On November 12, 2026 Councilmember Matt Frumin will hold a hearing on the proposal to rebuild the Chevy Chase library, community center, public outdoor space, and add 177 mixed-income homes — 90 of which will be affordable apartments (Council bill B26-801). This proposal increases the number of affordable homes to more than half of the total units.
We need to speak out and send letters of support to win this! The opponents are sure to make their voices heard. Send a letter and better yet — testify virtually or in person — on Nov. 12.
The Ward 3 site is a rare opportunity to use no-cost public land to create new housing in an affluent neighborhood that offers no dedicated affordable housing, and where almost no new homes have been built in recent years.
After years of planning, hearings, and debates, the District is ready to authorize the building of mixed-income housing along with a new Chevy Case library and community center. Here’s what’s in the plan:
- A new library, community center, public outdoor space
- Usable public outdoor space would be doubled
- 90 affordable homes — more than half of the total new 177 homes
- 30% will be deeply affordable at 30% and 50% of area median income
- 20% affordable for households earning up to 80% area median income
- 87 apartments will be market rate
- All affordable homes remain affordable for the 99-year ground lease (which is actually an air rights lease).
We need to testify and submit letters of support for the hearing chaired by Councilmember Frumin on Nov. 12.
We also need to turn out again when Councilmember Janeese Lewis George schedules a hearing for the bill in her committee.
Tell them you support this proposal and that it’s time for the DC Council to act.
Want to see more?
- Here’s the bill: B26-801— Chevy Chase Civic Site Surplus Declaration and Disposition Approval Act of 2026.
- Here are the renderings for the new Civic Core project.
Illustration of rear entrance to Chevy Chase library, community center, outdoor play space and mixed income housing. Source: Rift Valley.