See this tweet and subsequent DC Line post.
The first few paragraphs of Michelle Goldchain’s article have been provided below.
There are plans for this long-vacant Truxton Circle school to become a community center and Peace Corps museum. https://t.co/Stgkm9jT3R via @dclinenews pic.twitter.com/TqXnYedIei
— Michelle Goldchain (@goldchainam) June 15, 2018
Running across a vacant or blighted building in DC isn’t uncommon, much to the chagrin of residents. In May 2016, Greater Greater Washington put the “official count” of vacant and blighted buildings in the city at approximately 1,200, but the number is likely even higher.
There are also many former schoolhouses in the District that have seen better days. There are approximately 21 DC-owned schoolhouses built between 1865 and 1930 that are either vacant or dilapidated. But if a private nonprofit gets its way, one of these buildings will finally get a new use.
The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) is in the “exploratory” phase of considering redeveloping the Langston School at 43 P St. NW. According to NPCA president and CEO Glenn Blumhorst, the organization is considering reusing the building as a “Peace Corps House,” which would be like a community center or settlement house where neighbors can gather and interact with one another. There are also plans for a museum that would share “the Peace Corps experience” so that visitors can learn what volunteers do and what the federal entity, Peace Corps, does.
“It seemed like this was a very logical option for us to look at,” Blumhorst said. “Essentially [it would be] a Peace Corps community center.”
…
Bates Area Civic Association 