Admittedly this is an overly broad question but I would love to hear reader thoughts. As long as there is land to be developed west of the river can we really expect east of the river to have a legitimate shot at quality development, housing, retail, and jobs? Can Ward 8 really expect no other investment other than job training programs, low-income rental housing and social service providers?

As someone who works toward true economic development east of the river even I have to ask myself, "Are we fighting a losing battle?"

Does every new west of the river development project and funding opportunity put east of the river farther behind D.C.'s economic development plan?

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