MacArthur Elementary Concept Doesn't Include Affordable Housing

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Alexandria School Board approved a concept for the new Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, and affordable or workforce housing won't be part of it.

The Forest concept is intended to provide play space for children and complement the wooded area in the back of the school. The design isn't final, but no major changes will be made, Alexandria City Public Schools says. DLR Group, the architects in charge of the design, will look at adding communal and recreational programming space.

A joint statement from Superintendent Gregory Hutchings Jr. and City Manager Mark Jinks said affordable or workforce housing for ACPS employees at the Douglas MacArthur Elementary site is ruled out.

"While the concept of affordable/workforce housing for ACPS employees is one worth considering for other ACPS school sites where there is far more time to plan, the need to keep the MacArthur project on its unique, and extremely tight planning, design and construction schedule made the introduction of the housing concept in ACPS's view a risk to the MacArthur timetable," reads the joint statement.

Douglas MacArthur Elementary students will move into the old Patrick Henry School in fall 2020 as construction begins. In 2019, the Alexandria School Board approved use of the old Patrick Henry School as a swing space while Douglas MacArthur Elementary undergoes renovations. The new school is expected to be open in January 2023.