The District is hoping to strike a deal with an outside group to develop a new use for the Old Naval Hospital in Southeast Washington.
Under a request for proposal issued last week, the city’s Office of Property Management is seeking ideas for the long-term reuse of the 142-year-old property at 921 Pennsylvania Ave. in Capitol Hill, which has fallen into disrepair.
But unlike so many disposable District properties that become moneymaking residential and commercial developments, the Old Naval Hospital is more likely to be redeveloped with the community in mind, said Lars Etzkorn, acting director of OPM.
“This is not going to be a revenue-producing lease for the District of Columbia,” he said.
Etzkorn, who will choose the winning bidder, said the District is committed to maintaining the building’s historic character — $6 million in public funds is available for its renovation. The ultimate use will likely be low-impact and nonintrusive, he said, with a focus on community access.
“We’re very interested in seeing what the best, most creative minds can bring,” Etzkorn said.
The hospital, now largely vacant, was built in 1864 to serve Civil War forces. It was used as a naval hospital until 1911, then as a temporary home for veterans pressing pension claims. It offers 16,000 square feet of usable space in the main building, 2,000 feet in the carriage house and enough space to park 20 to 25 vehicles.
A proposal to resurrect the building as the mayor’s official residence went nowhere. An RFP issued in 2005 brought in two bids, both of which were rejected by then-Mayor Anthony Williams.
D.C. Council Member Carol Schwartz, who chairs the committee on work force development and operations, said she looks forward to “seeing the Old Naval Hospital go from a heartbreaking state of disrepair to a source of civic and neighborhood pride.” Schwartz will sit on a panel of experts who will review the proposals and recommend a winning bidder.
Old Naval Hospital timeline
» Closing date for RFP: March 12
» Interview short list formulated: Week of March 17
» Interviews conducted: week of April 2
Lease negotiations initiated: Week of April 16
