Ward 8 Senior Wellness Center Update

Presenter: Angela Richardson (Chief of Staff, DACL)
July 28, 2026 ANC 8A01 SMD Meeting 
W8 Sr Wellness Center July 28 2026 Update.pdf

• Background & Purpose:DC currently has six senior wellness centers across Wards 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7, as well as one in Congress Heights (Ward 8). The new Fairlawn facility will be a citywide center open to all seniors, focused on nutrition under the motto "Eat Well, Live Better". Co-located at Kramer Middle School, enabling unique intergenerational programming between seniors and students.
• DC currently has six senior wellness centers across Wards 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7, as well as one in Congress Heights (Ward 8).
• The new Fairlawn facility will be a citywide center open to all seniors, focused on nutrition under the motto "Eat Well, Live Better".
• Co-located at Kramer Middle School, enabling unique intergenerational programming between seniors and students.
• Project & Bidding Status:A previously planned groundbreaking was delayed because the initial procurement did not yield the right contractor to meet safety and quality standards. Re-solicitation for the general contractor opens Friday, July 31, 2026. Target Goal: Award contract by end of Fiscal Year 2026 (Sept 30, 2026) and hold the groundbreaking by December 2026.
• A previously planned groundbreaking was delayed because the initial procurement did not yield the right contractor to meet safety and quality standards.
• Re-solicitation for the general contractor opens Friday, July 31, 2026.
• Target Goal: Award contract by end of Fiscal Year 2026 (Sept 30, 2026) and hold the groundbreaking by December 2026.
• Facility Features & Site Layout:Features include a gym, computer lab, multipurpose community rooms, and a state-of-the-art commercial/industrial kitchen for cooking demonstrations and joint meals. Situated on the lot near Kramer Middle School containing the large heritage tree. Basketball courts will be relocated slightly further back. Parking Plans: Parking lot is being reconstructed to provide 45 spots for Kramer Middle School and 44 spots for the Senior Wellness Center.
• Features include a gym, computer lab, multipurpose community rooms, and a state-of-the-art commercial/industrial kitchen for cooking demonstrations and joint meals.
• Situated on the lot near Kramer Middle School containing the large heritage tree. Basketball courts will be relocated slightly further back.
• Parking Plans: Parking lot is being reconstructed to provide 45 spots for Kramer Middle School and 44 spots for the Senior Wellness Center.
• Community & Vendor Q&A:L. Harrison voiced concerns regarding traffic/parking influx; Ms. Richardson clarified dedicated parking plans and offered to resend site drawings. E. Downing inquired about offering AI education/workshops. Ms. Richardson noted DACL works with OCTO and that day-to-day operations will be run by a grantee chosen via a future Request for Proposals (RFP). RFPs are posted on the DACL website, social media, DSLBD, and agency listservs.
• L. Harrison voiced concerns regarding traffic/parking influx; Ms. Richardson clarified dedicated parking plans and offered to resend site drawings.
• E. Downing inquired about offering AI education/workshops. Ms. Richardson noted DACL works with OCTO and that day-to-day operations will be run by a grantee chosen via a future Request for Proposals (RFP). RFPs are posted on the DACL website, social media, DSLBD, and agency listservs.