Council committee hears request to extend disposition authority for Malcolm X site in Congress Heights

The Committee on Business and Economic Development on April 30 heard testimony supporting a request to extend the mayor's authority to dispose of District‑owned property known as the former Malcolm X Elementary School at 1351 Alabama Ave. SE so a selected developer can complete design and financing for a mixed‑use, all‑affordable rental project.

Iman Smallwood, identified as the development manager for Congress Park Community Partners, LLC (also referred to in testimony as affiliated with Banneker Communities), told the committee she supports the proposed extension and term sheet amendment and described site design changes required after discovery of a heritage tree and the removal of a building restriction line. "Under the original 2022 Surplus and Disposition Act, we proposed a mixed use development with 180 all affordable units ... 7,500 square feet of daycare space, 2,000…