Press Release: Councilmember Vincent C. Gray Supports Relocating DGS Headquarters to Ward 7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2020

Contact: Takiyah “T.N.” Tate

Washington D.C. – Today, the Bowser administration announced plans to sign a “Letter of Intent” to build a new Department of General Services (DGS) Headquarters at the Senator Square parcel on Minnesota Avenue, NE, in the heart of downtown Ward 7.

Since returning to office, Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent C. Gray has worked with Robin Zeigler, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Cedar Realty, and community stakeholders on a vision for major economic development of this area. Cedar Realty recently started the full modernization of the East River Park Shopping Center including the purchase of Senator Square, which is adjacent to the shopping center. Fortunately, both land parcels are located in an “Opportunity Zone,” a federal community development program that spurs and supports long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide.  Furthermore, East River Park was included in a bill authored by Gray to bring more full-service grocery stores and related amenities to this area.  Following the announcement of today’s major win for Ward 7, Councilmember Gray issued the following statement:

“In December 2016, I hosted a full-day Ward 7 Action Summit with over 400 Ward 7 residents and stakeholders, and a top priority of the participants was using the District’s economic development resources to bring more full-service grocery stores, retail amenities, and sit-down restaurants to Ward 7.  DGS moving its headquarters to Senator Square will bring with it an influx of government workers who provide essential work-week foot traffic that boosts daytime spending at Ward 7 small businesses and new sit-down restaurants,” said Gray.

“I will continue to work with a sense of urgency to accelerate economic development efforts in Ward 7 by pursuing and supporting vital projects like the relocation of the DGS headquarters, which will have a catalytic effect to increase desired amenities while creating many new jobs for Ward 7 residents. I am excited to work with the Bowser Administration to achieve these new opportunities for the people of Ward 7,” Gray concluded.

###