UDC officials presented on the Bertie Backus Campus Plan at ANC 5A’s meeting on April 26, 2023. UDC officials said they plan to submit the campus plan application to the DC Zoning Commission this month. For information about the campus plan process, visit https://www.udc.edu/campus-master-plan.

(This post described initial meetings about this process).

DC zoning regulations require universities to update campus plans every 10 years. According to UDC, the goal of the regulations are to ensure that university campuses “(1) are well-planned and designed; (2) have long-term facilities plans; (3) minimize any negative impacts the university may have on the surrounding residential neighborhood; and (4) are consistent and transparent with their planning processes.” The Bertie Backus plan under development is the first one for the campus.

View UDC Bertie Backus Campus Plan April 2023 Presentation

The April presentation provides a few more details on the phased development plan for the campus. I have asked for a fact sheet about the Backus campus plan. I will update the post when I receive that information.

The existing campus, located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE, sits on a large city block along South Dakota Avenue between Galloway and Hamilton streets. The campus houses UDC’s community college programs (which were relocated from the university’s North Capitol Street campus) and UDC’s Bertie Backus food hub. There is also a DOES American Job Center located on the grounds with an entrance on Hamilton Street NE. The campus sits in ANC 5A01.

(Separately from the campus plan process, the university is currently completing a few beautification projects on the campus.)

Phase One

The first phase would consist of modernizing the existing buildings on campus.

• Upgrade utilities
• New HVAC
• Solar panel installation
• Addition of a few long-term bicycle parking spaces
• New green/bioretention spaces, new trees, new wayfinding signs in a reconfigured parking lot (160 parking spaces)
• New food court/coffee station on first floor
• New loading area close to Hamilton Street

Phase Two

The second phase would consist of an expansion. UDC officials said there is no funding for this phase.

• New 55,000 square foot wing and courtyard on part of the existing parking lot.
• New main entrance
• Reconfigured parking lot with 100 spaces
• Green roof on the new wing
• Removal of chain link fence
• New bike parking along South Dakota Avenue
• New UDC clock tower with UDC logo
• Improved signage/facade improvements along South Dakota Avenue
• New green spaces
• Food Hub components and 9/11 memorial will remain

Campus Plan Timeline

• May 2023: UDC submits Bertie Backus campus plan application to DC Zoning Commission
• Summer 2023: UDC anticipates Zoning Commission hearing
• Fall 2023: UDC anticipates Zoning Commission approval

Send comments/questions to Juanita Gray at juanita.gray@udc.edu.