Community Benefits Meeting for The Bard This Thursday

Thursday will be a busy day for meetings in the neighborhood. In addition to a planning meeting for the SW Branch Library, a community benefits meeting will be held for the proposed Bard development at 501 I Street. The meeting will start at 6:30pm at Amidon-Bowen Elementary School (401 I Street). (NOTE: this meeting has been postponed until next week - I'll let you know once I have more details.) A PUD was filed earlier this year for the proposed project, which would include a costume design shop, administrative, educational, and rehearsal space for Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC), with actor and fellow housing and market-rate apartments to be developed above STC's operations by Erkiletian. 

The Bard is nearly three years in the making. Back in the fall of 2013, STC had the site under contract with Graduate School USA. The campus building had been vacant since The Graduate School USA absorbed SEU and the university lost its accreditation in 2009. At first, it was thought that The Graduate School USA would expand its L’Enfant Plaza campus to 6th and I streets, then it was announced in 2011 that the school would become the anchor tenant at The Wharf (that deal has since been cancelled). Afterwards, the SEU campus was put on the market. There were some suitors for the campus, including Apple Tree Early Learning Public Charter School, who wanted to renovate the building for a school, but that proposal never resulted in the sale of the building. Ironically, Apple Tree will now be expanding at The Wharf instead of Graduate School USA. 

Then in the spring of 2014, a raze permit was filed for the campus building, which spurred the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) to file a historic landmark application for the property. The building was first constructed in 1948 for the Metropolitan Police Boys Club No. 4 with a brick exterior in a smaller footprint than what it ultimately became. The building was one of the few that survived urban renewal. Then in 1961, The Hawthorne School (a private co-ed high school) purchased the building, expanded it to the north & south, and clad it in concrete in a brutalist design done by Charles Goodman, the same architect that designed River Park Cooperative Homes. Eventually, declining enrollment and financial difficulties at the school caused the sale of the property to Southeastern University, which operated at the site until 2009. SWNA eventually withdrew its historic landmark application, but in exchange STC agreed to several community benefits, as well as a $60,000 payout to SWNA. The property then was sold to STC and Erkiletian in the fall of 2014. 

During the Southwest Small Area Plan process, it was expressed by the community that zoning for the SEU campus site remain as R-3, which permits matter-of-right development of single-family residential uses (including detached, semi-detached, and row dwellings), churches and public schools. After the Small Area Plan was developed by the Office of Planning, the owners of 501 I Street lobbied the DC Council to rescind this portion of the Plan, but ultimately failed, which left them with the option to file a Planned Unit Development (PUD). The one-acre Southeastern University campus building was demolished last summer and the site cleared in anticipation for development. Several forums have been held with the community over the past three years to gather input which resulted in changes to the development plan. 

Some neighbors of 501 I Street from Townhouse Management I and III have mobilized efforts to try and stop the development, which would replace a two-story building under R-3 zoning with a much denser project (under SP-2 zoning) and has the potential to block sunlight to surrounding residential properties and Amidon-Bowen Elementary School. Yard signs can be found along 6th Street deriding the project and a blog called Out, Damned Developer! Out! has been developed in opposition to The Bard. Andrea Pawley lives across the street from 501 I Street and is the author of the blog, through which her vociferous opposition to the project is channeled. In late January, more than 50 neighbors signed a letter sent to the attorneys representing the development team asking for a delay in submitting the PUD application. This letter did nothing to dissuade the development team, since a PUD application was subsequently submitted in early February. Here is an excerpt from Pawley’s blog in reaction to the PUD submission: 

“Shakespeare Theatre is not responsive to community concerns. Shakespeare Theatre’s Planned Unit Development application is an attempt to gloss over the community’s numerous deep concerns. Shakespeare Theatre’s application also attempts to subvert the Office of Planning’s work with the community to help shape the future of Southwest D.C.” 

The neighbors hired legal counsel and a consultant to undertake a market feasibility study to determine the viability of an alternative plan for the site that meets current zoning requirements. 

