The Omnibus Barry Farm Redevelopment Clarification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Phil Mendelson

Empowers the DC Surveyor to record street/alleys closing and dedication plats in multiple phases to align with Barry Farm redevelopment timelines and minimize traffic impacts.

Retained by the Council

Summary of PR 26-0781 – The Omnibus Barry Farm Redevelopment Clarification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

Purpose and intent

Declares an emergency to amend the Omnibus Barry Farm Redevelopment Act of 2022 (Barry Farm Redevelopment Act) to authorize the District Surveyor to record street and alley closing plats and street and alley dedication/designation plats in multiple phases.

The goal is to align regulatory timing with the phased nature of the Barry Farm redevelopment project and to mitigate traffic and access impacts during closures.

Key provisions and changes

Sec. 2(a): Recites the original Barry Farm Redevelopment Act (D.C. Law 24-192, 69 DCR 15293) and its sections requiring the Surveyor to record:

Street and alley closing plats in multiple phases.
Street and alley dedication and designation plats in multiple phases.
These phased recordings were intended to facilitate phased development and lessen adverse traffic/pedestrian impacts from closures.

Sec. 2(b): Acknowledges progress on the redevelopment (notably the Asberry at Barry Farm completed in 2024 and ongoing Edmonton construction) but explains delays necessitating an amendment to set new deadlines for the recordation of the closing plats and the dedication/designation plats.

Sec. 3: The Council determines that the cited circumstances constitute an emergency making immediate adoption after a single reading appropriate.

Sec. 4: The resolution takes effect immediately.

Who/what is affected

The District of Columbia Surveyor (authorized to record plats) will be empowered to record street/alleys closing and dedication plats in multiple phases, reflecting the project’s phased schedule.

The Barry Farm redevelopment project and surrounding transportation users (vehicular and pedestrian traffic) are the primary indirect beneficiaries, as the change aims to better manage timelines and minimize disruptions during phased closures and dedications.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill is framed as an emergency declaration to allow rapid adoption with a single reading, bypassing the usual multi-reading process.

It references a need to establish or adjust deadlines for recording specific plats (closing, dedication, and designation) associated with the Barry Farm redevelopment in light of project delays.

The effective date is immediate upon enactment as an emergency measure.

Context and background

Origin: The Omnibus Barry Farm Redevelopment Act of 2022 authorized phased recording of closure/dedication plats to support a phased development approach.

Progress and delays cited: Completion of the Asberry at Barry Farm (2024) and ongoing Edmonton construction; delays necessitating updated recording deadlines.

Practical implications

Aims to provide clarity and legal authority for phased plat recordings, enabling continued development work while managing traffic and access impacts.

May reduce procedural bottlenecks related to timing and sequencing of plats, helping to keep the redevelopment project on a feasible timeline.

If you would like, I can add a brief comparison to how similar phased-recording provisions have been used in other redevelopment projects or provide a glossary of key terms (plat, dedication, designation) for non-technical readers.