Bowser Administration, Army Corps Announce Set-Up of DC Convention Center into Alternate Care Facility

By Sarah LazoApril 19, 2020

Bowser Administration, Army Corps Announce Set-Up of DC Convention Center into Alternate Care Facili
Photo By David Gray | A Baltimore District Alternate Care Site Task Force Member performs a site inspection in Washington, D.C., March 25, 2020. This is part of a larger FEMA mission assignment for the Corps of Engineers to convert large spaces to serve as alternate care sites in response to COVID-19. (Photo Credit: David Gray) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON, DC -- In coordination with the Bowser Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, has issued a design/build contract to Hensel Phelps Construction Co., to convert the Walter E. Washington Convention Center into an alternate care facility to support the District’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19). The goal is to never need to use the Convention Center, but by the first week of May, 500 beds will be ready.

“While our goal is to never use the Convention Center, we must have the capacity to support a potential increase in COVID-19 patients,” said Mayor Bowser. “We thank the Army Corps, FEMA, and Events DC for their continued partnership during this public health emergency.”

“Through FEMA, our job is to provide the District of Columbia with a tailored space that meets their anticipated medical surge needs to augment existing healthcare facilities,” said Col. John Litz, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District Commander. “Our goal, leveraging our contractor’s expertise, is to get this site operational as quickly as possible while meeting medical standards, so equipment and beds can be placed and health care providers can take over, should the need arise.”

“We’re proud to do our part during this unprecedented crisis by converting the Walter E. Washington Convention Center into a temporary alternate care site to help relieve the burden of the local hospital system,” said Greg O’Dell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Events DC. “We will remain in this fight together.”

Emergency No Parking

The District announced the following emergency no parking restrictions in the area surrounding the Convention Center effective Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at 12:01 a.m.

1100 Block 9th Street NW (Mt. Vernon Pl to L St NW): East curb lane

1100 Block 9th Street NW (L St to M St NW): East curb lane

1100 Block 7th Street NW (Mt. Vernon Pl to L St NW): West curb lane

1100 Block 7th Street NW (L St to M St NW): West curb lane

700 Block L Street NW (7th St to 9th St NW): North and South curb lanes

Signs have been posted by the District Department of Transportation and restrictions will be enforced by the Department of Public Works.

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