Norton Bill Allowing D.C. to Work with NPS to Make Improvements to Franklin Park Passed by Natural Resources Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that Norton’s bill to clarify that the District of Columbia and the National Park Service (NPS) have the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements to maintain and operate NPS properties in the city, such as Franklin Park, was passed today by the House Natural Resources Committee.

The bill had already being passed by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in July. She hopes that since Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) cosponsored the bill and that the bill passed unanimously out of both committees, it will be scheduled for expedited House floor consideration.

“I am grateful to Chairman Bishop for not only scheduling for markup my bill to facilitate the renovation of Franklin Park, but for also cosponsoring the legislation,” Norton said. “Our bill will take a centrally located park, which is so run-down that too often people simply pass by it, and turn it into a space where residents, workers and tourists can enjoy green space and amenities. NPS is so underfunded that it would not be able to renovate this park for many years. This partnership between the District and NPS is a demonstration of how working together with a federal agency, D.C., using its own or private funds, can make Franklin Park and other NPS parks into attractive destinations.”

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