The duel impact of a recession and a city budget that is no longer in the black is having the inevitable impact on financial support for DC construction projects. One source tells GlobeSt.com earlier this year that the city was becoming more stringent in requiring developers to have financing lined up. Another source--an attorney who works with the city--also says there is growing pressure on the budget and funds are not as freely available as they were last year. The Mayor's office did not return a call to GlobeSt.com in time for publication.

Still, though, Mayor Adrian Fenty's administration continues its program of development, using what funds it does have available to it. It recently awarded 37 vacant properties in the Northeast part of town to four developers for rehabilitation, kicking in funding from the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The city is awarding $51 million in grants for new construction or to enhance six emergency and primary care facilities in the city. It is also in the process of taking applications for a new round of Tax Incremental Financing.

The school properties it wants to see redeveloped are located in Wards 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7. Many sites carry significant cultural and historic importance and these attributes should be preserved accordingly, the District said, when calling for bids.