The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

D.C. agency head overseeing buildings, homeless shelters abruptly resigns

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August 12, 2016 at 4:32 p.m. EDT
Department of General Services Director Christopher Weaver, second from the right, resigned his position on Friday. He is pictured at a February 2016 demolition of two buildings at St. Elizabeths for a new state-of-the art sports and entertainment project. (Astrid Riecken For The Washington Post)

The head of the District agency that builds and manages government property has stepped down.

Department of General Services Director Christopher Weaver resigned effective Friday, citing personal reasons.

Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) tapped Greer Gillis, a deputy director in the Department of Transportation, as the agency’s interim leader.

The Department of General Services, which manages real estate and oversees school modernization, had come under fire in recent months.

As part of the District’s effort to replace the dilapidated homeless shelter at the former D.C. General Hospital, the agency was tasked with acquiring property and building smaller facilities for homeless families across the District.

The initial plan for new shelters drew scrutiny for its high costs and connections between some properties and the mayor's donors. The D.C. Council passed a scaled-back version.

Parents and pediatricians had also criticized the agency for its role in what they called inadequate lead testing in schools and other facilities, as well as lackluster notification to the public of lead-testing results.

In a letter to staff, Weaver said he was stepping down to attend to “personal matters and obligations” that require his undivided attention.

“The reasons for my departure are personal and they do not reflect in any way dissatisfaction with the work of this department, and the work of each and every one of you,” Weaver wrote.

“On the contrary, I believe DGS is a ‘jewel in the crown’ of the City of Washington, D.C.”

Council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), who has oversight over Department of General Services, commended Weaver as an effective leader despite her concerns about the agency.

“I’m disappointed because I thought we worked well together, and I thought we were making progress in some areas,” Cheh said.

In a statement, Bowser praised Gillis as an experienced government leader.

“DGS plays a critical role in sustaining our communities, and under her leadership, DGS will continue to elevate the quality of life for residents in all eight wards,” Bowser said.