(Washington, DC) – Today, Thursday, February 19 at 11 am, Mayor Muriel Bowser will join the DC Department of General Services (DGS), the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and community members to break ground on the new Douglass Community Center in Ward 8.
The center, named for Frederick Douglass, the famed abolitionist and civil rights leader, was originally built in 1969. The $25 million redevelopment project will replace the aging facility and pool house with a 13,550-square-foot, one-story, energy-efficient community hub, and upgrade six acres of outdoor amenities. The project will provide spaces for families, youth, and seniors to connect, stay active, and thrive.
The groundbreaking, held during Black History Month, highlights Ward 8’s direct connection to Frederick Douglass, who lived at Cedar Hill in Anacostia from 1877 until his death in 1895. His residence is preserved today as the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. The modernized community center joins other District landmarks that celebrate his legacy, including the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, which opened in 2021, and Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health, which opened in 2025.
The project is part of the Bowser Administration’s ongoing effort to deliver world-class and modern recreation facilities across the District, building on more than $600 million invested in recreation centers since 2015.
When:
Thursday, February 19 at 11 am
Who:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Delano Hunter, Director, Department of General Services
Thennie Freeman, Department of Parks and Recreation
Cheryl Moore, Commissioner, ANC 8C05
Where:
Douglass Community Center
1922 Frederick Douglass Court SE
*Closest Bus Routes: C21, C29, C53*
*Closest Metro Station: Congress Heights Station*
Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to [email protected].
The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment will provide a live feed of this event. To view the event, visit mayor.dc.gov/live, tune in on Channel 16 (DCN), or watch on Mayor Bowser’s Facebook or X.
Mayor Bowser X: @MayorBowser
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Mayor Bowser LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mayorbowser