According to the PUD application, the redevelopment of the property into The Bard will “complement the existing arts uses along I Street, serving as a bookend to the burgeoning I Street arts corridor.” The project includes 93 market-rate units, nine inclusionary zoning units for households earning up to 80% of Area Media Income (AMI), 29 actor and five fellow housing units (each fellow housing unit will have four bedrooms, which will accommodate up to 20 fellows), with the remaining 43,100 SF dedicated to STC artist studio space, non-profit office space, and educational uses. STC’s costume fabrication studio will be located on the first floor, which will also have art panels along I Street depicting quotations from William Shakespeare. The residential entrance to the building will be at the corner of 6th and I streets and a courtyard on 6th Street will serve as the entrance to STC’s space. Building heights range from 73 feet at the corner of 6th and I streets and steps down to about 42 feet on the northwest side of the site. A total of 70 below-grade parking spaces will be provided, accessible from 6th Street and 85 bicycle parking spaces (75 long-term and 10 short-term). The Bard will be designed to achieve LEED-Silver status. 

Renderings courtesy of Shalom Baranes Associates

Developers Behind The Bard Intend to File PUD Application

The development team behind The Bard, a mixed-use arts/residential project planned for the former Southeastern University campus site at 501 I Street, will be submitting a Planned Unit Development (PUD) application within the next month and has sent notice to surrounding neighbors. The Bard, as planned would include a costume design shop, administrative, educational, and rehearsal space for Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC), with actor and fellow housing and market-rate apartments to be developed above STC's operations by Erkiletian. A description of the previous plan can be found here. Southeastern University was demolished last summer and the site cleared in anticipation for development. 

Some neighbors of 501 I Street have mobilized their efforts to try and stop the development, which would replace a two-story building under R-3 zoning with a much denser project (under SP-2 zoning) and has the potential to block sunlight to surrounding residential properties and Amidon-Bowen Elementary School. Yard signs can be found along 6th Street deriding the project and a blog has been developed in opposition to The Bard. Earlier this week, several neighbors signed a letter sent to the attorneys representing the development team asking for a delay in submitting the PUD application. 

A series of meetings will be held in February to reveal revised plans for the project to the community, which includes the following: the reduction in size by two stories to a maximum height of seven stories; a reconfigured unit mix to include more larger units and less studio apartments; reducing the number of planned units from 177 to 136 units; and moving some of the massing from the south side of the project northward along 6th Street. The two meetings will be held on February 1 and February 16 at Blind Whino Arts Club, located at 700 Delaware Avenue (the former Friendship Baptist Church) on the second floor. Both meetings will be from 6:30 to 8:30pm. 

Rendering courtesy of The Bard

SEU Reduced to Rubble

Demolition of the former SEU campus building at 6th and I streets is complete. All that is left of the building is a pile of rubble, which continues to be cleared away from the site. Eventually, the site will be developed as The Bard (pending PUD approval), a mixed use project with back of house operations for The Shakespeare Theatre (STC), 34 artists housing units, and 143 apartments (a portion will be set aside as affordable housing under Inclusionary Zoning) to be built by Erkiletian. The development team for the project is stepping up their PR efforts with social media, direct mailings, and a petition to city officials.

Rendering courtesy of STC

Introducing The Bard at 501 I Street

Representatives from Shakespeare Theater Company (STC) and their developer partner Erkiletian held a community meeting on Tuesday evening to continue a “dialogue” about their plans for The Bard, a mixed use development at the former Southeastern University building, located at 501 I Street. STC purchased 501 I Street from the GS Graduate School USA and plans to consolidate their back of house operations to the site from leased space scattered across the city, including administrative offices, studios, costume shop, classrooms, rehearsal space, as well as artist housing. Approximately 75 employees will relocate to The Bard. In order to make the project financially feasible, STC has partnered with Erkiletian, who will develop a 173-unit residential building that varies in height between three and nine stories, which is designed by Shalom Baranes Associates, the same architect as the office buildings at Waterfront Station. 

