The building formerly housing the Eastern Branch of the Boys and Girls Clubs (BGC) is a step closer to renewed community use.

The facility at 261 17th St. SE has been empty since the BGC of Greater Washington ceased Eastern Branch operations on Aug. 17, 2007. After several months of seeking stop-gap funding to reopen programming at several locations, BGCGW announced in December its intention to redevelop the Eastern Branch and three other facilities: the Jelleff Branch in Georgetown, a clubhouse in Columbia Heights and a clubhouse in Congress Heights. A Request for Proposal was released in January, and proposals for purchase of the property were due to the real estate firm of CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) in mid-February.

CBRE showed the property to a number of organizations, according to First Vice President Bobby Meehling. Although Meehling could not comment on bids received, one local organization – Neighbors United (NU) – has made public their hope to purchase the property for a community center.

A Neighborhood Proposal
NU was formed with the express purpose of “convert[ing] the historic Boys and Girls Club at Eastern Branch into a community-owned and community-operated center, ensuring the community's interests are served through the facility's purchase, improvement and long-term, sustainable use.”

Since formally organizing last year, NU received a $350,000 grant for operations from the Children's Youth and Investment Trust. The NU board attempted to make direct arrangements for use of the Eastern Branch facility with BGCGW. Those arrangements did not immediately succeed, so NU also began searching out alternative programming space and is now planning to offer programs at the DC Armory. When BGCGW released its RFP, however, Executive Director Jerry May – who began work in December 2007 – turned his attention to preparing a comprehensive proposal.

May says NU's proposal focuses on creating a community center, with programming for youth and adults as well as options for other community groups to utilize space occasionally and on a more permanent subletting basis. NU particularly looks forward to sharing space with Bren Car Dancers, a modern dance program which was housed at the Eastern Branch for 40 years and has been homeless since the closure.

NU's proposal “is directly consistent with what community and city leaders” expect to see in the facility, May adds. DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Adrian Fenty, DC Council Chairman Vince Gray, At-Large Councilmembers Kwame Brown and Phil Mendelson and Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells all expressed their support for Neighbors United at the group's June 2007 kickoff.

At the kickoff, NU also announced a partnership with Douglas Development Corporation. Douglas Jemal helped in the bid process, May says.

Prior to completing their bid, NU arranged for inspections to determine what is usable in the facility, as is, and what work is needed.

“Our anticipation is that the process will go into a negotiation stage, and we'll be able to work as quickly as possible to get resolution, to go forward with actual purchase of facility,” May explains. “The community is expecting they will seriously discuss our proposal.”

A Community Asset
“When we evaluated the building for the Boys and Girls Clubs,” says Meehling, “we went back and said, `This is not a teardown.'”

The building, constructed in 1937, is interesting in itself, Meehling explains, and it's a community asset. In addition, the RFP calls for bids that “include a scenario for continued community use, such as a Boys and Girls Club.”

CBRE has sold many properties for nonprofits, according to Meehling, and is “very aware that there are two sides to such sales – a business side and a community side … it's not just about dollars, it's about mission.”

CBRE gathered offers, interviewed every applicant that fits within the mission and forwarded the results to BGCGW. The Boys and Girls Clubs will choose a buyer.

Next Steps
BGCGW has made public no information about how or when they will respond to offers.

“It is premature for us to comment on the proposals,” said Molly Boyle of BGCGW. She added that the organization's recent leadership change would not affect the RFP process. Will Gunn – who met with Neighbors United many times during his two years as president and chief executive of BGCGW – stepped down in mid-March.

Meanwhile, NU continues to gather support, ideas and volunteers from the neighborhood and “is anxious to get something rolling.” Program Administrator Malcolm Granado joined the staff in February.
Plans for programming at the DC Armory were developing at press time.