller’s plan was to build two parking garages north of the stadium to be hidden by more than 900 condominiums, shops and a boutique hotel. Miller said the parking-lot issue was an excuse to hand control of the project to the Nationals owners. WDC could have had the parking ready by Opening Day 2008 and developed the housing and retail later, he said. By going with the easier route, Miller said, the city was losing a great chance to renew a blighted neighborhood and provide $300 million in economic benefit to the city.
