(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Victor L. Hoskins today announced that the District of Columbia, through the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the historic Grimke School at 1923 Vermont Avenue NW, and an adjacent District-owned parcel at 912 U Street NW. 

“This is a tremendous opportunity to revitalize a property with historic significance in the U Street Corridor and to integrate both sites into the surrounding Uptown Arts District,” said Deputy Mayor Hoskins. “We are confident it will draw serious interests from developers, and we look forward to an expeditious solicitation process.”

The RFP is for two parcels located in the Mid-City U Street/Uptown neighborhood, also known as the U Street Corridor, at Vermont Avenue and U Street NW in Ward 1 near major thoroughfares, multiple bus stops and a Metro Station.  The property located at 1923 Vermont Street consists of the approximately 52,000 square foot historic Grimke School building and approximately 14,850 square feet of lot area that currently houses the African American Civil War Museum and provides accessory off-street parking.  The property at 912 U Street is approximately 5,900 square feet and is currently a parking lot. The District seeks development plans that include, but are not limited to, a mix of uses that are compatible with and leverage surrounding neighborhood development; are responsive to community and stakeholder preferences; and reflect the project's proximity to the U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Metro Station as well as other transportation infrastructure.

A pre-response information session and site visit is scheduled to be held Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Responses are due by Tuesday, July 29, 2014. After responses are received, a review process will ensue to short-list the respondents as qualified to move forward in the District’s solicitation process for the site or a “best and final” proposal may be requested before a final selection is made.  Following this, a developer is slated to be selected by winter of 2014.

For more information and a copy of the RFP, please visit the DMPED website here.

Media Contacts:

• Chanda Washington (DMPED), 202.727.6365