The campus plan includes two new construction projects: a health sciences library to be located on the current parking area between Bryant and W streets NW, and a science and technology center to be built across from the former Howard Inn on Georgia Avenue.

Garland Stilwell of Linowes and Blocher, an attorney for Howard University, said an application for the health sciences library has already been filed with the zoning board. A hearing on the application is scheduled for Nov. 4th.

A final decision on the university’s campus plan is expected in September, said attorney Cynthia Giordano, also representing the university in government proceedings on the plan.

In the past year, the Howard University planning team has held 19 meetings with various neighborhood groups including LeDroit Park Civic Association, Pleasant Plains Civic Association and the Bloomingdale Civic Association to discuss aspects of the plan.

"Howard in the past has not been a good neighbor," ANC 1B Commissioner Gary Imhoff said, noting that Howard University submitted its last campus plan in 1988 with virtually no community input.

After several meetings with ANC 1B, which encompasses most of the Howard University campus, the commission voted June 10 to approve the campus plan with restrictions attached.

At the top of their list, the commission asked the university to develop a plan to minimize the traffic and parking problems in the neighborhood. Of particular concern was the use of street parking by staff and students when campus parking is available to them.

The commission also asked the university to establish a Community Advisory Council that would include representatives from Howard University, the ANCs and civic associations surrounding the campus.

In all, the commissioners listed eight conditions for their approval of the university’s campus plan. Pleasant Plains Civic Association presented similar conditions for approval to Howard University.

In a letter dated July 18 sent to ANC 1B, ANC 5C and the three neighborhood civic associations, Howard Vice President Harry G. Robinson III responded point-by-point to the commission’s letter.

He noted that the university had commissioned a traffic mitigation study to make recommendations on how to slow traffic and redirect it to flow easier around the campus.

"If there is a consensus within the community to implement some or all of the recommended measures, the university will assist the community in seeking implementation of the measures," Robinson wrote.

Robinson also wrote that the university would establish a community planning committee to discuss "matters of mutual interest." The committee would meet at least twice a year.

Robinson’s letter also addressed concerns about rezonings, street closings, and historic designations and preservations of campus properties.

Both Imhoff and Stilwell noted that the university’s enrollment has leveled off at around 12,000 and the university is projecting that will be its enrollment in 2010, which is why the campus plan doesn’t include major expansions.

Copyright 1998, The Common Denominator