Meridian Public Charter Schools has selected Bowie Gridley Architects to lead the renovation of the former Harrison Elementary School, located at 2120 13th Street NW, Washington, DC.  The project includes the renovation of the existing 48,900 square foot building and the addition of approximately 12,000 square feet of new space, for a cafeteria, library and multi-purpose room.  The total project will encompass approximately 30 renovated classrooms, administrative and student services offices, HVAC systems replacement, and elevator installation.  Meridian PCS is striving for LEED Certification of the project.  Design is currently under way and the project is scheduled for completion in Summer 2012.

Meridian Public Charter School (mpcs.learningstation.com) is a co-educational elementary and middle school enrolling students starting at the Early Childhood level (3 years old) to the 8th grade level.  The School is located in the U Street Historic District of Washington, DC.

On Tuesday, August 9, 2011, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and other District of Columbia officials presided at a ribbon-cutting for the refurbished Chevy Chase Recreation Center located at 5500 41st Street NW and designed by Bowie Gridley Architects.  The new facilities  are designed for residents of all ages and are among the newest in many recent renovation projects carried out by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) in conjunction with the Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization (OPEFM).   In addition to the renovated and expanded recreation center which features new HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, and new accessible restrooms, the $4.2 million project features a spray park; 15 new benches; a new “Tot Lot” play equipment for children ages 2-5; a new playground for children ages 6-12; a new stand-alone 6,000-square-foot dog park; two new water fountains; a renovated baseball field; a new dugout, batting cage, and storage shed; as well as new lights and a new irrigation system.

Bowie Gridley Architects worked with the DC Government and the community to renovate an existing baseball field and to modernize and upgrade casual and formal recreation areas. The firm’s design for the new playground has an innovative ecological theme.  The “spray ground” design is based on the cycle of water and features a cushioned rubber surface and age-appropriate play structures.