Chevy Chase Civic Site

Mayor Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) have announced the selection of Rift Valley Chevy Chase, LLC (Rift Valley) to redevelop the Chevy Chase Civic Site in Ward 3.

The project will deliver a modern public library, a new community center, and 177 units of affordable and market-rate housing, while also expanding public space and strengthening connections to the surrounding neighborhood.

As the project advances, DMPED, DPR, and DCPL will meet to advance coordination and will lead a comprehensive community engagement process to inform the design and programming of the site’s civic uses.

The redevelopment will replace the existing library and community center, originally built in 1968 and 1971, with a new 23,500-square-foot library and a 21,600-square-foot community center. The new design prioritizes strong connections at the street level, welcoming entrances, and flexible indoor and outdoor spaces that support both informal gatherings and programmed community activities.

Both facilities exceed the space requirements identified by the DC Public Library (DCPL) and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), with expanded outdoor amenities at the site that more than double the existing open space. Planned features include:

Play park and public plaza
Flexible sports and events courts
Amphitheater designed to host performances and community events
Roof terrace and outdoor classroom
Oak lawn and native plant garden

The project will include 177 units of housing, with 54 affordable housing units (27 units at 30% AMI and 27 units affordable at 50% AMI) alongside 123 market-rate units. The housing will include a range of unit sizes, including studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom homes.

Approximately 8,000 square feet of ground-floor, community-serving retail space will further activate the site and strengthen its role as a neighborhood destination. The proposal also relocates most on-site parking below ground, with more than 30 parking spots reserved for public facilities, exceeding the number currently available.

The Chevy Chase Civic Site RFP was developed utilizing the OurRFP process, an initiative that incorporates community engagement early in the RFP process. Through OurRFP, District agencies engage residents and stakeholders before an RFP is issued, to ensure that community priorities are considered alongside District goals when shaping development opportunities on District-owned land. The redevelopment also aligns with the 2021 Comprehensive Plan and the 2022 Chevy Chase Small Area Plan, which identified the site as a key opportunity to add much-needed affordable housing in Ward 3’s Rock Creek West area.

Chevy Chase Civic Site Renderings

Historic Planning Documents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Disposition Hearing
DMPED conducted a public disposition hearing for the Site on March 29, 2025 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Chevy Chase Civic Site - Disposition Hearing Notice dated 2-28-2025
Chevy Chase Civic Site - Disposition Hearing Flyer
Chevy Chase Civic Site - RFP Presentations
Chevy Chase Civic Site Disposition Hearing - Respondent Presentations (morning session)
Chevy Chase Civic Site Disposition Hearing - Public Comments (afternoon session)

Surplus Hearing
DMPED conducted a public hearing for the Site on January 12, 2023.
Chevy Chase Civic Site – Surplus Hearing Recording
Chevy Chase Civic Site – Surplus Hearing 30 Day ANC Notice

Community Engagement
A Community Survey was conducted in the Spring of 2023 for the Chevy Chase Civic Site.
CCCS – Spring 2023 Community Survey

Meetings
OurRFP community meetings were conducted on October 14 & 18, 2023.
CCCS – Community Meeting Presentation – 10/14/2023
CCCS – Community Meeting Presentation – 10/14/2023 (video)
CCCS – Community Meeting Presentation – 10/18/2023
CCCS – Community Meeting Presentation – 10/18/2023 (video)

Request for Proposals (RFP)
DMPED issued an RFP for the redevelopment of the Chevy Chase Site property on January 17, 2024. Links to the RFP and amendments are provided below. The submision deadline of August 28, 2024 has passed and the RFP is now closed.