https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/reaction-former-chief-of-staff-sexual-harassment-investigation/65-7ea81938-11ac-4262-b2fd-09b11aa8f542

We represent the Friends of the Frank Reeves Center, a dedicated nonprofit organization established in 2014 with a singular mission: to preserve the historical legacy of African Americans in the U Street corridor, particularly the Frank Reeves Center. As lifelong residents of Washington, D.C., our goal is to safeguard this invaluable asset through a genuine community-led initiative, free from the empty promises and underwhelming outcomes often associated with corporate developers. Our comprehensive 117-page proposal, which has been in the hands of the Mayor since March 2020, underscores our commitment to this endeavor.

At the heart of this development project lies our unwavering commitment to Racial Economic Equity. The alarming wealth gap between black and white residents in the District of Columbia demands immediate attention and action. Our beloved city has become increasingly unaffordable for all of us, necessitating a resolute stance against gentrification. Despite the allure of wealth-driven corporate developers, we firmly believe that victory is within our reach.

The Frank Reeves Center, dedicated in 1986 by the late former Mayor Marion S. Barry Jr. to honor the legacy of civil rights lawyer Frank Reeves, stands as a symbol of African American culture and entrepreneurship in the U Street corridor. Its rich history is marked by the resilience of formerly enslaved individuals who held meetings and planning sessions to break free from the oppressive chains of slavery, segregation, and Jim Crow.

The significance of this center is underscored by the luminaries who have graced its halls, from tennis legend Arthur Ashe and civil rights leaders Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to esteemed organizations like the SCLC and NAACP. It has been a meeting place for trailblazers, including Thurgood Marshall, Petey Greene, Jim Vance, Mayor Walter Washington, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, DC Delegate Walter Fauntroy, Shirley Chisholm, Congressman James E. Clyburn, and DC Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton. Now, it is time for our community to reap the full benefits of its renovation.

Regrettably, the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Development has selected a finalist, CMC, backed by financing from Toledo, Ohio, proposing a complete demolition of the building. We firmly oppose this plan and earnestly request Mayor Bowser to withdraw the Request for Proposal (RFP) and engage in a meaningful dialogue with Friends of the Frank Reeves Center to find a more equitable solution.

Moreover, the recent report from the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel regarding former Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio's involvement in a sexual harassment incident has raised grave concerns about his judgment and character. These actions seriously impede Mr. Falcicchio's credibility, necessitating a thorough review of the 2nd Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Reeves Center. This RFP was marred by significant flaws in its issuance.

As the Friends of the Frank Reeves Center, we earnestly request the District of Columbia City Council to refrain from approving any land disposition agreements for the redevelopment until a comprehensive investigation has been conducted. We firmly believe that former Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio has demonstrated repeated lapses in judgment that could potentially result in significant financial losses for the taxpayers of D.C., making further investigation imperative.

The significance of the Reeves Center in reestablishing "Black Broadway" and closing the wealth gap within the district cannot be overstated. We urge a resounding "no" vote on any land disposition agreement and call for the mayor to reissue the Reeves Center RFP, considering the bias and flaws that marred the 2nd RFP issued by John Falcicchio.