Some changes were made to the development since the duo met with the community several months ago. The main change was moving Shakespeare’s rehearsal space at the corner of 6th and I streets 14 feet below grade. Below the rehearsal space will be a level of parking accommodating 69 vehicles. This change allowed a portion of the residential building that is set back from I Street to rise to eight stories instead of nine. There is a three-story section along I Street that wraps around the alley from which the eight-story section of the building is set back that will include 30 artist housing units. In addition, five two-story townhouses off of the alley on the northeast corner of the site will contain an additional eight parking spaces. However, the section of the building that is at the corner of 6th and I streets remains at nine stories, plus a penthouse. The unit mix is comprised of 25% studios, 40% 1BR and 1BR/Dens and 35% 2BR units. Access to the project will be via 6th Street and not I Street due to DDOT’s concerns about safety since Amidon-Bowen is located next door along I Street. 

The meeting was contentious at times. Concerns about the building’s height and limited parking were echoed by many in the audience. Although the taller section of the building along I Street was set back from the street frontage with a three-story section and one story was removed from the taller section, the nine-story plus penthouse section at the corner of 6th and I remained a major problem for residents, some of whom have homes that will directly face the building and feel that the proposed building is out of place in their neighborhood. It was also brought up that the building will tower over neighboring Amidon-Bowen Elementary, casting shadows on the school. To help alleviate concerns about the limited parking and the potential for tenants of the new building to use street parking, residents of the rental building will not be eligible for Residential Permit Parking (RPP) and the property manager will be doing a periodic audit of the DMV to make sure residents don’t try to game the system. Parking will not be provided to STC’s employees. 

STC and Erkiletian have brought in Bo Shuff to deal with community outreach for The Bard. A phone town hall was held Wednesday evening and other outreach efforts will be implemented over the summer to keep residents informed about the project. A project website will soon go live and a Facebook page has been set up so the project’s process can be followed via social media. Bo can be reached at outreach@thebard501.com or by phone: 571-336-6343. 

Currently, zoning at the site does not allow what the development team has proposed, but they intend on going through the Planned Unit Development process unless their lobbying efforts are successful at the DC Council to make changes to the Southwest Neighborhood Plan. Demolition began last week at the site, which should last another three to four weeks. 

Rendering courtesy of Shalom Baranes Associates

SEU Campus Demolition Underway; Community Meeting Tomorrow

Demolition began last week at the former Southeastern University campus building, located at 501 I Street. It will take approximately five weeks to demolish the structure, which has been vacant for several years. The Shakespeare Theater Company purchased the building last year from the Graduate School USA and has partnered with developer Erkiletian to build a mixed-use project with space for theater operations and apartments above. There will be a presentation tomorrow evening at Westminster Church (400 I Street) starting at 7pm where the development plan will be shared with the community. 

Demolition in the background & Amidon-Bowen roof replacement in foreground.

Photos courtesy of reader JP

SEU Demo to Begin June 22

Fencing is up and raze permits have been approved for the demolition of the former Southeastern University campus at 501 I Street. Demolition will begin later this month after school is out for the summer at neighboring Amidon-Bowen Elementary. The demolition process will last five weeks, starting on the north side of the site for the first week and moving to the west side during weeks two and three. Then demolition will shift to the east side for the last two weeks. Work hours will be from 7am to 5pm Monday through Friday. 

All of the debris from demolition will be sorted on site, placed in containers and then hauled to recycling centers. In addition, all of the hardscape and landscape materials will be removed from the site, but Erkiletian has offered to provide the materials to members of the community or for use on other public sites, such as the Southwest Duck Pond or the SW Community Garden. For those who are interested, contact Paul Kokosinski at Erkiletian if you would like any of the landscape materials on site.

