Washington Business Journal by Jeff Clabaugh

The District has several new proposals on the table for the historic Franklin School.

Once again, the city has received a new round of responses to a request for proposals to redevelop the historic building at 13th and K streets NW — four in total from Aria Development Group, Dantes Partners, Friedman Capital Advisors LLC and Thoron Capital LLC.

The announcement, from Mayor Muriel Bowser and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian Kenner, did not include specifics on the new proposals, other than saying they include hospitality, office, higher education, arts and creative and training and workforce development opportunities.

“We are excited to pursue quality development proposals that showcase the Frankin School’s unique construction and pays homage to its history,” Kenner said in a statement. “An investment in such a prominent landmark will further bolster the District of Columbia as a world-class city, support local business and improve the lives of District residents.”

The mayor’s office says an interdisciplinary evaluation panel of District government staff will evaluate the latest round of proposals and work with the community as part of the evaluation process.

In February, the Bowser administration issued a new RFP for Franklin School, restarting competition for its redevelopment for the third time in the past decade.

Western Development pitched a hotel to the Williams administration in 2006. In 2009, Brooklandville, Maryland-based Cana Development proposed a hotel to Mayor Adrian Fenty's administration, and in 2013, the Mayor Vincent Gray's administration reopened the property to redevelopment in a deal with the Institute of Contemporary Expression for a museum that was canceled by the Bowser administration.

Mayor Bowser’s Friday statement about new proposals gave no timeline for a decision.