Medical Center's Closure an Opportunity for D.C.

The closure of the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. presents a big piece of property and a big opportunity for the District.

1 minute read

September 2, 2011, 7:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"The State Department will take a chunk of Walter Reed's 113 acres, possibly for embassies. But that leaves almost 70 acres for D.C. In a city where a quarter of the land is owned by the federal government, demand for land is high.

'This is a uniquely vocal community, let me just put it that way,' says Victor Hoskins, deputy mayor of Planning and Economic Development. He co-chairs the committee that is going to figure out just what the District of Columbia is going to do with all of this land.

'Actually, the interest we've gotten from a number of retailers already has been, really, quite astounding. What's going to happen is when that fence comes down [and] we develop the retail along there, it will become a place to go,' Hoskins says. 'And there's a chance now to revive a Main Street, which is Georgia Avenue, which has for years been suffering from decay.'"

The space will also no longer be exempt from property taxes, potentially created a big influx for the District.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011 in NPR

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Close-up of traffic congestion from behind cars on a freeway in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop

When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

March 17, 2025 - Todd Litman

Close-up on 45 mph speed limit sign with part of Golden Gate Bridge visible in background, San Francisco, California.

San Francisco Turns On California’s First Speed Cameras

The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.

March 25 - KQED

Downtown Los Angeles skyline viewed from the northwest on a sunny day with scattered clouds.

Shaping LA’s Future: Public Voting Opens for LA2050 Grants

The LA2050 Grants Challenge invites Angelenos to vote on the top issues facing Los Angeles, helping direct $3 million in funding to organizations working to build a more connected and resilient region.

March 25 - MyNewsLA.com

White CTA bus and elevated train against sunset sky in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Transit Agencies on Brink of Major Crisis

Without additional funding, regional transit agencies will be forced to cut services by 40 percent.

March 25 - Mass Transit