(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and District leaders broke ground on a new recreation center, early childhood education center, and park improvements in Fort Lincoln. The project is a major investment in early learning, recreation, and community space, providing new opportunities for Fort Lincoln families and residents. Leaders also marked the beginning of construction on City Homes, the final phase of the Fort Lincoln New Town Development, which has been underway since the 1970s.
“This neighborhood has a long history with a lot of people who have never given up on the idea of delivering housing, jobs and retail, and recreation spaces to Fort Lincoln. We’re proud to be driving this next stage of progress,” said Mayor Bowser. “In 2019, I committed to bringing three former schools back to productive use as early childhood education centers; this project will deliver on that promise and more.”
The $49 million Fort Lincoln Campus Improvement Project will deliver a 44,000-square-foot facility that includes both a state-of-the-art recreation center and a dedicated early childhood education center that is part of a commitment Mayor Bowser made in 2019 to build new early childhood education centers at the sites of former schools. The two other centers, at the Historic Randle Highlands School in Ward 7 and the Old Miner School in Ward 6, opened in 2022 and 2024, respectively. The project will also reactivate a portion of Fort Lincoln Park that has been inaccessible since 2013.
The new facility will include:
- Early childhood education center
- Full gymnasium with elevated walking/running track above the gymnasium
- Racquetball courts
- Fitness center
- Demonstration kitchen
- Senior lounge
- Multipurpose rooms
- Arts & crafts rooms
- Tech/teen lounge
- Parking spaces
Upgrades to the 20-acre Fort Lincoln Park will include:
- A new playground
- Restoration and repair of damaged brick and picnic pavilion
- New play elements in Old Fort Play Area
- ADA access & upgrades
- Resurfaced outdoor tennis courts
“Today marks a historic moment for our community, as we break ground on a long-awaited project,” said DGS Director Delano Hunter. “The new recreation center and early childhood center represents a significant investment from Mayor Muriel Bowser in our community’s infrastructure, designed to provide a state-of-the art facility. As DGS embarks on this construction journey, we remain committed to delivering a high-quality, durable and sustainable facility that will improve lives and serve the needs of our residents for generations to come.”
“At DPR, we could not be more excited about the future programs, events, and memories that will be made on this site by the neighbors in the Fort Lincoln community and Ward 5,” said DPR Director Thennie Freeman. “Mayor Bowser's vision to include an early childhood education center within the building underscores our commitment to our young people and growing families and increases access to vital recreation and education services.”
The City Homes development, located at Fort Lincoln Drive NE and Eastern Avenue NE, has also broken ground. This final phase of the Fort Lincoln New Town Development will deliver 51 townhomes, including five affordable homes, with the first homes expected in 2026 and full completion anticipated in 2028. The development marks the final parcel to be built by the Fort Lincoln New Town Corporation, which has transformed the area into a thriving, mixed-use neighborhood over the past five decades.
The existing Theodore Hagans Cultural Center and Theodore Hagans Outdoor Pool will not be impacted by the construction and park improvements. The pool is expected to operate on its normal schedule this summer. For the latest details on the project, refer to the DGS website page for Fort Lincoln Campus Improvements at dgs.dc.gov/node/1344411.
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