Gage-Eckington School Re-use

LeDroit Park Civic Association

Gage-Eckington School Re-use

Park completion slated for September, 2010

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development reported at the January Civic Association meeting that new park design would be completed by April and that the park would be constructed and open by September, 2010. See the January meeting minutes for complete details.
The DC Council considered reviewing and re-bidding all park contracts including the construction contract for the park at the former Gage-Eckington School. Read a recent Washington Post article.
The Civic Association leadership worked closely with ANC Commissioners Myla Moss and John Salatti and Councilmembers Harry Thomas and Jim Graham to ensure the park's construction. Park demolition and site prep continued.
The Civic Association submitted written testimony and ANC 1B11 Myla Moss testified before the Committee on Parks & Recreation on October 30 requesting prompt Council action to avert any delays. The Civic Association and ANC Moss worked closely with Councilman Jim Graham to resolve the issue.
Mayor Fenty and Councilman Graham officially kicked off the building demolition on August 4. Building demolition and site preparation work will continue through October, 2009 and then park construction will begin. Meetings on park details will be announced and held this fall.
The final schematic drawings for a park at the former Gage-Eckington School site were approved by a straw poll vote of community members at the LeDroit Park Civic Association meeting on May 26, 2009.
Meetings had been held throughout the community in April and May (4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/28, 5/6 and 5/20) to enable community members to brainstorm desired park features. The District and its landscape architects, Lee + Papa and Associates presented preliminary designs throughout the process for feedback (see below).
Inside demolition of the former Gage-Eckington School started approximately June 15, 2009. or about June 1. Exterior demo is expected to begin by August 1. Construction of the park is slated to begin on or about October 15.