Washington, D.C. – As the new mayor‑elect prepares to take office, the future of the federal Poplar Point parcel has become the first major test of her administration’s vision for the east side of the Anacostia River. Lewis George told reporters on Nov. 4 that she will not rush into an agreement that could limit other development opportunities for residents of Ward 7 and Ward 8.
Legislative backdrop
The D.C. Council is currently reviewing two bills introduced by Mayor Muriel Bowser that would transfer two parcels of Poplar Point from the National Park Service to the District, acquire an additional entry point, and dispose of a 15‑acre parcel to Therme Group U.S. The legislation, known as the Poplar Point Acquisition and Disposition Approval Act of 2026, follows a federal law that allows the land transfer after a pollution‑cleanup plan is approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
Therme’s proposed lease
According to a Sept. 17 term sheet, Therme would receive a 60‑year lease on the 15‑acre parcel, paying the District a nominal dollar for the first 20 years. After that period, an appraiser‑guided ground‑rent would be set for the remaining term, with an option to extend the lease another 20 years. The deal is designed to bring a European‑style wellness resort to the area while generating significant economic activity.
Economic impact claims
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development estimates the project could create 5,000 construction jobs, more than 700 permanent positions and retain another 400 existing jobs. Capital investment is projected at over $31 million, with an anticipated fiscal impact of $5.6 million for the District.
Community response
Local leaders and residents have voiced strong support. Wanda Lockridge, a Ward 8 resident and Therme’s director of community engagement, called the project a “no‑brainer,” noting that without Therme the land could sit idle for decades. She highlighted the need to clean up contamination and open the remaining 25 acres for park improvements.
Business owner Dionne Reeder, who runs Dionne’s Good Food at Sycamore & Oak, sees the resort as a catalyst for broader economic revitalization. “This is a different type of amenity that isn’t food based,” she said. Reeder emphasized the importance of preparing families for the range of jobs the development could bring, from bookkeeping to human‑resources roles.
Mayor‑elect’s stance
Lewis George stressed that any agreement must put people first. “Every deal that comes before the city, we want to make sure you do what you said you would do, which is put people first,” she said, underscoring her commitment to listening to Ward 7 and 8 residents.
Critics, including outgoing Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Jamila White, warned that the legislation lacks a community‑benefits agreement and expressed doubts about the cleanup plan. White described the offer as “a gift” without sufficient safeguards.
Next steps
The Council is set to hold a hearing on Oct. 28, where councilmembers from across the city will weigh the proposals. Lewis George’s administration plans to continue engaging community groups to ensure the final agreement reflects local needs while delivering the promised jobs and amenities.
As the city moves forward, the Poplar Point decision will signal how the new mayor‑elect balances economic development with the long‑standing desire for affordable housing, grocery access, and quality of life improvements in the nation’s capital.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
