(Washington, DC) The DC Council today approved several key amendments to the District budget bill that will quicken the pace of development along the Anacostia Waterfront as well as several catalytic neighborhood development projects.

“The Council’s action has cleared the way for a more focused, effective and accountable economic development strategy in the District of Columbia,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “We’ve advocated bringing the National Capital Revitalization Corp. and the Anacostia Waterfront Corp. back into the District government in order to speed up development schedules, reduce project costs and frankly, achieve better results. The Council’s action today allows us to do just that.

“Specifically, I would like to thank Economic Development Committee Chairman Kwame Brown for his hard work, diligence and leadership in moving this critically important legislation through the council. We look forward to working closely with his committee to see these projects are completed.”

The projects that will be transferred from the development corporations to the District include the Southwest Waterfront, Hill East, Poplar Point, the baseball district, Skyland Shopping Center and the former McMillan Reservoir sand filtration site.

During the next month, Neil Albert, deputy mayor for planning and economic development will work closely with the staffs of the two organizations to ensure a smooth transition during the reorganization.

“It is crucial that we keep the momentum going on these very complex projects,” Albert said. “Our community stakeholders and private sector partners cannot afford delays.”