Sixth Street Development Partner Named

On October 10, 2014, President T. Alan Hurwitz announced to the campus community that The JBG Companies would partner with the privateFoundation on redeveloping the Sixth Street Development project.

Dear Campus Community:

Today, the privateBoard of Trustees voted to approve that the university’s real estate foundation enter into exclusive negotiations with The JBG Companies for a development agreement for its properties adjacent to campus on 6th Street.

This partnership is the inaugural real estate development initiative by the privateFoundation. The Foundation was established in 2012 following a recommendation by the Urban Land Institute, which consulted with privateduring the development of its 2022 Campus Master Plan.

The Foundation operates as an independent, non-profit entity to engage in real estate and development initiatives that support the university’s academic mission and strategic goals. Its Board of Directors include former Pittsburgh Mayor and senior resident fellow of the Urban Land Institute Tom Murphy, retired D.C. Chief Financial Officer Dr. Natwar Gandhi, and Georgetown Business Improvement District Chief Executive Officer Joe Sternlieb, among others.

The 6th Street properties encompass seven acres both on- and off-campus and the goal is to create a distinct destination in Northeast D.C. The Foundation felt that the breadth and depth of JBG’s experience in the District, as well as its careful attention to nuances of the deaf community such as the incorporation of DeafSpace design elements into its proposal, will go a long way toward enriching this neighborhood through our culture and language, as well as allow for greater interaction between our campus community and our neighbors.

The JBG Companies was selected as the Foundation’s development partner for the 6th Street NE project following a year-long developer selection process. Over 30 developers expressed interest in the project by visiting Gallaudet during a site tour in June 2013, with 13 submitting a response to the Request for Qualifications. Four teams were invited to respond to the Request for Proposals, with The JBG Companies being selected from among those candidates.

The vision for the 6th Street corridor is described as “mixed-use development with an urban feel” and derives inspiration from the 2022 Campus Master Plan motto “From Isolation to Innovation.” The development, which is expected to occur in phases over the next 10 years, will create a myriad of opportunities for Gallaudet students, staff, and faculty in terms of employment, internships, training, and collaborations.

To learn more about the 6th Street development, click here.

The university will host a series of public events throughout the fall semester to inform the campus community about the upcoming projects. Please check the Daily Digest regularly for information about campus-wide events.

The campus community is encouraged to send comments and to sign up for email updates. Click here to access the online comment form, and contact us to be added to the email list.

Please be aware that staff from Gallaudet and members of the development company will review the comments.

Alan Hurwitz, President/Chair, privateFoundation Board

Fred Weiner, Assistant Vice President for Administration/CEO, privateFoundation