The Shakespeare Theater Company is partnering with Erkiletian at 501 I Street to build a nine-story building with approximately 155 residential units (a portion of the units will be set aside for actors, interns and affordable housing under Inclusionary Zoning), as well as rehearsal space, a black-box theater, a costume and set equipment fabrication shop, and the administrative headquarters for the Company. Most of STC’s operations will be located below-grade. Once demolition is complete, the site will be leveled off and remain fenced off until excavation begins, which won’t happen for 12 to 14 months since the developer still needs to go through the PUD process.

Former SEU Campus Building's Days are Numbered

 

A raze permit was filed by the Graduate School USA for 501 I Street in May, which is the former Southeastern University campus building. The raze permit was filed to see whether any historic preservation groups would try to landmark the building; however, at the June ANC meeting, the commissioners voted to oppose the permit because no plan had been formally presented for what would replace the building. 

Spurred by the raze permit application, the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) filed a historic landmark application for the property in July. According to the landmark application, the building was first constructed in 1948 for the Metropolitan Police Boys Club No. 4 with a brick exterior in a smaller footprint than its current state. The building was one of the few that survived urban renewal. Then in 1961, The Hawthorne School (a private co-ed high school) purchased the building, expanded it to the north & south, and clad it in concrete in a brutalist design done by Charles Goodman, the same architect that designed River Park Cooperative Homes. The school was the first private school to be built in an urban renewal area. Eventually, declining enrollment and financial difficulties at the school caused the sale of the property to Southeastern University, which operated at the site until 2009. 

Currently, the campus is owned by Graduate School USA and is vacant. Upkeep of the grounds around the building has been deferred with tall weeds sprouting around in spots. The campus is under contract to the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) who has plans to joint venture with developer Erkiletian to build a nine-story building with approximately 155 residential units (a portion of the units will be set aside for actors, interns and affordable housing under Inclusionary Zoning), as well as rehearsal space, a black-box theater, a costume and set equipment fabrication shop, and the administrative headquarters for the Company. Most of STC’s operations will be located below-grade. STC has been looking for several years for a location to consolidate its back-of-the-house operations, which are scattered across leased space in the District. After several false starts with other proposals, the Company came across 501 I Street and placed it under contract. A zoning change would be needed for the property in order to build what STC and Erkiletian have initially planned. A historic landmark designation for the property would scuttle STC’s plans. 

SWNA hosted a neighborhood forum on the project on July 28 at Arena Stage. At the forum, Cecille Chen from SWNA gave a presentation on the history of the building, followed by additional remarks on the social implications of the Hawthorne School and SEU by Dr. Marjorie Lightman. Afterwards, STC’s managing director Chris Jennings explained the Company’s plans for the project and current involvement in the community, which was followed by a question and answer period. 

Former SEU Campus Building Nominated for Historic Status

Apparently spurred by the raze permit that was applied for the former Southeastern University campus building at 501 I Street a couple months ago, SWNA filed a historic landmark application for the property. According to the landmark application, the building was first constructed in 1948 for the Metropolitan Police Boys Club No. 4 with a brick exterior in a smaller footprint than its current state. The building was one of the few that survived urban renewal. Then in 1961, The Hawthorne School (a private co-ed high school) purchased the building, expanded it to the north & south, and clad it in concrete in a brutalist design done by Charles Goodman, the same architect that designed River Park Cooperative Homes. Eventually, declining enrollment and financial difficulties at the school caused the sale of the property to Southeastern University, which operated at the site until 2009. 

Currently, the campus is owned by Graduate School USA and is vacant. The campus is under contract to the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) who has plans to joint venture with developer Erkiletian and build actor and apprentice housing, along with rehearsal and performance space, costume and set equipment storage, education classrooms, and the administrative headquarters for the Company. A zoning change would be needed for the property in order to build what STC has initially planned, a nine-story building with approximately 155 residential units and 70 garage spaces. A historic landmark designation for the property would most likely alter or scuttle STC’s plans.

