It has been a long road, but after three years of searching, DCPCA has finally purchased a piece of property that could eventually serve as the new site for Unity Health Care’s Anacostia Health Center.  Since 2005, DCPCA has analyzed more than 10 sites and made four offers on property in Anacostia.  Ultimately, DCPCA found a suitable location, situated one block from the existing site.  General agreements were reached in early 2008 and after several months of ongoing negotiations and due diligence, DCPCA finally closed on the purchase in late October.

The property is located high on a hill on Galen Street SE, adjacent to the home of Frederick Douglass, which is a national historic site.  It currently houses a condemned apartment building, which will be demolished within the next several months.  The site allows an opportunity to build a state-of-the-art health center in place of the current dilapidated property.  Not only will the project serve as a catalyst to improve access to health care in Anacostia, but it will also spark equitable economic development in an area that is quickly changing.  A new health center will balance the desire for facility upgrades in the neighborhood with a dire need for these services.

Now that we have finalized the purchase of the property, the “hard part” begins.  There are two major challenges with the site.  First, there is an unused public alley that runs through the property that will need to be closed to execute the plan, and the closing will need approval from the DC government.  According to our zoning attorneys, the process can take up to two years.  DCPCA will submit its application as soon as possible so as not to waste any time.

Our second major challenge is a significant slope to the land, which may increase the costs of construction.  If the adjustments needed to build on the slope are determined to be cost-prohibitive, DCPCA may need to identify an alternate plan.  In addition to managing these issues, DCPCA will be conducting all of its pre-development work over the course of the next year.  This work includes demolition of the existing building, soil studies, traffic studies, community engagement, financing, permitting, and design development – just to name some of the tasks required.  Most real estate projects average 3-4 years, and this one is no exception.  If all goes well, construction will begin in late 2010, to be completed in late 2012.

In conclusion, DCPCA needs to recognize the enormous assistance it has received from the various consultants and advisors who helped turn this idea into reality.  Our development consultants, JAIR LYNCH Development Partners, and our pro bono real estate counsel, Dickstein Shapiro LLP, have been invaluable during this process.  We truly would not have come this far without them.  Now, onward and upward to building that health center on a hill!