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In December 2008, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty announced that the District is seeking to redevelop 11 now-shuttered public schools, including the old Grimke Elementary School, through the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development(ODMPED) - click the text for the full "Solicitation for Offers" document.  Responses are due to ODMPED on February 27, 2009.

 

The old Grimke School building, at 37,926 square feet, is currently in use as the headquarters for the DC Department of Corrections and the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services.  This current use has created a number of ongoing issues for the neighborhood, including trash management, parking, and alley access.  In an effort to ensure that community concerns are fully addressed in any potential redevelopment of the old Grimke School building , neighbors have developed a set of community goals.  The goals seek to support the best use of the site, incorporation of the African American Civil War Museum, and proactive management of known issues.  A complete outline of the community goals working document is provided below.  

 

CSNA has previously supported full incorporation of the District Council-approved DUKE plan in any redevelopment of the Grimke School site.  The goals outlined below have not been endorsed by CSNA.

 

Read more for Community Goals and ODMPED details...  

 

• Creative vision for development or reuse
• An understanding of neighborhood context
• Experience effectively engaging communities affected by development
• A track record of creating projects characterized by high-quality design
• A proven history of timely completion of development projects, and
• The organizational and financial capacity to develop each Development Site in a manner that maximizes the District’s policy and financial goals.

ODMPED expects that selected Offerors will fully engage local residents and other stakeholders during the process of planning, developing, or redeveloping a Development Site.  ODMPED also expects that Offerors will commit to the District’s policy goals of creating contracting and investment opportunities for local, small, and disadvantaged businesses, and jobs for Districtresidents.

The District seeks to minimize the use of District-supported public subsidy related to these Development Sites and, as such, ODMPED encourages Offers to identify alternative, non-District sources of funding that could be used to fill any funding gaps.

 

Zoned as R-4, Permits matter-of-right development of single-family residential uses (detached, semi-detached, row dwellings, and flats), churches and public schools with a min. lot width of 18 ft, a min. lot area of 1,800 sq ft for row dwellings, churches and flats, a min. lot width of 30 ft and a min. lot area of 3000 sq ft for semi-detached structures, a min. lot width of 40 ft and a min. lot area of 4000 sq ft for all other structures. Conversions of existing buildings to apartments are permitted for lots with a min. lot area of 900 sq ft per dwelling unit.

Community Goals 

The neighbors in the immediate area of the old Grimke School have developed a working document of community goals to be considered by ODMPED and any selected developer to take into consideration during the development of this project.

 

 
The community welcomes the opportunity to work with the City, developers and others in the redevelopment of these sites, which should realize the highest & best uses for the Grimke sites and bring enhanced value to taxpayers & neighbors in this heavily residential block.
 
Community organizations and individuals below support the following goals:
 
The Main Grimke Site (1923 Vermont Ave NW)
 
Uses

• The African American Civil War Museum, with a Community Welcoming Center component, should be included in order to bring it in close proximity to the Memorial across the street, along with streetscaping to strengthen that connection. Accommodations should be made to provide affordable rent for the Museum.
• Low-to-medium impact uses, especially in daytime, would be desireable, including: 
  • Residential – with waivers to allow for smaller, affordable units
  • School – small, no more than 200 students, preferably artistic, outdoor play area on site or accessible nearby for youth 
  • Office
  • Retail – locally-based, limited traffic 
  • Artistic – studios, galleries or school as part of the Arts Overlay District 
  • Library 
• Heavy, noisy, alcohol-related uses, especially at night would be undesireable, including: 
  • Restaurant or Nightclub 
  • Drug store or similar high-volume retail 
  • Government 

Parking, Traffic and Deliveries

• Reserved Parking on Vermont Ave should be discontinued immediately.
• Illegal parking on the Vermont Ave sidewalk should be discontinued immediately.
• The Front Driveway should be retained and used for unloading patrons, including buses.
• A Southern Alley should be created to access the properties at 1901 VT Ave – 1941 T St and connecting to the existing alley, with space remaining for Southern Parking or another use beside the main Grimke building.
• Parking on the north side of the main building should be eliminated, which now requires vehicles to cross the curb & sidewalk.
• “No Through Traffic” signs should be erected at the entrances to 9 ½ Street and the alleys.
• Deliveries should be made to the rear of the main building, utilizing a new Southern Alley without turnarounds that damage residential properties.
• Handicapped Access should be created in the front, ending the use of the current rear access. 

Architecture, Build-up or Build-out and Landscaping

• The Gymnasium should be razed and replaced with townhouses no higher than the existing structure to enhance the residential nature of 9 ½ Street.
• The Lot on 9 ½ Street should remain open space to prevent a “canyon” effect from over-building.
• A build-up of the main building may be acceptable if architecturally suitable.
• Landscaping should include large street trees & foundation planters. 

 

The U Street Site (902-916 U St NW) should be developed

• Uses should include those typical of a location sited on the main commercial corridor.
• Deliveries should be made through the existing alley behind 1934 9th St. 

The T Street Site (917 T St NW) should be developed.

• Use should be residential rowhouse to match that street.
• Note: Current Grimke occupants have a maintenance responsibility for this site.