The mayor of D.C. and the council chair don’t agree on how to revitalize downtown; Mendelson is opposed to Bowser’s plans to raise building height restrictions and encourage development.
Why it matters: The mayor and the council are at odds with each other about how to revive the District after the pandemic, and this portends a deadlock.
Driving the news: Bowser and Mendelson spoke Friday night at a gathering organized by the Committee of 100, an advocacy group for planning.
In order to allow for denser construction density and provide space for 15,000 additional residents in the downtown region by 2028, Bowser repeated her support for lifting the federal Height Act from 130 feet to 160 feet in select locations.
Mendelson said that “construction is not the solution” and that by enhancing public education, fostering cultural and live events, and rehiring government employees, Washington, D.C., can restart its population growth.
Both leaders agreed on one thing: D.C. shouldn’t permanently outlaw cars in some areas. Advocates for pedestrians have proposed it, drawing inspiration from certain European towns.
Background: Cuneyt has previously written about the tense relationships between Bowser and Mendelson. Both have struggled to resolve their disagreements, preventing advancement on issues like the future.
