Letter to the Editor: The Boat Club Is Here to Stay
Old Dominion Boat Club President Miles Holtzman expresses concern with comments made by the mayor and says the club has no intention of giving up its property rights.
To the Editor,
The Boat Club read with great interest the Mayor's recent editorial concerning the eco-friendly aspects of its Waterfront Plan.
Of particular note was the part about, "over the long term, and through negotiation with the ODBC, the Plan calls for the Boat Club's parking lot to become a park."
Since March of 2012, the Boat Club and the City have been in "quiet" discussions pertaining to our property at the foot of King Street, our boat yard and parking lot.
There had been a reasonable amount of productive dialogue that unfortunately went into hiatus as a result of the various lawsuits that the City now finds itself involved in, including last week's lawsuit the City filed against its own appointed zoning board. During the course of our discussions, both parties agreed to refrain from talking to the press about these issues. The Mayor's recent comments to the media, however, require a reply.
The Boat Club wishes to be clear about its intentions. Since 1880, we have been a part of the Alexandria community, hosting many charitable and city events. We have 850 Members who are active civic and community leaders and cherish the club that gives them respite and access to the waterfront. We have owned our building since 1923 and our parking lot since 1935. After a truly epic legal battle with the Department of Interior and the National Park Service, our little organization prevailed in a lawsuit that took almost 40 years to resolve and cost us well in excess of a million dollars.
Naturally, we were disappointed in Friday's Virginia Supreme Court ruling for City, over the Wales Alley dispute. We note that the Circuit Court's judgment was reversed applying the bar of res judicata. We also note, as did Chief Justice
Kinser, that the Virginia Supreme Court did not address the remaining legal issue. That issue being, whether the City Council had the authority to deprive the Boat Club of its easement, in the absence of a dedication of that easement to the public by the Boat and the City's acceptance of that dedication.
The Chief Justice went onto state that remanding this case to the circuit court without deciding the outstanding legal issue was a "waste" of judicial resources.
Having been through all this, the Boat Club has no intention of giving up its property rights at the foot of King Street. However, we have offered to participate in discussions about other design concepts with the City, with our members' approval, which might be aesthetically and environmentally appropriate.
We, however, don't think it is appropriate for the mayor to make public and unilateral determinations concerning our private property for a project which is still generating so much angst for so many within the Alexandria community. We are actively looking for ways to improve the waterfront in a way the people of Alexandria will be proud of.
The Mayor and City Council's "intent" should reflect the wishes of the people of this beautiful and historic city.
We are here to stay.
Miles Holtzman
ODBC President
Gina Baum
10:04 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
There is no doubt in my mind the boat club will never "give up" it's property rights....AND no one has asked them to do so. While I appreciate there are 850 members, less that 40% live in the City of Alexandria. And I for one, am tired of hearing their complaints. The City has gone above and beyond the call of duty to negotiate with these people. They are holding the future of our community hostage. They have absolutley no civic duty whatsoever. They continue to occupy a portion of Wales Alley with their parking lot, a portion I might add they have never paid taxes or rent on....these people think history gives them the right to take over land they don't own, at a cost to everyone in this community. The fact they continue to fight legally instead of coming to reasonable settlement to improve the City's waterfront landscape is beyond disgusting. They have no care or concern for anything except their wallets. Not to mention the eyesore and embarrassment their property is to this community.
Doug
12:03 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
"The fact they continue to fight legally instead of coming to reasonable settlement to improve the City's waterfront landscape is beyond disgusting"
They have zero obligation to give up the property that they rightfully own. They also have no obligation to alter their property in a way that makes it not an eyesore based on your or anyone else's opinion. I don't want to get into a pissing match here but you have to take the time to imagine the scenario if the tables were turned and other people wanted you to sell/move/change your Alexandria property or business.
Adam Froehlig
10:12 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
So the Mayor broke faith and jumped the gun on going public. Not a good idea on his part.
That said, given the proposals for a public park on that piece, the city is well within its rights to condemn the parking lot to create public space. They'll have to pay a pretty penny for it, but they're allowed to.
Jon Rosenbaum
10:29 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
The Boat Club, and Waterfront Plan opponents, are hypocritical. They don't want the parking lot to be expropriated with just compensation. But they argue that other waterfront property owners should "donate" their rights for open space, etc..
As for Wales Alley, I have lived inOldTown for 35 years and never seen a boat transit the alley. Has anyone ever seen the Boat Club use it?
joy e atess
10:54 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
I've lived in Old Town for 43 years, I don't recall ever seeing such legal grid lock nonsense at the tax payer expense. All of you should be concerned about this! It's unacceptable and we deserve an explanation, we deserve to know just how much money is being spent !
How can the City claim victory in the Wales Alley case when the outcome is the worst possible one! We need accountability there is no open check policy I remember voting for.
This back and forth is embarrassing and it's not the community that we all deserve.
There is plenty of room for everyone and plenty of room for compromise!! Let's get the threats of legal action off the table and work something out, NOW!!
Gina Baum
1:04 pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
That's right Joy and you have ODBC to thank for that.
lynnhampton
2:27 pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
The OBDC has not kept up with Alexandria. The building and parking lot are not pleasant looking or inviting. If the boat club would have negotiated with the City for parking that is reasonably close, then they could have spent their $1 million on renovations of the club. Sounds like the boat club believes in full employment for lawyers.
Doug
12:06 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Are any of you that are complaining about the aesthetics of the ODBC voicing your opinion about the aesthetics of the entire waterfront side of The Strand or doing anything to force those property owners (the Beach Comber, the parking lot and the boat repair building) to update, sell or hand over their property? Or is your opinion limited to topics and properties that others tell you are important to have an opinion on?
Jon Rosenbaum
12:18 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The Beach Comber is owned by the city and the Waterfront plan calls for its renovation. The boat repair building also is owned by the city and is to be parkland as is the parking lot
lynnhampton
2:10 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
I cannot agree more. Alexandria 50 years ago was not very nice. Homes were in disrepair, and the streets were occupied by less than savory people. The City has been working to make the waterfront a great place for all Alexandrian’s and our visitors. This is the waterfront plan. Of the 300 acres, 140 acres are currently parks. The 8.5 acres in discussion, the warehouse, the beachcomber, the riverfront parking lots are all in the plan to be cleaned up and made accessible. Providing revenue to do this are the taxes from the 2 boutique hotels. The boat club building is left in the plan, and it is hoped that OBDC will renovate the building and keep up with the rest of the City. The OBDC parking lot is planned as Fitzgerald Park which will continue the linear parks on the river. Finally, the foot of King will not have a chain link fence, with boat and boat trailers blocking the view of the river. When completed, you will be able to walk on the waterfront from Jones Point to Dangerfield Island.