Opposition to relocate the District’s Maryland-based juvenile detention center to the Walter Reed hospital campus

View Larger Map

Thanks to all who sent in word about this development first reported by the Washington Business Journal:

“The District’s lofty long-term vision for the Walter Reed Army Medical Center when the campus closes next year features residential, retail, office, education and medical uses spread out across 62.5 acres.

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., has one more use he’d like to add: juvenile detention.

Cardin wants the District to move the New Beginnings Youth Development Center, currently located in Laurel, to the Walter Reed campus.”

Council Member Muriel Bowser opposes the idea. From a press release:

“Ward 4 Councilmember Bowser has joined with Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton to fight a proposal to relocate the District’s Maryland-based juvenile detention center to the Walter Reed hospital campus. The District is poised to redevelop a portion of the campus for educational and commercial uses.

“Delegate Holmes Norton and I are committed to protecting Ward 4 and the community’s plans for the redevelopment of Walter Reed,” said Bowser. “Relocating New Beginnings to the campus is simply inappropriate for a residential area, would scuttle the long-contemplated redevelopment plan, and would undermine the desires of the community.”

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Ben Cardin, D-Md, would prohibit the Secretary of the Army from approving a redevelopment plan for Walter Reed that does not provide for the transfer of the recently opened $40 million New Beginnings Youth Development Center, located in Laurel, Maryland.”