LISTEN: Former DC MAYOR VINCENT GRAY Blasts Bowser’s Homeless Plan

Heather Curtis

WASHINGTON (WMAL) — Former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray is among those questioning the costs of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plan to close D.C. General, a place Council Member Mary Cheh called a “warehouse of misery,” and build homeless shelters around the city.

Each apartment would cost taxpayers $4500 a month according to the mayor’s $300 million plan, not including utilities or services provided to residents. Gray believes services and utilities would add another $1500 to $2000 a month for a total price tag equivalent to luxury apartments in the city and suburbs.

“It’s just stunning to see this kind of money being paid,” Gray told WMAL’s Mornings on the Mall Friday.

The Washington Post reported Thursday the plan would have the city lease land from companies that contributed to Bowser’s campaign. He said those companies should not be allowed to be awarded city contracts.

“We had a campaign reform plan, proposal that we put on the table that did not get through the council and what we included in that, which now has been reintroduced by the Attorney General, was that anybody who had a contract above a certain amount or anybody who was proposing to have a contract above a certain amount would not be permitted to be able to engage in contract activity because otherwise it has the appearance of pay-to-play,” Gray said.

At a hearing on the proposed plan Thursday, Council Member Elissa Silverman said she did not believe allegations of pay-to-play politics but said they needed to look at the plan’s costs.

“I want to make sure that the District and our taxpayers are getting the best value for our investment,” said Council Member Elissa Silverman.

Council Member Jack Evans said they need to make the plan to replace D.C. General work because the city can’t continue to offer inadequate housing for the city’s homeless population. He said any impediments to the plan needed to be examined and dealt with so the city could move forward with the plan.

The council may vote on the plan in April.