You had to be there to appreciate the political theater that unfolded at St. Elizabeths East Campus Wednesday.
Mayor Adrian Fenty called a press conference for 10 a.m. at the chapel on the eastern half of what used to be a federal compound high on the hill up Martin Luther King Avenue SE. He wanted to “unveil” plans to redevelop the 173 acres across from what is still the city’s mental hospital.
One problem. Actually two.
First, our Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton — who was largely responsible for getting the new Homeland Security Department to locate there — had announced weeks ago a community meeting later that evening to talk about her plans.
Second, St. E’s, as it’s known, lies in Ward 8, the domain of council member Marion Barry. He, of course, wanted some credit for any redevelopment, though he had not a shred of involvement in the emerging plans.
Fenty’s folks, in their usual manner, notified Norton and Barry about the press conference at 6:30 p.m., the night before. Better late than never?
Fenty was late for the press conference. Norton, who had stepped away from hearings on the global financial crisis, showed up on time.
At 10:20 Planning Director Harriet Tregoning welcomed the press and started talking about how great the new development will be. Just as bringing the Navy operations from Rosslyn to the Southwest Federal Center along the Anacostia River had spawned development, Homeland Security offices would bring contractors and shops and restaurants to the hilltop campus.
At 10:30, no Fenty.
Norton, therefore, got to the microphone first, as it should be. It was Norton, after all, who had been working on St. E’s since 1990, when she arrived in Congress. It was Norton who has worked tirelessly to make sure the new Department of Homeland Security would reside in D.C., as opposed to the suburban towns that desperately wanted it. She closed the deal in 2006, before Fenty became mayor.
Norton also fought to squeeze $100 million in federal funds to start construction on the west campus. And she had negotiated another land swap that would bring part of Homeland Security across to the east side.
This last move was part of what Fenty wanted to announce Wednesday morning. He arrived as Norton was leaving. The two never spoke. Fenty talked about St. E’s “great potential” but he had few specifics, because Norton had worked out most of the details with federal officials, who were scheduled to show up at her community meeting — that night — and describe their plans.
It was Norton, working with local businessmen Butch Hopkins and James Bunn and federal officials, who was in position to take full credit because she had done the work and gotten results.
“Come to my meeting tonight,” she told reporters, “and we can talk about the number of jobs we hope to create, when we hope to start, how the community will benefit.”
Weeks ago, Norton had invited Fenty to her community meeting. He declined.
