District Delivers $200M in School Renovations

WASHINGTON, DC-The District has wrapped up renovations in at least four schools in recent weeks, work that totals close to $200 million in construction and development costs. The Savoy, at 2400 Shannon Pl., SE, totaled $34.4 million. It was one of the first DC public schools to seek LEED-certification. Original plans called for Silver LEED-certification, but planning officials think the upgrades will warrant a Gold-certification. The 26,000-square-foot addition included a new gymnasium and media center/computer lab.

Another recently delivered project is the $34.6-million renovation at Wheatley Education Campus to modernize the original 1903 building. It included an 18,065-square-foot addition. The District also spent $72.6-million renovation on the Alice “Deal” Middle School located at 3815 Fort Drive, N.W. The expansion accommodates an additional 903 students.

Perhaps the most interesting project is the $50 million renovation at Walker Jones Education Campus. Besides being the first new school construction by the Fenty Administration, the facility anchors the Northwest One community–the District’s first combined school, recreation and library facility. It’s a 100,000-square-foot K-8 school; a 20,000-square-foot community recreation center; a 5,000-square-foot library and new athletic fields and playgrounds. It also represents the first phase of the $700-million Northwest One New Community project–which will ultimately include new retail, community services, and 1,600 new units of housing.