WMATA 20-yr Tax Abatement Bill Opposed

Inadequate Affordable Housing, “Double-Dipping” Tax Abatement & Poor Community Consultation

Press Release -

For release May 13, 2026

Contact: Gail Sonnemann,  gsonnemann@gmail.com, 202-286-0845 

Ward 3 Housing Justice (W3HJ) strongly opposes the Joint Development Properties Tax Abatement Act of 2026 within the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act (B26-0661) now before the DC Council.  This benefit package for WMATA is tucked into pages 30-35, as “Subtitle E. WMATA Joint Development Properties” of the DC Budget Support Act for 2027. This is a 20-year tax abatement for projects at Metro stops and provides inadequate benefits to the public in exchange for new gifts from the public coffers, including:

• opening a door that could water down affordable housing requirements to less than the prevailing inclusionary zoning (IZ) program, 

• adding a new, fiscally irresponsible "double dipping", by granting tax relief benefits on top of the 38% DC already contributes to WMATA, 

• rewarding WMATA for NOT engaging the community in its plans to redevelop the former Lord & Taylor store, parking lot and other large Friendship Heights lots. 

Joining W3HJ in opposition are two community leaders, Judy Chesser, chair of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City and Jon Bender, chair of ANC 3, Friendship Heights.  “WMATA is assuming the role of developer here and as a governmental entity, it should build 30% affordable units, not less than is expected of private developers,” said Chesser. “In addition, pending upzoning could add 3 million sq. ft. of new, income-producing space that should not be tax-free.  Elected officials who call for more affordable housing and equitable development in our city should insist that this be removed from the Budget Support Act.” 

“This is not even a trade,” said Bender, the Chair of ANC 3-E, where major WMATA properties are located. “DC wouldn't even be requiring more AH than what would otherwise be required. WMATA may not be able to redevelop that site for years and market conditions will likely improve by then, but DC citizens will be deprived of badly-needed tax revenue for 20 years.”

This legislation is pending before the Committee of the Whole.