The Franklin School is a historic building that was used for a homeless shelter that was shut down in 2008.
The Franklin School — a historic downtown building that most recently served as a homeless shelter before being shut down in 2008 and later occupied by protesters — will become the Institute for Contemporary Expression, an exhibit space for “contemporary art, sculpture, installations and performances,” according to a release from the mayor’s office.
With developer EastBanc, ICE-DC will redevelop both the exterior and interior of the 925 13th Street NW space: “The proposed development also includes adult and student art education programs, a new restaurant and café, and an arts bookstore.” The museum, conceived by D.C. art collector Dani Levinas, beat out three other bids to turn the space into, among other things, a boutique hotel or work space for tech entrepreneurs.
“With the completion of this selection process we are now a step closer to revitalizing Franklin School and giving it a new life,” Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Victor L. Hoskins said in a release. “It will create new jobs and provide educational and mentoring programs as well as new retail amenities. It will also create a new destination and tourist attraction in synergy with Franklin Square Park.”
The cost of rehabilitating the building ranges from $15 to $30 million, according to the Post, and ICE-DC’s backers need to raise $10 to $15 million.