Friends of McMillan Park returned to the D.C. Court of Appeals in September to appeal a demolition permit that was issued in August of 2019 for most of the McMillan site. During the meeting, the group argued that the demolition permit was issued in violation of the Historic Preservation Act as the entire site is a District of Columbia Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The group also believes that issuing the demolition permit is in direct violation of the D.C. Court of Appeals’ previous order, stating that proof of financial ability to complete the approved development project must be presented before a demolition permit can be approved. That, they argue, was demonstrably not done. The court will hear Friends of McMillan Park’s oral arguments on the demolition permit in an upcoming meeting on October 26. To learn more about McMillan Park, the friends group, and their advocacy saga, visit their website by clicking here.
This article first appeared in the October 1, 2021, issue of Field Notes by the National Association for Olmsted Parks.