SWNA will be hosting a neighborhood forum on 501 I Street this Monday, July 28 at Arena Stage, starting at 7pm.

Former SEU Campus to Become Actors' Housing

An article in Broadway World offers some details on the plan to develop the former Southeastern University campus at 6th and I streets into actor and apprentice housing for the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC). The campus was under contract back in October from The Graduate School USA. STC will be partnering with real estate developer Erkiletian Real Estate on the project. From the article:

The Company plans to transform the property into a residence for actor and apprentice housing, rehearsal and performance space, storage for costume and set equipment, education classrooms, and the STC administrative headquarters...In addition to a full public benefits and amenities package to be delivered in conjunction with the redevelopment, [Managing Director Chris] Jennings hopes the new location will foster partnerships with local community organizations and the STC Education department's programming. With the addition of more rehearsal studios and performance spaces, Southwest community members will be able to take advantage of the new location's resources at a reduced rate.

The campus has been vacant since The Graduate School USA absorbed SEU and the university lost its accreditation in 2009. The development will be located two blocks north of Arena Stage and adds another arts component to the 6th and I street corridors, which already has Arena Stage, weekly jazz and blues performances at Westminster, arts programming at Randall Recreation Center, and a planned modern art museum at the former Randall Junior High School.

Update: A Housing Complex article states that the planned residential units will include both market-rate and artists' housing.

Former SEU Campus Building Under Contract

It was reported in Capital Business today that The Shakespeare Theatre Co. has the former Southeastern University (SEU) campus at 6th and I streets under contract.  The campus has been vacant since The Graduate School USA absorbed SEU and the university lost its accreditation in 2009. At first, it was thought that The Graduate School USA would expand its L’Enfant Plaza campus to 6th and I streets, then it was announced in 2011 that the school would be the anchor tenant at The Wharf. Afterwards, the campus was put on the market. There were some suitors for the campus, including Apple Tree Early Learning Public Charter School, who wanted to renovate the building for a school, but that proposal never resulted in the sale of the building. It was announced publicly last week that The Graduate School USA had backed out of The Wharf deal due to federal government budget issues. 

The Capital Business article states that the Shakespeare Theatre Co. proposes an actors’ campus for the site, which would include actors’ housing, rehearsal space, and storage for costumes and set equipment.  It would not just serve as a campus for Shakespeare, but it could also serve other theater companies who have similar space challenges. From the article:

Neither Shakespeare nor Graduate School USA officials released the terms of the contract. [Chris] Jennings said he is in the early stages of determining how to finance his idea. Shakespeare could partner with a developer on a mixed-use project in which some of the market-rate housing helps pay for the artist and theater space. He also plans to approach D.C. officials about support the government may be able to provide.

The campus is slightly under one acre in size and is currently zoned as R-3, which allows matter-of-right development of single-family residential uses (detached, semi-detached, and row dwellings), churches, and public schools. Depending on what Shakespeare has planned, the campus may need to be rezoned. Next door to the campus is Amidon-Bowen Elementary school and row homes. Across the street is the SW Duck Pond. It is located two blocks north of Arena Stage and three blocks from the Waterfront Metro station.

SW Duck Pond News

It's been a big December so far for the Neighbors of the Southwest Duck Pond. First, the group won Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells' Livable, Walkable Community Organization Award, also known as a "Brickie" for their effort to help rehabilitate the Southwest Duck Pond, located at 6th and I Streets. Then, the group learned that they will receive a contribution from the Graduate School USA of up to $1,000. The Graduate School USA owns the former SEU campus across the street from the park and has offered their landscaping team to help with park clean-ups in the past. The Neighbors group is in the process of filing for 501c3 status to become a non-profit organization so it can raise funds to refurbish the park.

