| HUD No. 06-085 Antoinette Perry-Banks (202) 708-0980 |
For Release Monday July 17, 2006 |
HUD BREAKS GROUND ON $2.5 MILLION CHILD CARE CENTER
New State-of-the-Art Center Will Benefit Federal Agencies
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Roy Bernardi and Assistant Secretary Keith Nelson were joined today by General Services Administration (GSA) Deputy Administrator David Bibb in breaking ground for HUD's new child care center. The state-of-the-art center will provide a safe and convenient environment for the children of HUD Headquarters employees and surrounding federal agencies.
"This is a great thing for HUD - for the employees, for their children, and for our entire department," Secretary Bernardi said. "We at HUD believe our children deserve the best. We're confident the new Center will be a great place for the children of HUD employees and the employees of nearby agencies."
GSA will fund the $2.5 million center, which HUD will reimburse over a 10-year period by means of rent amortization. Construction will commence July 2006 with anticipated completion in July 2007.
Over the last five years, HUD and GSA have worked to improve the design of the child care center. Through those efforts, GSA developed the Child Care Design Guide Standards, which provide for direct egresses to the outside, more exits and natural light and infant program
In 1978, the child care center first opened in the basement of the Weaver Building with 20 students. The new center will have a capacity of 76 students, from infants to preschoolers, and will be located under the overhang of the southwest portion of the building.
The new center will house an inviting entrance lobby, six age-appropriate classrooms, offices, warming kitchen, outdoor infant plan and other support spaces.
"GSA was excited to work along side with HUD in getting the plans for this new child care center approved through the National Capital Planning Commission," said GSA Deputy Administrator David Bibb. "We are proud of our national commitment to make quality child care a key building amenity and an essential component of a quality work environment."
The National Capitol Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts approved the exterior of the structure. In an effort to maintain the architectural aesthetics of the existing building, attention was given to the design to allow for large amounts of natural light through the glass perimeter walls.
HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.
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