Bread for the City expands into its adjacent two lots on the 1500 block of 7th Street NW.

George Jones, Bread for the City's Executive Director, recently shared information on the progress of his organization's new medical facility, at its Northwest Center located at 1525 7th Street NW, and his earnest desire to respond to the needs of local neighbors about their concerns about a few of BFTC's clients. It's great news that BFTC's annex is moving forward at a good pace and has not been slowed or derailed by the financial problems faced by other local projects. It's also good to note that Jones has met will local community members about possible solutions to the nuisances caused by a few of BFTC's clients who loiter around it's facility. One of the solutions on the table might be to provide some space within the gated grounds of the Kennedy Recreation Center where people who currently loiter on the streets will be supervised and attended to by BFTC staff and/or other District agency personnel who will provide services and programs for them.

BFTC's medical facility will increase the area of its usable space to 21,293 s.f. The expanded primary care medical clinic will continue to provide comprehensive primary health care to DC residents who lack medical insurance and/or access to a primary care provider. With the new facility BFTC expects to increase annual patient visits from 6,468 in FY07 to projected visits of 17,774 visits by FY15. The entire project will cost just under $7M and is expected to be completed in October 2010 taking approximately 11 months to complete.

BFTC has already added some of its anticipated staff hires for the expanded facility, but, due to current economic conditions, is not expected to take on additional hires until 2013. In FY13, BFTC anticipates adding 6.9 new FTEs: 0.9 physicians, 1 nurse, 1 medical assistant, 1 billing personnel, 1 volunteer resident and 2 volunteer student. In FY14, BFTC anticipates adding 2 additional FTEs: 1 additional fiscal worker, and 1 medical assistant. In FY15, Bread for the City anticipates adding 1 additional medical assistant.

There will be discussion about the development of BFTC's new facility at tonight's ANC2C meeting.

Alleviating the nuisances that local residents have brought to Jones' attention and providing a convenient space for homeless individuals to receive services and spend time during the warm weather months next year are equally important to BFTC. Current problems related to drinking and possible substance abuse by folks who congregate on the sidewalks in Shaw might best be mitigated by giving them a dedicated space, off the public streets, where care givers can attend to their needs and supervise and minimize unconstructive and anti-social behavior. Providing space for them at the KRC would also provide them with bathroom facilities they could use to and minimize problems residents have noted with the way some people misuse public space.

As these discussions continue over the next few months, I'm told that the directors at the KRC are committed to provide well a maintained, clean and safe facility for all of its patrons and continue to be a great amenity for all members of the Shaw community.