Comments on: LGBT Center seeks space in city building

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:23:21 +0000

Jim Graham announced on Thursday (3.29) that the Post Office on 14th Street will move to the Reeves Center in “a large space on the ground floor with direct street access” – saying that the lease is a done deal.

The Post Office will provide a community service, but I bet that USPS is paying market rate to rent commercial retail space on the exterior of the building.

All tenants should pay what the market will yield – the days of special political deals and giveaways for retail space at the property should end!

By: Alexandra Andrea Beninda

Alexandra Andrea Beninda — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:06:19 +0000

This is not just a wonderful opportunity for the DC LGBT Center, but it is a wonderful opportunity for dozens of LGBT organizations that work with and count on the DC Center. The DC Center serves as fiscal sponsors for LYFE Mentors, the Imperial Court of Washington DC, the DC Coalition, and the Rainbow Dragon Fund. The DC Center shares office space with Capital Pride and the Latino GLBT History Project. We provide meeting space for dozens of local LGBT groups including Women in their
Twenties, HOPE DC, Black Pride, Trans Pride. The DC Center is the hub of our local community and our entire community will be stronger when we have a permanent home together.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:59:25 +0000

The Center would pay for the space just like any other business would (“Mariner said the center will submit a bid in response to a public offer by the city to seek tenants in various spaces in the Reeves Building.”). Being a non-profit doesn’t mean that it is poor or doesn’t have any money to pay for anything; it simply means that the goal is to help people, not make money. In order to provide services to the local community, people must have access to the Center (A storefront is a good way to accomplish this). Anyone (including DC taxpayers) can walk into the Center if they need a specific service or just to learn more about it. Also, compare the number of for-profit businesses (Such as restaurants and night clubs) vs. the number of non-profits that provides services to the community; there are a lot more businesses on 14th and U street so having a community center would be better than just another restaurant.

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:09:28 +0000

Hi Tom & Jeff, I wonder… have you ever been to the DC Center? Do you know what kind of support it provides to the very individuals who are the Blade’s primary audience? Are you part of that audience or allies or detractors. I can only assume detractors because what your saying is very negative.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:41:00 +0000

Business wise, you are non-profit, you provide service, so you don’t need 1st fl store front. Let city make the best of the property.for DC taxpayers.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:00:15 +0000

Why should the center receive preferential treatment in the review of their bid for rental space in a government building? The city should seek market rate and select a tenant without regard for whether it is a non-profit or not. The city has deficits to pay and costs to cover!