Bread for the City to Rise in Shaw

Local non-profit social advocates and medical clinicians, Bread for the City (BFC), are just weeks away from breaking ground on an 11,000 square addition to their Northwest Center at 1525 7^th Street, NW - a project that will double the size of the facility that is currently forced to turn away patients daily.

"Our clinic schedules 15 new patient appointments every week, but these slots are taken daily within minutes of opening our phone lines," said BFC Director George Jones in a prepared statement. "We turn many people away for lack of space, and they're likely to go without care or turn to a hospital emergency room - both costly and dangerous alternatives."

BFC has partnered with developer Jair Lynch and architects Wiebenson & Dorman (who also designed BFC's Southeast facility) for the $8.25 million build-out of their Shaw location. Once complete, BFC projects that their patient capacity will triple – good news for the more than 2,700 District residents who receive their primary medical care at the center. New improvements will include a “bigger and better” laboratory, a new waiting area, twice the current number of exam rooms and handicap accessible features throughout. BFC’s food bank and social services programs will occupy the facility’s first floor, while the medical and legal clinic will be housed on the second.

"This summer we held a party in our parking lot, and canvassed the neighborhood inviting people to come and talk about the expansion and what it means to us here in Shaw,” said Kristin Valentine, BFC’s Director of Development. “A little over 50 people from the community showed up to meet with board members, clients, and staff so we could address any concerns. The design was also approved by the ANC2C."

The project is made possible in part by a recent $1.35 million grant from the District of Columbia Primary Care Association. That sum, and an earlier donation of nearly $3 million, were both made under the auspices of the Medical Homes DC initiative – a movement “designed to increase access to consistent, affordable medical care for underserved DC residents.” At present, BFC is seeking the remainder “through individual, corporate and foundation grants.” Those contributing gifts of $15,000 or more will have a piece of the new facility – anything from a computer station to food pantry, depending on the amount - named in their honor.

According to Valentine, “The project is not yet fully permitted, [but] we expect to receive the building permit and start construction by April of 2009.” BFC expects construction to be complete by the spring of 2010. Turner Construction will serve as general contractor.