Graduate School to Anchor The Wharf

It's been a big week for The Wharf, the redevelopment of the Southwest Waterfront by Hoffman-Madison Waterfront. Besides launching a slightly redesigned website with a new color scheme similar to the Baltimore Orioles, there was a press conference on Monday announcing the Washington Kastles would relocate to the development in a new stadium at the former Hogates site. Now, ahead of Mayor Gray's planned press conference tomorrow at the Southwest Waterfront, the Washington Business Journal broke the news that the Mayor will announce that the Graduate School will be moving to The Wharf. From the article:

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray is expected to announce Thursday that the Graduate School, currently headquartered at 600 Maryland Ave. SW, will build upward of 200,000 square feet at the Wharf, what Hoffman-Madison Waterfront is now calling its waterfront project. A press conference is scheduled for noon at 700 Water St. SW. "The Graduate School will be a significant anchor for The Wharf development on the Southwest DC waterfront," Linda Wharton Boyd, Gray's spokeswoman, said in an e-mail. "In keeping with the Gray administration agenda for education reform, fiscal stability and job creation, this development hits all three priorities. We are excited that they decided to expand their mission right here in this landmark waterfront development."

The Graduate School currently owns Southeastern University's campus building at 6th & I Street (pictured here), which shuttered in 2009 after losing its accreditation with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. At one point, it was thought that the Graduate School would renovate or tear down the SEU building to relocate its school there, but now is in the process of trying to sell the campus building. One of the organizations looking to bid on the building is AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School, which came before ANC 6D in December to express their interest in expanding their presence in Southwest. At that meeting, the ANC voted 5-0-1 to support AppleTree's bid.

Phase one of development at The Wharf (from 7th to 9th Street) will get underway next year and should be ready by 2015.

Update: The Washington Post also has a story on the Graduate School, including a rendering of the building, which will be located at the corner of Maine Avenue & 9th Street. The Post also describes how the school will function. From the article:

[Graduate School President and Chief Executive Jerry] Ice said Graduate School USA will begin tailoring new programs to meet the needs of city government. "We have not been that kind of provider . . . and we think we are in a good position in a number of key issue areas to provide that locally," he said. The school also plans to open the doors of its new educational center to other colleges, universities and nonprofit groups offering programs that would help D.C. residents acquire skills needed to compete for local jobs.

Update #2: Here is a link to the press release from the Graduate School USA.

Update #3: The WBJ has another article about the Graduate School USA, stating that the school will take up all of the office component of phase one of development. Back in September, the Hoffman-Madison Waterfront team mentioned at their community presentation at Arena Stage that they were in talks with an office tenant for phase one, so I'm assuming that potential tenant was the Graduate School USA. The article also quotes a representative from the Graduate School USA speaking about the fate of the SEU campus building it owns: "All options are on the table for the property, including a sale."

AppleTree Exploring Bid to Buy Southeastern U. Building

A couple agenda items at last night's ANC 6D meeting dealt with Southeastern University, which closed its doors in August 2009. The first item was a resolution by Commissioner Sobelsohn to remove -SEU from the name of the Waterfront-SEU Metro station. The SEU campus and name was purchased by the GS Graduate School earlier this year. GS Graduate School has been mum on their plans for the building at 6th & I Street, but it appears that the school building may now be on the market. As a result, the ANC voted 3-0-1 to remove SEU from the Metro station name.

The second SEU-related item was that Jack McCarthy from AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School mentioned that the school is exploring the option of expanding its presence in Southwest by bidding on the SEU building. Currently, AppleTree does activities at Amidon-Bowen Elementary and Riverside Baptist Church locally, but does not have sufficient space to do all its programming. AppleTree also has a campus in Columbia Heights and Hill East. Cost estimates for renovating the SEU building for use by AppleTree is approximately $150/SF with about a third of the cost needed to upgrade building systems. Under the proposal offered by McCarthy, no floors would be added to the building, but some of the parking lot would be covered with playground equipment. AppleTree hopes to formally place their bid by mid-December and depending on the selection process, if the school is selected by GS Graduate School, McCarthy hopes to have some classrooms available by August 2011 when the new school year begins. After some discussion by the Commissioners and positive audience comments about the SEU building remaining a school under this proposal, the ANC voted 5-0-1 to support AppleTree's bid.

