[BloomingdaleActionList] 1626 North Capitol Street NW

Councilman,

I live in Bloomingdale and have a question about 1626 North Capitol Street NW, aka Engine Co 12.  I've noticed in the DC Real Property Tax Database that the property is listed as follows:

Address: 1626 NORTH CAPITOL ST NW
SSL: 3101 0001
Record Details
Neighborhood: ECKINGTON Sub-Neighborhood: A
Use Code: 84 – Public Service Class 3 Exception: No
Tax Type: TX – Taxable Tax Class: 002 – Commercial
Homestead Status: ** Not receiving the Homestead Deduction
Assessor: ELLIS JACKSON
Gross Building Area: Ward: 5
Land Area: 5,000 Triennial Group: 1
Owner and Sales Information
Owner Name: NC FIREHOUSE LLC NEXTGEN PROPERTIES
Mailing Address: 1241 NEW JERSEY AVE NW; WASHINGTON DC20001-1207
Sale Price: $600,000
Recordation Date: 03/24/2008
Instrument No.: 31253
Tax Year 2014 Preliminary Assessment Roll
Current Value (2013) Proposed New Value (2014)
Land: $250,000 $250,000
Improvements: $813,020 $796,230
Total Value: $1,063,020 $1,046,230
Taxable Assessment: * $1,063,020 $1,046,230

If I am reading this correctly, the property is classified at the lower (and inaccurate) category of commercial, rather than the higher (and accurate) category of vacant.  Would you please explain:

1.  Why it is classified as commercial, rather than vacant, when it is clearly vacant and

2.  Why it has held this classification for so long?

As you know, it is essential that DC's laws, particularly when it comes to taxes, be implemented in a transparent and equal way.  In the case of the Engine Co 12, the implemention appears secretive and arbitrary -- and calls into question the competence of the DC tax authorities.  It is hard to understand why the city would choose to forgo the collection of higher taxes that could be used to encourage a properties development while adding to the city's coffers.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.  I look forward to your response, which will be shared with my neighbors through our community blog.

Patrick

120 V Street NW

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