Opinion ID: 1540617
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Bond Act

Text: GWU made certain promises regarding tenants' rights in order to secure passage of the Bond Act. On July 27, 1981, in response to efforts by GWU, the Bond Act was referred to the Committee on Finance and Revenue of the Council of the District of Columbia. The Bond Act authorize[d] the District of Columbia to issue up to $30 million in revenue bonds for the purpose of providing funds [to GWU] for the construction of an `academic cluster' and the improvement of several existing buildings to provide greater fire safety and access for persons with disabilities. COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND REVIEW, REPORT ON BILL 4-303, THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HIGHER EDUCATION FACILITIES REVENUE BOND ACT OF 1981 (1981). During the course of public hearings on the bill, residents of the Foggy Bottom area voiced concern that passage of the act would make it possible for the University to acquire two multi-family rental housing buildings located within the campus plan area of the University. Of particular concern was the future of the West End Apartments at 2124 I Street, N.W., and the Schenley Apartments at 2121 H Street, N.W. Responding to these concerns, GWU, on September 24, 1981, submitted a Statement regarding the University's intentions concerning the West End and Schenley Apartments to the Committee on Finance and Revenue. It provided, in pertinent part: 1. The University will not initiate negotiations with the owners of the West End Apartments or the Schenley Apartments for the purpose of purchasing either of these buildings. 2. In the event that the owners of the West End and Schenley Apartments offer the buildings for sale, the University will not offer or enter into a contract for the purchase of these buildings, except in conjunction with the tenants' exercise of their rights to purchase the property under prevailing laws of the District of Columbia. 3. If after compliance with points 1 and 2 above, the University acquires through purchase the West End and/or Schenley apartment buildings, the University will maintain the buildings as rental housing under the provisions of the prevailing laws of the District of Columbia.       The University would have the right to use any voluntarily vacated units for student tenancy. This agreement will remain in effect for a period of ten years. See id. at 23. With these assurances, the Council passed the Revenue Bond Act. It became law on December 23, 1981, D.C.Law 4-58, 28 D.C.Reg. 4758 (1981). [6]