photo by Elizabeth Festa
Hill is Home learned today that there are six bidders on The Maples, aka Friendship House at 619 D St., SE. The circa 1798 property, on the National Register of Historic Places, is before a bankruptcy judge. The Friendship House organization vacated the property last year after more than 70 years providing childcare and social services to families in need at that location. The property is boarded up, and has many maintenance issues. At the press conference the DC Preservation League announced that the property has joined its 2009 “most endangered places” list.
One of the bidders, who appeared during a press conference today, is Hill resident and family matriarch Sonja Sweek.
Sweek said her proposal for the site, which was once home to Francis Scott Key, would restore and preserve the historic exterior of the home, while serving as daycare center. The property would also house her physician daughter’s medical practice and a wing for a residential family compound for Sweek, her children and grandchildren.
Sweek said the daycare would be offered at fair market value, with some assistance to a few families in need. She is seeking a partner on her proposal as she cannot proceed financially without one. If one does not come forward, Sweek said she would have to withdraw her bid.
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Another bid proposal is said to be for an apartment building.
Ron Joiner, chairman of the Friendship House board, said that among the bidders, the dollar amount offered is going to be “key,” as the organization needs to pay off what it can. He said he would know more about the bids later this week or next. Joiner said real estate firm Newmark Knight Frank is handling the sale. The property is listed for $4.5 million.
Capitol Hill Restoration Society President Dick Wolf is watching the process unfold. He noted that the property, zoned R-4 by the District, should not be turned into a “rabbit warren” of rooms or apartments, and should stay in keeping with its historic landmark status. The listing site says the property can be used as either residential or office space.
Aside from the Marine commandant’s house, the Friendship House property is the most historic residence on Capitol Hill, Wolf said.
A little over 50 years ago, my mother left her small farm in West Virgina and came to DC to work for the Navy Department. She stayed at Friendship House with another girl from WV.
I Have been in friendship house snice i was a baby i am now 62 years old . my mother worked there in kitchen – My father worked there as a porter me and my bother and sister grew up there in there potery classes and brownies and girlscott and Etc, Me myself when i turn grown. Iworked there in the kitchen as a dietary aide with Ms Susan a very talented cook I wish it would be turn back into Friendship House Community Because it help so many kids in the area, Which what is what it was build for. Thank you Friendship House For making me what iam today.