thedrifter
07-19-07, 01:07 PM
Civil War-Era Hospital May Find a New Life
Public Hearing Tonight on Community Center Plan
By Jenna Johnson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 19, 2007; DZ03
A vacant Civil War-era hospital that once elegantly housed ex-soldiers, sailors and Marines who had business with the government could soon host Capitol Hill community gatherings and educational programs.
A panel of D.C. residents and public officials recommended Friday that the Old Naval Hospital, at 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, just east of the Capitol, be converted into the Hill Center. The community center is the proposal of the Old Naval Hospital Foundation, a coalition of Capitol Hill neighbors who have advocated renovating the building and its grounds for five years.
"We've been in limbo for quite some time," said foundation President Nicky Cymrot.
The foundation just needs the approval of the D.C. Office of Property Management director, Lars Etzkorn, who will host a public meeting at the hospital at 7 p.m. today. The director will base his decision on the panel's recommendation and comments at the meeting, said Bill Rice, OPM spokesman.
If its plan is approved, the foundation would restore the 140-year-old main building, carriage house and grounds using the $2.5 million it has already raised and $6 million from the city.
The foundation would use the space for educational programs for youth and adults in areas such as computer literacy, languages, music, art, parenting, creative writing and nutrition. Existing organizations, such as the Smithsonian Associates and the National Academy of Sciences, could offer these programs, Cymrot said.
The Hill Center would also house nonprofit offices and could be used for lectures, recitals, art shows and community events. The hospital's carriage house would be converted into a cafe.
"We think it's going to be bustling from morning to evening, seven days a week," Cymrot said.
Ellie
Public Hearing Tonight on Community Center Plan
By Jenna Johnson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 19, 2007; DZ03
A vacant Civil War-era hospital that once elegantly housed ex-soldiers, sailors and Marines who had business with the government could soon host Capitol Hill community gatherings and educational programs.
A panel of D.C. residents and public officials recommended Friday that the Old Naval Hospital, at 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, just east of the Capitol, be converted into the Hill Center. The community center is the proposal of the Old Naval Hospital Foundation, a coalition of Capitol Hill neighbors who have advocated renovating the building and its grounds for five years.
"We've been in limbo for quite some time," said foundation President Nicky Cymrot.
The foundation just needs the approval of the D.C. Office of Property Management director, Lars Etzkorn, who will host a public meeting at the hospital at 7 p.m. today. The director will base his decision on the panel's recommendation and comments at the meeting, said Bill Rice, OPM spokesman.
If its plan is approved, the foundation would restore the 140-year-old main building, carriage house and grounds using the $2.5 million it has already raised and $6 million from the city.
The foundation would use the space for educational programs for youth and adults in areas such as computer literacy, languages, music, art, parenting, creative writing and nutrition. Existing organizations, such as the Smithsonian Associates and the National Academy of Sciences, could offer these programs, Cymrot said.
The Hill Center would also house nonprofit offices and could be used for lectures, recitals, art shows and community events. The hospital's carriage house would be converted into a cafe.
"We think it's going to be bustling from morning to evening, seven days a week," Cymrot said.
Ellie