The Pentagon’s decision to moveWalter ReedArmy Medical Center out of the Districthas set off a land rush as politicians, developers and residents scramble to come up with a package that will transform a sleepy but gentrifying area in Northwest.
The hospital campus has been in upper Northwest since 1909, but the military wants to consolidate it with the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. The federal government has offered the District first crack at coming up with a development plan, offering up more than 62 acres of the campus’ 100-plus acres in what is emerging as prime real estate.
» Opened in 1909
» Named for former frontier soldier-surgeon who helped link yellow fever to mosquitos
» Initially had 75 beds
Source: Sanders Marble, official historian of center
“It’s going to be huge,” Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Dwayne Toliver told The Examiner. “Someone drew an analogy between this and Central Park in New York.”
Developers with a “public benefits” plans have first dibs on the property, and at least 23 different groups have pitched plans for the area. The plans are diverse.
» The Yu Ying School, a Chinese-language charter school, has asked for consideration. So have three other charter schools.
» The Fire department is one of several city agencies to have asked for part of the land.
» Metro says it could really use a bus barn there.
» Howard University has asked for the entire 63-acre parcel to build a new hospital and campus.
» There have also been proposals for homes for seniors or the poor, as well as arts buildings.
“Opening up that campus will mean a tremendous amount for that corridor,” Councilwoman Muriel Bowser, D-Ward 4, told The Examiner. “There’s a lot that has to be done.”
Fault lines are already emerging, though. Bowser, for instance, says that any land plan has to put a new fire station on the campus.
Toliver, who sits on a mayor-appointed committee that will approve a proposal to send to the Pentagon, said most of his neighbors are hoping for a high-rise development that combines shopping, restaurants and mixed-income housing.
He also said residents are worried about being shut out of the decision making. “This is one of those situations where I think the community is not willing to sit back and be told what’s going to happen,” he said.
The city has until the fall to submit its plans to the Pentagon, which has final say over how the land will be used. It’s not clear what would happen if the Pentagon elects to keep the property for itself.
