Advocates Ready to Discuss Future with New Owners
Ward 3 Housing Justice | Wardman Hotel Strategy Team
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2022
Contact: Gail Sonnemann, 202-286-0845, gsonnemann@gmail.com
Thanks to the actions of Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh, the long-sought meeting of Ward 3 affordable housing advocates and Carmel Partners, the new owners of the former Wardman Hotel in Woodley Park, is set for January 26. “We thank CM Cheh for her actions to make this meeting a reality and, most importantly, that she has agreed to attend,” said Margaret Dwyer, of Ward 3 Housing Justice (W3HJ). “We also appreciate that Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio is sending a representative. We believe that bringing the Council and the Administration to the table from the start will open the path to move Carmel toward making a robust contribution to affordable housing as part of a beautiful new community in Ward 3."
Since July when Carmel Partners became the successful bidder at the Wardman property auction, the Wardman Hotel Strategy Team (WHST), Ward 3 Housing Justice (W3HJ), and the NW Opportunity Partners Community Development Corporation (NWOP CDC) have asked CM Cheh to sponsor this meeting to present their ideas for the site to Carmel and find out the new owners’ plans. However, this meeting is just a first step in community involvement. The WHST, W3HJ, and NWOP CDC are committed to consulting and working with all parties in the community to fulfill the Comprehensive Plan requirements for Woodley Park recently enacted by the Council. The 16-acre Wardman site is mentioned by name as part of this Woodley Park area planning. Its fate should be defined in the context of a community plan for current and future residents, displaced residents and former hotel workers. The Wardman site has the scale to include on site many of the components that make a vibrant community: affordable housing, green space, childcare and K12 classroom space, arts spaces, and opportunities for business and job generation.
“The new Wardman can be a triple winner: for the community and Ward 3, for Carmel and for the District,” said Dwyer.
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