FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2013
CONTACT:
Doxie McCoy (EOM) 202.727.9691; [email protected]
Chanda Washington (DMPED) 202.727.6365; [email protected]
Darrell Pressley (DGS) 202.698.7703; [email protected]
(Washington D.C.) - Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Victor L. Hoskins, Department of General Services (DGS) Director Brian Hanlon, other government officials, community leaders and members of the design-and-construction team today hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new St. Elizabeths East Gateway Pavilion. The facility, which has been renamed G8WAY DC, is a park and pavilion that will serve as a location for retail and food vendors, community events and entertainment.
“Today is an amazing day, because it marks the fulfillment of a major promise to the Ward 8 community,” said Mayor Gray. “Cutting the ribbon on the G8WAY DC pavilion symbolizes the transformation that is happening across the city and the opportunities that are coming to the District’s East End.”
The District selected Brown & Fried as the firm to manage, market and program the facility. The completion of this project signals the first time the historic St. Elizabeths East Campus has been opened to the general public. Over 40 vendors are expected to operate at the site, generating jobs and economic activity.
Mayor Gray, Hoskins, Hanlon and principals from the design-and-construction team of KADCON, Davis Brody Bond, and Robert Silman Associates were joined at the ribbon-cutting celebration by Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry, St. Elizabeths East Executive Director Catherine Buell, Jeff Fried of Brown & Fried and a host of neighbors and leaders from the Ward 8 community.
G8WAY DC stands in the center of Ward 8, where it will welcome visitors from across the city with dynamic entertainment and retail offerings. The open-air market and pavilion area is 16,300 square feet and will provide space for over 40 vendors and as many as 10 food trucks at curbside. The enclosed flex conference and café area, which was added at the request of community leaders, is 3,100 square feet and will be leased to pop-up retailers and café food vendors. The rooftop amphitheater will hold over 1,000 people and provide space for concerts and other outdoor events. Additionally, through the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, DC Net has created a free Wi-Fi hotspot for visitors to the pavilion.
“I thank my staff for their hard work in making this dream a reality,” said Deputy Mayor Hoskins. “This structure sets the stage for a once-in-a-generation development that will cultivate globally significant economic opportunities in the East End and beyond.”
“The Department of General Services was honored to work with our partners in Deputy Mayor Hoskins’ office to construct this unique pavilion that will benefit the residents and visitors of this great city,” said Hanlon.
Among those employed during the pavilion’s construction phase were 12 District residents. For more information on the St. Elizabeths East Campus, please click here.
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