New Photography Editor
10 02 2009Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the DCMetrocentric team Sean Robertson. Sean is our new Photography Editor and will be bringing us great shots from all around town. You may recognize his work from previous Great Shots and he will help expand our coverage of everything from the latest construction projects and demolitions, to historic buildings and architectural details.
Recognize this building? It’s the old Naval Hospital along Pennsylvania Ave SE. Built in 1866 for only $25,000 over the years it has been used as a hospital, a home for soldiers, and even the temporary headquarters of the Naval Reserves. More recently it was used as the Center for Youth Services for the District, but has basically sat empty for the last 10 years.
Anyone have any ideas for what this great looking building should be used for now? and we don’t want to hear haunted mansion! [Photo: Sean Robertson]
Hmmm . . . this neighborhood seems to be gentrifying a bit. Can’t have that. How about we turn it into a homeless shelter? Rehab center? Methadone clinic? Halfway house for sex offenders? The possibilities are endless.
Love your shots Sean, looking forward to seeing many more great photos on the site. Amazing photos are one of the best things about DCMetrocentric.
Mayor’s Residence
Dear friends of mine used to live across the street from the old hospital, and it became regular sport to imagine what could be done with this (rehabbed and loved) old building. I’ve never understood why it wasn’t adopted and preserved by some historical society, given its history. Barring that, how about:
DC Museum (exhibits on DC history and local artists)
Health clinic (seems fitting)
Mayor’s residence
Anne and others- apparently the building is FULL of asbestos, and one has been willing to deal with that issue. I do know the local ANC has had some meetings there- and maybe they still meet there.
The building was slated to become “Hill Center,” a nonprofit arts, education and community facility. Private funds were raised and DC Government awarded a $2 million rehabilitation grant. Check with the office of Tommy Wells and/or OPM for an update.
Thanks Alexa!
As for the building, it’s truly a pity they haven’t cleaned it up. Maybe they can get some of that stimulus money to clean out the asbestos and turn it into something useful.
this was the building that people were trying to get to be turned into a mayors mansion.
an RFP was issued .. what .maybe a year ago. I guess, as mike licht said, something was selected.
Two years ago, the Historic Fence around the property was Laser Scanned in preparation for a Complete Restoration. I haven’t seen any progress yet. The Hill Rag article is at http://www.bellarc.com/sheets/hill07.pdf.
When I worked across the street from that building 3.5 years ago it was tarped for renovation and had a construction sign indicating that work was being done, Bell Architects on H street NW were working on the project. According to their listing on the AIA DC website they were commissioned to do selective restoration on the project.
Stay classy, Mose!
For 17 years, as this old Naval Hospital building crumbled, the Carriage House on the property has been and still is headquarters for Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Community Action Group (CAG), a social services organization that has done a lot to improve the neighborhood. CAG renovated the Carriage House with $0.00 in taxpayer funds, and pays rent to the city. Everybody agrees CAG does great work.
The Hill Center organization had the winning bid to receive $8.5 million in taxpayer funds to renovate the property. They would like the city to evict CAG from the Carriage House, so they can append a glass restaurant to the Carriage House. Not sure why they won’t just leave CAG in the Carriage House, but they are adamant about that. Also not sure why Historic Preservation types are not up in arms.
Mayor Fenty stated very clearly last October that CAG’s professional staff does not have to leave the Carriage House until the city finds them appropriate space nearby on Pennsylvania Avenue. That’s where things stand.
This Tuesday, April 14, at 7 pm the ANC-6B will meet at the Old Naval Hospital to review schematics for the Hill Center and the big glass restaurant around the Carriage House. Y’all come!
[…] news! The old Naval Hospital along Pennsylvania Ave SE which has been the subject of endless photos and speculation over the years, finally has a solid future. The District has approved the plans […]