SEU Campus News

I'm passing along word I just received from ANC 6D Commissioner David Sobelsohn:

I have it on good authority that the Graduate School has purchased the former home of Southeastern University at 501 I St., SW. Formerly associated with the US Department of Agriculture, the Graduate School is now an independent educational institution. It currently holds classes in the Capital Gallery, 600 Maryland Ave., SW. But for much of the year classrooms are full every day. They need more space.

When the Graduate School opens on I Street, the school hopes to continue Southeastern’s close relationship with the community. But my sources report that the Southeastern building would need enormous work to rehabilitate, and that the Graduate School considers it currently close to uninhabitable. The Graduate School has commissioned an engineering study of Southeastern & is considering its options, from renovation to demolition.

The Graduate School has been meeting with elected officials in DC & SW. It expects to make an official announcement by April.

David C. Sobelsohn
Commissioner, ANC 6D02

Secretary, ANC 6D
(202) 484-8303

There was speculation about a year ago that Southeastern would merge with the GS Graduate School when it was having difficulty maintaining its accreditation with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. GS Graduate School: Tear the building down and start from scratch I say!

Update: Here's an article from The Washington Post about the merger.

SEU Loses Accreditation

The Washington Post reports that Southeastern University lost its accreditation with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools after August 31st. It's still not clear whether the University will merge with the GS Graduate School, which is located at L'Enfant Plaza, but there won't be a fall session, according to SEU's website. A couple weeks ago, we were asking what should be done with the SEU campus building if it no longer housed the University. I think it's worth asking again, since there's a possibility it could become another vacant building or site in the neighborhood, joining the former MPD District 1 headquarters, 1101 South Capitol Street (now demolished), the St. Matthews Church site, and others. What should replace Southeastern University at 501 I Street?

What's Next for SEU's Campus?

With Southeastern University set to lose its accreditation with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools at the end of this month, it’s more than likely that the University will close or merge with the GS Graduate School. If SEU moves out of its current home at 501 I Street, what will happen to its campus? Would a charter school move in, or would DCPS expand Amidon-Bowen, which is next door? Perhaps UDC would open up a satellite community college campus as a part of their reorganization effort? Since some of the facilities at SEU have recently been upgraded as a part of The Campaign for Southeastern, all of these scenarios are somewhat plausible. Why wouldn’t a school or college want to move into recently remodeled classroom space, despite the unaesthetic “historic” exterior of the building IMHO? The campus is nestled in a residential neighborhood with row homes on one side, an elementary school on another side, across the street from Town Center Park, and is within walking distance of the Waterfront-SEU Metro, so a variety of uses could potentially work well at the site. If the future owner of the SEU campus decides to tear down the building for a non-educational use, what should be built in its place? (Above is a photo of SEU, taken today)

Graduation Could be the Last at SEU

Yesterday, the Washington Post had an article about the graduation ceremony for Southeastern University students, which was held yesterday at Constitution Hall in Northwest. However, the University could lose its accreditation in September, as mentioned in a prior post, so the school will either close, or merge with another institution. From the Post article:

According to the [Middle States Commission on Higher Education's] report, 14 percent of first-time students seeking bachelor's degrees there graduate within six years. Southeastern officials have been hoping to merge with the GS Graduate School, which provides continuing education to more than 200,000 students a year. [Interim President Elaine] Ryan has said she can't talk about the potential merger because of a confidentiality agreement; officials at GS Graduate said they are examining Southeastern's finances and operations and might make a decision next month.

At one point, SEU was negotiating to merge with UDC, but now it looks like they may become a part of the GS Graduate School, which is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and has a campus near L'Enfant Plaza.

Week in Review

Here's a recap of the week's events...

