Aug. 17, 2004

University, DC Public Schools Team Up for School Without Walls

The George Washington University and the DC Public School (DCPS) system have agreed upon the basic concept of establishing a unique public/private partnership to help save the deteriorating School Without Walls facility at 2130 G St., while providing GW space to construct a potential residence hall. This agreement in principle is the first step toward a more definitive contract that still must be approved by both GW’s Board of Trustees as well as the board of the DCPS.

Under the proposal, GW would provide $10 million and 30 free parking permits, as well as the right to purchase 15 additional spaces at the faculty/staff monthly parking rate, in exchange for the school’s parking lot as well as additional development rights. The 8,600-square-foot space obtained from the school would be incorporated into a parcel currently housing tennis courts adjacent to the School Without Walls and the Graduate School of Education and Human Development.

Under a resolution approved by the DCPS board July 21, the school system would commit an additional $6 million to modernize the facility. In addition, the parties have agreed to establish a task force to develop a plan on a collaborative programmatic relationship to help establish the School Without Walls as a leading high school both locally and nationally. GW will contribute $50,000 toward this planning effort.

The University and DCPS will sit down to formalize the agreement before moving the proposal through the zoning and permitting process.

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu