On Tuesday, May 14, 2019, the Master Development team facilitated a planning charrette with Howard University’s School of Divinity’s faculty and staff at the Carnegie Building Conference room. School of Divinity Dean Yolanda Pierce, hosted the real estate development team to introduce the process for reimagining the site. Fred Greene III of the master development team FLGA ZOM, LLC, and the design team shared an overview of the proposed project as directed by Dr. Frederick and facilitated a discussion about returning the School to the East Campus.
The faculty discussed their space needs for research and training and the pressing need for affordable housing for its mature students and their families. All concurred that returning to Mays Hall was not a priority and that a new less costly facility would be acceptable. However, there was also a desire to maintain a connection to Mays Hall due to its historic relationship to the School. This connection may take the form of architectural influence on or programmatic integration with a new building.
Some members of the faculty shared their thoughts about how the School of Divinity might once again manifest a community benefit. Recommendations included building a facility capable of housing local conferences and reviving the cafeteria and catering service previously on the site to its former glory. This includes hosting major conferences, thought leaders and seminars. The staff also shared that they had a history of catering community events and generating revenue as a profit center.
This dialogue will be carefully considered and thoroughly assessed for planning purposes and open communication will continue among all East Campus stakeholders.