- Cherry Blossom Festival Begins. On a rainy Saturday, the National Cherry Blossom Festival began with several activities around the city, and earlier this week, the blossoms began their peak blooming period. The festival will continue through Sunday, April 12th, with local events, including the dedication of the SW Call Boxes and the Fireworks Show, both of which will occur on April 11th. (The above photo is one of the cherry blossom-themed call boxes along M Street, before the artwork has been installed)

- SEU President Resigns. While I was on vacation, a letter was in my inbox from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Southeastern University, stating that SEU President Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis was resigning from her post as of March 31, 2009. In her place, Dr. Elaine Ryan was appointed interim President, previously serving as Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer. SEU is facing accreditation problems and is looking to merge with the GS Graduate School. See my post from last month for more background on the merger talks. On my flight to California, I ended up sitting next to one of the former deans at Southeastern and we started chatting about SEU's current situation and development trends in Southwest. It's a small world indeed!

- Frank Gehry chosen to design Eisenhower Memorial...No Joke! The Washington Business Journal reported on Wednesday that the Eisenhower Memorial Commission has chosen famed LA-based architect Frank Gehry to design a memorial dedicated to President Eisenhower, located across from the Air & Space Museum and the Department of Education headquarters at 4th Street & Independence Avenue. This is Gehry's second chance to design a structure in DC - the first time he was tapped to design an addition to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, but the gallery had financing issues, so it was never built. See my post from January about this topic.

SEU May Merge With USDA’s GS Graduate School

An article in today’s The Washington Post reports that Southeastern University, located at 6th & I Street, may lose its accreditation with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, due to financial instability, dwindling enrollment, and a lack of academic rigor. SEU has been looking to merge with another institution in order to remain viable. A couple months ago, Southwest…The Little Quadrant That Could had a post about SEU possibly merging with UDC, but it sounds like from the Post article that SEU is in serious discussions with the GS Graduate School, which is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. From the article:

The graduate school, whose primary location on Maryland Ave. Southwest is a few blocks from Southeastern near the National Mall, provides continuing education for some 150,000 students a year, most of them government employees. Officials at both schools hope to create a school with the stable finances and large enrollment of the graduate school but one that offers a wider range of degree opportunities focused on public service and federal job training. That could mean a new vision for Southeastern, said Jerry Ice, the president and CEO of the GS Graduate School. "The federal government has approximately 1.8 million workers, and almost another 2 million that are the contractors that do federal work," he said. His students are interested in continuing their studies to earn degrees, he said. "Both schools are excited about the possibilities," said J. R. Clark, chairman of Southeastern's board of trustees, and are considering everything from leadership to location to name changes to mission.

According to SEU’s website, the University is in the process of renovating its campus, called The Campaign For Southeastern. The first phase of renovation, which included three classrooms, faculty offices, and study areas, was completed in April 2008.

Could SEU Become UDC?

The WBJ reports that the University of the District of Columbia could possibly take over Southeastern University. From the WBJ article:

Southeastern University, which has dealt with financial and enrollment troubles for years, is close to picking the school that would absorb it. The University of the District of Columbia recently voiced its interest in taking over the university. “We are entertaining proposals from interested parties for a possible merger in order to strengthen our ability to meet our mission efforts,” said J.R. Clark, board chairman of Southeastern, which offers a two-year associate’s degree. “UDC is one of the many institutions that has provided us with a proposal.” Allen Sessoms, who was named president of UDC in August 2008, has said that early stages of his tenure would include creating a community college within the university. Southeastern’s merger committee has been collecting proposals that the board will have the opportunity to weigh in on and review Wednesday at its board of directors meeting.

Southeastern University is located at 501 I Street, and according to its website, the University is in the midst of renovations, called The Campaign For Southeastern. The first phase of renovation, which includes three classrooms, faculty offices, and study areas was completed in 2008. The website doesn't say what the next phases will cover, but I hope the building's exterior is a part of the renovation.

Update: The WBJ reports that UDC's board approved the creation of a two-year community college, which could pave the way for a merger of UDC and Southeastern University by the fall semester.