A Washington D.C. developer received a presidential pardon. Now, a neglected neighborhood hopes he will show mercy to a cherished Secret Garden
Depending on the time of year, you might find children plucking vegetables from plants, families sharing meals around tables or a local band making the stage vibrate with the distinct sounds of go-go.
By Theresa Vargas
Washinton Post
Jan. 23, 2021
Excerpt:
When the group first started cleaning up the lot in 2010, there was no sign that anyone owned it or even cared about it, Moten says. He described it as overgrown with weeds, infested with rodents and filled with trash and needles from drug use.
Then in 2020, when the group went from renting a space in one of the buildings to owning them, Moten says, its members believed the lot was part of the property. The dispute about the Secret Garden was first reported in the District Dig in November.
Moten says the group would like to see Jemal give the lot to the community, but if he doesn’t, it is willing to buy it for a reasonable price.
“We just want him to do right by the people,” Moten says. “You got pardoned. Now, it’s time you pardon the people, and do the right thing.”
He says he remains hopeful that will happen. But just in case it doesn’t, he has created a Change.org petition and has talked to local lawmakers in case he needs to call on them to get involved.
