[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 135 (Friday, September 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

                                 ______


                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 23, 1994

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to extend 
for 1 year only the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation's 
[PADC] authorization for appropriations, and to require the development 
of a plan to phase out the Corporation. Because of a history of 
difficulties in obtaining information from the Corporation the bill 
would make the funding for the second half of fiscal year 1995 
contingent on the delivery to Congress of a plan for the orderly 
shutdown of the Corporation.
  The PADC has contributed much to the development of Washington, DC 
since its creation in 1972. The genesis of this organization is said to 
go back to President John F. Kennedy's inaugural ride from the Capitol 
to the White House. Seeing the shabby condition of what should be a 
grand, monumental avenue, Kennedy resolved to revitalize the 
neighborhood. In the end Congress took up Kennedy's task and enacted 
legislation to create the PADC.
  Since its inception, PADC has completed almost all of what was an 
ambitious masterplan. Today, Pennsylvania Avenue is a proud Capital 
City corridor, brought to life by sensitive development and 
architectural masterpieces. On the list of PADC's accomplishments are 
the Willard Hotel, the Canadian Embassy, Market Square, the Landsburgh 
Complex, Freedom Plaza, and the International Trade Center at Federal 
Triangle. Only one parcel on Pennsylvania Avenue remains undeveloped; 
three other parcels north of Pennsylvania Avenue by several blocks but 
included in the original master plan are also undeveloped.
  At this time, with the majority of the work completed, the PADC 
should be moving toward a shutting down of its activities, as 
envisioned in the Corporation's Organic Act. Ongoing work, such as 
maintenance of street scapes, can be delegated to appropriate Federal 
agencies.
  The intent of the bill that I am introducing today is an orderly 
shutdown of the Corporation with no negative impact on any important 
work in progress. The bill requires the PADC to present to Congress no 
later than March 31, 1995, a plan that provides for such a transition.
  Mr. Speaker, this provision reflects the fact that, while PADC has 
had considerable success creating new establishments on Pennsylvania 
Avenue, it has shown a less than adequate appreciation for its 
accountability, as a congressionally created and funded entity, to the 
body occupying this end of Pennsylvania Avenue. Congress has repeatedly 
requested that PADC submit a plan for a successor entity, but PADC only 
provided this in June and only under threat of losing its 
authorization. The proposal we received was entirely inadequate and 
would have, in effect, simply recreated PADC to continue on in 
perpetuity.
  The PADC Organic Act contains a provision calling for the ultimate 
sunsetting of PADC. In 1991, PADC was authorized for only 1 year, 
instead of the three requested, and the Natural Resources Committee 
stated in its report that the reason for this was to provide the 
committee with the chance to review a successor entity plan in the next 
year.
  The next year, PADC once again requested a 3-year extension of its 
authorization, but did not provide the requested successor plan. 
Congress approved an additional 2-year authorization, noting that the 
administration stated that it needed more time to prepare the successor 
entity plan. Three years later, PADC finally submitted a proposal, but 
its idea of a successor entity was to recreate itself in its own image, 
with all the powers to borrow, condemn, develop, and so forth that it 
currently has.
  Clearly, PADC and the administration require firm direction from 
Congress in order to move on to the next phase. For this reason, I am 
introducing this legislation today to bring about the transition toward 
the shutting down of PADC. The Corporation has all but completed its 
mission, and done so in a superior manner.
  After all, PADC was formed to help bring something to life; just 
because we no longer require the services of the midwife or doctor does 
not mean we are unhappy with the baby.

                          ____________________