The DC Zoning Commission recently issued a final order for UDC’s Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan (2023-2033) (ZC case no. 23-16). A public hearing was held on October 30, 2023. The Zoning Commission took final action to approve the plan on November 30, 2023. The campus is located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE in Riggs Park in ANC 5A01. UDC’s campus plan website is https://www.udc.edu/campus-master-plan.

Formerly known as the Bertie Backus campus, the Lamond-Riggs campus houses the university’s community college program and a few workforce development programs. UDC plans to gradually increase student enrollment at the campus from roughly 1,800 students currently to 3,000 students.

(The grounds also house an American Job Center for the DC Department of Employment Services. The job center will eventually relocate).

UDC plans a two-phase campus development process. Phase 1 will involve renovating the existing buildings on the campus. Phase 2 will involve constructing a new wing on the campus. Currently, there is no funding for Phase 2 activities.

The Zoning Commission order includes conditions related to campus enrollment, further processing, student conduct, a transportation demand management plan, a performance monitoring plan, and community outreach. Enrollment will be limited to 3,000 students with 118 faculty. UDC will have to return to the Zoning Commission for construction of the new wing and will have to provide 60 days’ notice to ANC 5A for review of the design.

This was a long process that I think could have been run a lot better by the university and their counsel. I do want to acknowledge ANC Commissioner Duvalier Malone (5A01), who I think did a nice job of listening to residents and making sure our voices were heard during this process. With a new university president in place, early collaboration with the DC Council and District agencies like DDOT, and better communication, I think UDC can make implementation of this campus plan a beneficial process for the university and the neighborhood.