District Government Moves to Expedite New School Construction on Walter Reed Campus
Mayor Bowser and U.S. Army take first step to transfer land to ensure District of Columbia International School is built by 2017 school year.
Washington, DC – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Bowser announced that the District of Columbia and the U.S. Army have agreed to a license agreement on land at the Walter Reed Medical Center Campus ensuring 775 District students have a facility by the 2017 school year.
“The U.S. Army has worked with my office to ensure that we diligently progress with the redevelopment of the Walter Reed campus to benefit the community to the greatest extent possible,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We appreciate the urgency and diligence of the U.S. Army, the District of Columbia International School and the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to bring DCI students to their new home on the Walter Reed campus by 2017.”
This summer, Mayor Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) finalized the agreement with the U.S. Army to transfer 66.27 acres of the Walter Reed campus to the city and the DC Council approved the sale. As part of the agreement, the District must offer portions of the property to nonprofits and groups offering public benefits.
The District of Columbia International School (DCI), one of the new Walter Reed tenants, was relying on moving into Delano Hall on the Walter Reed campus to accommodate rapid growth. This action allows access to the property for construction to begin in time for the 2017 school year.
“Mayor Bowser and my office are committed to being responsive to the community that will make Walter Reed their new home over the coming years,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian Kenner. “My office is here to make sure that we deliver a project that meets and exceeds the expectations of the community.”
“DCI faculty, students and parents are so pleased that our partners in the Mayor’s office and the U.S. Army have worked so energetically to ensure a bright and positive future for our school and our students,” said DCI Executive Director Mary Shaffner. “We are looking forward to continued momentum so we can meet our construction start deadline of October.”
Final transfer and conveyance of the entire Walter Reed campus to allow the full project to start is expected to occur on or about October 31.
For more information on the District’s redevelopment of the Walter Reed campus, visit http://www.walterreedlra.com/.
