Citiwide's Capital Campaigns Project

New_Center

Project Summary: The project involves redeveloping two single-family homes into a modern and well-equipped African Community Center. CitiWide plans to establish a location in Brightwood which will provide not only job and life training services, but also acts as a community and resource center for African immigrants who otherwise face often-insurmountable challenges with little support from the District or other organizations.

Building on CitiWide Computer & Nursing Assistant Center’s strong track record of providing job and life skills to African immigrants and others for the past 18 years, CitiWide plans to build an African Community Center where it can offer more services to the members of the African immigrant community. The property for the African Community Center is privately held by the Executive Director of CitiWide and will be sold to the nonprofit; in order to avoid any risk or appearance of conflict, an independent appraisal will be conducted to determine the sale price for the property. It is our hope that the Neighborhood Investment Fund would subsidize predevelopment activities related to the renovation and repurposing of this property.

Project Information

Street Address: 929-931 Kennedy Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20011

Description of Site:

  • NIF Target Area #5: Brightwood and Upper Georgia Avenue
  • Ward: 4
  • Physical: Built in 1927, two single-family, attached residences; existing structures are deteriorated and not habitable
  • The property is not occupied.
  • Size of lots: 3,908 Square Feet. Each lot is improved by a deteriorated single-family, attached, two-story plus basement, 7,200 square foot structure.
  • Zoning: Commercial, C-2-A. A community center and Child Development Center can be operated as a matter of right.
  • Past and adjacent uses: The properties were at one time used as a foster residence for homeless youth but have sat vacant for many years. Surrounding properties are a mix of residential and commercial. Kennedy Street, Northwest is a secondary commercial area and has major bus routes running along its length to points East and West. The closest metro stations are Georgia Avenue-Petworth and Fort Totten Metro Station.
  • Challenges: Maximizing the usable space for the Center within as-of-right zoning regulations or special exception and variances that have a good chance of being approved.
  • As the properties currently are vacant and dilapidated, the project will bring substantial improvement to this block and area.



Specific Use Of The Community Center: CitiWide intends to provide the following services at the Center:

  • Computer Technology Training
  • Health Care Training: Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide; CPR/First AID; and Automated Electric Defribulator (AED)
  • Education Program: GED; ABE; ESL and Language Access Assistant Program
  • Career Development Training
  • Immigration/Citizenship Education Assistance, Arts and Cultural Enrichment
  • After-School and Summer Programs
  • Child care services for program participants



Intake Process

Intake Process

In addition to the services outlined above, the Center will establish a 24-hour presence and “eyes on the street” by providing modern residential units on the top floors of the renovated structure. The number of units provided will depend on the zoning relief that can be obtained to increase the height of the building.

CitiWide has experience and a strong track record with providing these services. In addition, a skilled Childcare manager will be hired to supervise that part of the program.

Outcomes

  • Predevelopment tasks leading to a development plan and strategy include completed plans and specification, construction contract, and sources of financing so that the existing buildings can be renovated for use by the Applicant.
  • The renovated building will house a Community Center that will serve members of Brightwood, Upper Georgia Avenue, Ward 4, and all of Washington, DC.



Input from neighborhood residents and stakeholders: Representatives of the Applicant have discussed the plans for this development with neighborhood residents and stakeholders. The community and elected officials are extremely supportive of CitiWide and its activities. The following individuals and organizations have expressed their strong support for this project; copies of their letters are included in this proposal:

  • Ward 4 Council Member Muriel Bowser
  • ANC 4D, SMD 4D01, Commissioner Lamont Akins
  • Georgia Avenue / Rock Creek East Family Support Collaborative
  • Mayor’s Office on African Affairs



For more information, please contact Anthony Chuukwu, Executive Director, Phone: 202-667-3719 Fax 202-667-0554.

To make a donation towards this Capital Campaign Project, please click here. Thank you.